Other Is it just the iPhone or are Android devices even worse?

[jwolf6589]

I can write pages of various small issues I have with the iPhone, some are well-known and have been acknowledged for years, yet never fixed (e.g. zooming on a PDF in Safari would scroll to a random page), others are new bugs that appear with new iOS releases but I'm really getting fed up. Like for instance my wife asking our HomePod-s to play some music, and instead my iPhone responding, despite her having a high soprano voice and me having a bass voice. Or I just tried listening to some music on my AirPods Max from my iPhone but they stay connected to my Mac and wouldn't switch to the iPhone and I have to restart the iPhone. There are so many issues like these, I can spend the entire day listing them. I've occasionally reinstalled some of these devices with the hope it can help but alas. And it seems the things are getting even worse. I actually have various (small) issues with all my Apple devices, not just the iPhone but decided to post here since the iPhone is the most popular Apple device. I've been a loyal Apple user since 2010 and have had almost every Apple device since. But I'm starting questioning if I should still stay. Whenever I've touched an Android device, I think: no way, that's much worse than the iPhone. But TBH I haven't tested premium Android devices. And I'm more and more inclined to switching teams. What do you think? Or are Android devices even worse and buggier than iPhones?

I don't use the Android virus. She love it. Not me.

 

[Rodan52]

Apple has a huge advantage in that they control the hardware and software. Apple is tailoring their iOS for just a handful of phones, and all those phones have a common architecture. Google has to design their OS for dozens of phones in dozens of configurations, made by a bunch of different manufacturers. Samsung, Motorola, etc - all put their own skins on the OS.

And therein lies the problem. Some Android phones are great others are rubbish. All Apple iPhones are the best Apple can make them at the time, sharing the same iOS, native apps, and iCloud backup and 2FA security. It might be a "walled garden" but walled gardens are safer.

 

[Parowdy]

I suppose everybody knows that over 80% of computer, and I would include iPhone/iPads in this too because that's what they are; mini portable computers, is attributable to user error, "According to various studies, a significant portion of computer user problems are attributed to user error. For instance, a discussion on the Android Central forums suggests that over 80% of difficulties and reported problems with smartphones are due to user ignorance or incorrect use of features."

I always bear that in mind when answering questions on Mac user forums. Not being judgmental, these devices are so complex now. At least 30% of all problems can be solved by searching for the answer in the appropriate places eg. https://support.apple.com/. or this or similar forums
In a number of cases users simply don't know how to ask the appropriate question in a search or dont understand the solution when they do.

It would be nice to think these devices would just do or not do the things we want without any effort on our part but that is simply not the case and hasn't been for a long time.

PS. It took me over 30min to set the time an date on my first Nokia, the 6200.

View attachment 2510316

„I suppose everybody knows that over 80% of computer […] [errors] is attributable to user error. […] For instance, a discussion on the Android Central forums suggests that over 80% of difficulties and reported problems with smartphones are due to user ignorance or incorrect use of features."

Apparently nobody knows that.
But judging by the scripts tech supports are working with, definitely over 50% are user error.

 

[killhippie]

Apple has a huge advantage in that they control the hardware and software. Apple is tailoring their iOS for just a handful of phones, and all those phones have a common architecture. Google has to design their OS for dozens of phones in dozens of configurations, made by a bunch of different manufacturers. Samsung, Motorola, etc - all put their own skins on the OS.

Well they did, now Apple are making cheap phones yet still calling them Pro models. All aluminium no more titanium, a horrible bump across the whole back (in my opinion) 8K video wow because so many monitors and TV's support that... a C1 modem, or Mediatek instead of Qualcomm, so its cheaper, replacing all the good hardware with their cheaper hardware like sticking at 3nm for the next few years where as Samsung etc are looking into 1.4nm chips in a few years

Apple are going to be making cheaper phones without the new silicon battery tech that still cost a fortune because some odd orange guy who thinks no container ships means America is spending less so doing great (facepalm) keeps stamping on them, even berating them while in Quatar for using India not the USA, because he does not understand the way they are built and thier parts distribution train as iPhones use parts form all over the world.

