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Why are android tablets so much worse than the iPad?
- Thread starter Ffosse
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I just meant tablets that have a good build and design and run apps smoothly with no crashes. I've played around with a Samsung tablet and I much prefer the iPad even if it was a little dearer. I used to use android products and had the second Nexus 7. They used to be solid devices but there is a dearth of android tablets in general.
I've not used android in many months though. I did have an S8 but found Bixby annoying. Disabling it meant a wasted button on the side which would do nothing. Apple would never do anything like that.
Software.
Android has never really been optimised for anything other than smartphones. Whilst Apple's effort for tablets is woeful (iOS makes the iPad just perform like a giant iPhone), at least it's functional.
Android has never really been optimised for anything other than smartphones. Whilst Apple's effort for tablets is woeful (iOS makes the iPad just perform like a giant iPhone), at least it's functional.
So is my iPad just a bigger XS Max? It looks like it with the same grid of icons.
thanks for the clarification. So, going by that definition of "good" as "good build and design and run apps smoothly with no crashes" (ignoring the recursive use of "good"
)...."Good build" is not only having an aluminum body. But most people have been convinced that it is true. So tablets with plastic bodies are viewed as being of poor quality. The durability of the materials used and how they are assembled to create a device that is solid and stable, that doesn't flex and creak, are signs of a "good build"... at least IMO
If one takes a step back from viewing "iPad as the standard" and look to "what will I use this device for?" there ARE good Android tablets out there. No where near as many as there once was, but the overall quality of those still around are better than they were.
But if one is looking for an Android tablet to out-iPad an iPad, then there is no such thing.
Yes.
Yes. Higher end iPads allow some split screen multi-tasking crap but it doesn't work all that well. My iPad Pro is hamstrung by iOS. There's not even a file system! And no, the Files app does NOT count as a file system.
Now you can remap the bixby button to launch any app you want. The Tab S4 is a good tablet, well made, has an S-pen which is more functional than even the second generation Apple pencil. It runs Dex mode which can simulate a desktop computer.
Yes, I found the file system to be useless - it wouldn't allow me to view my Google Drive documents.
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I paid £1249 for the Max - I'm not sure this was such a wise investment given my needs, but I just couldn't go android again - too many troubles. I'm 52 and want something that just works and gives me the ability to forget about any issues. I had so many problems with android phones and their tablets seem no different except maybe the S4.thanks for the clarification. So, going by that definition of "good" as "good build and design and run apps smoothly with no crashes" (ignoring the recursive use of "good"
"Good build" is not only having an aluminum body. But most people have been convinced that it is true. So tablets with plastic bodies are viewed as being of poor quality. The durability of the materials used and how they are assembled to create a device that is solid and stable, that doesn't flex and creak, are signs of a "good build"... at least IMO
If one takes a step back from viewing "iPad as the standard" and look to "what will I use this device for?" there ARE good Android tablets out there. No where near as many as there once was, but the overall quality of those still around are better than they were.
But if one is looking for an Android tablet to out-iPad an iPad, then there is no such thing.
Yes.
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I gave up on Android tablets after owning a few Samsung ones TabS2 etc. they just never get OS Updates period. And they use 1 or 2 years outdated CPU chipset combo from phones.
iPad Pros they have No competition in the tablet market. More like Laptops. I haven’t needed a Laptop the last 4 Years.
Email, videos, pdf signing contracts, scanning faxing emailing documents. You name it.
On the Other hand I gave up on iPhones because they are too Restricted.
No Haptic feedback when Texting.
Volume is limited so you can’t hear Keyboard text sounds.
Dull display vs a Note 9
Qualcomm 845 Chipset and Qualcomm Radio much better Signal
Faster more Secure TouchID, Google and Samsung Pay have Better Deals and Money off
I went from a Samsung Android Tablet 2 different ones. And iPhone 5; and 5s and 6.
To an iPad Pro 9.7” then a new iPad Pro 11”, and a Note 5, Galaxy S8 Plus, now Note 9
The Combination of a Note 9 with built in S-Pen Unlimited Hotspot Data. Which means my Note 9 serves up LTE Data to my 11” Pro is life changing, in Times there is no WiFi around.
I'm 56 and I want something that just works.
I'm currently using an LG Stylo 3. I've had no problems whatsoever. It's a terrific phone and only cost me $100 new no-contract. After I wrestled with untangling my phone number from iMessage, things have been smooth. I can't see myself going back to an iPhone (my last iPhone was the SE)... I like my headphone jack, microSD card, and removable battery too much to give up.
I had a Samsung Tab S2 8.00. I wouldn't call that good at all. Second worse buy I ever made, the worst one was a Fire HD8.
This. Apple seems determined to cripple the Ipad with a weak OS. It could be so much more, but I think there's a faction at Apple that wants to protect MacBook sales ( or even MBP sales ). Innovation and disruption is something that's lost in large parts of Apple.
I think it's the fact that tablets are more of on an indulgence. A cool little toy. And if you're gonna get a cool toy you don't actually need, might as well buy one that looks nice and feels great. Even if it costs a bit more.
