Other Leaving iPhone after 20 years

[eyoungren]

Respectfully, I don’t believe iOS is locked down nor is it restricted anymore. Sure, prior to the release of iOS 14 it was very locked down and limited in what you can do in terms of customization, but ever since iOS 14 they have added lots of customization features and options as well as features in general, and it is nowhere near limited anymore. However, despite this I have never once felt constrained or limited by iOS' capabilities even back in those days. I have no reason to sideload, I have never really customized my phone that much (as I've grown into an adult, the need for customization has basically died. I don't even use widgets because I don't see the purpose), and everything I do on my phone from day to day I am able to do flawlessly without problem on my iPhone and it feels effortless to me compared to on Android. Also, of course iOS is going to seem boring. At the end of the day, a phone is a tool, and in this case, boring is good. It's better to be boring than to try and re-invent the wheel all the time. Apple knows this; its why they didn't dramatically redesign iOS with iOS 26 and just added transparency and glass-like effects while keeping the core design philosophy iOS has had since iOS 7, intact. Like they did change a lot of things, but not dramatically. And that's a good thing. Having to re-learn how to use a smartphone OS due to a complete redesign of the entire operating system would just be infuriating. God knows how much Google has redesigned Android over the past decade; Android from 2014 is literally unrecognizable to the Android of today and that is not a good thing.

I agree that Apple has added a lot of customization. However, you and I are not very close in regards to the level of customization that I'd prefer.

Somewhere between 2009 and 2010 I managed, by customization, of my then Windows Mobile device to have both dark mode, transparency (HTC flip clock with transparency) and live weather animations (transparent) on my screen.

In late 2011, I managed to replicate this on my then new to me iPhone 3GS by jailbreaking it. I had to wait until early 2013 to jailbreak my iPhone 5 in order to replicate this to that iPhone.

At some point Apple finally gave us dark mode. Fortunately that was around the time that jailbreaking became a big hassle for me and I was able to get that feature while dropping jailbreaking.

iOS 26 finally gave us transparency. For the first time, since 2020 when I stopped jailbreaking, my iPhone now somewhat resembles stock what I had via jailbreaking from 2011 to 2020.

Unfortunately, there is still no option to allow live weather animations to occur over the wallpaper on my screen. There is still no option to make widgets (which you do not use) transparent on my screen like I was able to do in iOS 6 via jailbreaking.

There is currently no option to make the dock transparent. If you're stock, you have to finagle a bunch of different options to get that. Most of them include altering your wallpaper.

I harp most on this stuff because it was major to me. And it still is. I've long since grown into an adult (55 years old) and have one kid who is an adult and one who is soon to be. So growing into an adult has never removed this for me. For you it has, not for me.

Lastly, there are other customizations and tweaks I did while jailbreaking that Apple still hasn't gotten around to. These are of much lesser concern to me but maybe Apple will get to them in the future.

My major issue with people who like to use 'growing up' or 'growing into an adult' is that I object to giving up stuff I like just because it's 'expected' or treated as normal that this is what 'adults' do. It's not what I do. I became an adult in 1988 when I turned 18 and there are plenty of things I've never 'grown out of'.

Anyway - we stand far apart on this. Apple has not allowed ENOUGH customization for my taste. Although, as I mention above, they do offer more now than they did previously.

 

[MacInTO]

If the rumors are true, next year the high end Anniversary edition will bring them back and bring with them a curved edges display also (remember the Samsung Edge phones that used to exist?). I’m guessing you should still be able to buy the non pro and E models with the sharp edges though.

Ha ha, I'm still using a Samsung Galaxy S9. It has a curved screen and edge lighting and all that stuff. I've been using this phone constantly since 2018. I'm on the second battery and it does not have any signs of quitting!

 

[eyoungren]

I respect the effort to not be tied down, it’s a good way to operate. I don’t though. I use a lot of Apple’s services, they’re rather good! I guess they’re part of what keeps me in iOS, but I’m probably more rusted on than locked in…

I have never given any thought to switching, as I’ve never seen anything that was even remotely compelling next to an iPhone to me. The last phone I saw that made me think that’s nice that wasn’t an iPhone was a Nokia Windows phone back in the day.

That's pretty much it for me. I don't want to be tied to any particular system. I cannot foresee the future. There may be the day where I need or want to switch and I'm not interested in trying to dig myself out. Better (for me) to be agnostic with my services.

