Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone really is the best
- Thread starter dj1891
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I know this are one of those "I love iPhone reassurance" threads, but Moto G and S5 are not the best examples of hardware.
Also it depends on each individual's level of knowledge using Android and iOS. Those apps I mentioned earlier are for Android devices that don't need to be rooted or flash a custom ROM. For me, it is actually EASIER to navigate with Android than with iOS and WP.
Lazy Swipe - Beats the hell out of Apple's Reachability. Apps and toggles are in the bottom corners that pop up with a swipe. Great for phablets and one-handed users.
Nova Launcher Prime - I tried many launchers before but always go back to this one for stability and gesture swipes. Set the animation to FAST.
Screen Off & Lock - Linked with swipe up gesture with the launcher above, my screen goes off. My fav animation is still Zoom Out & Z-Shaped Swipe. Under Developer's Option under default Settings app, set 0.5x in all three and everything goes faster.
All In One Gestures - If Nova Prime is set on Slide animation, this is great for one-handed users. Except I prefer v3.5 over the latest one. Home is on the left and Back is on the right.
Wakeup Touch Nexus - I couldn't find double tap to wake on my M7, but this was the next best thing and for unrooted. Cover the sensor at the top for a second and screen wakes up. Nomore need to press a home or power button which wears out.
QuickPic - The best Android gallery app which includes video playing and pass codes to hide folders.
MoboPlayer - Mini player on the homescreen. I can use QuickPic and MoboPlayer to play TWO videos at the same time.
MX Player - Can play videos right after another. This is great if you have videos that were cut.
VidTrim Pro - Solid video editor for cutting scenes for a video. The merging needs work.
GSam Battery Monitor - I still have Du Battery Saver backed up but started preferring this one more because it is more detailed. Both use same amount of RAM which is around 50 MB. I miss the notification sound of Du when it is fully charged though.
App Backup & Restore - Anytime I want to delete an app, I make sure to back it up here if I ever want it again.
CM Browser - Fastest browser right now. Surpasses even Chrome.
CM Security - Great at finding malware and viruses or any dangerous sites. Set scan for daily. Ultra smooth UI and fast scanning.
SwiftKey - Yes, iOS8 users have it now but it came on Android first for nearly half a decade because they offered 3rd party keyboards. Ability to resize it is great which can't be done on iOS' default kb which still feels cramped. Also SwiftKey's predictive system is still superior to Apple's QuickType.
TubeMate - Much more versatile than MXTube back in the day. Can download videos beyond just from YouTube.
I can truly simplify Android to my liking and tweak it to the best of my abilities. Heck, I hate MIUI or Emotion UI by default since I need an app drawer and ability to hide apps. I can't stand folders.
I get it how iPhone is so wonderful and all. I feel Apple is still great all-around. But my philosophy is I don't want the OEM to dictate what to do with MY phone. I don't need directions on where to go and get spoonfed or older features that are new to iOS fans. Apple gives us NFC but only for Apple Pay. Apple gives us video calling called FaceTime but only to Apple users. Apple gives us a BBM ripoff with iMessages but only to iOS users. Apple gives us AirDrop but only for iOS users. Proprietary software or features always chained to Apple.
The iPhone hardware is GREAT, but iOS still feels like a prison always needing a "jailbreak" or rely on iTunes/iCloud when I can go do more customizations with Android right out of the box. My mind is always exercising and sharp by the robustness of Android. I feel iPhones is still one of the BEST IN HARDWARE always crippled by crippling OS like iOS and its proprietary features. Yeah, iPhone can praise smoothness because of optimization but of course it can be smoother and faster WHEN IT DOES LESS for you at a time.
Also it depends on each individual's level of knowledge using Android and iOS. Those apps I mentioned earlier are for Android devices that don't need to be rooted or flash a custom ROM. For me, it is actually EASIER to navigate with Android than with iOS and WP.
