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Thinking about switching to the darkside
- Thread starter SuperMiguel
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Only reasons not to switch are
1. If you're not going to give Android a fair chance, don't bother
2. If you paid for a lot of apps and losing them would be huge, don't bother
But if you're ready for an enhanced user experience with the freedom to do what YOU want with your phone then switch.
You won't have the apple eco system, but for a phone I think you have everything to gain.
I made the switch, hated it at first, but i love it now
I carry two devices currently the iPhone 5 and the HTC One, frankly i'd hate to have to choose between them. I realize most people do not want to do that for many good reasons but if you could do both for a while, even during the return period, go for it. It helps in the comparison.
The HTC One is a amazing in both design and performance. Last year i had both the One X and the Samsung S3, all fine phones. Android is steadily getting better.
In addition to some of the considerations listed here, also consider whether your friends/family's use of either Facetime or iMessage will present a limiting factor if you decide to switch
The HTC One is a amazing in both design and performance. Last year i had both the One X and the Samsung S3, all fine phones. Android is steadily getting better.
In addition to some of the considerations listed here, also consider whether your friends/family's use of either Facetime or iMessage will present a limiting factor if you decide to switch
We have this in common.
I've carried two active smartphones since the category was created. Once the original iPhone was released, I bought one immediately. Given the fact that I've been an Apple enthusiast, user and shareholder since 1991, I was already sold on the brand.
In addition once the first G1 Android was released via T-Mobile, I became an Android & iPhone user concurrently from that point forward until the present. In fact, as a serious smartphone enthusiast, I usually have several current top of the line Androids to use and enjoy.
I don't advocate for any brand, but having first hand experience allows me to share my true experience as opposed to reporting what a friend has said about a phone I've never owned.
My current favorite combo is the Samsung S4 and iPhone 5 I'm using. A very close second simply due to personal preference is my HTC One. Frankly if I was not so obsessed with the size and beauty of the 4.99" display on the S4, my fav would be the HTC One. They are so close it's down to personal preference.
I am so eager for Apple to get with the program and release a 5.0" display of average aspect ratio like these two Androids it's not funny. Yet sadly it seems that if they do go larger...once again it will still be smaller than the gorgeous 4.7" of the HTC One.
Apple is stubbornly clinging to it's rather small compact form factor. A choice I understand, even it it doesn't work for me. Some say they are bored with iOS 6 and eager to move on, but for me 6 works very well, does all I need it to do, therefore the rest is not something I have a burning desire for, no matter what it ends up being.
I plan to keep my iPhone 5, take a optimistic wait and see position, just in case of a rare shift in Apple's plan.
i say switch. you can read all sorts of forums or blog posts weighing the pros and cons of the iphone and various androids, but you really have to experience and play with each to get a good grasp of what you like and what works for you. if a galaxy s4 works out for you, then great. if not, return the phone and go back. no harm, no foul.
i'm sure he can find a place that doesn't charge restocking. best buy and walmart come to mind.
I think the OP is confused, he's already in the darkside. Release yourself from confinement and walk towards the light. 
I've recently switched to the S4. Here's my take after three weeks.
Positives:
+ 5" AMOLED screen for video watching and Internet hands down over the iPhone/Touch
+ Look, feel, customizability of Android widgets hands down over iPhone/Touch
+ Air Features (ok... it's debatable)
+ 13MP camera and HD video does a great job
+ Export iTunes Playlists & files to a 64GB microSD card using Easy Phone Sync app
Negatives turned to positives:
+ Phone regularly and randomly ‘dropped and restored’ microSD card (known issue with SanDisk, a replacement card is on its way)
+ A microSD card drop often erases above Playlists (solutions = store playlists on device instead of card)
+ Car Bluetooth link drops every time phone goes to sleep – seriously, it’s 2013!? (solution = use Bluetooth Auto Connect app to keep connection alive)
+ The built-in ‘Video’ app crashes when using the folder view (solution = downloaded another app)
Negatives:
- Earphones quality <<< iPhone/Touch (Use iPhone's)
- Android is obviously a close cousin of Windows: apps will fail more often than iPhone's
- Could not register with Samsung as GT-I9505 does not exist in their list of devices...
Bottom line:
* Android devices are not as stable as Apple devices but still work well
* If you are anal about your music and iTunes management of files, Android is NOT for you - it requires a bit more work
* Despite negatives, there are solutions and I would not go back to an iPhone 5
Hope this helps.