I can certainly understand why people prefer one over the other, it just isn't me. If you choose that, it's your own business. I just don't like that people think they are locked in when it's actually a choice they are making.

 

[ab2c4]

Ha ha, I'm still using a Samsung Galaxy S9. It has a curved screen and edge lighting and all that stuff. I've been using this phone constantly since 2018. I'm on the second battery and it does not have any signs of quitting!

I think its funny how if the rumors are true then iphone users are basically getting the Samsung curved edge design from years ago but with the top and bottom of the screen curved as well. I had a Pixel 2 XL that had the curved edge screen and I wasn't a fan of it. Thankfully it wasn't as curved as the Samsung phones but it was still terrible to use with a screen protector (or should I say getting a screen protector that wanted to work well with the curved edges of the screen).

 

[MacInTO]

I think its funny how if the rumors are true then iphone users are basically getting the Samsung curved edge design from years ago but with the top and bottom of the screen curved as well. I had a Pixel 2 XL that had the curved edge screen and I wasn't a fan of it. Thankfully it wasn't as curved as the Samsung phones but it was still terrible to use with a screen protector (or should I say getting a screen protector that wanted to work well with the curved edges of the screen).

I thought the curved screen was a bit gimmicky. The curved screen also reflected light at all angles. I never used most of the features of the curved screen. I agree the cases were terrible because the edges of the screen were unprotected. I use a case with a cover most of the time.

 

[Luftkopf]

That's pretty much it for me. I don't want to be tied to any particular system. I cannot foresee the future. There may be the day where I need or want to switch and I'm not interested in trying to dig myself out. Better (for me) to be agnostic with my services.

I can certainly understand why people prefer one over the other, it just isn't me. If you choose that, it's your own business. I just don't like that people think they are locked in when it's actually a choice they are making.

I agree with you 100%. It absolutely is a choice!

Now that we’ve been talking about it, I’ve been thinking, and what is “locking me in” is my desire to keep using my systems I’ve set up. I think the biggest difficulty for me in changing would be unlearning nearly 20 years of Apple based habits, and learning new systems. Given how much I like what I’ve set up over the years, and how unimpressed I’ve been with the Android phones in my life (my wife and a friend’s Pixels, a few Samsungs too), there is zero motivation to even try looking elsewhere.

Weirdly, I think everything would be better if we were all less tribal, and more willing to change than I am. These companies would stay on their toes more!

 

[eyoungren]

I agree with you 100%. It absolutely is a choice!

Now that we’ve been talking about it, I’ve been thinking, and what is “locking me in” is my desire to keep using my systems I’ve set up. I think the biggest difficulty for me in changing would be unlearning nearly 20 years of Apple based habits, and learning new systems. Given how much I like what I’ve set up over the years, and how unimpressed I’ve been with the Android phones in my life (my wife and a friend’s Pixels, a few Samsungs too), there is zero motivation to even try looking elsewhere.

Weirdly, I think everything would be better if we were all less tribal, and more willing to change than I am. These companies would stay on their toes more!

Yeah, everyone has their own way of doing things and different services appeal to that. If you're comfortable with what you are using, stick with it. While you are choosing to remain with what you are used to, you're aware of and have acknowledged that other choices exist and are available. That's more than can be said for others who never go any farther than stating "I'm locked in".

 

[Luftkopf]

Yeah, everyone has their own way of doing things and different services appeal to that. If you're comfortable with what you are using, stick with it. While you are choosing to remain with what you are used to, you're aware of and have acknowledged that other choices exist and are available. That's more than can be said for others who never go any farther than stating "I'm locked in".

The thing is though, that despite my extensive use of iCloud, Apple Music, etc., I don't think it would actually really be that difficult to untangle, should I really want to! I think the most annoying part would be replacing iCloud email hosting for my own domain name. That would require a bit of effort finding a good solution. The rest is just data transfer.

The "lock in" is a mental thing.

 

[I7guy]

The thing is though, that despite my extensive use of iCloud, Apple Music, etc., I don't think it would actually really be that difficult to untangle, should I really want to! I think the most annoying part would be replacing iCloud email hosting for my own domain name. That would require a bit of effort finding a good solution. The rest is just data transfer.

The "lock in" is a mental thing.

Of course there is no lock-in. After all these years in the Apple ecosystem I think I wanted in more as it just works. So as I said in other posts, this year includes an Apple TV, iPad Pro m5 and Neo. This isn’t lock in, it’s consumer choice.

