Other Leaving iPhone after 20 years

[Luftkopf]

*I've put this in iPhone forum as not sure where best to place it. Feel free to move it.

After 20 years of iPhone today I finally stepped out of the garden. I’m not happy with Apples current direction, particularly the quality of software and degradation of usability.

I’ve been using Apple devices exclusively for over 30 years and at times championed them over the competition because they were the best in hardware, software and usability. It’s what made Apple Apple but it is no longer the case for me. I’m tired of having to work harder to achieve the same results. Daft UI decisions that makes usability more difficult just so Apple can save money and put out a unified OS across all devices instead of tailored devices that suit the hardware for a best in class experience, couple that with a massive increase in bugs being put out over the years and it’s time I try out something new.

So I’ve bought a Nothing™ Phone 4a that just got launched today. It runs a stripped back version of Android with its own minimal OS that focuses on minimal distraction (the complete opposite of iOS26 and LiquidGlass). I personally think the phone and the OS look great. A bonus of preordering I've just unexpectedly been given a free set of Nothing Headphones worth £79 so that's pretty cool too. I’m looking forward to receiving everything next week even though I have literally no experience with Android devices.

I don’t take enough photos to be bothered about camera tech, I don’t need massive battery or high screen refresh. I just want a phone that allows me to communicate so I’ve gone for the 4a as its the very latest phone from them and its incredibly priced for the specs, even though that’s not why I went for it. I went for the 4a because Nothings focus aligns with mine - getting stuff done with minimal distraction. So I’m jumping to the dark side after 20 years of iPhone.

Im sure there will be many people rolling their eyes asking why does this warrant a thread but for me personally its a very big shift and while I’m looking forward to getting away from iOS26 I am also a little nervous about Android and it foibles.

Any tips on how to protect myself would be appreciated and even your own experiences of switching or thoughts about switching. Why did you switch and how have you found it? Are you an Android user or better yet a Nothing OS user, what do you or don't you like about it?

I'm really glad you've found something you can be happy using. You were clearly unhappy with Apple, and we all just need to use what works for us!

Personally, I'm the opposite. I've been on iOS since v1.1, and every interaction I've had with an Android phone has been a rage-inducing experience. I have only been using apple products for a little over 20 years, and while I don't like every decision they've made, I'm still on board. My main complaint about Liquid Glass is that it hasn't gone far enough! It's just put a bit of lipstick on what we already had. At least it's brought a bit of life to a terminally flat design. Maybe a bit more colour next?

I'm sorry I can't offer you any advice on switching, or Android use. My experience is not relevant or useful to you.

 

[MacInTO]

My current phone is a 13Mini. It still pretty quick with iOS26 (although it sometimes does nothing when I try to open the camera app?!).

I get this too sometimes - it goes to a black screen. It only happens from the camera icon on the lock screen. I've never had it happen from the camera icon from the main screen. It is a bit annoying. I've reassigned the button to something else and use the left swipe to access the camera from the lock screen.

I also use a 13 mini.

 

[Abydos]

when I say battery life I mean the number of recharges I make before massive loss of charging capacity, I either bought the bottom 1% battery or the phone had a charging temperature profile that lead to rapid loss of charging capacity. this happened each battery I replaced so I have inferred a charging temperature profile associated with the phone is the issue

 

[fgengineer]

Android and Google are not really better than Apple.

I don’t get the problem with iOS 26. It sounds like you don’t use advanced Apple integrations so I don’t get what in iOS gets in the way. You can use it as a simple phone and it works.

 

[Herr Podspro]

There have been many Quality Of Life improving feature in Android for a while.
The universal back swipe on OnePlus phones for example can be used to switch or close apps, much better than the bottom-up swipe on iPhones, especially for old people.
Unfortunately things like AirTags and AirDrop have me chained up in this garden, but I envy everyone that can leave.

Putting together a thought out thread maybe even land points with some Apple employees. Food for thought I guess.

