Those who have switched to Android, what are your thoughts?

[xxray]

Note: I realize that this thread is mainly focused on Android, but I need the opinions of past or current iPhone users, as I’ve mainly always been an iPhone user and I want to see other iPhone users’ thoughts.

I've been back and forth between iOS and Android over the years, but I always tend to stick with iPhones longer. The last time I was on Android full time was in 2013-2014. Lately, I got out my old Galaxy Note 3 and put a custom ROM on it that's basically stock Android 7. I've been using it side-by-side with my iPhone 7+, and I'm actually loving it. Now I'm stuck about how I'm going to upgrade my phone (iOS or Android).


What I like about iOS:

• Feels like home - I've always just preferred it for some reason.
• Ecosystem
• Everything is high quality - apps, the OS, the build of the phone, the functions of the phone
• "It just works."
• The long term OS updates
• Social status - Yeah, I know I might get some hate for this, but it does sit in the back of my mind, even though I know some Android phones are just as expensive.
• Seems better in college socially (which I am in college) - iMessage, AirDrop, Find My Friends, Snapchat works better
• The privacy and security
• Reachability
• Apply Pay

What I don't like about iOS:

• I'm getting seriously sick of how iOS operates. I'm not even sure what it is I'm annoyed with exactly, I just feel annoyed and am craving a change.
• The lack of flexibility. I can't even tell Siri to play a certain song on Spotify.
• (Not software but) Super expensive iPhone X price

What I like about Android:

• The flexibility and customization.
• Google Assistant - much smarter and more intuitive than Siri
• Intelligence - the built-in song recognition of the Pixel 2, and the automatic travel times, weather, etc. notifications; they all seem really useful. I know I can get some of these features on iOS, but it doesn’t seem as intuitive.
• The notifications
• (Not software but) the quality of the Pixel cameras

What I don't like about Android:

• Unpredictability of longevity - Whether it's Google just randomly ditching projects, or lack of software updates on non-pixel phones, or degrading performance over time, it always seem the longevity of the devices are uncertain
• Lower app quality
• Google's spying/lack of care for privacy
• Lower security
• Lower resale values
• Google Play Store is so much worse than the App Store imo.

Those of you that have been on Android lately, how are you liking it/did you like it? What’re your thoughts on Android devices and the software in general today?

 

[fitcious]

Eh.

 

[44267547]

My work phone is an S8, my personal phones are iPhones.

Android:

Android has come along way in terms of stability with their software, it’s much more fluid than it was four years ago, customization is endless and the disadvantage I don’t like is bloatware with the pre-loaded applications, two years of support is not nearly long enough in some respects, and they don’t match Apple’s security standards, but it is increasingly better.

iOS:

Simplistic, stable straightforward software that has a clean and uncluttered appeal. Very little customization, very little control options, but unparalleled security and five years worth of Updates. The key element for iOS for me is Apple’s customer service behind their proprietary software, which I experienced very little issues over the years and their ecosystem and how it communicates in between devices with Apple Watch, iPad and Mac is seamless.

 

[Septembersrain]

I switch back and forth. I have to say the pros and cons of each device vary. For me it's certain apps are better on iPhone but data/calls are faster and more consistent on my V30. So I like having both.

If the iPhone gets band 71 for T-Mobile and Intel gets decent modems that can compete with Qualcomm, I might consider going back to iPhone exclusively.

However, I think I'll be using both for a while to come.

 

[ramram55]

After few years of owning iphones. Got out of it. Never been happier with Android phones. Flexibility and cheaper phone price. After all using a phone, 2 to 3 years should be enough. Who cares about software support? As long as the phone can call, take pics, browse web and text. That is about it. A phone is meant to be used a simple way. Who cares about its apperance and status?

 

[5105973]

Hm, you’re in college? Are you on several long running group chats? If so, sorry to say, it’s going to be harder to break out of iOS.

Unless some rumors about Google’s work on a messaging system comes to fruition, and even then I am not sure.

It’s also so much easier to find affordable accessories and get service for iPhones. There is a disconcerting amount of fragmentation in the USB-C accessory market for Android smartphones. Lightning is still king in the US for now. I can more readily find lightning stereo mics for example.

Also, since you’re going to be in an environment with hundreds, if not thousands of people surrounding you, you’re going to want the latest security updates as fast as you can get them. That’s iOS over most Android options except Pixels and some Android One program phones.

Do you live near an Apple Store? Even though their customer service isn’t as pro-customer as it once was and has so many annoying quirks to deal with, it’s still a much better option than calling Samsung’s customer service number. Google customer service has been great for me in terms of returning a defective phone within the return period. I’m still not sure how they are for other problems that crop up. It’s done via phone or chat. So it’s a slower process dealing with mailing a phone in for service vs dropping by an Apple Store, even if genius appointments are harder to book now.

All that being said, Android phones are a lot more interesting and fun to use. I love my Pixel 2. If I weren’t stuck in iMessages chats myself, I’d use the Pixel 2 as my main phone. It was fast and fluid and a pleasure to use on a recent today trip thanks to fast access to a Google Assistant with just a squeeze of the phone.