The need for parts from so many places, may be the death of Apples phone market because the 17 does not look like a update over the 15 or 16 even with a bit more ram because Apples AI is still floundering, because they went cap in hand to the big AI boys and did not want to build their own (cant spend the money on an AI, well now they don't have the money so much but they could do it or would it bite into Apples profit margin)

Apple were just to greedy, wanting to sell big time without investing in things that others saw coming which Apple should have built when they had the chance. Profit came first with Tim but, but now the trillion dollar company has lost a fair bit and its a disaster on the iPhone side. I would rather have a Samsung with that new screen that's not not coming to the 17 and a X85 modem not a C1, but even Samsung may drop the snapdragon elite now now as Apple are not such a threat and the whole market stagnates in the west while the chines phones overtake western hardware and at a reasonale cost mostly.

 

[TgeekB]

Well they did, now Apple are making cheap phones yet still calling them Pro models. All aluminium no more titanium, a horrible bump across the whole back (in my opinion) 8K video wow because so many monitors and TV's support that... a C1 modem, or Mediatek instead of Qualcomm, so its cheaper, replacing all the good hardware with their cheaper hardware like sticking at 3nm for the next few years where as Samsung etc are looking into 1.4nm chips in a few years

Apple are going to be making cheaper phones without the new silicon battery tech that still cost a fortune because some odd orange guy who thinks no container ships means America is spending less so doing great (facepalm) keeps stamping on them, even berating them while in Quatar for using India not the USA, because he does not understand the way they are built and thier parts distribution train as iPhones use parts form all over the world.

The need for parts from so many places, may be the death of Apples phone market because the 17 does not look like a update over the 15 or 16 even with a bit more ram because Apples AI is still floundering, because they went cap in hand to the big AI boys and did not want to build their own (cant spend the money on an AI, well now they don't have the money so much but they could do it or would it bite into Apples profit margin)

Apple were just to greedy, wanting to sell big time without investing in things that others saw coming which Apple should have built when they had the chance. Profit came first with Tim but, but now the trillion dollar company has lost a fair bit and its a disaster on the iPhone side. I would rather have a Samsung with that new screen that's not not coming to the 17 and a X85 modem not a C1, but even Samsung may drop the snapdragon elite now now as Apple are not such a threat and the whole market stagnates in the west while the chines phones overtake western hardware and at a reasonale cost mostly.

I think you’re exaggerating here a bit. You make it sound like Apple phones are about to die off, that they offer nothing of significance to the consumer, that AI won’t become a key feature the way Apple wants and it’s a “disaster”. Samsung is doing everything better. You could be right of course but I’m not putting any money on any of it.

 

[TechnoMonk]

OP switch to Android and test it out yourself.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Open a PDF in Safari and zoom in on it. Now you have your first issue. You can thank me later 😉

What is the issue? I do this a lot.

 

[CyberGene]

What is the issue? I do this a lot.

For the last 3-4 years pinch zooming on a PDF in Safari (not in Books or other apps) would always randomly jump to another page that might be 20 or so pages off. BTW, it’s a confirmed and acknowledged bug by Apple, has been discussed on many forums and was finally fixed with the last iOS update. It was a 100% reproducible issue that happened always with all PDF-s.

 

[adrianlondon]

imo, what iPhones should have is a way to fully control them remotely.

It can be via trusted Apple IDs only (i.e. I'd ask my parents to let me add mine) and it should only initiated from the device whose screen is to be shared.

Occasionally, one of my parents will go into settings and mess things up, or simply be confused by something, especially since even stock apps (looking at you, Photos and Music) don't have a consistent UI, *and* they changed them quite substantially from iOS 17 to iOS 18.

Then they Facetime me and I try to talk them through the issue. If only I could just take over their phone remotely - a 20 minute call on their iPad with one of them waving their phone at the camera (and missing 😁) could be a simply 30 second fix.

 

[cuzo]

OP switch to Android and test it out yourself.

