Samsung's New Galaxy S10+ vs. Apple's iPhone XS Max

[Ramchi]

That's one of the perils of putting to many of your eggs in one basket. I don't understand the iMessages Facetime thing though. Perhaps it's peculiar to the U.S. market? Most other countries make good use of WhatsApp Skype etc. for their messaging and video needs, or even Google's own 'messages' app.

Surely you could Airplay to your HomePod using your iPad?

Definitely there is a myth creation wrt the ecosystem red herring though Apple does integrate it's products well and seamlessly which is also my major concern investing in this ecosystem. But I also used iPhones until 7+, also paid for Apps, iCloud storage etc...but I don't face any showstopper situation when I keep switching to Android and iOS pretty frequently and consistently...

Apple watch and HomePod has very tight integration with Apple iOS ecosystem which is why I don't buy it in addition to its cost.

iMessages is only for people having iPhones and I can't ask my contacts to buy iPhones hence it is unpopular in our region. Otherwise, all Apps (Office 365, password wallets etc) are available in both platforms and in Android it functions better in some cases.

I use Gmail and Outlook app for emails, Chrome and Edge for browsing, MS Office works neatly, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Travel Apps, Banking App, Notes App, Cable, Broadband apps, e-commerce apps, music apps everything has better presence and availability in the Android world.

 

[DNichter]

That's one of the perils of putting to many of your eggs in one basket. I don't understand the iMessages Facetime thing though. Perhaps it's peculiar to the U.S. market? Most other countries make good use of WhatsApp Skype etc. for their messaging and video needs, or even Google's own 'messages' app.

Surely you could Airplay to your HomePod using your iPad?

Well I prefer it this way. I like consistency and the native experience I get across all my devices. Everything works extremely well together and never fails. It’s almost too good that I get an itch to try something new. Some customization options in iOS would go a long way for me.

 

[Hicksmat1976]

if the iPhone (and possibly the iPad) is the "gateway" device into the Apple ecosystem (online services such as FaceTime/iMessage/iCloud/HomeKit etc and other Apple Hardware e.g. AppleTV/Homepod) then I think Apple should look at revising the prices of iPhones/iPads as I think that would be a sure-fire way of "trapping" people into the Apple EcoSystem. Once you are in its hard to get out. Moving to Android when you have several of those Apple EcoSystem services/hardware devices is almost impossible really.

 

[torana355]

You mean like android requires more ram and is not as efficient as iOS is an inconvenient truth?

No it's just more misinformation that this forum is filled with. Also when you reply in such a matter it just perpetuates things.

 

[DNichter]

if the iPhone (and possibly the iPad) is the "gateway" device into the Apple ecosystem (online services such as FaceTime/iMessage/iCloud/HomeKit etc and other Apple Hardware e.g. AppleTV/Homepod) then I think Apple should look at revising the prices of iPhones/iPads as I think that would be a sure-fire way of "trapping" people into the Apple EcoSystem. Once you are in its hard to get out. Moving to Android when you have several of those Apple EcoSystem services/hardware devices is almost impossible really.

Totally agree. Costs are too high for the iPhone and the iPad Pro. Apple needs to adresss this in the face of more competition. The budget iPad is completely on the other end of that though as I feel like it’s a great product for its price. Moving to Android isn’t impossible in my eyes (although definitely not easy), there just isn’t a compelling reason to go through the switch.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I put it out the other day as I was looking into the S10e. I would lose my Apple Watch, couldn’t Airplay to my HomePod or Apple TV, have issues with my HomeKit smarthome set up, lose iMessages and FaceTime, have to pay for all the apps I use on my phone again, lose AirDrop, I could probably go on about a number of things. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Android phones, it just isn’t worth the switch to me. For what? A few features and a cheaper cost? I am happy as is.

I couldn’t control my Apple TV with my Apple Watch, I couldn’t use my Apple Watch to unlock my MacBook, I couldn’t answer a phone call on my iPad or respond to a message on my MacBook.
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I put it out the other day as I was looking into the S10e. I would lose my Apple Watch, couldn’t Airplay to my HomePod or Apple TV, have issues with my HomeKit smarthome set up, lose iMessages and FaceTime, have to pay for all the apps I use on my phone again, lose AirDrop, I could probably go on about a number of things. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Android phones, it just isn’t worth the switch to me. For what? A few features and a cheaper cost? I am happy as is.

