Other With the growing competition and alternatives, why do you choose to stick with iPhone (and iOS)?

[Tsepz]

The brands you mentioned don’t have stock Android. Pixel phones do and they have no slow down at all. Going back a few years I had a Pixel 2 XL that I used for two years and then got an iPhone 11. That two year old pixel was still noticeably faster than the brand new iPhone 11.

I totally understand why many people love and want to stick with iPhones. However, you can’t judge and compare Android to iPhones unless you are doing it with stock Android. Most people that have tried an Android phone do so with heavily customized versions such as what you get with Samsung and they get really laggy after awhile.

Google Pixel is not sold in my country, so the android choices people have are the ones with android skins, so it is indeed fair of us to judge and compare to iPhone.

Google Pixel global availability is puny compared to Samsung, so the majority of the world will get a skinned android experience anyway,

 

[Kaotic]

It’s the ecosystem for me. I was an Android user for 10 years (and BlackBerry before that!), but during that time had always had iPods and iPads as secondary devices, and MacBooks as my main computer. Adding an iPhone (and then Apple Watch) into that mix really unlocked the utility and convenience of it all. And I didn’t have to give up the Google apps and services that I’ve used for years since they were all available on iOS.

if you’re looking at phones alone, I would say that arguably some Android phones are better than the iPhone. But when looking at in the context of being part of a system of interconnected devices and services, it’s pretty hard to beat.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I have zero interesting in changing. My home screen is, more or less, the same as it was when I bought my 3g back in 2008, and I've never done a "fresh start". I've used plenty of android phones, and had one as a work-issued phone for a while. They are fine, but not worth the hassle of switching.

I'm also all-in on Apple, and tend to avoid Google and Google-owned services (yes, that includes YouTube).

 

[krspkbl]

I bought an iPhone because of:

1) how reliable Apple is to update the OS. I mean, they still support phones from almost 6 years ago. My 12 Pro Max came with iOS 14, I've upgraded to 16, and will probably be able to update it to iOS 19. Android is getting better in terms of software updates but still doesn't quite match Apple.

2) Customer support and ease of access. I wouldn't say Apple's customer service is perfect but it's really good. I've had issues with them over the years but most of the time I am happy with the outcome. Being able to go into a store, talk to someone face to face, and get a replacement device at the same time is a huge advantage. My previous phone was a Google Pixel and while it was a great phone I had a problem with the charging port. Google wanted me to send the phone to them which would have meant I would be without my phone for up to two weeks. I've had no problems with my iPhone, thankfully, but when my iPad had a problem I made an appointment at 6AM for 10AM the same day and by 11AM i was home with a "brand new" iPad.

I'd love to replace my iPhone 12 Pro Max with another iPhone when it comes time to upgrade but honestly I'd not hesitate going back to Android. I'm not loyal to any brand and will go to whatever product I feel is better value. If Apple is going to hike iPhone prices again then I might not stick with them.

 

[TheLocNar]

It all depends what’s available when I want to upgrade. Honestly the iPhone has been getting a bit long in the tooth. I stoped upgrading every year. I’m still on a 12 Pro Max. Will see what they have for us in September.

 

[2021]

If you feel that you have a choice between IOS and Android you are not really using the Apple world. Because then there would be no choice. (And no need for one).

In other words vendor lock-in. I’m fortunate to be able to choose, yes.

 

[ian87w]

It’s the ecosystem for me. I was an Android user for 10 years (and BlackBerry before that!), but during that time had always had iPods and iPads as secondary devices, and MacBooks as my main computer. Adding an iPhone (and then Apple Watch) into that mix really unlocked the utility and convenience of it all. And I didn’t have to give up the Google apps and services that I’ve used for years since they were all available on iOS.

if you’re looking at phones alone, I would say that arguably some Android phones are better than the iPhone. But when looking at in the context of being part of a system of interconnected devices and services, it’s pretty hard to beat.