Positives:
+ 5" AMOLED screen for video watching and Internet hands down over the iPhone/Touch
+ Look, feel, customizability of Android widgets hands down over iPhone/Touch
+ Air Features (ok... it's debatable
)+ 13MP camera and HD video does a great job
+ Export iTunes Playlists & files to a 64GB microSD card using Easy Phone Sync app
Negatives turned to positives:
+ Phone regularly and randomly ‘dropped and restored’ microSD card (known issue with SanDisk, a replacement card is on its way)
+ A microSD card drop often erases above Playlists (solutions = store playlists on device instead of card)
+ Car Bluetooth link drops every time phone goes to sleep – seriously, it’s 2013!? (solution = use Bluetooth Auto Connect app to keep connection alive)
+ The built-in ‘Video’ app crashes when using the folder view (solution = downloaded another app)
Negatives:
- Earphones quality <<< iPhone/Touch (Use iPhone's)
- Android is obviously a close cousin of Windows: apps will fail more often than iPhone's
- Could not register with Samsung as GT-I9505 does not exist in their list of devices...
Bottom line:
* Android devices are not as stable as Apple devices but still work well
* If you are anal about your music and iTunes management of files, Android is NOT for you - it requires a bit more work
* Despite negatives, there are solutions and I would not go back to an iPhone 5
Hope this helps.
Last edited:
Very accurate way of looking at it. I would even go as far as to say point 2 shouldn't even be that big of a deterrent. I spent quite a lot of money on iOS back in the days and after making the switch got over it quite quickly. The better overall experience is worth it. It's worth many things.
things you'd miss: iOS, imessage, itunes, etc.
but i agree with you, android makers are coming up with better hardware, the htc one and the s4 are awesome.
but i agree with you, android makers are coming up with better hardware, the htc one and the s4 are awesome.
Yeah but it took me a minute to get used to it. Now I see how mediocre ios is ill never go back.
I only missed iMessage, but i have that on my touch and my computers.
ITunes sucks, it's much easier to drag and drop once you ensure your id3 tags are correct.
Not sure i can provide technical reasons to switch, but subjectively, I made the change to the S4 from the 4S and have not regretted it for one instant.
Love the size and gorgeous colors of the screen.
Love notifications . SOO much better than iPhone
Fantastic camera and options
Play Store can be flaky but there isn't an app I have yet to find.
Love the SD storage and mine has been flawless.
Can't say enough about widgets, love them.
Battery life is exceptional compared to my 4S.
Phone call quality is far superior to iPhone.
I worked through problems with finding the right music app, but love there are so many options to choose from.
I finally got my car Bluetooth working for both phone and music.
And perhaps one of the best reasons, for me: I had constant disconnects on the AT&T Microcell on all my versions of iPhones. Since I got the S4, it has not dropped one single second. Constant 5 bars.
Having said all that, I still have my iPad 3 and will never switch. Will also be getting an iMac to replace my 7 year old PC. Best of all worlds
Make the switch ... Life is an adventure!
Love the size and gorgeous colors of the screen.
Love notifications . SOO much better than iPhone
Fantastic camera and options
Play Store can be flaky but there isn't an app I have yet to find.
Love the SD storage and mine has been flawless.
Can't say enough about widgets, love them.
Battery life is exceptional compared to my 4S.
Phone call quality is far superior to iPhone.
I worked through problems with finding the right music app, but love there are so many options to choose from.
I finally got my car Bluetooth working for both phone and music.
And perhaps one of the best reasons, for me: I had constant disconnects on the AT&T Microcell on all my versions of iPhones. Since I got the S4, it has not dropped one single second. Constant 5 bars.
Having said all that, I still have my iPad 3 and will never switch. Will also be getting an iMac to replace my 7 year old PC. Best of all worlds
Make the switch ... Life is an adventure!
Not sure i can provide technical reasons to switch, but subjectively, I made the change to the S4 from the 4S and have not regretted it for one instant.
Love the size and gorgeous colors of the screen.
Love notifications . SOO much better than iPhone
Fantastic camera and options
Play Store can be flaky but there isn't an app I have yet to find.
Love the SD storage and mine has been flawless.
Can't say enough about widgets, love them.
Battery life is exceptional compared to my 4S.
Phone call quality is far superior to iPhone.
I worked through problems with finding the right music app, but love there are so many options to choose from.
I finally got my car Bluetooth working for both phone and music.
And perhaps one of the best reasons, for me: I had constant disconnects on the AT&T Microcell on all my versions of iPhones. Since I got the S4, it has not dropped one single second. Constant 5 bars.
Having said all that, I still have my iPad 3 and will never switch. Will also be getting an iMac to replace my 7 year old PC. Best of all worlds
Make the switch ... Life is an adventure!
Your setup is like mine
Ipad, android phone, Apple PC, i like to have the best of everything and have no loyalty to any one company
You will have to purchase all of your apps all over again if those apps are not free. Also, the app selection is going to be somewhat different on Android than on iOS. There may be some apps that have no equivalent on Android.