 

[Herr Podspro]

I too have been a long time iPhone user from the start (iPhone 2G) until just after the iPhone 6S. Around that time someone discovered Apple purposely causing older iPhones to throttle down performance . . . well that rubbed me the wrong way and I got a Motorola Razr HD MAX and used this for about a year. After being used to iOS, my Android experience was not good so I went back to iPhones and have been using them since. But that was my “Android” experience . . . good luck with your Android journey👍🏽

Sorry to hear that. Especially since Battery Gate was completely blown out of proportion, as Apple is still doing the exact same thing.
The only thing they did wrong was not communicating with their customers what they did and why.

 

[eyoungren]

Sorry to hear that. Especially since Battery Gate was completely blown out of proportion, as Apple is still doing the exact same thing.
The only thing they did wrong was not communicating with their customers what they did and why.

Except for the part where they tried to hide it and then deny it. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Macdctr]

Sorry to hear that. Especially since Battery Gate was completely blown out of proportion, as Apple is still doing the exact same thing.
The only thing they did wrong was not communicating with their customers what they did and why.

I have all the required tools and Apple’s display press to reseal my iPhone 12 series thru my 15 series iPhones after doing battery replacement maintenance so I no longer worry about battery issues.

 

[TechRunner]

I switched from iPhone to Android and used Android for ten years before coming back to iPhone in 2024. In my experience, Android has improved enough that there's little gap between it and iOS anymore as far as functionality. I could easily switch back to Android tomorrow if I wished.

I've been curious about the Nothing phones. Make sure to post your thoughts once you begin using it.

 

[NUFC2025]

I switched from iOS to Android a while ago and put one personal rule in place which is any app I use has to be cross platform so I am not locked in to any system so if and when I switch in the future all my data will be accessible on any device I use.

Currently using a pixel 9a, flagship phones are far too expensive these days and this pixel does everything I need.

All I use is phone calls, messages and local music and searching on Google.

 

[Chidoro]

Note - September 15 2025 was when LiquidGlass was released.

A little history... I was infact a MacRumors paid member over 25 years ago and only left when iPhone brought about an influx of non Mac users keen to shoot anyone down that didn't align with their views. The forum became less friendly and it was a battle to get information from the threads created. Much like this thread where many people only read the opening paragraph, miss the entire point of the thread (which I've made bold by the way) and attempt quick snipe remarks about something they've not read. I find that quite sad but it happens quite often these days. It's the exact reason why I don't use social media, it's full of uneducated people just wanting to put people down. The pointless comments about not having to announce my departure for example do not answer my question nor help the thread or quality of MacRumors. A lot of the 443 'complaints' were actually me reiterating the point of my original posts that people failed to read properly but they felt compelled to reply anyway.

Back when MacRumors and Apple were small MacRumors felt like a community. People fell over themselves to try and help and inform each other. I made friends here, we would laugh, joke and play games in the private forum. There were users like Mad Jew, BlueVelvet, MacBoobsPro, Chundles, Queso, and many others. I had people post me gifts when I mentioned I liked something. I was a popular user because I helped people whenever I could. I was determined to out reply Mad Jew with helpful responses but that guy was... well... mad. Must have been a bot. 🤔

I left MacRumors because it was no longer a place I enjoyed. When I came back recently it was in-part to see what peoples thoughts were on Apples current direction. I was genuinely surprised to find many people had shifted position and what was almost unthinkable 10 years ago I find many people agreeing with me that Apple's magic is waning and people are openly posting their negative experiences. All I've done is rejoin and post mine with the hope Apple takes note.

So let's all just cut the unnecessary sniping and be helpful and respectful. There's so much s**t going on in the world right now to be posting useless jibes and injecting more negativity into the world. If you don't have any experience of switching to Android like my post enquires don't post anything.

I'm grateful to the ones that have read the entire post and offered useful information.

I SAID I'M LEAVING FROM GATE 68

 

[turbineseaplane]

Except for the part where they tried to hide it and then deny it. 🤷‍♂️

Sort of like the deny/deflect/stay quiet routine they were trying to pull about Butterfly keyboards for the longest time.

It all seemed to change when Joanna Stern covered it for the WSJ, thankfully. 🙏

 

[TumbleDryer]

I SAID I'M LEAVING FROM GATE 68

Was your flight delayed? Why are you still here?