I admire the op who wants to go to a smartphone with a limited ecosystem. I frankly think the privacy concerns are overblown, once one connects to the cellular network all bets are off. But it may save him money in the long run.

 

[MacInTO]

I recently broke the screen on my iPhone 13 mini. I was taken aback by the price from apple to replace the screen. Instead I switched to my backup phone, a Samsung Galaxy S9 from 2018. I forgot how good the device works despite its age. Some apps just don't run on it because support was discontinued in 2022. But it still works for more than just basic functions. Some bank apps still work on it, but I rather not do banking on the outdated device. I like the customization of the S9 as well as the photo quality. Daylight photos are better than the mini, but night shots are better on the mini.

For the mini, I am going to repair it diy. I am getting a new screen, and also a new battery while I've got it open it up anyway. An OLED panel and battery came to $50 from AliExpress. Apple wanted about $400 for both - which basically means they want me to purchase a new phone.

For my next phone, I think I will get an Android - I am thinking the Xiaomi 17. The international version can take two eSIMs, two physical SIMs or one of each. I like the Xiaomi 17 Pro because of the back screen but it doesn't come in an international version and it is missing one wireless band for my provider. Strangely, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (original version) has all of the bands I need but I don't want a big phone.

 

[dangegland]

Oh I’m 100% with OP. No way am I getting an iPhone next. The bugs on this thing (iPhone 14, iOS 26) are a serious hinderance to enjoying my phone.

The main one being the complete mess that is volume where opening apps ducks the sound (not all apps, but not just audio apps), the really poor auto-complete on the keyboard, the car crash that is Siri, the lack of development of core apps like notes, reminders.

Such a shame that a previous bastion of A* quality has let this happen. Tbh as soon as they let Siri be a serious product feature for them they dropped the ball.

 

[MarkX]

I recently broke the screen on my iPhone 13 mini. I was taken aback by the price from apple to replace the screen. Instead I switched to my backup phone, a Samsung Galaxy S9 from 2018. I forgot how good the device works despite its age. Some apps just don't run on it because support was discontinued in 2022. But it still works for more than just basic functions. Some bank apps still work on it, but I rather not do banking on the outdated device. I like the customization of the S9 as well as the photo quality. Daylight photos are better than the mini, but night shots are better on the mini.

For the mini, I am going to repair it diy. I am getting a new screen, and also a new battery while I've got it open it up anyway. An OLED panel and battery came to $50 from AliExpress. Apple wanted about $400 for both - which basically means they want me to purchase a new phone.

For my next phone, I think I will get an Android - I am thinking the Xiaomi 17. The international version can take two eSIMs, two physical SIMs or one of each. I like the Xiaomi 17 Pro because of the back screen but it doesn't come in an international version and it is missing one wireless band for my provider. Strangely, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (original version) has all of the bands I need but I don't want a big phone.

View attachment 2621016

The Xiaomi 17 is the best phone I've ever had, fast, great camera and tremendous battery life! I even like Hyper Os, especially after the 3.1 update. It has given full control of my airpods so I can see battery levels and change modes etc.

You won't be disappointed.

 

[Aneef]

The reason you'll be back is nobody does the seamless integration like Apple. I'm sure you have a library full of paid movies, music, apps, etc. that should all act as serious disincentives to ever consider abandoning Apple. Your friends and family are all using Apple Messages. Your notes are beautifully crafted in Apple Notes. Your photo library is in iCloud and you have shared collections with all your family. Your Watch doesn't work on Android. Your iPad will be disconnected from your phone. Your AirPods perform best when paired with Apple devices. Your Apple Music sounds best when its played using an Apple device.

There is Nothing 4a second good about leaving all this behind.

I use iPhone but interestingly, most of the stuff listed here wouldn't bother me if i shifted back to Android.

1. I don't have movie library. I use Netflix, Prime and Disney/Hulu.
2. I don't use Apple Messages, mostly Whatsapp
3. Yes notes, I love them as they are synced with my Mac as well.
4. My photos get synced to my Google Photos, not iCloud.
5. I don't wear a watch.
6. Don't have an iPad.
7. Yes I have airpods and they work seamlessly.
8. I use spotify instead of Apple Music.

So apart from Airpods and Notes, nothing effects me. But I get your point. It's just me that I don't use these but someone deeply entangled into the intergration would have difficulty moving out.

 

[MacInTO]

I use iPhone but interestingly, most of the stuff listed here wouldn't bother me if i shifted back to Android.