I agree. I really like the S10 plus and I even pre-ordered one but when I actually thought about all the integration I’d be loosing out on it wasn’t worth it in the end, even though the S10 plus has superior hardware to my Xs max.

 

[44267547]

No it's just more misinformation that this forum is filled with. Also when you reply in such a matter it just perpetuates things.

There is nothing misinformed about the fact iOS is _Far_ more efficient in management of iOS versus android. But then again, what does it matter? Wouldn’t you think that would only matter what somebody chooses to use for a software platform? I think android is glitchy and uninspiring, where as iOS I find to be simplistic, fluid and consistent. But that’s just my preference of why I like iOS, just like you have yours with android.

 

[DNichter]

I couldn’t control my Apple TV with my Apple Watch, I couldn’t use my Apple Watch to unlock my MacBook, I couldn’t answer a phone call on my iPad or respond to a message on my MacBook.
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I agree. I really like the S10 plus and I even pre-ordered one but when I actually thought about all the integration I’d be loosing out on it wasn’t worth it in the end, even though the S10 plus has superior hardware to my Xs max.

Good examples. Yea I am sure there are a ton of things that I would lose by making a switch. The S10 is a great phone, but when you look at everything Apple integrates so well, it’s just not worth it for me.

 

[torana355]

There is nothing misinformed about the fact iOS is _Far_ more efficient in management of iOS versus android. But then again, what does it matter? Wouldn’t you think that would only matter what somebody chooses to use for a software platform? I think android is glitchy and uninspiring, where as iOS I find to be simplistic, fluid and consistent. But that’s just my preference of why I like iOS, just like you have yours with android.

It's very much misinformed. You need to learn how ram is managed in both systems before making such statements. Why do people say stuff when they have no real understanding of the subject...

 

[Shanghaichica]

The iPhone is the glue that holds the entire apple ecosystem together.

For example, switching to an android phone means no iMessage, no Apple Watch, no continuity (the ability to make calls or send / receive SMSes from your other Apple devices), no airdrop, no syncing of photos via iCloud photo library, the loss of your iTunes content, just a few off the top of my head.

In addition, you would probably have to purchase your apps all over again. For me, I have easily spent several hundreds of dollars on paid apps which I share with my iPad, some of which have no ready equivalent on android. So it may not even be an issue of money, but that there are no alternatives available even if I am willing to spend the cash!

So basically, for someone who is entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, the android phone not only has to be better than the iPhone in terms of specs, it has to at least be comparable to the iPhone with the full integration of the Apple ecosystem behind it.

For some users, it's just not worth the hassle.

It wasn’t worth the hassle for me. I like the S10 plus but having to do even simple things like moving all my log in details across from iCloud key chain to Samsung pass would be a PITA. I could backup all my photos to google photos but it didn’t sync across all my albums. So that would mean I would have to re-organise 23,500 photos. I don’t really watch TV shows or movies on my phone but I’ve bought 108 different Tv shows over the years some of them have multiple seasons and 110 movies. All from iTunes. There have been a few occasions where I’ve finished off a Tv episode on my iPhone if I couldn’t be bothered to get an iPad out or I’m in bed or something. If I had an android phone I just wouldn’t have that flexibility. I can watch my content on any of my screens (TVs, iPads, MacBook, iPhone).

I couldn’t use my HomePod to find my iPhone, Apple Watch, iPads or MacBook. There are lots of little things like this that go into creating the overall experience. Couldn’t access any file on my MacBook on my iPhone or iPad or vice Versa.

 

[Abazigal]

if the iPhone (and possibly the iPad) is the "gateway" device into the Apple ecosystem (online services such as FaceTime/iMessage/iCloud/HomeKit etc and other Apple Hardware e.g. AppleTV/Homepod) then I think Apple should look at revising the prices of iPhones/iPads as I think that would be a sure-fire way of "trapping" people into the Apple EcoSystem. Once you are in its hard to get out. Moving to Android when you have several of those Apple EcoSystem services/hardware devices is almost impossible really.

There are already 900 million active iPhone users around the world. Considering there are currently 1.4 billion active Apple devices, this means that there are a ton of iPhone users who do not own any other apple products. Which in turn also means that the number of people who do own multiple Apple products are the minority.