Android tablets utilize a lot of different hardware, different specs, they are all equipped differently. And android may or may not be optimized perfectly on every single hardware combination on each device. Ive seen android tablets that are so slow, you cannot even turn them on and open a browser up.
Just slow, slow, slow.
iOS is very much optimized, memory is even split up in several different categories. Free ram, system ram, and inactive ram, and active ram. Applications that are not even open can be stored in inactive ram, and it’ll load very fast once you go to use this application. Your iOS is constantly storing recent applications in inactive ram, so your using less resources once you open it again. And you are maintaining a lot of your free ram.
^ just a simple way of explaining it.
Just slow, slow, slow.
iOS is very much optimized, memory is even split up in several different categories. Free ram, system ram, and inactive ram, and active ram. Applications that are not even open can be stored in inactive ram, and it’ll load very fast once you go to use this application. Your iOS is constantly storing recent applications in inactive ram, so your using less resources once you open it again. And you are maintaining a lot of your free ram.
^ just a simple way of explaining it.
you could say android tablets are morphing into chromebook devices like the HP X2 and the pixel slate.
As of now I don't think the android experience on these chromebooks is perfect but that seems to be the direction the andriod tablet market is going...well priced higher than the amazon tablets.
but it's really hard to find a way into the pure tablet market IMO with apple having ipads from $249!
on the other hand a device like the x2 will give you andriod, a full desktop experience in chromeOS and can run linux apps
As of now I don't think the android experience on these chromebooks is perfect but that seems to be the direction the andriod tablet market is going...well priced higher than the amazon tablets.
but it's really hard to find a way into the pure tablet market IMO with apple having ipads from $249!
on the other hand a device like the x2 will give you andriod, a full desktop experience in chromeOS and can run linux apps
I have the Nexus 7 2nd Gen, Nexus 9 and an Amazon Fire HD 8. As TheRealAlex mentioned, the biggest issue for me is that manufacturers stop rolling out updates to them. Even brand new Samsung's are at least one release behind. My Nexus 7 is probably my most favorite phone/tablet I've used, but it hasn't been updated in 2yrs. I'd love to see Google release a new 7-8in tablet. It won't happen, but I can dream.
In the meantime, I am eyeing a new Mini 5 for my bedside.
In the meantime, I am eyeing a new Mini 5 for my bedside.
Yeah, Android tablets just aren’t even close to being the same as many of the Android phones and in my experience, they don’t get an OS upgrade ever. Just some in version updates and security stuff for a relatively short while. I’ve got a few Android tablets and the low price on them is the only value proposition. Even my old 2nd gen iPad mini outperforms them.
And in e-ink devices it is worse! Android 6 is the last version that supports e-ink and it has security issues that haven’t been addressed in a very long time. And don’t get me started on how horribly laggy they are!
And in e-ink devices it is worse! Android 6 is the last version that supports e-ink and it has security issues that haven’t been addressed in a very long time. And don’t get me started on how horribly laggy they are!
The only Android tablet I’ve really enjoyed was the Nexus 7 2014? Model. I actually used it for Ingress playing during an Anomaly. After that? I had a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro given to me for free because of all the problems it had. I tried to re-flash it and what not. If I remember correctly, this was the tablet that Samsung said was going to challenge iPads - and they never once put out an update for it.
I’ve purchased 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab A and Cs. Both have had numerous issues from being unable to charge, rebooting, and getting updates that require me to hook them up to the computer and flash new roms to them. The screen quality is fair and battery life poor - my iPad can go weeks without draining the battery at all if unused. The Samsung tablets will randomly drain all their battery life in a day and sometimes last 3-4 days without a problem. The biggest problem I’ve had with these are updates. Both are currently bricked saying they need to go to a Samsung service center after an OTA update. I’ve given up on them. Granted, these tablets were only $170-$300.
But my iPad 2018 was under $400. Reading on it is enjoyable and fun. I’m typing this now on it with an Anker Bluetooth keyboard. Don’t get me started on the iCarez matte screen protector - I can read in bright light!
I’ve purchased 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab A and Cs. Both have had numerous issues from being unable to charge, rebooting, and getting updates that require me to hook them up to the computer and flash new roms to them. The screen quality is fair and battery life poor - my iPad can go weeks without draining the battery at all if unused. The Samsung tablets will randomly drain all their battery life in a day and sometimes last 3-4 days without a problem. The biggest problem I’ve had with these are updates. Both are currently bricked saying they need to go to a Samsung service center after an OTA update. I’ve given up on them. Granted, these tablets were only $170-$300.
But my iPad 2018 was under $400. Reading on it is enjoyable and fun. I’m typing this now on it with an Anker Bluetooth keyboard. Don’t get me started on the iCarez matte screen protector - I can read in bright light!
2013. Yep, Nexus 7 2013 is still the best Android tab I've used. Excellent value for $200.
samsung galaxy Note10.1” was (and is) an excellent tablet on 2012. good build, apps didnt crash and everything played smoothly without crashing. Note-serie was well made. and im still using it.
it should be noted that when app crashes on android, android gives you a message that the app crashed. while it happens on ios, you only think you tap something and app disappeared until you check the logs and see that app actually crashed. there have been many studies and numerous times the results have been ”app crashes on ios more than on android”.