This is Apple’s sauce, since Apple makes everything from the phone, wearables, computer, and into the services like email, cloud storage, streaming, etc. It’s impossible to replicate the ecosystem outside the garden as you have to deal with at least two or more companies (Google for Android, Microsoft for Windows, and the respective OEMs making your phone, wearables, and computer). All you have is each company trying to put bandaids and workarounds for their stuff to work together, but the result will never be as nice as Apple.

 

[joeblow7777]

I stick with iPhone/iOS because it's what I'm used to, it does everything I need it to, and I don't have a good reason to switch. Simple as that.

 

[Annv]

I bought the OG iPhone SE as it was the only model at that time that: 1) could be used with one hand, 2) had white front bezels, 3) was nice. I was equally happy with my Moto G2 before that, but it broke, and the new Motos done by Lenovo were noticeably worse.

Looking at the current Apple designs, I won't buy a new iPhone.

As to the ecosystem, I avoid using Apple services/iCloud, as well as products that would lock me in, like AirPods, Apple Watch or a HomePod. Even wired EarPods that I use with every device are fully functional only under iOS/macOS: Apple does not provide any drivers for Windows or Android, which is a shame, but that's also a try to lock the users in.

I'm more into the Microsoft and Google ecosystems that I use for work: OneDrive (with Office 365), Dropbox, Google Sheet, Docs, Chrome, Gmail, and a bunch of messengers sync perfectly fine across platforms.

So, I'll choose the best phone I can find at the time my current OG SE breaks or becomes slow.

 

[rambo47]

I go back and forth between Android on a Google Pixel 5 and an iPhone 13 Pro Max. I bought the Pixel because when my parents got dragged into the 21st century, kicking and screaming, forced to upgrade their flip phones to smartphones, I knew I'd be their first call for help. They asked me what smartphones to get and naturally I said "iPhone!" because I am familiar with Apple. Naturally they got Android phones. I figured (correctly) that I had better familiarize myself with the ins and outs of Android so I got a Google Pixel. Loved the size and weight, the Google fabric cases, and the overall design. Once I got it dialed in with my apps and settings I liked it. Nice change of pace. I found that Google's GPay is faster and easier than Apple Pay too. The camera on the Pixel 5 is good - not great like the iPhone, but good enough for my use. I primarily use my camera to document things at work so my needs are simple.

I recently "upgraded" the Android operating system from 12 to 13 and everything seemed hunky dory. Until I tried to use Android Auto yesterday. Total fail, wouldn't connect via bluetooth or USB, no map display except on the phone, and the phone kept turning off and shutting down the navigation. A less than satisfying experience, to be certain. In my experiences Android is mostly second best. Except GPay.

 

[chrono1081]

I personally haven't seen any competition that actually feels like a leap forward. I just like the Apple ecosystem too much.

 

[Rainbow Apple]

I stoped upgrading every year.

Why'd you upgrade every year in the first place? What's the point of upgrading every year, seeing as it takes far longer than a year for iPhones stop getting the latest version of iOS?

 

[MacLappy]

Although I am quite enamoured by Oppo(Find N2) and Samsung(Galaxy Fold 4) folding phones, I find it really hard to switch over to Android for a couple of reasons.

1. Social convenience

Most of my family and friends are using iPhones, meaning most of our social interaction happen within Apple native apps like “Find My”, “Maps”, “FaceTime”, “AirDrop” and of late “iMessage”. Having an iPhone makes interacting a breeze.

2. Ease of comfort within the Ecosystem

Having started with a White Polycarbonate Macbook in 2006. I have found myself over the years, gradually won over by Apple.
As such, most of my current digital gear are Apple made.
This is not just because of my profound delight in each Apple product purchased, but more so in the integrated experience and seamless interaction I have come to enjoy with my Apple products.
To me, each new apple product(especially true if it is a new product category that I don’t already own) adds substantial weight to my already hefty Apple centric Ecosystem, far outweighing the monetary value of said purchase.

