I'm thinking of coming back to the iPhone

[FatPuppy]

This is my first post on here so hello. A little background on me: I had every iPhone from the original one to the 4S. Then I got away from Apple and began using Android. I currently have an Android (Samsung Galaxy Light) and am thinking of coming back to the iPhone. My main reason is that I cannot stand staying on outdated firmware like I currently am. I'm still on 4.4.2 Kit Kat and I may never see Lollipop. Some people on the Android side say this doesn't matter but to me it does. I don't have current features or look of Lollipop. I miss having my 4S because it never gave me any issues and it always had timely updates. I read yesterday that it may even get iOS 9. To me that's incredible. Any Android phone from 2011 is still stuck on outdated software and Apple's current venture into supporting old phones like the 4S impresses me. I understand it won't get ALL new iOS 9 features and won't be fast like the current 6 or 6+ but it suited me well as far as size and durability. Is the 4S still a good buy, do you all think it will get iOS 9 and do you guys think it would run well on my carrier Metro PCS (I know it won't get 4G LTE)? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

I recommend a windows phone.

 

[nickchallis92]

OP is also moaning about Android on a budget handset.

 

[Wrathwitch]

FWIW, here's my 2c.

Just because Apple supports almost every OS update on a majority of devices, does not mean that you should update it.

There are countless forums about people regretting having updated (and yes some saying that it is flawless etc) but the big problem is that if it does brick your device (as happened with my hubby's original iPad) you cannot go back.

Rule of thumb: Update maximum 2 OS updates from the original OS of the device purchased.

 

[C DM]

FWIW, here's my 2c.

Just because Apple supports almost every OS update on a majority of devices, does not mean that you should update it.

There are countless forums about people regretting having updated (and yes some saying that it is flawless etc) but the big problem is that if it does brick your device (as happened with my hubby's original iPad) you cannot go back.

Rule of thumb: Update maximum 2 OS updates from the original OS of the device purchased.

Quite often it can be hard to not update when more and more apps might not support your older version of the OS, when some things might stop working, when there are bugs and/or security issues that exist and are only addressed in the newer version, and when there are cases when you need to restore your device or something similar and that ends up automatically putting the latest OS on it.

 

[geoff5093]

If Android updates are important to you, you need to buy flagship phones, as the budget phones rarely get updates.

 

[sunking101]

Keep your Android phone one too many years and certain apps will become unavailable. Update your iPhone one too many times and the whole phone will need to be thrown in the trash...

 

[techguy15]

OP is also moaning about Android on a budget handset.

Moaning? Really?

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I'm genuinely curious of something that, perhaps you or others can enlighten me on. Why is it that when a long time Apple user wants to try out Android phones they seem to always go to a Samsung device? Is it advertising, familiarity of the home button, endless iPhone Samsung comparisons, etc.? The only reason I ask is that there are many many different Android handsets that are arguably much better at displaying how well Android works, or doesn't work *cough* Lollipop, other than those made by Samsung. I understand that if you want to try Android you're not going to spend a ton of time scouring Android forums and sites. But, until just this past year, Samsung phones have widely been regarded as being slow and filled with so much bloat you'd be surprised they didn't pull your pants down when slipped in a pocket. It's almost like an Android user wanting to try out iOS and using an iPhone 4 on iOS 7 (my wife's is horrendously slow). If you could oblige I'd be grateful.

For me, I've had several Samsung devices. Why did i go with them vs other Androids? Samsung advertises the heck out of their phones and you often end up getting a great deal on them. I didn't do it to follow the crowd or anything. They were readily available and cheap. I realize I didn't buy an S6 which will get steady updates but at the same time Samsung did promise that my phone would get Lollipop in Q2 and it hasn't happened. The reason I am looking into the 4S is because besides the cheaper price, Apple is still supporting this device and I find that respectable. I wouldn't call my original post "moaning" but I'm simply wanting to get honest feedback from you iPhone folks. I appreciate the answers, guys.

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If Android updates are important to you, you need to buy flagship phones, as the budget phones rarely get updates.

Even the trouble with that is even those stop getting updates. Here we're in 2015 and I can't find a single Android from 2011 that's on current Lollipop (except if you're rooted which in my opinion doesn't count). The 4S I had and loved back in the day is still getting support and to me regardless of the fact it won't get ALL the features of iOS 9, it is incredible.

 

[sunking101]

Moaning? Really?

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For me, I've had several Samsung devices. Why did i go with them vs other Androids? Samsung advertises the heck out of their phones and you often end up getting a great deal on them. I didn't do it to follow the crowd or anything. They were readily available and cheap. I realize I didn't buy an S6 which will get steady updates but at the same time Samsung did promise that my phone would get Lollipop in Q2 and it hasn't happened. The reason I am looking into the 4S is because besides the cheaper price, Apple is still supporting this device and I find that respectable. I wouldn't call my original post "moaning" but I'm simply wanting to get honest feedback from you iPhone folks. I appreciate the answers, guys.

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Even the trouble with that is even those stop getting updates. Here we're in 2015 and I can't find a single Android from 2011 that's on current Lollipop (except if you're rooted which in my opinion doesn't count). The 4S I had and loved back in the day is still getting support and to me regardless of the fact it won't get ALL the features of iOS 9, it is incredible.

In all fairness though, any phone from 2011 running the latest 2015/2016 operating systems would run like an absolute dog so I really don't see how this is an issue. Take the iPhone 4; iOS5 slowed it down a bit, iOS6 really slowed it down and iOS7 plain killed it. Sure the phone was 'supported' but you wanted to throw it against the nearest wall and watch it smash into smithereens. Man that thing was frustratingly slow on iOS7. Most of the iOS7 features were disabled anyway, so what exactly did iPhone 4 owners gain by updating? All they did was make buying a new phone steam to the top of their 'to do list'.

