Why did you choose Android?

[Squirreladd]

Just making a thread to discuss why people would choose Android over iOS when it comes to phones. The reason I am doing this is there seems to be a lot of people on this website with odd and out there ideas to explain why someone will purposely choose the competition.

This is for ligitamate reasons such as design user experience, software, availability, affordablility wand other related to that. Reason such as "apple is #$&@" or "Samsung Rules" are not valid reasons.

*If you are cannot stand other people's opinions close this thread now*

I'll start with myself. I previously owned a iPhone 7 after nearly 7 years on Android. Now I own a Note 8. For me the iOS experience was great but there where several small things that drove me nuts and forced me to change. One of those is the ability to set default apps. I cannot stand Apple maps or safari thry are not for me. I prefer Google maps and Chrome. Example if I recieve a text message with an address if I tap it opens apple maps. If I delete apple maps I am told to download apple maps. I have to copy the address then paste it into Google maps. Absolutely far to much of a hassle for me. Also Siri is awful compared to Google assistant which I use a lot.
Other things make me really jelous of the iOS ecosystem. They have by far the best smart watch and I really would love to get an apple watch. But for me it is not worth going to the headache of iOS for. if apple where to change that to allow default apps I may get the 2018 flagship.

 

[Glmnet1]

For me it was the price. You can't get an iPhone for 200$

I'm now considering to switch for my next phone, mostly for the integration.

 

[Glmnet1]

I think you should add a poll to this thread.

 

[IowaLynn]

Many have or have had both or switch back and forth.

Note 8, Galaxy S8+, iPhone X

 

[Super Spartan]

For me, I choose Android because of how easy it is to transfer music, pics, videos, documents, etc. I have my entire computer backed up on my SD Card, simply copy/paste. With an iPhone, everytime I wanna use iTunes I have to do a lot of research on how to do it because they keep changing things. Last change mad the photo syncing not work, you no longer get the option to sync all folders or choose specific folders, just one sync button. You hit sync, and it finishes instantly and copies nothing. so I had to use another app to do this. Very annoying.

The only reason I bought an iPhone X is because no other phone with this size has a dual camera which I love. I cannot get a phone bigger than the iPhone X because it wont fit in my BMW's phone cradle under the arm rest which supports wireless charging so that's a nice convenience to always have the phone charged and I get the dual cameras. The Galaxy S9+ won't fit so I was forced to get an iPhone X, not by choice.

 

[se1000]

For me, I choose Android because of how easy it is to transfer music, pics, videos, documents, etc. I have my entire computer backed up on my SD Card, simply copy/paste.

For android, I use an app called FolderSync, check it out if you don't use it already. Works with CIFS shares and can do nightly automated backups.

 

[thisismyusername]

I don't have an Android phone, however, I've seriously considered switching recently. My reasons:
* Google Project Fi (and be able to use all the supported carriers as opposed to just T-Mobile like if you used an iPhone today)
* Change default apps (e.g. I want it to be Chrome instead of Safari)
* Expandable storage
* More customization options, flexibility, etc.

 

[anitak1982]

I don't want an android

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I hate when updates break things, so I choose android so nothing breaks.

 

[m0sher]

I actually have been thinking to move over to android since Samsung S8.

I started doing my homework before switching since my first phone was a 4S, 5S, 6S, I had known nothing but the Apple iOS.

It was the new design really caught my eye but in the end I decided to give this first implementation one more year to mature. One of the things that scared me was how long it takes to update android OS when there is an update via Samsung and your carrier . So I abstained.

Secondly, I wasn’t happy how Samsung customized their own stuff on the android OS. Bloatware.

Lastly something I keep hearing about android phones from end user complaints online was after about three or four months they seem to just slow down and that it takes factory re-settings to get it to perk up again. Which means all the customization that you spent time to make it your phone your own has to be redone again. More importantly something about the phone slowing down that bothers me not to mention the value they lose which is obvious after two years when you price android phones.

So this year when Samsung S9 was being discussed I Read up on it and really wanted to switch but once again those things I mentioned above that I just can’t make the jump .

When the Google pixel is ready to complete all around with the iPhone I will strongly consider switching again.

Later I come to learn that the S9 4K video recording at 60 FPS is limited to five minute video lengths and was relived I went with the X despite it being over priced by $100.

In the end I was only looking for excuses to change to android and not because I was unhappy with the iOS in fact I love my phone and have no reason to switch so at this point why bother .

I already use Google Maps unless I ask Siri, Google Mail for all my email accounts, Google Photos, Google translate, google Drive, my contacts are backed up to google and use google Calender. I basically have a Google iPhone without the android pitfalls.

 

[Helmsley]

My first smartphone ran Android and I chose it because it was cheap.

I quickly realised how crappy Android was at the time, and swiftly moved over to the bright side

 

[sn0warmy]

I stick with Android for the simple fact that I like to customize my phone to perfectly compliment the way I prefer to use it. And the iPhone (specifically IOS) doesn't really accommodate that.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe Apple's hardware is unmatched. And I tend to give the latest iPhone a try at least once a year. However, within just a couple of weeks I always find myself going back to whatever my current Android phone is, which is usually a pure Android Nexus/Pixel phone. Currently, it's the Pixel 2 XL.

For me, what it comes down to is that no matter how hard I try, I personally just can't stand IOS. It still feels the same as it did 6+ years ago. It's just boring/stale to me.

I'm currently using the recently released Developer preview of Android P and it's been running flawlessly on my 2 XL. I have to say, being able to use software that most other Android phones won't even have 12 months from now, is pretty darn cool.

To each their own. But that's my $0.02.

 

[Brandonjr36]

For me it was the price. You can't get an iPhone for 200$

I'm now considering to switch for my next phone, mostly for the integration.

