Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What features will I miss jumping from iPhone to Android one?
- Thread starter wfzen
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
My experience is much different than yours. I switched to Note 8 last September after 8 years exclusively with Apple devices and I have no desire to return at this point. The first 2 weeks of the switch were a little time-consuming/confusing but by the third week I preferred almost everything about my Note 8 over my iPhone. Syncing issues between my phone and my iPad are still there but I put the onus on Apple to open up and offer cross-platform solutions instead of trying to stymie them. My iPad freezes/stutters/crashes way more often than my phone - I regret upgrading to 2017 iPad Pro at Christmas). When I finally upgrade from my aging MBA, I will be leaving Mac OS behind as well bc Apple has fallen behind in hardware innovation and is still charging a premium even though “it just works” (the reason I preferred Apple products for so many years) no longer applies.
That sums up my thoughts between using my personal iPhone X and my agency issued Android device. I find Android to be a superior OS to iOS.
This depends on the device manufacturer. To compare "apples to apples" so to speak, look at the Google devices and you'll see that there are security patches issued on the first Monday of every month, and the latest round of Pixel devices will get full platform updates for 3 years.
Oh yeah, we also don't have to wait for an OS update in order to get new features or updates to our "core" apps such as Mail, Contacts, Phone, Calendar - they're all apps in the Play Store and are updated independently (unlike on iOS).
I find it hard to believe that people still believe Androids do not get updates.
There are a couple factors there. Some actually DON'T. Just look at the distribution numbers in % and you'll see that Oreo is on less than 6% of devices running Android.
Why is that? Because a few years ago several manufacturers started making budget devices, and NEVER intended to update them. Those devices, due to their low cost, sold well, and will skew the numbers.
Another factor? 1 word - SAMSUNG. Samsung is historically snail-like in getting updates out. I was actually FLOORED when my Tab S3 received Oreo 2 weeks ago as tablets are historically at the end of the line in this regard. Samsung carries a huge burden in those platform update numbers.
I forgot about the budget devices. While it helps capture the market share it does skew the numbers. My agency issued device is a Samsung Galaxy S8 and you're right it does get updates. But I will say some updates don't really bring features that the OEM interfaces didn't already have but security updates are essential.
Last edited:
Regarding your comment about security updates being essential. I am genuinely interested to see what danger/harm comes to people without up to date security patches. If such issues are real I am sure there are plenty of links to the details.
Have you ever thought of ringing mom and going "hey mom, im at the library" , apparantly a text message will achieve the same goal.
[doublepost=1528998861][/doublepost]
My other half has an s6 edge, and received may 2018 security update.. it's folly to suggest samsung arnt still looking out for older devices.
[doublepost=1528999172][/doublepost]
Erm... yes there is. So much mis information.. if the kid wants a change, so what, let him do as he pleases..
I agree with you but it seems like apple is holding it over Android's head so at this point it would be something to do just for the sake of doing it.
I didn't mean to imply that Samsung isn't looking out for older devices. My federal law enforcement agency issues the Samsung Galaxy S8 and I doubt they would do that if there was a security risk.
Last edited:
Erm.. That's exactly what you said.. I have a S8 and it doesn' get updates.. really? Feel free to read your own quote.
By the same logic - just because macOS hasn't been hacked or shown to have major unpatched vulnerabilities we shouldn't expect security patches for that either, right?
Just because the threat hasn't actually been realized does not mean it's not there and shouldn't be addressed in a timely manner.
Not really. For business, the iOS is better. More secure. But I like my Android S9+ for my work phone because I can do the DND and have more control who my phone rings for so I don't get bothered by stupid calls in the middle of the night. Also some other custom settings. Plus I get best of both worlds.
[doublepost=1529018266][/doublepost]
Umm, not as fast as Apple. The S9 didn't get updates for 3 months since release. That isn't good.
[doublepost=1529018431][/doublepost]
That was the last one for the S6. It just fell off the list.
I wasn't talking about not wanting security patches. I was wanting to know what risks users incur without security updates. Are these risks mitigated by running security and anti malware software such as Avast? PC attacks generally come about by people visiting dodgy sites, downloading pirated files/programmes and stupidly clicking on links in emails etc. Or falling for "you have won a phone, follow link to claim" etc etc.
This whole conversation is kind of funny. One of the biggest smartphone hacks of all time was the Fappening. I believe that iPhones is what they had. They got hacked, not because of out of date patches, but by human error. An iPhone is equally, if not more, vulnerable to this. I say more, because many iPhone owners have this view that they are protected because they bought Apple. I don't have any hard data, but my guess is that 99% of hacks are from human error. I have never seen a report in the news that showed people hacked because they had an out of date security patch. Not saying it hasn't happened, but if it was as big of a deal as communicated here, then it would be showing up in the news.
Exactly, if Samsung et al and their lazy updates were of any real consequence then it would be an absolute dealbreaker. Apple would be all over it, the tech media would be all over it and ultimately the Android vendors in question would become certified update meisters.
I am sure if iOS was really more secure my federal law enforcement agency wouldn't only issue the Samsung Galaxy S8. Some of the supervisors are now getting the S9 though. Personally I wish we'd go back to the BlackBerry because I am not a fan of TouchWiz or Samsung Experience whatever name it is going by today. I haven't had a chance to use DND but I wish I could. I am on the SWAT Team for my agency and have to remain reachable at all times.
It would depend upon what is contained in those updates. It has already been pointed out here that updates to the browser calendar mail don't require a whole OS update but can be installed from the Play Store.
You have basically said what I have said all along. Use common sense on your phone and you will be fine. Most of my coworkers and friends who have issues with their phones were going on porn sites and installing APKs from unknown sources outside the Play Store.
I know right! At least with the Fappening I got to see what Kate Upton looks like naked. My understanding is that they were all iPhones.
Excellent point. But at this point it is what apple fanbois use to bash Android users. Like I have said if there were security risks with Android my federal law enforcement agency wouldn't issue us the Samsung Galaxy S8.
I was talking about Security Updates which are supposed to be monthly. And iOS is more secure. They don't have the huge malware issues that Android has either.
Who says security updates are to be monthly? Like I said if what you said is true about iOS being more secure than Android than my federal law enforcement agency would not be issuing us Android devices let alone sending and receiving classified material on our .gov addresses while using our issued Android device.
3 yrs in the grand scheme of things aint bad, most folk are by then are on a look out for a new handset.. to be fair tho, its in pristine condition and its still Incredibly nippy. The s6 year was when their quality control went through the roof...Not really. For business, the iOS is better. More secure. But I like my Android S9+ for my work phone because I can do the DND and have more control who my phone rings for so I don't get bothered by stupid calls in the middle of the night. Also some other custom settings. Plus I get best of both worlds.
[doublepost=1529018266][/doublepost]
Umm, not as fast as Apple. The S9 didn't get updates for 3 months since release. That isn't good.
[doublepost=1529018431][/doublepost]
That was the last one for the S6. It just fell off the list.