 

[Chidoro]

Was your flight delayed? Why are you still here?

Better question, why are you?

 

[TumbleDryer]

Better question, why are you?

?

 

[FatLouie]

*I've put this in iPhone forum as not sure where best to place it. Feel free to move it.

After 20 years of iPhone today I finally stepped out of the garden. I’m not happy with Apples current direction, particularly the quality of software and degradation of usability.

I’ve been using Apple devices exclusively for over 30 years and at times championed them over the competition because they were the best in hardware, software and usability. It’s what made Apple Apple but it is no longer the case for me. I’m tired of having to work harder to achieve the same results. Daft UI decisions that makes usability more difficult just so Apple can save money and put out a unified OS across all devices instead of tailored devices that suit the hardware for a best in class experience, couple that with a massive increase in bugs being put out over the years and it’s time I try out something new.

So I’ve bought a Nothing™ Phone 4a that just got launched today. It runs a stripped back version of Android with its own minimal OS that focuses on minimal distraction (the complete opposite of iOS26 and LiquidGlass). I personally think the phone and the OS look great. A bonus of preordering I've just unexpectedly been given a free set of Nothing Headphones worth £79 so that's pretty cool too. I’m looking forward to receiving everything next week even though I have literally no experience with Android devices.

I don’t take enough photos to be bothered about camera tech, I don’t need massive battery or high screen refresh. I just want a phone that allows me to communicate so I’ve gone for the 4a as its the very latest phone from them and its incredibly priced for the specs, even though that’s not why I went for it. I went for the 4a because Nothings focus aligns with mine - getting stuff done with minimal distraction. So I’m jumping to the dark side after 20 years of iPhone.

Im sure there will be many people rolling their eyes asking why does this warrant a thread but for me personally its a very big shift and while I’m looking forward to getting away from iOS26 I am also a little nervous about Android and it foibles.

Any tips on how to protect myself would be appreciated and even your own experiences of switching or thoughts about switching. Why did you switch and how have you found it? Are you an Android user or better yet a Nothing OS user, what do you or don't you like about it?

I completely get it. I left the iPhone 15+ for an OPPO Find X9 Pro. No regrets, as the saying goes. I do like a smaller phone, but I find myself in an environment where I need the larger size. I detest the look of Liquid Glass, but just as bad, when you start seeing how much more the other brands are offering in features, cameras, etc...the only reason to stay with Apple and its lagging designs and software is that one is entrenched in the Apple ecosystem.

Two weeks ago, I would have sworn that I would never own a foldable. But OPPO has the N6 coming out, and it looks so good, with a claimed near-invisible fold/seam, that it may be tough for me to refuse.

 

[Luftkopf]

I completely get it. I left the iPhone 15+ for an OPPO Find X9 Pro. No regrets, as the saying goes. I do like a smaller phone, but I find myself in an environment where I need the larger size. I detest the look of Liquid Glass, but just as bad, when you start seeing how much more the other brands are offering in features, cameras, etc...the only reason to stay with Apple and its lagging designs and software is that one is entrenched in the Apple ecosystem.

Two weeks ago, I would have sworn that I would never own a foldable. But OPPO has the N6 coming out, and it looks so good, with a claimed near-invisible fold/seam, that it may be tough for me to refuse.

I'm just curious, I'm not trying to insinuate anything, or start a fight, I just want to know. As I'm someone who actually likes iOS, and has never had a positive interaction with Android, I'd like to know what are some of the things that draw you to that side? What is the appeal?

 

[FatLouie]

I'm just curious, I'm not trying to insinuate anything, or start a fight, I just want to know. As I'm someone who actually likes iOS, and has never had a positive interaction with Android, I'd like to know what are some of the things that draw you to that side? What is the appeal?

Liquid Glass for one. Faster screen, BT and Cell work every time. iOS 26 and or the new modems have caused a lot of connectivity issues. The OPPO Find X9 Pro has a far superior camera and software than Apple. I am not an Apple hater; I do have an M4 Studio and an M4 iPad Pro.