If you buy a premium Android handset you will get at least one operating system update. That to me is perfectly sufficient as anything above and beyond that would compromise the performance of your phone. If you're wanting to keep it for beyond two years, which isn't the norm these days, then at least it will still perform with the same gusto it did when you first unboxed it. Android (and iOS) apps are supported for plenty long enough - a good few years - so it just isn't an issue. By that time your battery will be on its last legs and you'll be itching for the latest kit anyway. Very few people buy a premium smartphone and keep it beyond three years. Very few.

 

[I7guy]

FWIW, here's my 2c.

Just because Apple supports almost every OS update on a majority of devices, does not mean that you should update it.

There are countless forums about people regretting having updated (and yes some saying that it is flawless etc) but the big problem is that if it does brick your device (as happened with my hubby's original iPad) you cannot go back.

Rule of thumb: Update maximum 2 OS updates from the original OS of the device purchased.

Countless posts does not equate to countless people with millions and millions having idevices.

I'm happy with iOS 7 on my 4. 8.3 on my iPad 2 and 5s. I think some expect absolute perfection which these days rarely happens. Some devices probably run slow for whatever reason and some run fine.

 

[Wrathwitch]

Quite often it can be hard to not update when more and more apps might not support your older version of the OS, when some things might stop working, when there are bugs and/or security issues that exist and are only addressed in the newer version, and when there are cases when you need to restore your device or something similar and that ends up automatically putting the latest OS on it.

Countless posts does not equate to countless people with millions and millions having idevices.

I'm happy with iOS 7 on my 4. 8.3 on my iPad 2 and 5s. I think some expect absolute perfection which these days rarely happens. Some devices probably run slow for whatever reason and some run fine.

I still stand by my statement that sometimes because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. Other platforms may not offer the updates because they know that there are some users that don't understand the tech they are using and want to maintain a good performance for that piece of mobile tech.

You are right that some apps are not supported but I can tell you I would rather lose some new features that an app update offers than have the app refuse to work all together or have the device become inoperable.

People are of the mistaken mindset that Apple is trying to force them to buy new tech by not offering the full capacity OS update to older devices. This may have a small grain of truth to it but the bottom line is that oft times because Apple underpowers their devices, they are unable to handle the next gen OS. If you don't believe me look at the forums for the 6+ where people are complaining.

 

[C DM]

I still stand by my statement that sometimes because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. Other platforms may not offer the updates because they know that there are some users that don't understand the tech they are using and want to maintain a good performance for that piece of mobile tech.

You are right that some apps are not supported but I can tell you I would rather lose some new features that an app update offers than have the app refuse to work all together or have the device become inoperable.

People are of the mistaken mindset that Apple is trying to force them to buy new tech by not offering the full capacity OS update to older devices. This may have a small grain of truth to it but the bottom line is that oft times because Apple underpowers their devices, they are unable to handle the next gen OS. If you don't believe me look at the forums for the 6+ where people are complaining.

And when Apple themselves basically allows an important feature to stop working (like FaceTime) and the only way to get it working is to upgrade? Or when there's some bug or exploit that exists that might be affecting you (like a stupid message rendering bug that's going around) and the only way is to upgrade? Or when your device crashes or gets stuck or something else happens and the only way is to restore it which forces you to upgrade? Yes, an upgrade being out doesn't mean that you should upgrade, but there are enough paths out there that end up pushing enough people to upgrade without much of a good alternative. Now if Apple allowed downgrading when needed, that would be a different story entirely.

 

[cynics]

This is my first post on here so hello. A little background on me: I had every iPhone from the original one to the 4S. Then I got away from Apple and began using Android. I currently have an Android (Samsung Galaxy Light) and am thinking of coming back to the iPhone. My main reason is that I cannot stand staying on outdated firmware like I currently am. I'm still on 4.4.2 Kit Kat and I may never see Lollipop. Some people on the Android side say this doesn't matter but to me it does. I don't have current features or look of Lollipop. I miss having my 4S because it never gave me any issues and it always had timely updates. I read yesterday that it may even get iOS 9. To me that's incredible. Any Android phone from 2011 is still stuck on outdated software and Apple's current venture into supporting old phones like the 4S impresses me. I understand it won't get ALL new iOS 9 features and won't be fast like the current 6 or 6+ but it suited me well as far as size and durability. Is the 4S still a good buy, do you all think it will get iOS 9 and do you guys think it would run well on my carrier Metro PCS (I know it won't get 4G LTE)? I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

Its strange to me that you don't like Android because your device won't get the latest features but realize older Apple devices are the same way. I guess some find solace in have a bigger version number even if it means virtually nothing comparatively speaking.

I do not feel the 4S is a good buy currently. In my opinion it will not get iOS 9 judging by its performance with iOS 8 and Apples previous 4 version update history. That is just my opinion though. I still have a 4S and moving the 5S was a breath of fresh air.

IMO the 5S is about the minimum you want to be on if you plan on holding onto the device for any length of time. It has the current aspect ratio that devs are focusing on. The resolution + 64bit processor give it great performance. It has MOST of the current features.

If I were you I'd go with a 5S or better yet wait until the 6S and get a 5S or 6 at a cheaper price then.

 

[unclejamaal]

OP if looking for justification to move to IOS go for it
Apple are good at updating firmware and supporting older devices for around 3/4 years before taking them out of the support cycle.

As far as Android goes - why not looking at custom roms? Very well supported developer community out there and Im pretty sure you'll find an up to date version of Android for your phone if you look towards rooting and custom modding