Not good for your eyes, better off using a tablet.

Phone too small to be looking at pdfs. Ask phones are mostly emails on the go and enhanced security to prevent leaks.

 

[Isamilis]

There was a small moment in time in September 2012 where I was prepared to be all in on the Apple ecosystem and Apple devices. For various reasons that didn't work out and I was forced to find alternative methods to make what Apple products I was using at the time work for me. Consequently, I just use what I like. And I feel no desire or FOMO to buy anything Apple sells that I don't need or want.

You seem to have integrated a lot of Apple stuff. That's fine, Apple should fix things. But there are alternatives. I don't have your AirPod Max issue because I don't use AirPods. I use a bone conduction headset from an entirely different manufacturer because it works for me. And it pairs just fine with all my Macs and iPhones/iPads. It's an Apple-centric device so controlling my iPhone/iPad/Mac with it is easy.

I'm not saying you should use what I use or that I have a better thing going. What I am saying, is this. Find what works for you and use that. If AirPods aren't working for you, find something else. Find a different home speaker thing if that works better. And plenty of people have Macs and Android phones or PCs and iPhones.

Use what's best for you. Don't accept bugs in stuff just because you're wanting to be loyal or something.

Previously I had experienced bugs here and there after updates. I rarely have those since few years ago, when I avoid updating using OTA. I am also selective which version to upgrade to. It doesn’t make sense theoretically (at least for some people), but it worked for me and my family.
My point is, technology (as in other areas like medicine) is also about mindfulness, even though the company (Apple) said otherwise.

 

[eyoungren]

Previously I had experienced bugs here and there after updates. I rarely have those since few years ago, when I avoid updating using OTA. I am also selective which version to upgrade to. It doesn’t make sense theoretically (at least for some people), but it worked for me and my family.
My point is, technology (as in other areas like medicine) is also about mindfulness, even though the company (Apple) said otherwise.

Agree with you there on mindfulness. I used to jailbreak my iPhones and being mindful and considered of updates is very important in doing that.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

imo, what iPhones should have is a way to fully control them remotely.

It can be via trusted Apple IDs only (i.e. I'd ask my parents to let me add mine) and it should only initiated from the device whose screen is to be shared.

Occasionally, one of my parents will go into settings and mess things up, or simply be confused by something, especially since even stock apps (looking at you, Photos and Music) don't have a consistent UI, *and* they changed them quite substantially from iOS 17 to iOS 18.

Then they Facetime me and I try to talk them through the issue. If only I could just take over their phone remotely - a 20 minute call on their iPad with one of them waving their phone at the camera (and missing 😁) could be a simply 30 second fix.

This is already a feature in FaceTime.

How to Remotely Control Another iPhone or Mac Using FaceTime

You can remotely control another person's iPhone, iPad, and Mac using FaceTime. This requires you to use Facetime's screen sharing feature and request control of the other person's device.

lifehacker.com

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Well they did, now Apple are making cheap phones yet still calling them Pro models. All aluminium no more titanium

Uh…

iPhone 17 Air rumors: Titanium frame, 35W fast charging, exclusive camera feature

Rumors believe Apple will ditch the titanium frame to all new iPhone 17 models. However, the iPhone 17 Air might be the only one to keep it.

bgr.com

Liquid metal hinge in iPhone Fold to be twice as strong as titanium

Revived rumors of Apple using liquid metal for the iPhone Fold's hinge have been assisted by a leaker claiming that it will be more than twice as strong as a titanium-alloy version.

appleinsider.com

sticking at 3nm for the next few years where as Samsung etc are looking into 1.4nm chips in a few years

Uh…

Apple to Get TSMC's First 2-Nanometer Chips

Apple will be the first company to receive chips built on the TSMC's future 2-nanometer process, DigiTimes said today. According to sources that...

www.macrumors.com

Apple Chipmaker Discusses Highly Advanced 1.4nm Chips for First Time

TSMC has officially mentioned its work on 1.4nm fabrication technology that is likely destined to underpin future Apple silicon chips. In a slide...