3. Cost

Over the last 17 years, I have purchased both physical and virtual goods from Apple, switching over to Android would be a costly affair.

4. Exception customer service

At the start of the year, I had some issues with my AirPods Pro, bought in down to an Apple store near me, without any appointment and they replaced it on the spot.
This is the kind of quality service I am use to with Apple.
Firstly that I hardly have issues with my Apple products, secondly when I do I am assured that it will be dealt with in a customer friendly manner.

5. Longevity of products

For some reason, my Apple products really last a long time.

My original iPad is still working, but not in use.

My iPhone 6 plus and iPhone 7 Plus, both still working, were handed down to my friends years back, both used them for a couple of years and have since upgraded. So they were both retired from use.

My parents are still using my iMac from 2012.

My iPhone XR, iPhone 12 are still in circulation as hand me down’s and are still serving their current owners well.

None of my current Apple gear are from the latest generation.

Original AirPods Pro, Apple Watch series 5, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad Pro 11”(4th Gen, 2020), intel Macbook Pro 16” 2019, Apple TV(gen 3), Apple TV(gen 4,HD).

Still serving me well after all these years. Even products that no longer receive the last OS upgrades, do get security updates.

6. Resell value

Over the years, I have done my fair share of upgrading and have sold off some of my old Macs and iPhones, in my region they retain better resale value compare to any other computing brands.

7. Hassle

It is not easy switching over, the hassle of transferring from one platform to another is quite daunting, this is not even taking into account having to re-train the way I interact with all my devices and information which are currently housed under a single Apple umbrella.

 

[kanga1622]

We are too enmeshed in the Apple system to even contemplate changing. We got our first smartphones when we got 5S refurbished phones. We’ve now got 5 iPhones sharing one backup/payment/sharing system along with an Apple Watch. I have always been very happy with iOS.

 

[rambo47]

The knock against Apple is usually, "I don't want to be locked into the Apple ecosystem." To which I answer, "Fine. Be locked into the Android ecosystem." I choose whatever ecosystem works best for me. I'm primarily a Mac user so the mobile with the best integration into my home computers is a natural fit for me. I prize reliability and security over having 200 word processor apps so Android's "bigger" ecosystem is meaningless. It's like saying the Pacific Ocean is bigger than the Mediteranian so that's where I will sail my 32' sloop. Never mind that all the places I may want to see are on the Mediteranian.

I have no loyalty to one brand over another. I'll choose whatever works best for me. Right now that's the MacOS and iOS. If that ever changes, so will my choice of platforms. We use Windows at work, with a lot of proprietary apps and our own intranet. No choice. To keep abreast of Windows I have a Lenovo laptop at home but it sees minimal use. A lot of what I do daily would be easier on a Mac but I've adapted to the Windows way of doing them. Screenshots and photo editing is better on a Mac. Photoshop > Paint 3D.

I try Linux periodically and have found it's still not "The Year of Linux on the Desktop," unless your purpose is to develop for Linux.

 

[curnalpanic]

I just hate Android.

 

[rambo47]

I just hate Android.

I did too, initially. When my parents, at the young and tender ages of 82 and 83, were forced to upgrade to smartphones they asked me what to get. Naturally I said, "iPhones." And naturally they went Android. I bought a used Pixel 3a XL to familiarize myself with Android because I knew I'd be their first call for help. After owning 3 or 4 iPhones in a row with zero problems I was mystified at their choice of Android, but after a visit to the Verizon store they used I saw how hard they were pushing Samsung phones and it made sense. "Are you here for the Samsung promotion?"

I found Android confusing and convoluted at first - completely alien to me. Once I set up the Play Store and a Google Drive with a Gmail account it started to make sense. While iOS did things for me automatically, Android required a lot more deliberate actions to do the same thing as iOS, but it got it done.

 

[animalx]

Most of those I’ve seen were on Samsungs.