Going by this logic, it makes no sense to lower the prices of iPhones, because the numbers have proven that there is no shortage of people willing to spend on an iPhone, and that getting an iPhone is no guarantee that they will go on to purchase additional Apple products.

 

[Hicksmat1976]

There are already 900 million active iPhone users around the world. Considering there are currently 1.4 billion active Apple devices, this means that there are a ton of iPhone users who do not own any other apple products. Which in turn also means that the number of people who do own multiple Apple products are the minority.

Going by this logic, it makes no sense to lower the prices of iPhones, because the numbers have proven that there is no shortage of people willing to spend on an iPhone, and that getting an iPhone is no guarantee that they will go on to purchase additional Apple products.

I think you've missed my point. We already know the last few years has seen iPhone upgrades/sales stagnate if not fall a little. We also know Apple is pushing many new products and services. Right now I feel Apple has too much going on, very much like they did in the 80's and the problem with pushing a lot of products and services is that you take your eye off the cash cow - lack of development in the iPhone and iOS platform for example.

Yes there might be 900m active iPhone users but only a certain % are the newer models which will run iOS 12 and beyond, and indeed older iOS versions do not run some of apple's services/additional hardware devices at all.

 

[I7guy]

No it's just more misinformation that this forum is filled with. Also when you reply in such a matter it just perpetuates things.

From what I gathered about reading about iOS vs android architecture the statement is not wrong. Maybe android has changed its architecture recently to make it more efficient regarding memory usage.

 

[Lankyman]

There's two ways of looking at it.

Sure, by embracing the apple ecosystem in its entirety right now, I am making it very hard for me to switch away from the iPhone in the future.

However, it also means that during this time, I have enjoyed the full benefits of the apple ecosystem as well. For example, using a platform-agnostic music streaming service like Spotify means I can easily switch phones, but it also means losing out on features such as Siri integration on my iPhone and Apple Watch, or the ability to stream it from my Apple TV. Should I voluntarily limit my own enjoyment right now just to make switching less painful in the future? There's no easy answer, I feel.

Siri is as thick as a brick, never use it myself. Neither do I use Google Assistant Cortana or Alexa as none of them are good enough yet.

I note also those who who claim they need an iPhone for their iWatch. That may be true but the watch is a terribly niche product.

I much prefer cross platform apps which means that like me you can be platform agnostic. This has to be the future.

 

[Abazigal]

I think you've missed my point. We already know the last few years has seen iPhone upgrades/sales stagnate if not fall a little. We also know Apple is pushing many new products and services. Right now I feel Apple has too much going on, very much like they did in the 80's and the problem with pushing a lot of products and services is that you take your eye off the cash cow - lack of development in the iPhone and iOS platform for example.

Yes there might be 900m active iPhone users but only a certain % are the newer models which will run iOS 12 and beyond, and indeed older iOS versions do not run some of apple's services/additional hardware devices at all.

I do feel that Apple is moving mountains (for lack of a better phrase) just to maintain an annual refresh of the iPhone and the Apple Watch. Apple knows that their iPhone is currently the most lucrative product, and so it receives the lion's share of attention and resources. It's just that with the iPhone as mature as it is, improvements will get more and more incremental, while demanding ever-increasing amount of resources.

Basically, iPhone sales are slowing down due to people holding on to their phones longer, not necessarily due to higher prices or lack of compelling newer features. I feel the solutions you proposed are not going to make people upgrade any faster if they feel their current iPhones are good enough.

What I see Apple doing right now is basically trying to milk the iPhone. They know that upgrade cycles are lengthening, and their answer to this is to charge higher prices, while also offering more hardware and accessories, and more services. Eventually, I believe the Apple Watch will take over the iPhone as Apple's marquee product, but till that day comes, Apple is content to continue milking the iPhone for all it is worth.

 

[44267547]

It's very much misinformed. You need to learn how ram is managed in both systems...

Could you provide some literal/contextual examples besides spouting what’s considered misinformed? (Otherwise, The discussion back-and-forth really isn’t accomplishing much in terms of what you’re trying to convey.) If you have some literal examples, I think that would really clear what you’re claiming others are misinformed of the core differences. So please, elaborate.