Everyone should try both platforms, so they know which they like the best. Nobody can tell you that, you have to find out for yourself.
Now is the best time to try an android phone with the S5 and HTC One. And if you find yourself unhappy with the decision, at least you gave it a try, and you'll have more appreciation for iOS.
I ended up selling my android and getting an iPhone 5 because of key apps I use that arent on android, and I had a ton content purchased on iTunes that I didnt want to repurchase on Google Play, as well as the integration and content sharing with my iPad and iMac, as well as the integration with much of my friends and family using iDevices (iMessage, Facetime, Photostreams, etc...)
I don't regret trying an Android phone at all, and I may try another one depending on their offerings when I am due for my next 2 year rebate.
I switched again
Had a Droid, and it was ok. Then went to the Iphone 4 when Verizon finally got it. When the Galaxy S3 came out, I switched to it, used it and liked the larger screen. I passed on the Iphone 4S because it really was not a big improvement. When the Iphone 5 came out, I sold the S3. There was nothing wrong with the S3, it was a good phone, but I just felt more comfortable with the Apple Eco System......However, the HTC One intrigued me and I got one, but returned it before the 14 day period because of a few reasons, mainly the wake up switch. I didn't have it long enough to find the capacitive button issue. If they had made the wakeup on the front, instead of the stupid left top, I might still have it. I would have moved BlinkFeed, disabled a bunch of apps, and put Apex on it.
Had a Droid, and it was ok. Then went to the Iphone 4 when Verizon finally got it. When the Galaxy S3 came out, I switched to it, used it and liked the larger screen. I passed on the Iphone 4S because it really was not a big improvement. When the Iphone 5 came out, I sold the S3. There was nothing wrong with the S3, it was a good phone, but I just felt more comfortable with the Apple Eco System......However, the HTC One intrigued me and I got one, but returned it before the 14 day period because of a few reasons, mainly the wake up switch. I didn't have it long enough to find the capacitive button issue. If they had made the wakeup on the front, instead of the stupid left top, I might still have it. I would have moved BlinkFeed, disabled a bunch of apps, and put Apex on it.
Go with whatever features you most want and need. For me personally sticking with iPhone until there isn't one. 
Remember despite what Android phones are know for, it's a myth that iPhone have inferior hardware, it's exactly the opposite. For example, the GPU on the iPhone 5 is definitely superior to the GPU found on the Galaxy S4 (US variant) and the HTC One (CPU is about the same). Source is in Andandtech review of iPad 4/iPhone 5. Also if you have any apps you bought, you'll cash there as well. Also the smoothness. For the first 4 months the device will be "smooth" but eventually you'll notice other devices that seem smoother than your device. Having a previous android device, the jerkiness really bugged me (CyanogenMod helps if you know what I'm saying). And it isn't the darkside per say, just another operating system with different manufactures. And you'll lose that warranty, once that initial one year warranty with the phone is up (on ATT dont know about others) you're ******. Yeah that was pretty frustrating. But the ROM switching was addicting and fun go to admit that.
when i read the title, i thought you were gonna join Darth Vader...lol, by the way, its called samsung S4 not 4S
Android isn't the "Dark side". It's the open side, the side that allows you to make choices, the side that is powered by Google, and the side with over 4" screens. I love Android.
I say this as someone who has owned every iPhone, iPad 1, 2, & 3, an iMac, and a retina MacBook Pro.
I agree on this. Android is much more "open" out of the box than ios. I'm not trying to start anything here, but a jailbroken iphone can do just as much as a rooted android (which can do more than stock android). Aside from installing a custom ROM, there isn't much more you can do on android than ios.
To the OP, I say try jailbreaking if you're looking for more from your iphone. You've already got the hardware, so give it a shot. Its simple to do, and fully reversible.
Yeah, I suppose the difference is, Apple tries to prevent you from jailbreaking. Where as Google posts it's Gapps and all from people who root.
And don't worry about trying to start an Apple v. Google war.. I love Apple too.
Hardware like everyone says is subjective. My iPhone 5 runs perfect in every way. If it is just someone being bored of the os. Than I think jaibreaking is the answer. Once I installed jelly bean lock screen, bite SMS winter board etc. I can customize my phone very close to what I'd get from an android. With the advantage of having the iPhone os and its apps. The only thing I'd like to have is a bigger screen. With my bad eyes, that tempts me change to android. But as far as exp, jaibreaking has given me that android exp. No I don't have widgets or air gestures etc. But for the most part I am satisfied with my iPhone set up. Like I said the screen size tempts me the most. But I'd miss the apps and iPhone os if I were to switch.