Phones Thinking about Android again

[ClaraStahlbaum]

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.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

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.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

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.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

I've been using the Iphone mirroring feature a lot lately on my Mac. Being able to seamlessly log into my phone from my computer is a great thing. I don't think such a thing would be possible with an Android phone?

 

[MarkX]

I've been using the Iphone mirroring feature a lot lately on my Mac. Being able to seamlessly log into my phone from my computer is a great thing. I don't think such a thing would be possible with an Android phone?

I found this quite interesting, may give you something to think about....

 

[Ludatyk]

I've been using the Iphone mirroring feature a lot lately on my Mac. Being able to seamlessly log into my phone from my computer is a great thing. I don't think such a thing would be possible with an Android phone?

Not possible. To get that level of iPhone mirror integration... you'll need a Windows PC instead of a Mac when using an Android phone.

On the Windows side of things, there's Phone Link... its much more different than iPhone Mirroring, Android phone is incorporated into Windows... can use your phone apps and everything (not siloed in a phone window). I actually find Phone Link better than iPhone Mirroring... just the whole execution behind it makes the experience better (imo).

 

[Steve Adams]

Nothing phones are quite cool too. I currently have my sim in my Pixel 8 pro. I do own an older motorola G that I gave to my son. I am also the samsung ambassador for our store and I have the latest devices through them as well. I have a 26 ultra incoming asap and I will swap between that and my pixel.

For budget side, Nothing and motorola are very cool choices. I suggest the Moto G stylus for peak cheap device.

 

[840quadra]

I live in both camps partly by choice, partly by necessity. I flip between my personal phone being iOS or Android usually once every 2 years, but have had both in my possession since the Pixel 2, and a short period before that with a nexus.

Android and iOS are more alike than they have ever been in the past, and the melting appears to be continuing as there are similar features, and more cross-platform items such as AirDrop and RCS available or planned.

Samsung phones aren't for me, but I understand the allure, and now that Snapdragon is mostly a peer for A-Series processors, the power on devices is finally good. Until my recent Nothing order, and ignoring short tests with an S25 Ultra, I have been a pixel guy.

Pros on the Android side for me

• Ability to change ALL default apps including the launcher
• More open BlueTooth / NRC radios and features
• Audio sharing is more advanced
• side-by-side application support in most EVERY phone
• Desktop Mode ability (thanks to foldable market advancing UI/UX on Android so that nearly every app supports it now)
• better file system when connected to external devices
• More overall control over system settings
• Far more intuitive and useful settings system
• reverse wireless charging. (top off those nothing headphones or AirPods using your phone)

Things I dislike

• Fragmented Android Update system / Process (outside of Pixels)
• Play Store is more of a mess (IMHO) and has far too many crap applications
• OS / Apps are more of a resource hog (Most android phones have more RAM because they NEED it)
• Accessing the filesystem on a Mac is frustrating (More of an Apple problem because iPhone is no better)
• Applications don't feel as polished as iOS versions (Likely due to the VAST amounts of various screen sizes and processors used)
• Too many choices in devices /s

If you can keep your existing phone, and dabble in Android with a 2nd prepaid line, I would run both side-by-side for a short period. Decide what you like, and drop the 2nd line!

There are TONS of options for midrange phones on the Android side that throw atomic mud at the poor base model iPhone offerings. There is some fragmentation with how many years they will be updated, but most will have screens with higher refresh rate (Meh to me as I lock all mine at 60 for battery reasons), more cameras (many times better), faster charging, and various other features the base budget iPhones lack.

 

[Steve Adams]

I love android, and the freedom of doing what I want. However, if The Newfoundland Governement would allow Apple to activate the hearing aid portion of iOS in the iPhone for use with the airpods pro 3, I would be back to apple in a heartbeat.

I have to add. The hearing aid mafia here has the price set at 4900-5000 for a set compared to an iPhone and a pair of airpods for 1/2 the price.

 

[JohnRckr]

I am having the same dilemma nowadays..
17 pro max is my only device - no pc or watch or anything. And I feel the pull of Chinese android brands a lot, especially Oppo. Superb cameras, actual innovations, better battery life and so on..
But I have everything tied to my Apple ID and don’t know how to escape from this hell. Since smartphone is my only device, I want it to be top notch. iPhones feel mediocre for years..

 

[ab2c4]

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

I don't know if you are still around but thought I would ask anyway. What do you dislike about the 16e camera? I was under the impression it took pretty good pics indoor, outdoor, and low light. Is that not so? Or was it the lack of ultra wide and telephoto lenses?

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

I don't know if you are still around but thought I would ask anyway. What do you dislike about the 16e camera? I was under the impression it took pretty good pics indoor, outdoor, and low light. Is that not so? Or was it the lack of ultra wide and telephoto lenses?

It takes good enough photos, but it is not the best quality photo.

 

[Steve Adams]

I am having the same dilemma nowadays..
17 pro max is my only device - no pc or watch or anything. And I feel the pull of Chinese android brands a lot, especially Oppo. Superb cameras, actual innovations, better battery life and so on..
But I have everything tied to my Apple ID and don’t know how to escape from this hell. Since smartphone is my only device, I want it to be top notch. iPhones feel mediocre for years..

Just download google photos, and other apps onto your iPhone and do a back up to google services. Then, when you get your new android, there should be a data transfer app to move your important stuff to android. It's easy to leave the walled garden, you just have to have the will power.

I have been gone since the 13 and it is awesome to be completely free of the apple garden.

 

[Genelec8341]

When I see what is available in 2026 from Motorola- $400 from Best Buy (USA) I think about it. Have not gotten to step two.

 

[Steve Adams]

If you are looking at Moto, order direct from them. Prices are better from what I have found!

 

[Cuesca]

I am having the same dilemma nowadays..
17 pro max is my only device - no pc or watch or anything. And I feel the pull of Chinese android brands a lot, especially Oppo. Superb cameras, actual innovations, better battery life and so on..
But I have everything tied to my Apple ID and don’t know how to escape from this hell. Since smartphone is my only device, I want it to be top notch. iPhones feel mediocre for years..

If I was not carrier limited by the ATT/T-Mobile/Verizon oligarchy I would probably be rocking the Oppo N6 or Xiaomi 17 Ultra. I feel kinda the same way with cars; the US is not as free a market as they are leading us to believe.