Long time Android user that just got an iPhone (7+) early this year.
There are several things where I appreciate Apple/iPhone.
One is Apple's focus in privacy and security. People can dismiss this as much as they want, but at least Apple seems to be trying. At least it eases my mind in putting critical information and apps on my phone. This is in contrast with Android where Google don't even put much care into the whole platform not being securely patched in a timely manner. It reminds me the controversy when Microsoft decided to put anti-virus (Windows Defender) on Windows. Many said that's anti-competitive. I saw that Microsoft being responsible. They know that Windows is the majority platform, and since 3rd party anti-virus companies are more interested in bloating user computers than actually protecting it, I praised Microsoft for taking up the responsibility and ensuring that the basic security of the platform is covered. I wish Google would do the same. Sure, let OEMs decide whether they want to upgrade to the next major Android version. But I wish Google would own the monthly security patches instead of letting the OEMs do it. It's already shown that some OEMs just don't care, or even faked their security update info to fool users into thinking they are already updated.
Also, the idea of having a phone that will have proper software support for years. Even if I buy an iPhone XR today, I know that it will still get at least 3 years worth of updates. In contrast, 3 years is the best even Google can offer on their own Pixel phones. Now this wasn't an issue many years ago, where each year you get significant improvements. But now, even a phone from 2 to 3 years ago are actually still good enough for most (barring the battery health). It's sad that we are dumping so many good phones just because the company stopped supporting the software. I understand that one cannot expect a company to support the phone forever, but I don't think it's unreasonable to demand at least 5 years of support, especially for $1000 flagships.
I also am liking the "cleaner" iOS, in a sense that there are no 3rd party bloatware. Everytime I reset my Android phone, I have to spend time uninstalling/disabling the included 3rd party bloatware. Android is basically like Windows in a sense. It gets annoying after a while.
I also appreciate Apple utilizing the basic components like nVME storage and IP rating on all their current lineup. The reason I got the iPhone 7+ was that it's basically the cheapest new phone available with an official IP rating ever since Samsung decided to drop IP rating on all their Galaxy A lineup, reserving it only for their flagship S and Note models.
But of course, there are a lot of annoyances of Apple.
In my country, trying to be an iPhone/Apple user is costly, absurdly so. All Apple prices in my country are at least 20-45% higher than the US SRPs. This makes the supposedly affordable iPhone SE into the high end mid-rangers segment, competing with the likes of the S20 FE. The 256GB 11 Pro Max, after discounts, is still more expensive than the 512GB Note 20 Ultra. To get an iPhone at a more reasonable price, you have to wait for their much older discontinued models. Eg. me getting the iPhone 7+ in 2020... Oh btw, that same iPhone 7+ has actually increased in price now vs when I bought it earlier this year.... It's nuts.
As for the OS, aside the out of the box experience I stated above, Android is more practical and useful for me, especially with the maturity of OEM skins like Samsung's One UI. Features like twin apps, interactive widgets, customizable home screens, etc makes my Android to be practical for my specific needs.
And then the choice. With so many Android OEMs making so many phones, there is simply a phone for your specific wants/needs. Want a cheap phone that looks modern? Easy. Want the bleeding edge foldable tech? You got it. The choice is great, and it democratizes access to technology, which crucial in these days and age.
