Phones Thinking about Android again

[MacInTO]

yeah AI is always wrong when it disagrees with facts.... or a narrow POV....

I think Google is biased. I subscribe to a YouTube channel, Geopolitical Economy Report and it sometimes takes down videos that it deems inappropriate, ie. not in the best interests of the US - but it's valid information and not false and it should all be reported, regardless. The most recent was today. A video was posted, taken down and then reposted with a different title.

 

[jamezr]

I think Google is biased. I subscribe to a YouTube channel, Geopolitical Economy Report and it sometimes takes down videos that it deems inappropriate, ie. not in the best interests of the US - but it's valid information and not false and it should all be reported, regardless. The most recent was today. A video was posted, taken down and then reposted with a different title.

Agreed 100% I have seen videos that do not fit a certain narrative taken down. Not because they were inaccurate though. There are always 2 sides of a debate or position. Both sides should be heard......

 

[skriefal]

It says there are 100 million active WhatsApps users in the US...

Okay. After re-checking, I see that I do know someone - two nieces - with WhatsApp accounts. Haven't tried contacting them to verify if they still have it running on their phones. They've contacted me only through SMS/RCS.

 

[jamezr]

Okay. After re-checking, I see that I do know someone - two nieces - with WhatsApp accounts. Haven't tried contacting them to verify if they still have it running on their phones. They've contacted me only through SMS/RCS.

Count me in that number as well. I have never used WhatsApp. I use iMessage and RCS on my Android phones.
But I am not going to say nobody in a whole country uses something just because I don't use it.....

 

[conmee]

I have used Whatsapp once with a colleague in Australia in 2024 who got laid off and could no longer contact her through work phone/email. And it's still on my iPhone so perhaps I'm still counted as one of the "active" 100 million US users even though I'm definitely not an active user anymore.

 

[jamezr]

I have used Whatsapp once with a colleague in Australia in 2024 who got laid off and could no longer contact her through work phone/email. And it's still on my iPhone so perhaps I'm still counted as one of the "active" 100 million US users even though I'm definitely not an active user anymore.

I am not sure you would be counted as an "active" user. Only those who have used WhatsApp in the last 30 days are counted as an active user.

 

[macdoktor]

IMHO, I have one word to describe why you should stick with iOS: SECURITY!

The horror stories I’ve heard from friends are really astounding. Devices being so seriously compromised that they can see someone remotely controlling their phone. 😵‍💫 Android users love to complain about iPhones being “locked down”, but that’s what makes them so much more secure.

 

[robvalentine]

IMHO, I have one word to describe why you should stick with iOS: SECURITY!

The horror stories I’ve heard from friends are really astounding. Devices being so seriously compromised that they can see someone remotely controlling their phone. 😵‍💫 Android users love to complain about iPhones being “locked down”, but that’s what makes them so much more secure.

IMO it's a false sense of security, as iOS also has flaws. If you navigate to a dodgy site on iOS, it's probably as much as an issue with Android. iOS does win on updates TBH as alot of the Androids probably don't have up to date security patches

 

[Bkdodger]

I have secure phones both on iOS and Android no different, Google Pixel and my Samsung are both updated monthly and secure no hacking no hijacking

 

[edubfromktown]

IMO it's a false sense of security, as iOS also has flaws. If you navigate toi a dodgy site on iOS, it's probably as much as an issue with Android. iOS does win on updates TBH as alot of the Androids probably don't have up to date security patches

Agree 100%

All mobile and computer operating systems have flaws. The weakest link in all cases: social engineering and human error.

I know of many in the IT enterprise security world who are Android users (in addition to iPhone as well). There can be a larger attack surface for Android users who accept the risk of side loading apps via apk's though the vast majority do not go there.

A number of the IT enterpise security savvy also use Google services (as do I, with Advanced Protection Program FIDO-2 hardware MFA tokens plus added security measures).

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

I haven't entirely ruled out the idea of switching to Android. My decision to get the 17e, in my mind, is kicking the can down the road, so that maybe in 2027, when there are more promising Android phones out there, I might get one.