1. I don't have movie library. I use Netflix, Prime and Disney/Hulu.
2. I don't use Apple Messages, mostly Whatsapp
3. Yes notes, I love them as they are synced with my Mac as well.
4. My photos get synced to my Google Photos, not iCloud.
5. I don't wear a watch.
6. Don't have an iPad.
7. Yes I have airpods and they work seamlessly.
8. I use spotify instead of Apple Music.

So apart from Airpods and Notes, nothing effects me. But I get your point. It's just me that I don't use these but someone deeply entangled into the intergration would have difficulty moving out.

You can also use the Google version of notes, Google Keep. I find it better because I can edit it on any of my devices, Mac, iPhone or Android. Same for Google Photos, I have two Google accounts synced from four different devices - including an iPhone. I find Apple music to be terrible because when in in my car, I accidentally press something and it wants me to pay for Apple music - but that's probably because I'm old school and have 20k+ songs loaded on my phone. What did you do when you are on a long plane journey? Do you pay for the WiFi to listen to music?

The real reason I stick with Android is a calendar app, aCalendar which is very intuitive to use. I find all of the iOS calender apps not intuitive. The second reason I like Android is I can get YouTube premium for no cost.

 

[Aneef]

You can also use the Google version of notes, Google Keep. I find it better because I can edit it on any of my devices, Mac, iPhone or Android. Same for Google Photos, I have two Google accounts synced from four different devices - including an iPhone. I find Apple music to be terrible because when in in my car, I accidentally press something and it wants me to pay for Apple music - but that's probably because I'm old school and have 20k+ songs loaded on my phone. What did you do when you are on a long plane journey? Do you pay for the WiFi to listen to music?

The real response I stick with Android is a calendar app, aCalendar which is very intuitive to use. I find all of the iOS calender apps not intuitive. The second reason I like Android is I can get YouTube premium for no cost.

I have Notes from my Macbook and my old iPhone 7+ from early 2015, so I keep on using it, even though i shifted to a Note 10 lite in between the 7+ and 17 pro max, but I kept using the Notes through iCloud.

For music on plane, I normally have some of my playlists on Spotify auto downloaded to offline mode for situations like these.

For Calendars, I use MS Teams, so it syncs well with the native Calendar app.

By the way, how do u get Youtube Premium for free on an Android? This is news to me

 

[jsmith1]

For every 1 that leaves, 10 arrive..as frustrating as they are at times, they seem to have something.

 

[SoYoung]

For me, there's absolutely no reason to leave Apple. The android flagship phones are as expensive as iPhone and even Macs nowadays are not that expensive compared to competition with all those price hikes.

 

[Antaris]

For every 1 that leaves, 10 arrive..as frustrating as they are at times, they seem to have something.

Pretty much. After a Samsung guy for many years (and another Android brand prior to that after leaving iPhone 3GS), I'd read from reviewers and DxoMark about the 17MP's photo quality, I thought I'd try it and was floored overall. (Keyboard and music app non-interactive time/scrub bar are the biggest negative shocks, but battery life, image quality and application quality are the biggest positive shocks and, yep, 17MP has far better battery life than even the Samsung S25Ultra I traded in for (and iOS will download updates in the background too). All platforms have differences and/or bugs, but iOS still feels more solid, snappier in feel, and as one gets used to it, it feels more natural again. ) At the end of the day, individual users and preferences, but the rumors of iOS being so far behind the times don't quite ring true. (I miss live wallpaper as well, but its battery use would be negligable if it runs only when the main screen is in the foreground and screen on (paused if screen turns off or if another app is running, I had static backgrounds as well and battery life wasn't any better so I know live wallpaper wasn't sucking the life out of the battery... but that's my story. )

For me, there's absolutely no reason to leave Apple. The android flagship phones are as expensive as iPhone and even Macs nowadays are not that expensive compared to competition with all those price hikes.