And what exactly was it (specifically) that made you say that?

what growing competition and alternatives? It’s basically Android or iOS. Very few others out there, maybe Graphos And a few others.

I agree. Apple is still quite behind and hasn't brought any real innovation in ages, so I have to agree with you. The competition can't be growing if the competition hasn't caught up yet.

Samsung phones are nowhere close to being the best Android phones, they are very laggy due to all the extra stuff Samsung adds to the OS. The only reason they sell well is advertising and brand name.

Laggy? You couldn't be further off the mark. I'd go as far as to say, the GS23U is actually snappier than the iPhone. It's noticeably snappier than the iPhone with the animations on .5.

 

[animalx]

their cameras are the ones to beat, IMO

How can that be when they're not even in the top 4? And I can make a very strong argument about it not being 5, 6, 7, or 8 due to the lack of a decent optical zoom. So to be fair, I don't think you can say their camera is the one to beat, when it's got the 9th best camera, and at best the 5th best.

 

[ab2c4]

And what exactly was it (specifically) that made you say that?


I agree. Apple is still quite behind and hasn't brought any real innovation in ages, so I have to agree with you. The competition can't be growing if the competition hasn't caught up yet.


Laggy? You couldn't be further off the mark. I'd go as far as to say, the GS23U is actually snappier than the iPhone. It's noticeably snappier than the iPhone with the animations on .5.

After about 6 months they noticeably bog down. Takes a little while but when it happens the only way to fix it is to do a factory reset and let’s face it, nobody wants to do that. Pixel is hands down the best of the Android phones.

 

[danb1979]

How can that be when they're not even in the top 4? And I can make a very strong argument about it not being 5, 6, 7, or 8 due to the lack of a decent optical zoom. So to be fair, I don't think you can say their camera is the one to beat, when it's got the 9th best camera, and at best the 5th best.

I put IMO

 

[danb1979]

After about 6 months they noticeably bog down. Takes a little while but when it happens the only way to fix it is to do a factory reset and let’s face it, nobody wants to do that. Pixel is hands down the best of the Android phones.

Agree; the 7 Pro I've found to be superb and switching between that and my personal iPhone 14 PM can be hard at times as I think both are superb...

If I had to sell one, TBH, I think it'd be the iPhone, but it'd be a very hard struggle to part with either

 

[Harthag]

After about 6 months they noticeably bog down. Takes a little while but when it happens the only way to fix it is to do a factory reset and let’s face it, nobody wants to do that. Pixel is hands down the best of the Android phones.

The Pixel 7 (non Pro) is trash, in my opinion. I traded it in for the S23+. Night and day difference. The fingerprint sensor on the Pixel was terrible. It worked 50% of the time and lit up a room if it was dark. The screen was cheap quality (I had the 7, not the 7 Pro).

Anyone who says Samsung phones lag hasn’t used one in many years. In day to day use it is faster and smoother than my 14 Pro Max. Any “bloat” doesn’t get in my way.

 

[M5RahuL]

After about 6 months they noticeably bog down. Takes a little while but when it happens the only way to fix it is to do a factory reset and let’s face it, nobody wants to do that. Pixel is hands down the best of the Android phones.

Been using my Galaxy S22 Ultra for over a year at this point, and I see no discernible lag.. It's never been factory reset and was initially set up from backup.

Used the Pixel 7 pro for sometime and it was amazing as well.. just too vanilla for me..

 

[M5RahuL]

On topic, I primarily stick with the iPhone due to the damn Apple watch, the enormous convenience with Face ID, Customer Service and the presence of B&M stores, and the overall UX of iOS (even with it's shortcomings)

That said, the elimination of physical sim has been (and will be) a significant deterrent for me to upgrade from the 13 Pro Max!

Finally, my recent acquisition of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the lack of innovation with iOS ( the inability to do split screen on the max model drives me up the wall now..), has genuinely got me reconsidering the viability of iPhone purchases (for me) going forward...