 

[Abazigal]

Siri is as thick as a brick, never use it myself. Neither do I use Google Assistant Cortana or Alexa as none of them are good enough yet.

I note also those who who claim they need an iPhone for their iWatch. That may be true but the watch is a terribly niche product.

I much prefer cross platform apps which means that like me you can be platform agnostic. This has to be the future.

I use Siri (together with Siri shortcuts and Shortcuts) multiple times a day. Maybe it's indeed not as good as say, google assistant or Alexa, but it does what I need it to do well enough.

I guess if people do not have an Apple Watch, that is one less thing to tie them to the Apple ecosystem, but I do have a Series 2 which I do enjoy using a lot.

As for cross-platform apps, I guess one's mileage will vary. Personally, I find that Apple's stock apps have gotten good enough, and they work pretty well together. Apple maps for the system integration, safari for content blockers, notes for writing and sketching, even reading list sees use from time to time as a lazy man's bookmarking service. And frankly, I am trying to reduce my exposure to google services. I can't wean myself off them entirely, but it doesn't mean I just give up altogether, hence my decision to use Apple's apps and services over Google's whenever possible.

To each their own.

 

[I7guy]

Siri is as thick as a brick, never use it myself. Neither do I use Google Assistant Cortana or Alexa as none of them are good enough yet.

I note also those who who claim they need an iPhone for their iWatch. That may be true but the watch is a terribly niche product.

I much prefer cross platform apps which means that like me you can be platform agnostic. This has to be the future.

As an side note to the phone discussion at hand since you brought it up, platform agnostic means google and I don't want to have a cross platform solution involving google or Facebook. One (our of many reasons) of the reasons I like my iPhones. (especially my max)

 

[Lankyman]

Definitely there is a myth creation wrt the ecosystem red herring though Apple does integrate it's products well and seamlessly which is also my major concern investing in this ecosystem. But I also used iPhones until 7+, also paid for Apps, iCloud storage etc...but I don't face any showstopper situation when I keep switching to Android and iOS pretty frequently and consistently...

Apple watch and HomePod has very tight integration with Apple iOS ecosystem which is why I don't buy it in addition to its cost.

iMessages is only for people having iPhones and I can't ask my contacts to buy iPhones hence it is unpopular in our region. Otherwise, all Apps (Office 365, password wallets etc) are available in both platforms and in Android it functions better in some cases.

I use Gmail and Outlook app for emails, Chrome and Edge for browsing, MS Office works neatly, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Travel Apps, Banking App, Notes App, Cable, Broadband apps, e-commerce apps, music apps everything has better presence and availability in the Android world.

This is my argument in a nutshell. These people that claim it is just to much hassle switching etc. are kidding only themselves with this argument. The well informed among us know different. I can switch between my iPhone or my OP6T without experiencing any issues whatsoever. I don't buy apps as there really is no need, so again cross platform apps are the way to go.

I don't understand why anyone would want to willingly lock themselves into any product or contract, it simply doesn't make sense. I think there are many who wish they hadn't but rather than lose face claim it as a positive when in fact it's a negative.

I like my Apple products but there is no way I will ever tie myself to Apple in a way that makes it difficult or expensive for me to walk away.
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It wasn’t worth the hassle for me. I like the S10 plus but having to do even simple things like moving all my log in details across from iCloud key chain to Samsung pass would be a PITA. I could backup all my photos to google photos but it didn’t sync across all my albums. So that would mean I would have to re-organise 23,500 photos. I don’t really watch TV shows or movies on my phone but I’ve bought 108 different Tv shows over the years some of them have multiple seasons and 110 movies. All from iTunes. There have been a few occasions where I’ve finished off a Tv episode on my iPhone if I couldn’t be bothered to get an iPad out or I’m in bed or something. If I had an android phone I just wouldn’t have that flexibility. I can watch my content on any of my screens (TVs, iPads, MacBook, iPhone)..

The point you make about Google Photos really has left me perplexed. I have an iPhone, iMac, iPad, ATV 4K Android phone and self-build Windows 10 PC. The one thing Google Photos does admirably is sync across all those devices flawlessly, so I don't really understand your remark.

I have the 4K ATV simply because of my iTunes purchases, though I can control all of those either with my ATV remote or even from iTunes on my Windows PC. I don't need my iMac or my iPhone for those.