My only issue has been moving files from the OPPO to the Studio or iPad. There are apps for it, but it is not as natively smooth as AirDrop. Supposedly, OPPO is releasing an AirDrop-type feature in their next update of ColorOS.

A friend of mine has a 17 with iOS 26, and the modem issues are so bad that he has stopped using it for the most part and now relies on his Android device for business. He cusses the 17 with great bitterness, and he is a longtime Apple user.

 

[Luftkopf]

Liquid Glass for one. Faster screen, BT and Cell work every time. iOS 26 and or the new modems have caused a lot of connectivity issues. The OPPO Find X9 Pro has a far superior camera and software than Apple. I am not an Apple hater; I do have an M4 Studio and an M4 iPad Pro.

My only issue has been moving files from the OPPO to the Studio or iPad. There are apps for it, but it is not as natively smooth as AirDrop. Supposedly, OPPO is releasing an AirDrop-type feature in their next update of ColorOS.

A friend of mine has a 17 with iOS 26, and the modem issues are so bad that he has stopped using it for the most part and now relies on his Android device for business. He cusses the 17 with great bitterness, and he is a longtime Apple user.

Fair enough, I hope you continue to enjoy your OPPO!.

I don't understand the Liquid Glass hate-fest. I think it was overdue and hasn't gone far enough! But it's a matter of taste, so it's entirely subjective. Each to their own!

I'm still on the iPhone 14, and hadn't heard of any connectivity problems in newer iPhones, so I can't say anything about that.

How are the cameras superior? As far as I've seen, smartphone cameras are all pretty similar.

 

[FatLouie]

How are the cameras superior? As far as I've seen, smartphone cameras are all pretty similar.

OPPO uses a Hasselblad telephoto, improved software. Colors are very natural looking. The telephoto gets very good detail. There is also a

OPPO Hasselblad Teleconverter Kit​

Co-engineered by OPPO × Hasselblad, the 3.28× Teleconverter Kit transforms the Find X9 Pro into a professional ultra-telephoto camera. With a 230 mm focal length, F2.1 large aperture, and 200 MP resolution, it delivers breathtaking clarity and detail even from afar—making every shot feel like you’re right there.

Overall, what I have is much more functional for me.

 

[subjonas]

OP, I was wondering if you could list maybe your biggest few specific grievances. Maybe that wasn't your main purpose of making this thread, but I'm just curious what specific issues people have with their Apple products. It was hard to decipher exactly what you were referring to in your post. So far I gathered:
- too much unifying UI between platforms makes things harder to get things done (what specific issue does it cause that makes it harder for you to do something?)
- bugs (any big ones in particular?)
- iPhone too distracting (in what way?)
- bad autocorrect (this is specific and evident how it hampers productivity, and I definitely agree it has gotten so bad it should be called 'autoincorrect')
Any others? Since you're only switching phones, does that mean most of your complaints are with iPhone?

 

[grammatica]

iPhone has become my least favorite product. I’m at a point where I want customization, and iOS 26 feels too restrictive. In contrast, Mac and iPad are now my favorites. On Mac, I have complete freedom to do whatever I want, and before iPadOS 26, iPad allowed proper multitasking. Slide Over is reportedly returning in a future iPadOS 26 version. (Apple Watch is cool but I dislike some things in watchOS 26.)

 

[Ctrlos]

The thing with Android is it is 98% there but that final 2% can make or break your entire experience. For example many Android apps do not display full-screen. They will either stick a black bar at the bottom in portrait to cover the home-line or they will stick a black area around the camera in landscape. At first its ok but its one of those things that slowly becomes rather annoying very quickly.

Now I don't mind Google as a company but I do object to having my phone edited for me by a faceless corporation. In Google's case they often like to change the little 'G' logo on the search bar into some fun altruistic reminder of an important international day. Problem is, I didn't ask for it and it ruins the entire aesthetic/illusion of Android being 100% customisable.

Every app on iOS runs full-screen. Apple might rejig the entire OS but the rest is up to you. Its not like they shove a reminder of Tim Cook's birthday into your calendar or somesuch.