Lazy Swipe - Beats the hell out of Apple's Reachability. Apps and toggles are in the bottom corners that pop up with a swipe. Great for phablets and one-handed users.
Nova Launcher Prime - I tried many launchers before but always go back to this one for stability and gesture swipes. Set the animation to FAST.
Screen Off & Lock - Linked with swipe up gesture with the launcher above, my screen goes off. My fav animation is still Zoom Out & Z-Shaped Swipe. Under Developer's Option under default Settings app, set 0.5x in all three and everything goes faster.
All In One Gestures - If Nova Prime is set on Slide animation, this is great for one-handed users. Except I prefer v3.5 over the latest one. Home is on the left and Back is on the right.
Wakeup Touch Nexus - I couldn't find double tap to wake on my M7, but this was the next best thing and for unrooted. Cover the sensor at the top for a second and screen wakes up. Nomore need to press a home or power button which wears out.
QuickPic - The best Android gallery app which includes video playing and pass codes to hide folders.
MoboPlayer - Mini player on the homescreen. I can use QuickPic and MoboPlayer to play TWO videos at the same time.
MX Player - Can play videos right after another. This is great if you have videos that were cut.
VidTrim Pro - Solid video editor for cutting scenes for a video. The merging needs work.
GSam Battery Monitor - I still have Du Battery Saver backed up but started preferring this one more because it is more detailed. Both use same amount of RAM which is around 50 MB. I miss the notification sound of Du when it is fully charged though.
App Backup & Restore - Anytime I want to delete an app, I make sure to back it up here if I ever want it again.
CM Browser - Fastest browser right now. Surpasses even Chrome.
CM Security - Great at finding malware and viruses or any dangerous sites. Set scan for daily. Ultra smooth UI and fast scanning.
SwiftKey - Yes, iOS8 users have it now but it came on Android first for nearly half a decade because they offered 3rd party keyboards. Ability to resize it is great which can't be done on iOS' default kb which still feels cramped. Also SwiftKey's predictive system is still superior to Apple's QuickType.
TubeMate - Much more versatile than MXTube back in the day. Can download videos beyond just from YouTube.
I can truly simplify Android to my liking and tweak it to the best of my abilities. Heck, I hate MIUI or Emotion UI by default since I need an app drawer and ability to hide apps. I can't stand folders.
I get it how iPhone is so wonderful and all. I feel Apple is still great all-around. But my philosophy is I don't want the OEM to dictate what to do with MY phone. I don't need directions on where to go and get spoonfed or older features that are new to iOS fans. Apple gives us NFC but only for Apple Pay. Apple gives us video calling called FaceTime but only to Apple users. Apple gives us a BBM ripoff with iMessages but only to iOS users. Apple gives us AirDrop but only for iOS users. Proprietary software or features always chained to Apple.
The iPhone hardware is GREAT, but iOS still feels like a prison always needing a "jailbreak" or rely on iTunes/iCloud when I can go do more customizations with Android right out of the box. My mind is always exercising and sharp by the robustness of Android. I feel iPhones is still one of the BEST IN HARDWARE always crippled by crippling OS like iOS and its proprietary features. Yeah, iPhone can praise smoothness because of optimization but of course it can be smoother and faster WHEN IT DOES LESS for you at a time.
Not quite a prison - you can always leave any time. More like a walled garden. As long as you (and your frequent contacts) are okay doing things the Apple way (within the wall), then things go smoothly for the most part. If you try to go beyond the wall, then that's when things become a bit of a crapshoot. I reckon the simplicity (despite proprietary tech) is part of what makes the iPhone/iPad so nice and easy for non-techies.
As an aside, the Moto G is quite an excellent device for the given price point. It's obviously not going to be as nice as a $500+ smartphone but for $160-200, you've got to expect some compromise.
