Phones Thinking about Android again

[JanetTheGreat]

I've been an IOS/Iphone user my whole life really. Yet at times I've felt the allure of Android, I admit. I had a Samsung A53 5G phone 3 years ago and that phone was awful, it was slow, froze up all the time. I will rule out Samsung for the future, but the Pixel Phones and other Android devices do interest me somewhat. My main issue with Android is not being able to join existing imessage group chats, and the whole reliance on Google.

It seems Android phones are generally a lot cheaper and offer more features than Apple ones, but they don't seem to have the same build quality or reputation that Apple does as far as I am aware.

 

[edubfromktown]

The Galaxy "S" series Ultra phones have much better hardware, build quality and performance compared to their "A" series.

I ditched iPhones after the 8 Plus. First was a Google Pixel 4a, then OnePlus 8 and then ended up with Samsung Ultra. I've tested a couple of newer Pixels for a few weeks a couple of times and still prefer Samsung.

Samsung generally offers the best pre-order incentives for new releases, trade-in credit for old devices and free or discounted extras compared to other Android phone manufacturers. This is important to me because I bring my own phone and use a (T-Mobile) MVNO provider instead of carrier direct multi-year contract.

RCS messaging has made individial, all iPhone group and mixed chats with my Android phone no problem at all.

 

[HouseLannister]

Is it just a grass is always greener situation, or is there something on Android that you want to do that you can't on your current setup?
What's your current phone? What do you dislike about it?
Do you have other Apple products keeping you in their ecosystem?
What apps/services do you use and are there Android alternatives?

It seems Android phones are generally a lot cheaper

Don't switch to Android to save money. If you don't want the same slow experience you had on a budget Samsung phone previously, you shouldn't get a budget Android phone today. Spend the extra and get something that will last you a few years. You can certainly pick one up on sale, but don't go with the cheapest phone if you can avoid it. I would recommend a Pixel 10 Pro or Pro XL. They are typically about $200 off MSRP on sale, but sometimes they have crazy bargains through MVNOs that make them half price or bundle in 1-2 years of service with the cost. They also come with a free year of Gemini AI Pro which includes 2TB of Google Drive, so that is a nice incentive.

 

[ScanTheNavian]

I prefer Android because it allows me to shut down most, perhaps even all, animations on my phone. I want my phone to be as snappy as possible. There's also lots of brands with great hardware quality. It's mostly about what OS you want to use, if you like being interconnected and if there are any exclusive apps that entice you.

 

[JanetTheGreat]

Is it just a grass is always greener situation, or is there something on Android that you want to do that you can't on your current setup?
What's your current phone? What do you dislike about it?
Do you have other Apple products keeping you in their ecosystem?

I have a 16e. Main thing I dislike is that the photo quality isn't that great.

Probably is a grass is always greener situation. I have a Mac Mini. I've been using Apple for a while, and while I will never go back to Windows, I have been considering Linux lately as well. This may not be something I do in the near term, but in the long run, I am considering buying another Computer, and switching to Ubuntu or some other Linux Distro. Though I have issues with Linux, and its reliance on the Terminal to do various tasks.

As for Android, I am interested in Oneplus and Xiaomi but as they are Chinese, they may not get that much support in the US.

What apps/services do you use and are there Android alternatives?

Honestly? I only really use Discord, ChatGPT and a few basic apps. Nothing else really.

Don't switch to Android to save money. If you don't want the same slow experience you had on a budget Samsung phone previously, you shouldn't get a budget Android phone today. Spend the extra and get something that will last you a few years. You can certainly pick one up on sale, but don't go with the cheapest phone if you can avoid it. I would recommend a Pixel 10 Pro or Pro XL. They are typically about $200 off MSRP on sale, but sometimes they have crazy bargains through MVNOs that make them half price or bundle in 1-2 years of service with the cost. They also come with a free year of Gemini AI Pro which includes 2TB of Google Drive, so that is a nice incentive.