Finally iCloud key chain. You really would be better off using a good password manager such as LastPass (which is free). It's a brilliant password manager and is cross-platform. It creates really strong encrypted passwords and populates them for you whatever device you are using.

 

[circatee]

+1 for LastPass, even paying for the service/features

 

[OllyW]

Sure, by embracing the apple ecosystem in its entirety right now, I am making it very hard for me to switch away from the iPhone in the future.

I'm embedded deeply in the Apple ecosystem with my Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV all working seamlessly with Cloud, Apple Music, CarPlay etc. I enjoy using Mac OS and iOS and up until recently have been happy enough to pay a little more for the hardware to achieve this experience.

Two things have changed recently which have left me in a quandary regarding future purchases.

1. The cost of Apple products has rocketed over the last five years and I'm now struggling to justify the value of the latest products.
2. I've recently had a major change to my lifestyle having moved in to my new partners house. Her household is totally Apple free and all their devices are running Android or Windows.

I'm not that keen on Android (though some of the phones look ok) and she thinks Apple products are way overpriced so it would be totally unfair of me (and ridiculously expensive) to ask her to change everything to Apple and it would be very difficult (and also quite costly) for me to reluctantly abandon Apple and switch over to Android. Isn't non-compatibility in technology just great.

 

[Abazigal]

I'm embedded deeply in the Apple ecosystem with my Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV all working seamlessly with Cloud, Apple Music, CarPlay etc. I enjoy using Mac OS and iOS and up until recently have been happy enough to pay a little more for the hardware to achieve this experience.

Two things have changed recently which have left me in a quandary regarding future purchases.

1. The cost of Apple products has rocketed over the last five years and I'm now struggling to justify the value of the latest products.
2. I've recently had a major change to my lifestyle having moved in to my new partners house. Her household is totally Apple free and all their devices are running Android or Windows.

I'm not that keen on Android (though some of the phones look ok) and she thinks Apple products are way overpriced so it would be totally unfair of me (and ridiculously expensive) to ask her to change everything to Apple and it would be very difficult (and also quite costly) for me to reluctantly abandon Apple and switch over to Android. Isn't non-compatibility in technology just great.

I guess in your case, it would make sense to at least switch to cross-platform alternatives with regards to apps and services. It's one thing to debate about the pros and cons of iOS vs android here, it's another to moan about the inability to airdrop pics to your partner (or vice versa).

 

[Shanghaichica]

This is my argument in a nutshell. These people that claim it is just to much hassle switching etc. are kidding only themselves with this argument. The well informed among us know different. I can switch between my iPhone or my OP6T without experiencing any issues whatsoever. I don't buy apps as there really is no need, so again cross platform apps are the way to go.

I don't understand why anyone would want to willingly lock themselves into any product or contract, it simply doesn't make sense. I think there are many who wish they hadn't but rather than lose face claim it as a positive when in fact it's a negative.

I like my Apple products but there is no way I will ever tie myself to Apple in a way that makes it difficult or expensive for me to walk away.
[doublepost=1551792492][/doublepost]

The point you make about Google Photos really has left me perplexed. I have an iPhone, iMac, iPad, ATV 4K Android phone and self-build Windows 10 PC. The one thing Google Photos does admirably is sync across all those devices flawlessly, so I don't really understand your remark.

I have the 4K ATV simply because of my iTunes purchases, though I can control all of those either with my ATV remote or even from iTunes on my Windows PC. I don't need my iMac or my iPhone for those.

Finally iCloud key chain. You really would be better off using a good password manager such as LastPass (which is free). It's a brilliant password manager and is cross-platform. It creates really strong encrypted passwords and populates them for you whatever device you are using.

I’m not sure if you read my post. I didn’t say there was any issues with syncing my photos from my iPhone to google photos. That was a straight forward and easy. The issue was that it didn’t sync across my folders. I don’t want 23, 500+ photos randomly on google photos. They need to be organised and I’m not going to spend time to re-organsie them all again.

iCloud Keychain can also generate strong passwords.

 

[OllyW]

it's another to moan about the inability to airdrop pics to your partner

I've never airdropped a picture with anyone so that's not something I would ever miss.

 

[sparky08]

I'm getting so tired of reviews that constantly say "...and that feature is rumored to be coming to the iPhone in 2019/20."

Apple is getting lapped by the field.