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Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
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Any users here switch from an iPhone to let’s say and S8/+/Note 8 and did the same from AW to Gear S3.
If so what are your thoughts?
Pros/Cons?
 

Applefan4515

Suspended
Sep 19, 2016
206
202
I did when the s8 came out. Had an s8 plus and gear s3 frontier. Best thing about it to me was Samsung pay worked virtually anywhere. Even places that didn’t have nfc. Ultimately ended up coming back to iPhone. A bunch of little annoyances added with the charging port was loose on the phone, and Samsung’s only option for me was to go two weeks without a phone, which because of work I just can’t do. So back to  I went. The customer service at  is that much better. The gear s3 frontier was awesome though. Thing was durable.
 
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Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
199
I did when the s8 came out. Had an s8 plus and gear s3 frontier. Best thing about it to me was Samsung pay worked virtually anywhere. Even places that didn’t have nfc. Ultimately ended up coming back to iPhone. A bunch of little annoyances added with the charging port was loose on the phone, and Samsung’s only option for me was to go two weeks without a phone, which because of work I just can’t do. So back to  I went. The customer service at  is that much better. The gear s3 frontier was awesome though. Thing was durable.

That Gear S3 looks really stout like a true mans watch.
What made you switch from Apple in the first place?
What annoyed you from the Samsung that prompted the switch back?
 

Applefan4515

Suspended
Sep 19, 2016
206
202
That Gear S3 looks really stout like a true mans watch.
What made you switch from Apple in the first place?
What annoyed you from the Samsung that prompted the switch back?

I got bored. No other way to put it. Loved the screen on the s8. Minimal bezels. So I decided to give it a shot. The things that annoyed me, a lot of it was stuff I missed. 3D Touch, the swiping to go back to the previous page in safari. It got annoying having to delete the storage and the ram. The customer service issue as I stated above. The cameras shutter speed wasn’t that great. Battery wasn’t as good as the iPhone either. The Touch ID on the back actually didn’t bother me. Just mainly the operating system. Might be unfair to android since I’ve been on pretty much strictly iOS since the 3GS. Android is a good system, at least some of it. Just not for me. I also find, my personal opinion here, even though the s8 has a glass back the same as the iPhone 8, it didn’t feel as quality made as the iPhone does.
[doublepost=1507040312][/doublepost]It made me appreciate the “boringness” of the iPhone. That’s for sure.
 
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convergent

macrumors 68040
May 6, 2008
3,034
3,083
Just this weekend I went from iPhone 6S+ and Apple Watch (original) to Note8 and Gear S3 Frontier. I'm only a couple of days in and need to work though everything to decide if I'm staying here, but so far so good. To be fair, the only thing that would cause me to go back is my family and how tied to Apple they all are. Specifically, messaging in the family group and our family photo share. Everything else has been minor pros/cons.

What surprised me the most is how much I like the Gear S3. The UI is so much more intuitive than the AW. I went to the gym for the first time yesterday and sweaty hands weren't a problem. I'd always have trouble swiping the screen on AW while running because my fingers were sweaty. The rotating dial of the S3 makes so much more sense, and the big bright screen and intuitive layout made it super easy to work with. I actually had an easier time with tracking on something I've never used than something I've had on my wrist for 2 years.

Android Auto giving me Waze was also a boon... but overall I like CarPlay better in other ways. For example, with CarPlay I can still access the phone and do things while connected to CarPlay... Android Auto seems to lock you out of the phone. Otherwise the experiences are similar, but CarPlay's screens look better albeit very simple.
 

BlueGoldAce

macrumors 68000
Oct 11, 2011
1,951
1,455
Just this weekend I went from iPhone 6S+ and Apple Watch (original) to Note8 and Gear S3 Frontier. I'm only a couple of days in and need to work though everything to decide if I'm staying here, but so far so good. To be fair, the only thing that would cause me to go back is my family and how tied to Apple they all are. Specifically, messaging in the family group and our family photo share. Everything else has been minor pros/cons.

