The iPhone from an Android Perspective

[mjschabow]

Also love the 17PM so far, went with Silver. Played with an Air when I was at the store last week for phone pick up. Super impressive device, not for me though.

Live activities really make the iOS experience so much better. I had all my sports activities over the weekend, fantasy football, food delivery, coffee this morning all pop up. And then there's NFL Retro Bowl '26 😂. As much as I love the Fold 7 the lack of live activities on Android really dampens the experience.

I do agree that live activities are phenomenal on iOS. I just feel like everything else stops there though. Their weather app is awful. The app library is ridiculous. You still can't download music and add it to Apple Music without a PC. They're just too many limitations compared to what Android offers. Yeah it'd be great to have live activities, but I can also open up an app with one clack and see the same information.

 

[Harthag]

I do agree that live activities are phenomenal on iOS. I just feel like everything else stops there though. Their weather app is awful. The app library is ridiculous. You still can't download music and add it to Apple Music without a PC. They're just too many limitations compared to what Android offers. Yeah it'd be great to have live activities, but I can also open up an app with one clack and see the same information.

The app library is horrible compared to Samsung, hate it. The edge panel is so practical and I use it pretty often throughout the day. On iOS the process of swiping to the app screen and then pressing on app library isn't comparable, I'll take Samsung all day every day. Apple music yep, agree, but I don't download any music these days. Also nothing can replicate the experience of opening the Fold to that huge screen to watch media.

Still the honeymoon phase with the iPhone, I'll keep it for sure, but only a matter of time before something will frustrate me and will switch my main SIM back into the Fold. I need to clean up my iCloud photos since I use Google photos to keep things simpler across devices. Anytime I need to deal with iCloud photos I get irritated by something.

 

[HouseLannister]

The app library is horrible compared to Samsung

It was a decent idea when it launched with iOS 14, but like every other iOS feature, it never got iterated on post launch. That's why I have zero faith in Apple Intelligence. They launch it with 18.1 and 18.2 and then they are basically done with it and move on to the next thing.

 

[mjschabow]

It was a decent idea when it launched with iOS 14, but like every other iOS feature, it never got iterated on post launch. That's why I have zero faith in Apple Intelligence. They launch it with 18.1 and 18.2 and then they are basically done with it and move on to the next thing.

Spot on. I think the app library rollout was kind of the beginning of the end for me for iOS. It was the perfect solution to having all of your app icons on your home screen. But all they had to do was two things:

1. Let you customize what apps go in each folder. For example, why would Reddit be in the reading list folder?

2. Let you choose the alphabetical list by default.

I don't know how the Apple executives that use the iPhone haven't said anything to the developers about fixing this. It makes me wonder sometimes if they actually use iPhones.

 

[tbayrgs]

You guys actually use the App Library on iOS or App List on Android? I don’t use either, position my frequently used apps on front screen or two as an icon or widget but otherwise, I just search.

Apple’s solution would’ve been better if the last page would’ve just gone directly to the app list. The predetermined grouping of apps is a waste, as you’ve all mentioned. The fact that it takes two extra touches once you get to that last screen to engage the app list is the real failure.

But like I said, I find it much quicker to just do an occasional search for the app I want from wherever I am. 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

[mjschabow]

You guys actually use the App Library on iOS or App List on Android? I don’t use either, position my frequently used apps on front screen or two as an icon or widget but otherwise, I just search.

Apple’s solution would’ve been better if the last page would’ve just gone directly to the app list. The predetermined grouping of apps is a waste, as you’ve all mentioned. The fact that it takes two extra touches once you get to that last screen to engage the app list is the real failure.

But like I said, I find it much quicker to just do an occasional search for the app I want from wherever I am. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Oh yeah. The app drawer is great on OneUI/Good Lock. 7 rows. Just swipe up and almost all of my apps are there.

 

[tbayrgs]

Oh yeah. The app drawer is great on OneUI/Good Lock. 7 rows. Just swipe up and almost all of my apps are there.

Yeah, it's definitely easier to access on Android. I guess I just built my muscle memory from years on iOS.

 

[aggie99]

You guys actually use the App Library on iOS or App List on Android? I don’t use either, position my frequently used apps on front screen or two as an icon or widget but otherwise, I just search.

Apple’s solution would’ve been better if the last page would’ve just gone directly to the app list. The predetermined grouping of apps is a waste, as you’ve all mentioned. The fact that it takes two extra touches once you get to that last screen to engage the app list is the real failure.

But like I said, I find it much quicker to just do an occasional search for the app I want from wherever I am. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Yea if an app is not on my main screen on iOS I just swipe down on the home screen and search for whatever I'm looking for. One of the things I love most about iOS is the spotlight search or whatever it is called now and how deeply integrated it is. I can search for something from a text conversation just by swiping down on my home screen and it shows. I type in a keyword and it searches through almost every app on the device. It just doesn't work near as well or near as thorough on Android. Very convenient. One of the few things about iOS that I prefer over android.

 

[tbayrgs]

New iPhone update: I’m returning the iPhone Air and going with a standard iPhone 17.

As much as I find the iPhone Air’s form factor compelling, and it’s really well-made, the functional compromises are just a bit too much at this time. If the iPhone Air had dual cameras and dual speakers I’d probably stick with it.