 

[TumbleDryer]

OP, I was wondering if you could list maybe your biggest few specific grievances. Maybe that wasn't your main purpose of making this thread, but I'm just curious what specific issues people have with their Apple products. It was hard to decipher exactly what you were referring to in your post. So far I gathered:
- too much unifying UI between platforms makes things harder to get things done (what specific issue does it cause that makes it harder for you to do something?)
- bugs (any big ones in particular?)
- iPhone too distracting (in what way?)
- bad autocorrect (this is specific and evident how it hampers productivity, and I definitely agree it has gotten so bad it should be called 'autoincorrect')
Any others? Since you're only switching phones, does that mean most of your complaints are with iPhone?

1. LiquidGlass
2. Auto Incorrect.
3. More taps to use tabs in safari. Extra taps to do things in general especially settings.
4. Apple Mail since iOS18 does not work with IMAP prefixes and mail never fetches correctly. They fixed it twice then broke it for the third time. Since iOS26 I have had no email come through in Apple Mail but ANY other third party app works fine.
5. Horrendous Photos / Music / Camera UI
6. Camera fails to open from the lock screen since iOS26.
7. Occasionally I look at my phone first thing in the morning and its done some weird thing during the night and it has basically crashed with a variety of different things stuck on screen as if its an always on display (its not). For example, news story alerts have half loaded even though I have do not disturb on during the night so I wake up with a notification window practically burnt into the screen with the news icon and some garbled text even though the screen should shut off after a few seconds. It shouldn’t even light up during the night never mind turn into an always on wannabe.
8. Supposed to be 'unifying' the OSes so they add an appearance option to MacOS but then remove it from iOS. Pick one and stick with it. Unify or don't. Personally I think each OS should be designed for its own use case. Touch screen iOS UI elements and placement etc don't translate to efficient use on MacOS.
9. Contacts app keeps wiping out my favorites on iOS but they’re fine on MacOS.
10. Settings used to be simple but now you can have settings for one app in 4 different locations. VPN for example. There’s the VPN app itself, the settings page, the ‘apps’ bit in settings page and control centre. All of which do slightly different things. Why can’t they just all be together?
11. Siri is practically useless now. Just today I had to stop and turn off the car because it wouldn’t ‘call home’ via CarPlay while I was driving. Just kept saying it didn’t understand. As soon as it was unlinked from CarPlay it worked. Tried it a few times so there’s that I’ve just discovered.
12. All the hidden menus and gestures.
13. Doing a hard reset is like prepping a shuttle launch instead of holding power button for 10 seconds like before.

I know theres more but I can’t think off the top of my head right now. It’s just lots of little things that add up and about the general decline in efficiency and ease of use over the years and then LiquidGlass has tipped me over the edge. It looks better in iOS than MacOS though. The reason I'm changing phone sis because the mini is getting for 5 years old and with iOS26 it does feel slower. Still ok but it's time to get a new phone and so I get to escape all of the above and see things from another perspective - the Nothing Phone and OS look super fresh which is what LiquidGlass was supposed to be.

Most of my complaints are actually with Tahoe and LiquidGlass which I've been quite vocal about in other threads. ForkHandles has been kind enough to tally them up.

Ive downgraded to Sequoia (first time I've ever downgraded an OS) and will stay there for the foreseeable future.

 

[iPhone-Guy]

Not an issue for me



Mixed bag on this that's never fully solved on any platform



"Beautifully crafted"? They are notes. I sync my Apple Notes in Fastmail anyhow.



Don't use shared collections and find Apple Photos to be "fine".



I use a Garmin. Apple Watches suck due to needing constant charging.



Sounds like heaven.



I agree with you here. That said, they do work just fine with other devices usually.



Would never pay for Apple Music. Garbage application on all platforms ruins it, beyond being really expensive.

I agree with @dumastudetto in general but if that’s really how you look at and use your iPhone then it probably isn’t made for people like you. I’ve always wanted to get a second phone (probably Samsung galaxy) to compare it to my iPhone but I don’t think I could reasonably transfer all my Apple only things (notes, Apple Music, tons of iCloud space) onto an Android and ditch Apple completely. Good for you though