What surprised me the most is how much I like the Gear S3. The UI is so much more intuitive than the AW. I went to the gym for the first time yesterday and sweaty hands weren't a problem. I'd always have trouble swiping the screen on AW while running because my fingers were sweaty. The rotating dial of the S3 makes so much more sense, and the big bright screen and intuitive layout made it super easy to work with. I actually had an easier time with tracking on something I've never used than something I've had on my wrist for 2 years.

Android Auto giving me Waze was also a boon... but overall I like CarPlay better in other ways. For example, with CarPlay I can still access the phone and do things while connected to CarPlay... Android Auto seems to lock you out of the phone. Otherwise the experiences are similar, but CarPlay's screens look better albeit very simple.

I recently switched to iOS, and my opinion is the opposite (and in no way superior to yours).

I miss android auto. I find google voice assistant is much better at understanding and executing voice commands, as well as faster. Google maps is better, and you can use spotify, etc with full voice command integration; while you can only do this with apple music on carplay. I like the look of android auto, and I like homescreen where recent destination and notifications can be read.

You are correct that carplay allows you to still use your phone, and is a simpler design. Its just a matter of preference, I guess.
 
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Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
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I don’t use CarPlay or plan on using android auto.
In my car my stuff mainly connects via Bluetooth and not usb.

I think I’m going to try the Gear S3 and S8+
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
Got an S8+ and Gear S3 Frontier. Wonderful devices and experience. They replaced a 7+ and Apple Watch Gen 0.

Switching is not a big deal. I go back and forth all the time.
 

Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
199
I got bored. No other way to put it. Loved the screen on the s8. Minimal bezels. So I decided to give it a shot. The things that annoyed me, a lot of it was stuff I missed. 3D Touch, the swiping to go back to the previous page in safari. It got annoying having to delete the storage and the ram. The customer service issue as I stated above. The cameras shutter speed wasn’t that great. Battery wasn’t as good as the iPhone either. The Touch ID on the back actually didn’t bother me. Just mainly the operating system. Might be unfair to android since I’ve been on pretty much strictly iOS since the 3GS. Android is a good system, at least some of it. Just not for me. I also find, my personal opinion here, even though the s8 has a glass back the same as the iPhone 8, it didn’t feel as quality made as the iPhone does.
[doublepost=1507040312][/doublepost]It made me appreciate the “boringness” of the iPhone. That’s for sure.

So you want back to iPhone?
One thing I might miss is unlocking bank apps with the Touch ID.

Just this weekend I went from iPhone 6S+ and Apple Watch (original) to Note8 and Gear S3 Frontier. I'm only a couple of days in and need to work though everything to decide if I'm staying here, but so far so good. To be fair, the only thing that would cause me to go back is my family and how tied to Apple they all are. Specifically, messaging in the family group and our family photo share. Everything else has been minor pros/cons.

What surprised me the most is how much I like the Gear S3. The UI is so much more intuitive than the AW. I went to the gym for the first time yesterday and sweaty hands weren't a problem. I'd always have trouble swiping the screen on AW while running because my fingers were sweaty. The rotating dial of the S3 makes so much more sense, and the big bright screen and intuitive layout made it super easy to work with. I actually had an easier time with tracking on something I've never used than something I've had on my wrist for 2 years.

Android Auto giving me Waze was also a boon... but overall I like CarPlay better in other ways. For example, with CarPlay I can still access the phone and do things while connected to CarPlay... Android Auto seems to lock you out of the phone. Otherwise the experiences are similar, but CarPlay's screens look better albeit very simple.

Yeah I’m in a couple group messages and I hope they work out alright.
I may do the switch as well.
What did you do with your old Apple Watch and Apple phone?
 

Sevanw

Suspended
Sep 13, 2014
1,361
2,086
The only advice I can give people for switching one way or the other is to just switch and make your own opinion. One thing is for sure, you're not gonna have a truly accurate opinion without going a full year. I never understood how people try a completely new ecosystem after years and years on a different ecosystem, and make up their minds in a few months. There was one poster here that made up his mind in 4 days. Lol. Remember, moving to a completely different ecosystem means making adjustments, and letting those adjustments set in. After a year of growing and appreciating the capabilities of your new device in situations that won't show themselves in just a few weeks or months, you will know exactly what you prefer for the time being. And then revisit in a few more years down the road.
 

Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
199
Got an S8+ and Gear S3 Frontier. Wonderful devices and experience. They replaced a 7+ and Apple Watch Gen 0.

Switching is not a big deal. I go back and forth all the time.

Exactly the route I plan on going. Any reason you did not get the note 8?
How’s the Gear S3?
I have a 6s now and series 2 Apple Watch which I should’ve kept instead of upgrading to this Stainless Watch.
 

michael9891

Cancelled
Sep 26, 2016
3,060
3,945
The worst thing I found when switching from an iPhone to a Note 8 was trying to decide what to do with all the extra money I saved.
 

convergent

macrumors 68040
May 6, 2008
3,034
3,083
I recently switched to iOS, and my opinion is the opposite (and in no way superior to yours).

I miss android auto. I find google voice assistant is much better at understanding and executing voice commands, as well as faster. Google maps is better, and you can use spotify, etc with full voice command integration; while you can only do this with apple music on carplay. I like the look of android auto, and I like homescreen where recent destination and notifications can be read.

You are correct that carplay allows you to still use your phone, and is a simpler design. Its just a matter of preference, I guess.

Keep in mind that my opinion is based on about 40 minutes in the truck with Android Auto, so I'm sure as I learn more it will get better. Waze is a major contributor to the in car experience that trumps a lot of things. The one thing that frustrated me was that I use Apple Music and with the phone locked out I had no way to play my music. Surprisingly, I just talked to it and get it to play something, but also had problems getting Google to respond all the time and sometimes it responded to what was playing... like it listened to Waze give a direction and then started a new Waze route to the street it just said to turn on... LOL. All learning curve stuff.

Where do you actually read your notifications? I didn't see a tab for that or to review messages that came in.

I don’t use CarPlay or plan on using android auto.
In my car my stuff mainly connects via Bluetooth and not usb.

I think I’m going to try the Gear S3 and S8+

You are missing a great experience in the car with navigation being up on your dash. That is really the main benefit of it.

Yeah I’m in a couple group messages and I hope they work out alright.
I may do the switch as well.
What did you do with your old Apple Watch and Apple phone?

I am not doing anything with them immediately. The 6S+ 128GB was replaced by Apple while I was buying the Note8, so its brand new. (was last day of Applecare!). So if I were to sell it, I should be able to get top dollar. My AW is the SS large version. It was replaced about 6 months ago because the face popped off. I have a couple of daughters that would fight it out for it... so not sure I can go that route. I am probably going to hang on to both for the near term to see if I really am going to stay on the Samsung bandwagon. I have never really sold my old stuff... it always gets passed to someone in the family. But part of my justification was factoring in with the deal from AT&T and resale value, I am doing this for basically a wash in terms of money.
 

phoneme

macrumors regular
Sep 27, 2015
183
141
Out of curiosity, because I don't know, how does Samsung Pay work if the store machine doesn't have NFC?
it works the same way apple pay or any other NFC payment only difference is that samsung pay work on both NFC and it also uses "MST" (magnetic secure transmission) so if your merchant uses the old way or the new NFC way samsung pay will work when applepay won't. with samsung it just works. with apple it just works..sometimes lol..
 
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S.B.G

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 8, 2010
26,679
10,464
Detroit
it works the same way apple pay or any other NFC payment only difference is that samsung pay work on both NFC and it also uses "MST" (magnetic secure transmission) so if your merchant uses the old way or the new NFC way samsung pay will work when applepay won't. with samsung it just works. with apple it just works..sometimes lol..
Ok cool. Thanks for the explanation!
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
Exactly the route I plan on going. Any reason you did not get the note 8?
How’s the Gear S3?
I have a 6s now and series 2 Apple Watch which I should’ve kept instead of upgrading to this Stainless Watch.

Note 8 didn’t exist at the time I purchased my S8+.

Had it been available I most likely would have gotten the Note 8. It is phenomenal.
 