Apple did a really great job with the updates on the standard 17. For $300 less than an iPhone 17 Pro, you’re still getting most of the features and functionality. Spending $300 more for a telephoto photo lens and slightly improved heat management isn’t worth it for me. And to be honest, I find the 17 is a better looking phone, FWIW.

If the build quality and design of the Air is a sneak peek into what their foldable may look like, I’m cautiously optimistic.

 

[aggie99]

New iPhone update: I’m returning the iPhone Air and going with a standard iPhone 17.

As much as I find the iPhone Air’s form factor compelling, and it’s really well-made, the functional compromises I find are too much at this time. If the iPhone Air had dual cameras and dual speakers I’d probably stick with it.

Apple did a really great job with the updates on the standard 17. For $300 less than an iPhone 17 Pro, you’re still getting most of the features and functionality. Spending $300 more for a telephoto photo lens and slightly improved heat management isn’t worth it for me. And to be honest, I find the 17 is a better looking phone, FWIW.

I’m actually really liking the 17PM. I’ve looked at the Air a few times but just can’t get myself to pull the trigger for the reasons you mentioned. The 17PM is a battery beast and for that reason alone made it a worthy upgrade for me from the 16PM. The regular 17 is a good buy but for me the extra battery life, screen real estate, telephoto camera are all necessities and the speakers seem much better in the 17PM to my ears. I’m still a foldable guy though so I am eagerly awaiting and getting my hopes up for the foldable and this will likely be my last PM version.

 

[Ludatyk]

New iPhone update: I’m returning the iPhone Air and going with a standard iPhone 17.

As much as I find the iPhone Air’s form factor compelling, and it’s really well-made, the functional compromises are just a bit too much at this time. If the iPhone Air had dual cameras and dual speakers I’d probably stick with it.

Apple did a really great job with the updates on the standard 17. For $300 less than an iPhone 17 Pro, you’re still getting most of the features and functionality. Spending $300 more for a telephoto photo lens and slightly improved heat management isn’t worth it for me. And to be honest, I find the 17 is a better looking phone, FWIW.

If I wasn't so stuck on the iPad... the iPhone Air would of been a nice complement to my Galaxy Fold, camera and speakers are not really important for me. Since I have dedicated camera and normally I have headphones for audio purposes (or portable speaker).

If the build quality and design of the Air is a sneak peek into what their foldable may look like, I’m cautiously optimistic.

Oh yeah, supposedly it's going to be even thinner according to the latest rumors. Hardware wise... not really concern, it's the software I'm anxious to see.

I’m still a foldable guy though so I am eagerly awaiting and getting my hopes up for the foldable and this will likely be my last PM version.

So, guessing... when Apple comes out with their foldable then your slab ownership days are over (accounting for Android too)? lol

 

[aggie99]

If I wasn't so stuck on the iPad... the iPhone Air would of been a nice complement to my Galaxy Fold, camera and speakers are not really important for me. Since I have dedicated camera and normally I have headphones for audio purposes (or portable speaker).


Oh yeah, supposedly it's going to be even thinner according to the latest rumors. Hardware wise... not really concern, it's the software I'm anxious to see.


So, guessing... when Apple comes out with their foldable then your slab ownership days are over (accounting for Android too)? lol

I’ll likely always have an Ultra and pixel around but my upgrading them every year routine is over. Much more interest in foldables. I’ll probably always have a slab for lake days and beach trips and an ultra, pixel, or Pro Max for great vacation photos but yea I value the productivity a foldable offers and as much as I like the 17PM I couldn’t see myself without my Z Fold 7 if I had to make a choice.

 

[Ludatyk]

I’ll likely always have an Ultra and pixel around but my upgrading them every year routine is over. Much more interest in foldables. I’ll probably always have a slab for lake days and beach trips and an ultra, pixel, or Pro Max for great photos but yea I value the productivity a foldable offers and as much as I like the 17PM I couldn’t see myself without my Z Fold 7 if I had to make a choice.

Oh yeah, decided to go ahead and switch over to OpenBubbles... figured it was time to move on from BlueBubbles since it was more of a stop-gap. Didn't take long to set up... should have done it a long time ago.

And the experience is so much better, can tell how smoothly things is when it comes to sending and receiving messages.

 

[aggie99]

Oh yeah, decided to go ahead and switch over to OpenBubbles... figured it was time to move on from BlueBubbles since it was more of a stop-gap. Didn't take long to set up... should have done it a long time ago.

And the experience is so much better, can tell how smoothly things is when it comes to sending and receiving messages.

Love OpenBubbles. The fact that FindMy works with it makes it my go to. Always gotta keep track of them kids 😆

 

[HouseLannister]

Got my 17PM this weekend. Now that I have a backup phone in case something goes wonky, time to put QPR2 on the Pixel 10 Pro. Mwahaha!

 

[aggie99]

Almost a month now with the 17PM. Man I know this phone is not some new breakthrough innovation but they really have nearly perfected the device for my needs. Sure I still get my same little frustrations with iOS that I always have but I’m really enjoying it overall. The battery life is absolutely outstanding and the cameras have been a delight although I love the S25U zoom still. Still running the Z Fold 7 on my business line and it’s a perfect combo. The air keeps enticing me. I actually bought and returned one. I love the form but in the end the battery and speaker compromise is too much. I’m really excited to see what Apple brings to the table with their foldable if it is as thin as the air as has been rumored.