 

[ToddH]

I have several Samsung S26 ultra phones and they are the best, so much faster than my iPhone 17 pro max. I use the Samsung constantly without any issue, all three feel the same. I hardly use my iPhone anymore. The cameras on the S26 ultra are fantastic. That's the main reason for using Samsung S26 ultra because of my love for photography. So far the Samsung s26 ultra has been better for me than any other android on the market. I bought mine unlocked from Best Buy and they often go on sale.

 

[Bkdodger]

I have several Samsung S26 ultra phones and they are the best, so much faster than my iPhone 17 pro max. I use the Samsung constantly without any issue, all three feel the same. I hardly use my iPhone anymore. The cameras on the S26 ultra are fantastic. That's the main reason for using Samsung S26 ultra because of my love for photography. So far the Samsung s26 ultra has been better for me than any other android on the market. I bought mine unlocked from Best Buy and they often go on sale.

100% spot on over here, there's so many deals if you search or wait for the right time. I personally would go for a high end phone if I were switching platforms bc the experience is enhanced tremendously.

 

[BSDnostalgia]

I have several Samsung S26 ultra phones and they are the best, so much faster than my iPhone 17 pro max. I use the Samsung constantly without any issue, all three feel the same.

Is Samsung keeping up with security patches now? There were times in the past when timely security patches were not forthcoming. There have been times when it seemed that only Google Android phones could be patched quickly, the other billions of Android phones out there just sitting ducks.

 

[MarkX]

Is Samsung keeping up with security patches now? There were times in the past when timely security patches were not forthcoming. There have been times when it seemed that only Google Android phones could be patched quickly, the other billions of Android phones out there just sitting ducks.

They're pretty decent at updating monthly for their flagship phones so that's no longer a mark against them imo.

 

[ToddH]

Is Samsung keeping up with security patches now? There were times in the past when timely security patches were not forthcoming. There have been times when it seemed that only Google Android phones could be patched quickly, the other billions of Android phones out there just sitting ducks.

I'd say yeah they are updated regularly, each month or so. I haven't received an update yet this month, but I check regularly. I have the S26 ultra through AT&T & another purchased unlocked, sometimes the at&t update comes before the unlocked phone. But so far I've noticed regular security updates

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

I know I got a 17e recently but I have it in my mind that my ownership of the 17e might be relatively short because I have a feeling I might find myself still interested in Android at some point in the future. My quandary about android still remains and I still have some questions that I still as of yet don't have a clear answer on. I see a lot of competing answers for the following.

- When you switch from Iphone to Android, will your text / message history be preserved?

- Is texting between Iphone and Android now actually end to end encrypted, so neither Google, nor third parties can read your texts? Will texting between Iphone and Android have the same level of security compared to Iphone to Iphone, or not?

- When I used Android (Samsung A53) in 2022/2023, texting images between Android and Samsung Messages was awful and annoying - as they would show up as links you'd have to click on between the two. I suppose this is no longer the case, because Samsung Messages is discontinued and RCS supports proper image sharing between Iphone and Android now?

- If I were to switch from Iphone to a Google Pixel, does that mean that Google has access to my photos / encryption Keys? Is that still the case on Samsung?

- When I had my old Android phone, I remember I was still able to get messages to show up in imessage on my Mac, but that was probably because I never actually disabled my Imessage when I switched phones back then.

 

[skriefal]

- Is texting between Iphone and Android now actually end to end encrypted, so neither Google, nor third parties can read your texts? Will texting between Iphone and Android have the same level of security compared to Iphone to Iphone, or not?

- When I used Android (Samsung A53) in 2022/2023, texting images between Android and Samsung Messages was awful and annoying - as they would show up as links you'd have to click on between the two. I suppose this is no longer the case, because Samsung Messages is discontinued and RCS supports proper image sharing between Iphone and Android now?

End-to-end RCS encryption between iPhone and Android users is in a very early phase. It's supposed to be available but I have yet to see it work. This may be caused by cellular carriers on both ends not yet enabling the settings to tell the phones to use the new encryption standard. Hopefully they'll get this done soon(ish).

Images and videos should be better quality now - if RCS is enabled on both ends.

- When I had my old Android phone, I remember I was still able to get messages to show up in imessage on my Mac, but that was probably because I never actually disabled my Imessage when I switched phones back then.

