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Trying a Samsung, how can make this suck less?

TomOSeven

TomOSeven

Suspended
Original poster
Jul 4, 2017
571
699
Hi all,

because my 2012 iPhone 5 is becoming less usable (CPU and battery are really becoming limiting, no iOS updates etc.), I picked up a Galaxy A5 2017 for 180 €.

I was immediately impressed by how good this feels, by the large, pretty screen, by the water proofing, by the versatility of USB-C and by how easily I could expand the storage.

This thing is a price / performance beast! The camera, needless to say, is much better than my old iPhone one as well.

Then I spent some time with it and things went sour.

Updating the phone is a weird process. It's been installing apparently non-cumulative updates for days now, a new update notification popping up every couple of hours. Why not just download the most recent update?

Then there's multiple app stores. One for Android, one for Samsung. Why can't I remove the Samsung one?
Samsung also has a second browser, a weird contacts app that I don't quite trust, and moving my contacts from the iPhone to the Samsung seems like a tedious project. Some of the permissions apps ask for are straight up bewildering, by the way. Why can't I give permissions the moment they are needed?

Every moment I spend with the OS makes me miss iOS.
 
I would not worry about updates the catch up will end soon.

You have 2 stores as Samsung often offers free and unique to Samsung owners apps, you won't bother much with it after a while other than a casual check or hide/disable it

Not sure what 2 browsers, but Samsung one is very good, just delete or disable the other

The permissions are asked on installation which is far better as you can decide immediately what you wish to grant

Don't worry it will all settle down and you can start to explore all the options and freedoms you now have
 
Picked up: new or used?

Do a factory reset.

Samsung Internet is v.good and supports adblockers
Chrome is also there. MS Edge is okay too.

Some apps are waiting on Google item and those pre installed will show as update available.

Samsung contacts, note, email, calendar etc are okay.

I use Google contacts.
 
TomOSeven said:
...because my 2012 iPhone 5 is becoming less usable (CPU and battery are really becoming limiting, no iOS updates etc.), I picked up a Galaxy A5 2017 for 180 €.

Then there's multiple app stores. One for Android, one for Samsung. Why can't I remove the Samsung one?
Samsung also has a second browser...
Click to expand...

Certain Samsung Apps will only update through the Samsung store, certain Samsung Apps will update through both. The auto-update option has never worked well for me. So just check for updates twice a week and don't worry about it.

Just out of curiosity, if you were to go back to iOS, what type of iPhone can you purchase for 180 Euro?
 
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Ignore the Samsung app store. Disable auto updates. Don't use Samsung apps if they bother you. Uninstall, disable or hide them and then forget all about them. Apple give you their own versions of apps, right? The thing is that they don't let you use third party apps as default but Android do.

If you do choose to ignore Samsung apps then you'll miss out on their fabulous browser amongst other things...

As for the updates yes they are cumulative but you can get your pc out and download the latest one. Your initial viewpoint of the phone was VERY favourable but now you are either missing the gloss of flagship phones or you are just someone who prefers iOS. If the latter then all I can say is to give it time because your gripes are minor.
 
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TomOSeven said:
Hi all,

because my 2012 iPhone 5 is becoming less usable (CPU and battery are really becoming limiting, no iOS updates etc.), I picked up a Galaxy A5 2017 for 180 €.

I was immediately impressed by how good this feels, by the large, pretty screen, by the water proofing, by the versatility of USB-C and by how easily I could expand the storage.

This thing is a price / performance beast! The camera, needless to say, is much better than my old iPhone one as well.

Then I spent some time with it and things went sour.

Updating the phone is a weird process. It's been installing apparently non-cumulative updates for days now, a new update notification popping up every couple of hours. Why not just download the most recent update?

Then there's multiple app stores. One for Android, one for Samsung. Why can't I remove the Samsung one?
Samsung also has a second browser, a weird contacts app that I don't quite trust, and moving my contacts from the iPhone to the Samsung seems like a tedious project. Some of the permissions apps ask for are straight up bewildering, by the way. Why can't I give permissions the moment they are needed?

Every moment I spend with the OS makes me miss iOS.
Click to expand...
LOL, you just don't know how to use the phone and aren't used to it yet. It's Apps that are updating, they do that. It's not the OS updating. You don't have to use Samsungs app store and don't have to use the Samsung browser. These are simple things, which by the way are called choices.

Having other options is a good thing though, not vanilla like iOS. You will be fine when you get used to it and know how to use things.
 
Last edited:
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Vegastouch said:
LOL, you just don't know how to use the phone and aren't used to it yet. It's Apps that are updating, they do that. It's not the OS updating.
Click to expand...

Yeah right, that's why it uses iterative 7.n numbers and has to reboot every time.

Those aren't app updates.
 
Breaking Good said:
Certain Samsung Apps will only update through the Samsung store, certain Samsung Apps will update through both. The auto-update option has never worked well for me. So just check for updates twice a week and don't worry about it.

Just out of curiosity, if you were to go back to iOS, what type of iPhone can you purchase for 180 Euro?
Click to expand...
You could probably get a second hand SE for that price range.
[doublepost=1531469585][/doublepost]
convergent said:
Welcome to options and choice. It will take time to get used to this and there will always be pros and cons. Give it some time.
Click to expand...
If I were going to make any complaints about samsung phones it would not be duplicate apps. More choice is always better imo. I suppose on a phone like the A5 internal storage space is probably limited so the OP could just try out the duplicate apps and see which ones they prefer and then delete the ones they don't want.
[doublepost=1531469723][/doublepost]
Vegastouch said:
LOL, you just don't know how to use the phone and aren't used to it yet. It's Apps that are updating, they do that. It's not the OS updating. You don't have to use Samsungs app store and don't have to use the Samsung browser. These are simple things, which by the way are called choices.

