To all ex-iPhone users, what changes would make you go back?

[h.gilbert]

I presume there are quite a few of you ex-iPhone-now-android users in this sub-forum, me included. I had an iPhone 4S, 5C and 7 Plus when I was young, then tried a Pixel 3 and since have had a Redmi and now an S23 Plus.

While I'm happy with Android, I still feel a pull towards iPhone but there are a one or two major barriers stopping me from returning. The big one is being so restrictive with apps. I know in the EU they've added third party app stores, but it still doesn't touch the freedom of android. Second to that is the lack of a universal back button/gesture. To be honest I find this completely absurd for a phone that's supposedly all about being simple and intuitive. If Apple rectified those two things, however, I'd jump back in a heartbeat.

Does anyone else feel this way, wanting to return to iPhone but there just being one or two major barriers stopping you from doing so?

 

[ramram55]

For too long, the company has been to0 complacent backed by 'sanction champ' administration. End result is the pay back by the other sanction to death victim. They hosted the event to show off their much advanced product at the same time. Only the sun raises in the west will the features you longed for be included.

 

[ozaz]

I've always preferred Android (and Windows) mainly because I prefer their model of licensing the OS to multiple OEMs. I like the hardware variety and competition that this promotes. But in spite of this I did use iPhones and iPads in the past because of specific limitations of Android - specifically poor support/updates duration and poor tablet options. These have now been rectified so I'm now happily using an Android phone and tablet.

I guess I would go back to iOS if Android device makers regressed back to poor support durations (i.e. less than 5 years of updates) and poor tablet experience. Assuming that didn't happen, I would only consider going back if Apple ditched their vertical integration model and started licensing iOS to other OEMs (which I don't think will ever happen).

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Either a new car, or a way to take out my radio from the 2017 Honda Accord (Which that car site does not recommend) and put in a more updated Car Play infotainment system.

 

[HouseLannister]

I flip flop, so I am not your target per-se. I am trading in both an iPhone 15 and 15 Pro for a 16 Pro Max this year, but I also just got a Pixel 9 Pro XL and I still have a Galaxy S23 (neither of which have SIM cards in them currently, but they are both charged and get used a few times a week). I like both operating systems and help a developer friend with his app work, so he sends me a phone once in awhile. Sometimes I switch phones for a trip or a long weekend just to try something different. First world problems, amirite?

My favorite thing about Android is custom launchers. My personal choice is Niagra and if Apple could replace App Library with something that looks kind of like watchOS list view with some Niagra flair, I would probably stay on Apple full-time. There are other areas where Apple could use some TLC in their OS, but Springboard/Spotlight/App Library are just bad design.

 

[Ludatyk]

That’s the beauty of Android… there’s so many choices and advantages users get from using it.

With the iPhone, it leans more on what you see is what you get. And not throwing any shade at the iPhone, because it’s a phenomenal device. In terms of software and hardware, it’s the leader in the industry. But the reason I choose Android boils down to the Galaxy experience.

When I fully committed to Android it was with the Note 10 Plus, enjoyed the S-Pen… DeX, Good Lock and multitasking. And with the introduction of foldables, I don‘t see myself choosing the iPhone… let alone slab phones anymore.

 

[aggie99]

I always have an iPhone and a couple Android devices but I lean Android. iOS 18 has made some improvements that I like and I do enjoy using it, however I still prefer Android, and specifically, the Pixel experience. That said, I find it ridiculous that in the US Apple does not include a sim card tray while it does in every other country the device is sold. Switching esim between devices is still not an easy enough process that devices should be esim only. Once the carriers have a better system in place I'd be fine with it, but we are not there yet. It IS simple to switch esim between devices on the same platform but if I want to use my iPhone 15PM then swap back to my Pixel 9 Pro XL then I have to call customer service or go into a store which is just a pain. I'm sure this doesn't matter to most people, but for people that like to switch between devices it is frustrating.