You know I didn't really get into custom ROMs until today. I had to try it because MIUI 6 update gave me touch sensitivity issues while typing. And RAM usage was still near the same from MIUI 5 with only 600-700 MB left. Before on iPhone OS 1.1.4, I needed to jailbreak after 4 days. It was so boring and less functional before the App Store opened in summer 2008. Been trying out AOSP KitKat 4.4.4 (by Ivan) and I must say I am impressed. Feels like new again or trying out a Nexus 5. Light and hopefully improve on battery life. Very stable which can't always be said about MIUI. Will flash it to Lollipop by Ivan when I get a chance or when most of my apps work are compatible with it.
That's the hidden beauty of Android. If I get bored, I can always go back to MIUI or try Cyanogen Mod. You lose little tweaks if you go from one to another. But it is so versatile and flexible. Flashing on ROMs on Xiaomi really is quite easy. I am really quite a minimalist with only one page of apps on my home screen. Everything is either triggered by Lazy Swipe or a swipe gesture or tap on the status bar or home screen. I don't need to scour different pages and folders for an app. This is why Android to me is quite easier to navigate on. I will use the MIUI icons pack while set on themes in Nova Prime to keep the look more consistent. I also like Glasklart or Voxel icons pack for my Sharp Aquos Crystal. The level of personalization and customization is quite endless even on an unrooted device. Where some Androids fall short is in hardware in some areas (ie camera).
That's the hidden beauty of Android. If I get bored, I can always go back to MIUI or try Cyanogen Mod. You lose little tweaks if you go from one to another. But it is so versatile and flexible. Flashing on ROMs on Xiaomi really is quite easy. I am really quite a minimalist with only one page of apps on my home screen. Everything is either triggered by Lazy Swipe or a swipe gesture or tap on the status bar or home screen. I don't need to scour different pages and folders for an app. This is why Android to me is quite easier to navigate on. I will use the MIUI icons pack while set on themes in Nova Prime to keep the look more consistent. I also like Glasklart or Voxel icons pack for my Sharp Aquos Crystal. The level of personalization and customization is quite endless even on an unrooted device. Where some Androids fall short is in hardware in some areas (ie camera).
I now have my Note 4 and Note Edge rooted just so I could install Adaway. Blocking ads in apps and my browsers was well worth it.
Now that I am familiar with how to root these phones, I may decide one day soon to install a custom rom but then again, I like everything that TouchWiz has to offer and I don't want to lose any functionality with the pen or any of the Samsung apps.
My Gear S watch works perfectly with either of these phones and I don't want to lose that.
Now that I am familiar with how to root these phones, I may decide one day soon to install a custom rom but then again, I like everything that TouchWiz has to offer and I don't want to lose any functionality with the pen or any of the Samsung apps.
My Gear S watch works perfectly with either of these phones and I don't want to lose that.
There are some really cool features that apple did well, like handoff and continuity between my iphone and ipad.
Bottom line to each their own. I like the walled garden and lack of certain choices (aka simplicity).
Not arguing with that one. One of the reasons my primary device is still an iPhone is because that's what pretty much my entire family uses. Much easier to just go with the flow. Personally, I find Android and iOS to be equally simple to operate but for some reason, the elders just get confused by Android so for them, it's not even an option. I just buy Android devices to play and tinker with to satisfy my inner geek.
I tried getting text messages forwarded to my iPad and that works ok but you can't reply back to just anyone. As a test, I sent a text from my Android phone to my iPhone. The text got sent to my iPad. Tried to reply to the text and the reply never makes it back to the Android phone so it has it's limits.
And before you ask, yes, both phones have separate active lines of service.
None of the hand off features has made me want to upgrade my Mac Mini to Yosemite, it's still on Mavericks.
This works fine for me. Do you have Send as SMS enabled in Settings - Messages on the iPhone?
I can't seem to get it enabled again. I turn on message forwarding on the iPhone and select my iPad. It tells me to enter the code shown on my iPad but there is nothing being show on my iPad.
Like many, I have tried all the "premium" android phones on the market. Never once have I kept one past 90 days. The Note 3 made it the longest, I actually really enjoyed the S-Pen. I have always come back to Apple and the iPhone.