www.macrumors.com

Apple are going to be making cheaper phones without the new silicon battery tech

They are?

iPhone 17 Air Could Debut Advanced Silicon Battery Tech

The upcoming all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air could become the first Apple smartphone to adopt advanced battery technology, with Japanese supplier...

www.macrumors.com

Apple were just to greedy, wanting to sell big time without investing in things that others saw coming which Apple should have built when they had the chance. Profit came first with Tim but, but now the trillion dollar company has lost a fair bit and its a disaster on the iPhone side. I would rather have a Samsung with that new screen that's not not coming to the 17 and a X85 modem not a C1, but even Samsung may drop the snapdragon elite now now as Apple are not such a threat and the whole market stagnates in the west while the chines phones overtake western hardware and at a reasonale cost mostly.

Apple doesn’t invent things, they take inventions and put them into a hit product.
Pretty much everything in this post is wrong.

 

[darngooddesign]

...Or I just tried listening to some music on my AirPods Max from my iPhone but they stay connected to my Mac and wouldn't switch to the iPhone and I have to restart the iPhone.

Did you try selecting them from the AirPlay icon?

 

[darngooddesign]

...but even Samsung may drop the snapdragon elite now now as Apple are not such a threat and the whole market stagnates in the west while the chines phones overtake western hardware and at a reasonale cost mostly.

So... why would Samsung (not a western company) stop using powerful chips if they want to compete against Chinese brands?

 

[ScanTheNavian]

I can write pages of various small issues I have with the iPhone, some are well-known and have been acknowledged for years, yet never fixed (e.g. zooming on a PDF in Safari would scroll to a random page), others are new bugs that appear with new iOS releases but I'm really getting fed up. Like for instance my wife asking our HomePod-s to play some music, and instead my iPhone responding, despite her having a high soprano voice and me having a bass voice. Or I just tried listening to some music on my AirPods Max from my iPhone but they stay connected to my Mac and wouldn't switch to the iPhone and I have to restart the iPhone. There are so many issues like these, I can spend the entire day listing them. I've occasionally reinstalled some of these devices with the hope it can help but alas. And it seems the things are getting even worse. I actually have various (small) issues with all my Apple devices, not just the iPhone but decided to post here since the iPhone is the most popular Apple device. I've been a loyal Apple user since 2010 and have had almost every Apple device since. But I'm starting questioning if I should still stay. Whenever I've touched an Android device, I think: no way, that's much worse than the iPhone. But TBH I haven't tested premium Android devices. And I'm more and more inclined to switching teams. What do you think? Or are Android devices even worse and buggier than iPhones?

I can't see myself ever becoming an iOS user. In Android I can set how long I must press a key before it become the alt key. Like for example the letter 'n' has maybe the symbol '!' on it, so I can set the time to 100ms or something so that it fits my flow perfectly. It's many small things like that, which I can't find any alternatives for on my iPad, that make me stay away from iOS.

And loading or off-loading stuff to my PC from it feels more straightforward than when I hook up my iPad. I can see all the DCIM folders and much more so the Android phone looks more like a USB flash drive than a walled-in device.

 

[CyberGene]

Did you try selecting them from the AirPlay icon?

Yes, they were not on the list at all. I had to restart the iPhone.

 

[uacd]

I had few Androids, not going to come back again. Google controlling every aspect in this OS feels like a huge step backwards. All the default messaging apps are Google’s, some you can delete and some will stay forever on the phone even if you hide them in the system setting. Using and constantly having to tweak this or that setting for some sort of comfort is not ideal for me.

There is also a problem with ads and tracking on every corner and that tracking is so huge that browser feels much more sluggish than Safari with latest privacy-oriented features.

Really I had never liked Android because of Google, ever since its release. On the other hand, before iPhone I was a happy Symbian user and enjoyer, Symbian was faster than most modern budget Android phone😆

 

[Pedersenko]

my next one will be Fair Phone. 'de-googled' Android.
some say it has good battery life in absence of tracking / background refresh stuff.