In whatever case, be it I stick with Apple or switch to android, I would be trading in my iphone 16e, which is a year old at this point.

 

[AustinIllini]

if you're not going Samsung S line I would go with the Pixel line.

 

[Wide opeN]

Motorola is doing some amazing things if you're equally into aesthetics as I am.

I have the Moto G 2025 and they just introduced the G77 and their Signature lineup. They're definitely worth a look, if you want GOOD & DIFFERENT & ANDROID!

I couldn't be happier with this phone... At least for its price point.

Happy Tails in whatever you decide!

 

[macaddiict]

I was impressed with everything about my Samsung experience, as a techy person. I wouldn't dream of recommending one to a typical smartphone user who doesn't understand the various popups about permissions.

But after Blackberry stopped making Android devices, I was less interested. Every other Android device I've used is so full of what I consider spyware that it wasn't something I wanted to carry in my pocket. I do miss some of the poweruser features, like being able to plug in my Android to a Mac or PC and just carry files with me that way like a flash drive.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I have a 16e. Main thing I dislike is that the photo quality isn't that great.

Probably is a grass is always greener situation. I have a Mac Mini. I've been using Apple for a while, and while I will never go back to Windows, I have been considering Linux lately as well. This may not be something I do in the near term, but in the long run, I am considering buying another Computer, and switching to Ubuntu or some other Linux Distro. Though I have issues with Linux, and its reliance on the Terminal to do various tasks.

As for Android, I am interested in Oneplus and Xiaomi but as they are Chinese, they may not get that much support in the US.




Honestly? I only really use Discord, ChatGPT and a few basic apps. Nothing else really.


In whatever case, be it I stick with Apple or switch to android, I would be trading in my iphone 16e, which is a year old at this point.

Chinese smartphones are great. I have owned Huawei and Honor phones and my experience was top notch. My OnePlus 15r should arrive this Tues. OnePlus puts a lot of hardware into their phones. It will take a lot to find a better phone for $699 than the OP15r. Great screen, lots of storage and it runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 which is an overkill for the phone. Amazon still has the OP sale where you get a free $100 gift card with the purchase. It also has one of the largest batteries in any smartphone. It has a 7400 mAh battery that will last a couple of days on a single charge and OnePlus claims their batteries will easily handle over 1300 battery charge cycles before it drops to 80% capacity.

The only thing to consider is the size of the screen as it's 6.7". OnePlus is very generous with their support. It includes 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates.

Edit: I forgot that the quality of the camera is rather important to you and the OnePlus 15 series doesn't have the best camera. It's not terrible but not great either.

 

[JanetTheGreat]

Chinese smartphones are great. I have owned Huawei and Honor phones and my experience was top notch. My OnePlus 15r should arrive this Tues. OnePlus puts a lot of hardware into their phones. It will take a lot to find a better phone for $699 than the OP15r. Great screen, lots of storage and it runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 which is an overkill for the phone. Amazon still has the OP sale where you get a free $100 gift card with the purchase. It also has one of the largest batteries in any smartphone. It has a 7400 mAh battery that will last a couple of days on a single charge and OnePlus claims their batteries will easily handle over 1300 battery charge cycles before it drops to 80% capacity.

The only thing to consider is the size of the screen as it's 6.7". OnePlus is very generous with their support. It includes 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates.

Edit: I forgot that the quality of the camera is rather important to you and the OnePlus 15 series doesn't have the best camera. It's not terrible but not great either.

Since they are Chinese I am not so sure about how they would work in the US.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Since they are Chinese I am not so sure about how they would work in the US.

If they are sold in the US and sold by Amazon and Best Buy then they are for the American market. Therefore, zero issues!

As an example, Motorola is owned by Lenovo which is a Chinese company but Motorola phones are sold to the US market. Oppo owns OnePlus. Oppo phones are not available for the US market but OnePlus is.

 

[aespana]

You can try something not expensive like a Pixel 9a. They usually are around $400-$450 and is an amazing phone.