I just don’t think it’s a practical choice for someone in your position. It sounds like your social circle is heavily iOS based. It’s different in other countries than the US. They’re not as locked into iMessage and in thrall to the Apple image.

Siri does suck a lot of the time. But you can get Google Assistant on iOS. You can go in deep into your account and see and delete and monitor most of the information that Google collects. Even recordings of your voice that are made when you ask Google a question verbally. It’s actually not hard to lock it out of your business and I can’t say I’ve ever been troubled by targeted ads since I learned to dig into my account.

Depending on where you live, Apple Maps can actually be a good navigation option. It works better for me at times than Google maps. That’s one thing that frustrates me about Apple. Other than Apple Music, they don’t share their good apps and services across platforms.

 

[4RunnerHeaven]

I switch back and forth a lot, but have switched back to android and the Note 8 now.

 

[convergent]

Get the one you like best. I love my Note 8, but sounds like you are more inclined to want to stay with Apple given your long list of pros (some very questionable in my opinion).

 

[nburwell]

I love my X, but I really dig my S8 a lot as well. My X is my DD, but I do use my S8 a lot at home just connected to our home WiFi. Android notifications really blow Apple out of the water. I like how iOS apps feel more refined than Android counterparts.

Overall, I do prefer iOS, but I love using the S8.

 

[1050792]

I love my X, but I really dig my S8 a lot as well. My X is my DD, but I do use my S8 a lot at home just connected to our home WiFi. Android notifications really blow Apple out of the water. I like how iOS apps feel more refined than Android counterparts.

Overall, I do prefer iOS, but I love using the S8.

How do you compare the Battery life of your iPhone X to the S8?

 

[dk001]

Note: I realize that this thread is mainly focused on Android, but I need the opinions of past or current iPhone users, as I’ve mainly always been an iPhone user and I want to see other iPhone users’ thoughts.

I've been back and forth between iOS and Android over the years, but I always tend to stick with iPhones longer. The last time I was on Android full time was in 2013-2014. Lately, I got out my old Galaxy Note 3 and put a custom ROM on it that's basically stock Android 7. I've been using it side-by-side with my iPhone 7+, and I'm actually loving it. Now I'm stuck about how I'm going to upgrade my phone (iOS or Android).
...
Those of you that have been on Android lately, how are you liking it/did you like it? What’re your thoughts on Android devices and the software in general today?

Due for the most part to issues with iOS, I switched to a Razer recently.
If interested, the link to my review is in my sig. I responds to many of your concerns.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I left Apple after the iPhone 3G, went to a Nexus-One and really haven't been back, except short stints with the iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 7 Plus, both short lived as I just think iOS feels like a kids Fisher-Price toy.

Stock Android to me is miles ahead better IN MY OPINION, and I'm just more comfortable with it.

But as I always say, different strokes for different folks.

- I like the back button with Android
- Setting default apps as I want to
- Using the phone as a hard drive easily
- Widgets wherever I want to out them
- Downloading .apk's that I want with no restrictions

 

[sracer]

I left Apple after the iPhone 3G, went to a Nexus-One and really haven't been back, except short stints with the iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 7 Plus, both short lived as I just think iOS feels like a kids Fisher-Price toy.

Stock Android to me is miles ahead better IN MY OPINION, and I'm just more comfortable with it.

But as I always say, different strokes for different folks.

- I like the back button with Android
- Setting default apps as I want to
- Using the phone as a hard drive easily
- Widgets wherever I want to out them
- Downloading .apk's that I want with no restrictions

Agreed. I like the flexibility of having my Android device be as "simple" or "complex" as I want it to be. With iOS there's no choice. That's what the basic difference comes down to... does one want options or not?

From an OS perspective, I find Android to be far more consistent in its UI. A major issue I have with iOS is how haphazard app and OS settings are handled. There's no rhyme or reason why some settings for an app are in the app itself while the rest of the settings are found under the iOS Settings app.

I find having a universally accessible file system on Android to be extremely handy for those files that can be accessed by more than one app. The sandboxing of storage on a per-app basis in iOS has resulted in a kludge that won't be resolved without a complete rewrite.

My current smartphone is an iPhone SE, and it is terrific, but when it is time to replace it, it will most likely be Android-based.

 

[DiamonDecoden]

I really agree with what GrumpyMom said. I think iOS might be better for you.
Currently I am using the Note 8 which I love. However, it is not perfect and I do miss iMessage. However, I do not have many long iOS group chats - thank goodness! (if you are in one, it is extremely annoying to the other iOS users for you to turn the whole group green and they will need to use another app lol; people will be annoyed even though its not big deal) iOS is good but feels suffocating for me because it is extremely locked down. Apple will never (in the near future) share iMessage with Android. If they do, I can imagine losing a few users. I do not miss it that much because I use Facebook Messenger along with SMS and Messenger is JUST as powerful and more b/c you can do group video chatting. I just wish they integrate Messenger as the main Message platform for Android. Android's default SMS is not too bad, on Samsung, it has some feature that are useful (scheduling message, quick response, sending files, pinning frequent contacts on top).