If you don't disable iMessage before you switch to Android, your Mac would continue to receive iMessage messages sent to your email and your phone number. But this wouldn't include SMS, MMS, or RCS messages which would go to your Android phone. And those iMessage messages that go to your Mac wouldn't go to your Android phone (unless you use something like the BlueBubbles app) - which may be inconvenient.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

End-to-end RCS encryption between iPhone and Android users is in a very early phase. It's supposed to be available but I have yet to see it work. This may be caused by cellular carriers on both ends not yet enabling the settings to tell the phones to use the new encryption standard. Hopefully they'll get this done soon(ish).

Images and videos should be better quality now - if RCS is enabled on both ends.

Since I just bought the Iphone 17e, I plan on waiting at least 6 months to a year or so before buying an Android phone. Maybe by then it will be mostly resolved.

If you don't disable iMessage before you switch to Android, your Mac would continue to receive iMessage messages sent to your email and your phone number. But this wouldn't include SMS, MMS, or RCS messages which would go to your Android phone. And those iMessage messages that go to your Mac wouldn't go to your Android phone (unless you use something like the BlueBubbles app) - which may be inconvenient.

This makes sense.

 

[jamezr]

End-to-end RCS encryption between iPhone and Android users is in a very early phase. It's supposed to be available but I have yet to see it work. This may be caused by cellular carriers on both ends not yet enabling the settings to tell the phones to use the new encryption standard. Hopefully they'll get this done soon(ish).

Images and videos should be better quality now - if RCS is enabled on both ends.



If you don't disable iMessage before you switch to Android, your Mac would continue to receive iMessage messages sent to your email and your phone number. But this wouldn't include SMS, MMS, or RCS messages which would go to your Android phone. And those iMessage messages that go to your Mac wouldn't go to your Android phone (unless you use something like the BlueBubbles app) - which may be inconvenient.

It is not early stages....BOTH iMessages and RCS messages are encrypted end to end and cross platform to each other.


Then if you do not disbale imessage on your iPhone you can always go and have your phone number de-registered by Apple.
See this link https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage/

 

[Richard8655]

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?

I agree. I have the 16e and think the camera takes excellent photos. On the topic of going Android, for me it's the allure of high res LDAC Bluetooth audio that iPhone (or any Apple device) lacks.

 

[Ludatyk]

If you don't disable iMessage before you switch to Android, your Mac would continue to receive iMessage messages sent to your email and your phone number. But this wouldn't include SMS, MMS, or RCS messages which would go to your Android phone. And those iMessage messages that go to your Mac wouldn't go to your Android phone (unless you use something like the BlueBubbles app) - which may be inconvenient.

My setup is unorthodox... SMS, MMS or RCS messages go toward my Android phone and I use OpenBubbles to get iMessages sent to it as well. I managed to do this all before RCS became as relevant as it is... I didn't want to throw my iMessage groups out of sort.

OpenBubbles is setup with my email only... there is a method to use the phone number, but I'm content with how it is now. Plus, it's only a couple of folks that contact me via the phone number... but my social circle is mostly iPhone users.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

I agree. I have the 16e and think the camera takes excellent photos. On the topic of going Android, for me it's the allure of high res LDAC Bluetooth audio that iPhone (or any Apple device) lacks.

I have the 17e, and I just traded in my 16e for it. The main reason why I got it was future proofing and wanting to have more storage.

My setup is unorthodox... SMS, MMS or RCS messages go toward my Android phone and I use OpenBubbles to get iMessages sent to it as well. I managed to do this all before RCS became as relevant as it is... I didn't want to throw my iMessage groups out of sort.

OpenBubbles is setup with my email only... there is a method to use the phone number, but I'm content with how it is now. Plus, it's only a couple of folks that contact me via the phone number... but my social circle is mostly iPhone users.

My main issue with something like OpenBubbles is the idea that perhaps one day Apple will want to kill it off.

 

[Ludatyk]

My main issue with something like OpenBubbles is the idea that perhaps one day Apple will want to kill it off.

Umm... they not really profiting off Apple, can't imagine where they kill this off... you probably thinking of the Beeper situation when this method relies on having an Apple device.

 

[skriefal]

Apple could encrypt the local macOS messages database. This would prevent Blue/OpenBubbles from reading the messages and syncing them to other devices. I won't be surprised if they do this "for security" - which technically might be true (albeit a thin excuse), but disappointing.