I like the walled garden analogy, except that it gives some misconceptions. I work for a company with thousands of employees across the globe that has fully adopted iPhones. 4 of the major distributors that we work with (50,000+ employees) issue iPhones as well. Additionally, my entire family (without exception) here in America, in Canada and Asia have iPhones. So, my walled garden feels to me like a walled forest in terms of use.
I fully recognize that Android has a significant portion of the market, but when I did have an android phone, I felt I could not utilize many of the features.
I like the walled garden analogy, except that it gives some misconceptions. I work for a company with thousands of employees across the globe that has fully adopted iPhones. 4 of the major distributors that we work with (50,000+ employees) issue iPhones as well. Additionally, my entire family (without exception) here in America, in Canada and Asia have iPhones. So, my walled garden feels to me like a walled forest in terms of use.
I fully recognize that Android has a significant portion of the market, but when I did have an android phone, I felt I could not utilize many of the features.
Very much same experience here. Also to touch on iPhones and iOS devices in the workplace, i work for a major US railroad and almost 90% of exempt employees are issued iPhones, operating employees pretty much all of them, use iPads and iPhones to carry track charts and, what seems like more rules everyday, operating rules books on their phones. Same goes for the airlines, pilots are issued iPads for their rules and maps also.
You are 100% right I had a Samsung Galaxy s4 for a little and I absolutely hated the touch wiz and how slow the phone is. I'm now back to iPhone and I'm staying. Even though there can be some hiccups here and there it's still an amazing phone
Exactly, you look at the specs on paper, amazing phones, but in reality they are horrible to use. I also noticed things on the S5 or gimmicks I should say, things like the finger scanner just doesn't work 70% of the time, Apple works first time every time. There was also things like an eye tracker thing that didn't work half time either.
I am no apple fan boy by any means but I just like things to work without any hassle and thats how it is with the iPhones, and even iPads, I could go on about Samsung Tablets as well but I wont.
----------
I had a 930/Icon for a week, excellent hardware but apps let it down, not even lack of apps, but crappy apps, or apps that just link to mobile sites.
It sounds like you've never used anything samsung. I still say my Note 4 is faster than my 6+ in every way. Most of the people commenting in thread never touched an Android device or it's my friend had one and it's the slowest thing ever.
I had an S2 and I will admit, I loved that phone, it was excellent, fast and everything did just work, It also had TW so not sure how I never had any issues with that but it did just work.
My next samsung was the S5, It has 2GB Ram not 3 like the Note but TW does really bog that phone down, My daughter also got a Samsung Tab for Xmas, My son wanted the iPad Mini, like day and night between the 2.
Got the Note 4 recently, and it has zero lag! At this time, at least as far as UI goes...Android on my N4 is just as smooth as on the iP6+
Loving both devices!...esp the camera on N4!
Agreed. Both are amazing.
I've owned a Nexus S, Galaxy S, Galaxy S2, Galaxy Nexus and have played with friends' Galaxy S3 and S4. The Nexus devices were just faster compared to their TouchWiz counterparts despite having similar hardware. Admittedly, no idea if things have improved with the S5 and newer since those older phones have soured me away from TouchWiz.
Samsung makes pretty nice hardware but the only way I'm using a Samsung smartphone is if it's with a custom ROM close to stock Android such as CyanogenMod or it's a Google Edition.
Very obvious you are spouting off in every thread about your note 4 which I also own. Seems to me you are a troll. The note 4 isn't as good as you make it seem.
Agreed. I use the M8 myself and I love it. I got my brother a 5s, which he uses daily. I wouldn't say that the M8 is slow at all. My only gripe with the phone is perhaps the camera, slippery feel, and the fact that the T-Mobile version runs on iPv6, which can make streaming from Spotify a bit annoying at times (though it seems they fixed that recently as I haven't had any hiccups ever since upgrading to Lollipop).
I will say this though, I think my next phone will be an iPhone.