You can get an iPhone for under $200 they have the iPhone se at Walmart for at&t for $159 no contract.
[doublepost=1521516684][/doublepost]

I hate when updates break things, so I choose android so nothing breaks.

One thing I do have to say is Apple may release updates that break things. But they correct it in another update. If you have an issue for say Samsung. You have to wait months for them to send out an update to fix that issue. I would know I had galaxys 1-8 and notes 3-5

 

[Glmnet1]

You can get an iPhone for under $200 they have the iPhone se at Walmart for at&t for $159 no contract.

Wow that's great! When I read your comment I expected to check here in canada and see it for twice as much but no, $198 CAD (or $151 USD). EDIT: nvm, I was on the US website... the lowest I can find it here is $449 CAD unlocked, 349$ with a carrier.

1.5 years ago when I bought my phone the SE didn't exist and the 5C was old and I never liked it. Now I'm really hoping for a SE2 anytime between now and March 2019 to upgrade.

 

[Achillias]

Because an android phone really feels like an small computer which you can customize the way you want. Download the newest movies, APK, documents, firewalls, and file managers and much more. iOS is so restricted and the home screen looks awful.

 

[torana355]

I choose Android because I don't like to be locked into a single service/ecosystem. When I buy a phone I want to be able to use it the way that suits me. I also enjoy the freedom android gives me in terms of customisation. Ive also grown to love Googles AI, the Google assistant is amazing and IOS does not come close in that regard. Its also great to have a choice in phones, one year I might get a Samsung phone then the next I can try a different phone to keep things fresh. iPhones are stale from the OS itself all the way to the actual hardware. The IOS home screen with the same icon layout since inception alone is enough to stop me from ever going back to an iPhone.

 

[SteveJUAE]

For dailies it's personal preference but when push comes to shove there is always a workaround solution with Android where IOS leaves you banging your head on its walled garden

 

[sracer]

I've had Android phones for a long time, since the HTC Dream (dang, I loved that phone!). It was only when I got a screaming deal on an iPhone 4 that I switched to iOS. When it was time to replace it, I could not justify to myself spending the kind of money that the latest iPhone (at the time) was going for.

That is when I switched back to Android... for a super-cool phone, the Sharp Aquos Crystal. THAT thing was terrific! When it was time to replace that, the iPhone SE was released, and was an iPhone in a form and price that was an excellent bargain. That's where I'm at now.

When I need to replace the SE... not planning to do so in the next 6 months, it will be back to Android. I don't want FaceID, I don't want a notch, I want a headphone jack, support for removable media, and the other Android-exclusive features that I've come to depend on.

This has already spilled over to my tablets... I've pretty much switched from my 12.9 iPad Pro to the Lenovo Yoga Book (Android version). Everything that I attempted to do that turned out to go against the grain of where Apple is going, was perfectly in line with the Yoga Book.

 

[Brandonjr36]

Wow that's great! When I read your comment I expected to check here in canada and see it for twice as much but no, $198 CAD (or $151 USD). EDIT: nvm, I was on the US website... the lowest I can find it here is $449 CAD unlocked, 349$ with a carrier.

1.5 years ago when I bought my phone the SE didn't exist and the 5C was old and I never liked it. Now I'm really hoping for a SE2 anytime between now and March 2019 to upgrade.

Can’t you have someone in the us buy one and send it to you lol?
[doublepost=1521558768][/doublepost]

Because an android phone really feels like an small computer which you can customize the way you want. Download the newest movies, APK, documents, firewalls, and file managers and much more. iOS is so restricted and the home screen looks awful.

You can download the newest movies to iPhones to

 

[Glmnet1]

Can’t you have someone in the us buy one and send it to you lol?

Sure! Anyway I'm waiting for a refresh on the SE, I don't need a new phone yet. When I do I'll probably pick it up myself in the US if there's such a price difference.

 

[1050792]

Because I can do the hell I want it with. "Freedom"

 

[DiamonDecoden]

For me it is the s pen. I love to draw and its perfect for me. I don't want to use another device without the s pen.

Also customization - I can make a personalized phone.

Lastly- Swype keyboard.

Now there's definitely things that iOS do better. Imessage and FaceTime. Would like to see that on Samsung phones. Overall very happy I went back to the note series.

For me it was the price. You can't get an iPhone for 200$

I'm now considering to switch for my next phone, mostly for the integration.

Actually you can with 2nd hand phones. Prices on android phones are not very cheap.

 

[hallux]

I don't have an Android phone, however, I've seriously considered switching recently. My reasons:
* Google Project Fi (and be able to use all the supported carriers as opposed to just T-Mobile like if you used an iPhone today)
* Expandable storage

Unless you get the Moto X4 you won't find both of these options in the same device. Unless you have that device or a Pixel or Nexus device, the carrier switching doesn't work and of those only the Moto has the SD card slot.

If you're not yet on Fi and decide to make the switch, PM me, we'll both get $20 in bill credit after 30 days of service.

 

[ozaz]

* Cost - I'm perfectly happy with mid-range phones and I prefer to buy outright rather than get phones on contract
* Screen/device size choice - My preferred screen size is in between iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus
* Google apps superior on Android - I don't know if this is still true but it was true when I switched to Android in 2013 or 2014.
* Navigation back button
* App drawer

The only things I find tempting about iPhone these days are
* Apple Watch support and Apple Health. The whole health tracking offering seems much stronger on the iOS than on Android.
* Integration of 3rd party password managers is better in iOS than Android.

 

[lowendlinux]

I'm on Fi

I want to run the SW I want and not what companies think I want. I want to update when I want and don't want anything to automagically happen. My phone it mine and I want control not just to use it.