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BlueGoldAce

macrumors 68000
Oct 11, 2011
1,951
1,455
Keep in mind that my opinion is based on about 40 minutes in the truck with Android Auto, so I'm sure as I learn more it will get better. Waze is a major contributor to the in car experience that trumps a lot of things. The one thing that frustrated me was that I use Apple Music and with the phone locked out I had no way to play my music. Surprisingly, I just talked to it and get it to play something, but also had problems getting Google to respond all the time and sometimes it responded to what was playing... like it listened to Waze give a direction and then started a new Waze route to the street it just said to turn on... LOL. All learning curve stuff.

Where do you actually read your notifications? I didn't see a tab for that or to review messages that came in.



You are missing a great experience in the car with navigation being up on your dash. That is really the main benefit of it.



I am not doing anything with them immediately. The 6S+ 128GB was replaced by Apple while I was buying the Note8, so its brand new. (was last day of Applecare!). So if I were to sell it, I should be able to get top dollar. My AW is the SS large version. It was replaced about 6 months ago because the face popped off. I have a couple of daughters that would fight it out for it... so not sure I can go that route. I am probably going to hang on to both for the near term to see if I really am going to stay on the Samsung bandwagon. I have never really sold my old stuff... it always gets passed to someone in the family. But part of my justification was factoring in with the deal from AT&T and resale value, I am doing this for basically a wash in terms of money.

As I am sure I’ll learn with CarPlay. It doesn’t matter a ton to me, as my wife drives the car that had this feature. But it matters enough to her that she returned her 8 plus and went back to her note 8.

Android Auto has a center button, and two buttons on both sides of that, I think. The center button shows recent notifications, messages, weather, now playing, etc.

It my be a Hyundai thing, but google never responds unless I say “ok google” or press the voice button. I know the hardware can matter. Android Auto is a rather rich implementation. We took. 3500 mike,14 day road trip with Android Auto. It was really great. It is really nice to have a set destination, and then ask Google to find you the nearest gas station and then find you the nearest fast food restaurant, and it will add it seamlessly to your out. It’s also nice to be able to say “play me my favorite artist, or play me something like this” and it works.

CarPlay was markedly better than my first test yesterday, when I took a small trip with it. Siri learns, and that is evident, but it can approach Android Auto.

Google maps is better.

I also am not a big fan of Apple Music. I am using it now, but I find Spotify to be the better service for discover. Android auto works with everything but Apple Music, voice commands and all. CarPlay seems to only fully integrate with Apple Music.
 

Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
199
Note 8 didn’t exist at the time I purchased my S8+.

Had it been available I most likely would have gotten the Note 8. It is phenomenal.

Well only difference between Note 8 is the pen and the dual camera right?
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
I dunno about everyone else here, but the hardest part of "The Switch" is getting the wife to follow along.

I'm not sure I'll be able to do it yet. Between the lack of cohesion from Messaging, the need to buy new apps, and the fact that I own a bunch of iTunes movies is making this a tough sell.
 

Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
199
I dunno about everyone else here, but the hardest part of "The Switch" is getting the wife to follow along.

I'm not sure I'll be able to do it yet. Between the lack of cohesion from Messaging, the need to buy new apps, and the fact that I own a bunch of iTunes movies is making this a tough sell.

Yeah because you’re all wrapped up in it.
I have songs I purchased as well but oh well and it would’ve never happened if I had android to begin with.
I don’t really follow the family/friends based on what phones they have.
The whole messaging and FaceTime stuff is wack to me.
Either way I still plan to keep my iPad around so I won’t be totally out of touch.
 

AustinIllini

macrumors G5
Oct 20, 2011
12,699
10,567
Austin, TX
Yeah because you’re all wrapped up in it.
I have songs I purchased as well but oh well and it would’ve never happened if I had android to begin with.
I don’t really follow the family/friends based on what phones they have.
The whole messaging and FaceTime stuff is wack to me.
Either way I still plan to keep my iPad around so I won’t be totally out of touch.
For a tight family like mine, it's a problem. Luckily, my brother in law has the Nexus 5x, which means I managed to get everyone on Google Photos.
 

Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
199
For a tight family like mine, it's a problem. Luckily, my brother in law has the Nexus 5x, which means I managed to get everyone on Google Photos.

Yeah to have all my family on iPhones and using iMessage would be rather difficult. That’s why the iPad would come in handy if times arise when I need FaceTime or interact with Apple and certain apps. But the s8+ should be great for daily.
 
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