My phone history:
I started with iPhone 4, then I went to note 2, then I went through iphone 5,6, and 7 (all plus version, if they didn't have the plus version, I would've never switched away from the note 2) and now the Note 8. I always loved the stylus n the note and I loved the phablet experience. I love to draw and doodle so the pen is perfect for me and I do miss it on the iPhone.

I wish Samsung would release a iPad mini size note phone lol since my perfect trio would be: smart watch number sync (I just recently got one Samsung S2- this was super cheap!) which I can use on the go and make phone calls on; a phablet size 7" note phone which replace both tablet and phone and possibly a microsoft surface (maybe not since Note 8 is basically a mini computer almost!) . that would be my ultimate workflow for convenience and functionality w/o too many unnecessary electronic devices. I feel like Apple would never make a phone with a built in stylus so that would not work for me. I tried the Apple pencil (which I now need to sell) and the iPad pro combination but the combo was so heavy carry around and not very portable. Also the Apple pencil is very stupid compared to the bult in S Pen and you need to charge the pencil and the pencil does not work on the phone.

Right now I am loving Note 8. I think at this time, I will not go back to Apple anymore because that feeling of being locked down is very unpleasant for me and they will never come out with a built in stylus phone.

 

[lowendlinux]

I have a Nexus and an iPad so not a direct comparison but ya know when I touch an icon on either the app opens and works, what else do you need?

 

[Altis]

• Google's spying/lack of care for privacy

Keep in mind that Apple uses Google Cloud servers for iCloud. On top of that, it's the apps that do the bulk of the tracking (Facebook, snapchat, instagram, uber, etc).

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

From an OS perspective, I find Android to be far more consistent in its UI. A major issue I have with iOS is how haphazard app and OS settings are handled. There's no rhyme or reason why some settings for an app are in the app itself while the rest of the settings are found under the iOS Settings app.

I would have to disagree; whenever I'd grow weary of Android, it's always for the same couple of reasons: battery life, photo quality (Android at least used to compress images on a system-level before uploading to social media), and an inconsistent UI. Android itself was pretty, but the UI landscape for apps was a nightmare with no consistency to be found anywhere.

 

[dk001]

I would have to disagree; whenever I'd grow weary of Android, it's always for the same couple of reasons: battery life, photo quality (Android at least used to compress images on a system-level before uploading to social media), and an inconsistent UI. Android itself was pretty, but the UI landscape for apps was a nightmare with no consistency to be found anywhere.

How long has it been since you have really tried Android?
I did some serious shopping before selecting my device and found for newer devices both the UI (by OEM) and apps are as consistent as I became used to in iOS. Settings on Android makes much more sense than iOS and I am finding far less exception handling in Android. That is one area I have felt iOS could really improve: Settings.

 

[Tig Bitties]

In iOS isn't the display brightness in some weird place, not under "Display" in Settings ?

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

How long has it been since you have really tried Android?
I did some serious shopping before selecting my device and found for newer devices both the UI (by OEM) and apps are as consistent as I became used to in iOS. Settings on Android makes much more sense than iOS and I am finding far less exception handling in Android. That is one area I have felt iOS could really improve: Settings.

About 2 months ago on the Essential PH-1, Nougat 7.1.1. And about 2 weeks ago setting my girlfriend's PH-1 up, lol.

 

[dk001]

About 2 months ago on the Essential PH-1, Nougat 7.1.1. And about 2 weeks ago setting my girlfriend's PH-1 up, lol.

Essential? Ouch!

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Essential? Ouch!

Whadayamean, ouch? The Essential is fantastic (with a so-so camera). It's the first robotphone I've ever used that can actually last a day on a single charge for me.

 

[dk001]

Whadayamean, ouch? The Essential is fantastic (with a so-so camera). It's the first robotphone I've ever used that can actually last a day on a single charge for me.

I looked at the Essential and there were far too many "critical" issues for my intended use to consider it an option.
People seemed to love it or hate it. Glad you like it.
Maybe the next Gen ....

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

I looked at the Essential and there were far too many "critical" issues for my intended use to consider it an option.
People seemed to love it or hate it. Glad you like it.
Maybe the next Gen ....

Ah. How long ago did you look? Mine was on 7.1.1 when I had it and my gf's Ocean Depths just got 8.1 last night. I loved mine and she loves hers. The camera (with the Essential Camera app) is still a little behind what the sensors are capable of (via the GCam port), but otherwise, it's been a smooth ride.

 

[dk001]

Ah. How long ago did you look? Mine was on 7.1.1 when I had it and my gf's Ocean Depths just got 8.1 last night. I loved mine and she loves hers. The camera (with the Essential Camera app) is still a little behind what the sensors are capable of (via the GCam port), but otherwise, it's been a smooth ride.

Nov/Dec 2017. Spent most of Nov and Dec shopping and comparing between different models. I purchased my Razer mid Jan 2018.

I only found two peers/coworkers that had or used one.
One liked it but felt it had some shortcomings. I tried his and it was IMO okay.
The other returned it after getting a replacement and both had quality issues.