^^this

Some new features aren't as good or as refined (save for keyboard and a couple audio/file system quibbles), and the cost was the same. I recall the 17MP benchmarks toasting the S25U as well, so for functions needing processing power the 17 definitely is a cut above. Especially adding in the better battery life overall. At least from my experiences, one's mileage may vary. 😀

 

[Sensamic]

Pretty much. After a Samsung guy for many years (and another Android brand prior to that after leaving iPhone 3GS), I'd read from reviewers and DxoMark about the 17MP's photo quality, I thought I'd try it and was floored overall. (Keyboard and music app non-interactive time/scrub bar are the biggest negative shocks, but battery life, image quality and application quality are the biggest positive shocks and, yep, 17MP has far better battery life than even the Samsung S25Ultra I traded in for (and iOS will download updates in the background too). All platforms have differences and/or bugs, but iOS still feels more solid, snappier in feel, and as one gets used to it, it feels more natural again. ) At the end of the day, individual users and preferences, but the rumors of iOS being so far behind the times don't quite ring true. (I miss live wallpaper as well, but its battery use would be negligable if it runs only when the main screen is in the foreground and screen on (paused if screen turns off or if another app is running, I had static backgrounds as well and battery life wasn't any better so I know live wallpaper wasn't sucking the life out of the battery... but that's my story. )



^^this

Some new features aren't as good or as refined (save for keyboard and a couple audio/file system quibbles), and the cost was the same. I recall the 17MP benchmarks toasting the S25U as well, so for functions needing processing power the 17 definitely is a cut above. Especially adding in the better battery life overall. At least from my experiences, one's mileage may vary. 😀

Keyboard in iOS is so so so bad it keeps me from considering going back every time I see an offer.

 

[MacInTO]

Keyboard in iOS is so so so bad it keeps me from considering going back every time I see an offer.

I agree, it's terrible. Why don't you use Gboard? I've always used Gboard instead of the Apple keyboard.

 

[Sensamic]

I agree, it's terrible. Why don't you use Gboard? I've always used Gboard instead of the Apple keyboard.

Gboard in iOS hasn't been updated in years, and still isn't as good as in Android. I do use it in Android, and it's the best in overall features, accuracy, etc. Just so good it makes it really hard to leave.

 

[dangegland]

Keyboard in iOS is so so so bad it keeps me from considering going back every time I see an offer.

It’s the basics like this that wouldn’t take them much to update, but they just refuse to bother. That, for me, is enough to leave. It’s negligence.

 

[flybub]

It’s the basics like this that wouldn’t take them much to update, but they just refuse to bother. That, for me, is enough to leave. It’s negligence.

A foot out the door already for me. It's crazy that we're on .4 of iOS 26 and the OS still sucks. Bugs everywhere, laggy animations, apps crashing. I did factory reset but that didn't do any good. My 2014 MacBook is on it's last legs and I probably won't buy another one. I bought a Series 10 Apple Watch when I got my 16 Pro, but that lasted about 3 weeks. I hated the Apple Watch so I sold it. Never had an iPad and I use all google apps on my phone. The only thing left is waiting on the Pixel 11 to drop so I can punt this iPhone into the river 😂. When my Apple worshiping extended family starts complaining about problems that aren't getting fixed, sh*t is getting bad.

 

[I7guy]

A foot out the door already for me. It's crazy that we're on .4 of iOS 26 and the OS still sucks. Bugs everywhere, laggy animations, apps crashing. I did factory reset but that didn't do any good. My 2014 MacBook is on it's last legs and I probably won't buy another one. I bought a Series 10 Apple Watch when I got my 16 Pro, but that lasted about 3 weeks. I hated the Apple Watch so I sold it. Never had an iPad and I use all google apps on my phone. The only thing left is waiting on the Pixel 11 to drop so I can punt this iPhone into the river 😂. When my Apple worshiping extended family starts complaining about problems that aren't getting fixed, sh*t is getting bad.

My data point. I like iOS 26. We have a 14PM, 15PM, IPP m1, IPP m5, HomePod, ATV, 2 AW Series 10 and MacBook Neo on iOS 26 and no issues. Family doesn’t have issues, business associates etc.

Everybody’s experience is different.

 

[Luftkopf]

A foot out the door already for me. It's crazy that we're on .4 of iOS 26 and the OS still sucks. Bugs everywhere, laggy animations, apps crashing. I did factory reset but that didn't do any good. My 2014 MacBook is on it's last legs and I probably won't buy another one. I bought a Series 10 Apple Watch when I got my 16 Pro, but that lasted about 3 weeks. I hated the Apple Watch so I sold it. Never had an iPad and I use all google apps on my phone. The only thing left is waiting on the Pixel 11 to drop so I can punt this iPhone into the river 😂. When my Apple worshiping extended family starts complaining about problems that aren't getting fixed, sh*t is getting bad.

You hated the Apple Watch? I love mine so much I'm still using my Series 2! I've got it set up exactly how I want it.