Having other options is a good thing though, not vanilla like iOS. You will be fine when you get used to it and know how to use things.
Click to expand...
You can disable automatic app updates if it bothers the OP.

Even the iPhone has an option to do automatic updates. I use it on both my iPhone and S9 plus. It makes things easier for me, don't need to update things manually.
 
Honestly considering sending this back and buying a used iPhone 7 for more than twice the price...
 
TomOSeven said:
Honestly considering sending this back and buying a used iPhone 7 for more than twice the price...
Click to expand...

If you don't want to spend too much money, I'd look at a Google Pixel (the first one, not 2).

You can pick up some real bargains and it's much better than the Samsung you're using.
 
JaySoul said:
If you don't want to spend too much money, I'd look at a Google Pixel (the first one, not 2).

You can pick up some real bargains and it's much better than the Samsung you're using.
Click to expand...
Agreed. The A5 just isn't a very good phone. I'd pick an older pixel, older samsung or even LG flagship over it.
 
TomOSeven said:
Yeah right, that's why it uses iterative 7.n numbers and has to reboot every time.

Those aren't app updates.
Click to expand...
Not buying that. If that is a S8 it would only update to 8.0 not 7.1 or whatever. Galaxy's never get a update unless it is a major one to the next OS. At least I never did, just got security updates from TMobile which would reboot the phone as well. Don't know how you can complain about app updates though. Bottom line, you just aren't used to the phone. IMO it's better than iOS.
 
I came from 7 years of iphones to Samsung and the Samsung browser is the best browser I've ever used on a smartphone. But the joy of Android is you CHOOSE your default apps. So put all the Samsung apps in their own folder, tucked away in the bowels of your App drawer, removed from your home screen, and never look at them again.

Would you rather use old software and not receive updates? There's a toggle for that. Despite my personal opinion that this would be a bad idea, Samsung won't continue to pester you with daily reminders to update (like iOS). Again, choice.

There is an adjustment period moving to Android from iOS. In my experience, it lasts about 2 weeks and the first 2-3 days are the worst. Only you can decide if it's bearable and doable for you. Two weeks after my switch last fall, I was very happy. My husband had same experience. But it takes a little tinkering and exploring of the Android OS and settings on your phone.
[doublepost=1531491793][/doublepost]Agreed. Pick up an original Pixel or used/refurb S8 if you can't bear with the A5.
 
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It is like in school where you learn maths and would never forget, same theory applied.
 
Vegastouch said:
Not buying that. If that is a S8 it would only update to 8.0 not 7.1 or whatever. Galaxy's never get a update unless it is a major one to the next OS. At least I never did, just got security updates from TMobile which would reboot the phone as well. Don't know how you can complain about app updates though. Bottom line, you just aren't used to the phone. IMO it's better than iOS.
Click to expand...
They do get updates from Samsung that bring new features which is separate from the OS updates. These updates are usually bundled in with the monthly security updates.
 
TomOSeven said:
Hi all,

because my 2012 iPhone 5 is becoming less usable (CPU and battery are really becoming limiting, no iOS updates etc.), I picked up a Galaxy A5 2017 for 180 €.

I was immediately impressed by how good this feels, by the large, pretty screen, by the water proofing, by the versatility of USB-C and by how easily I could expand the storage.

This thing is a price / performance beast! The camera, needless to say, is much better than my old iPhone one as well.

Then I spent some time with it and things went sour.

Updating the phone is a weird process. It's been installing apparently non-cumulative updates for days now, a new update notification popping up every couple of hours. Why not just download the most recent update?

Then there's multiple app stores. One for Android, one for Samsung. Why can't I remove the Samsung one?
Samsung also has a second browser, a weird contacts app that I don't quite trust, and moving my contacts from the iPhone to the Samsung seems like a tedious project. Some of the permissions apps ask for are straight up bewildering, by the way. Why can't I give permissions the moment they are needed?

Every moment I spend with the OS makes me miss iOS.
Click to expand...
Sour,?. Because you have a choice.. I see. It's cos as an iPhone user it must be bewildering... having options....

Don't worry, you'll get used to it....
 
TomOSeven said:
Honestly considering sending this back and buying a used iPhone 7 for more than twice the price...
Click to expand...

If you're going to spend 2x the price on an iPhone, why not try an Android device that isn't from the bargain bin? Manufacturers besides Samsung actually have some really great devices at lower price points.
 
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Tig Bitties said:
Best way to make a Scamdung suck less, is package it up, return it, and buy a Pixel 2 XL .

Unless you like Lagwiz and bloatware .
Click to expand...
Yet you still hang out on the alternatives board.. does it pain you to see beautiful Samsung devices wipe the floor with pitiful stale tired iOS toys... just cos you get robbed blind into making expensive purchases doesn't make it a wise choice... you know it, I know it.. and the sad thing.. we know that you know it....
 
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Applemaniac7 said:
Yet you still hang out on the alternatives board.. does it pain you to see beautiful Samsung devices wipe the floor with pitiful stale tired iOS toys... just cos you get robbed blind into making expensive purchases doesn't make it a wise choice... you know it, I know it.. and the sad thing.. we know that you know it....
Click to expand...

While TB's tirade against Samsung can get repetitive and tiresome, he's no iOS fan. Pay attention and try reading what he wrote before sprewing out your own cliche anti-Apple rant. :rolleyes: He's a big proponent of stock Android and now uses a Pixel 2 XL.
 
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