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Why I'm returning my iPhone 7 - unless you can help?

M

Mildredop

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 14, 2013
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I've been Android for several years, but have watched as iPhone has evolved device more suitable for me, so thought I'd give it a go.

Largely, I love the phone and a lot of stuff about it. But there are several niggles which have made pine after Android.

- Phone call cancels navigation. When driving using the phone as navigation, if someone calls, the whole screen is taken-up with the phone app. As it's illegal to touch a mobile phone whilst driving in the UK, technically I'm unable to get my satnav back until I hang-up.

- iMessage. Seems like a great idea, but my girlfriend (who is iPhone) has gone back to Whatsapping me because messages were disappearing.

- Camera often doesn't open. I just get a black screen and need to flick to video and back to photo for it to work.

- Can't swipe from bottom if keyboard is open.

- Can't turn off Calculator sounds

- Zero idea of missed messages/email unless you go looking for them. Driving is a prime example - I now have to check when I finish a journey to see if I've missed anything. And fingerprint unlocks the phone so quickly, it's already unlocked before it's out of my pocket, so I don't see notifications on the lock screen.

- Lack of headphone jack has become a bit annoying as twice I've forgotten the adapter.
 
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Mildredop said:
I've been Android for several years, but have watched as iPhone has evolved device more suitable for me, so thought I'd give it a go.

Largely, I love the phone and a lot of stuff about it. But there are several niggles which have made pine after Android.

- Phone call cancels navigation. When driving using the phone as navigation, if someone calls, the whole screen is taken-up with the phone app. As it's illegal to touch a mobile phone whilst driving in the UK, technically I'm unable to get my satnav back until I hang-up.

- iMessage. Seems like a great idea, but my girlfriend (who is iPhone) has gone back to Whatsapping me because messages were disappearing.

- Camera often doesn't open. I just get a black screen and need to flick to video and back to photo for it to work.

- Can't swipe from bottom if keyboard is open.

- Can't turn off Calculator sounds

- Zero idea of missed messages/email unless you go looking for them. Driving is a prime example - I now have to check when I finish a journey to see if I've missed anything. And fingerprint unlocks the phone so quickly, it's already unlocked before it's out of my pocket, so I don't see notifications on the lock screen.

- Lack of headphone jack has become a bit annoying as twice I've forgotten the adapter.
Click to expand...

Most of those are incorrect or very trivial problems which I think you just need to get over to be honest.

You can open control center from the bottom if the keyboard is open.

Settings > Sounds > Calendar alerts - none

Can't be be bothered to answer the other ones, quick Google will find you answers though.
 
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Mildredop said:
- Phone call cancels navigation. When driving using the phone as navigation, if someone calls, the whole screen is taken-up with the phone app. As it's illegal to touch a mobile phone whilst driving in the UK, technically I'm unable to get my satnav back until I hang-up.
Click to expand...

Press the home button if you're in a call. It'll keep the call going while you have the homescreen available for navigation.
 
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Sounds like the 7 is not for you.

Some of the above items may be due to your device having a defect but other things are just the way iOS 10 is. I agree that 10 has some quirks that Apple needs to take care of and some will be fixed.

Things like the sound when hitting the calculator buttons are things you got to decide if you can live with. To me the sound is so low it is a non issue.

Best of luck on making your decision.
 
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Jake1045 said:
Most of those are incorrect or very trivial problems which I think you just need to get over to be honest.

You can open control center from the bottom if the keyboard is open.

Settings > Sounds > Calendar alerts - none

Can't be be bothered to answer the other ones, quick Google will find you answers though.
Click to expand...

I will get over it by going back to Android.

I can't swipe up from the bottom when my keyboard is there. Maybe a fault with my phone.

Calendar alerts aren't the issue - it's calculator sounds.
 
In the U.K. You can touch a sat nav/phone in a holder. You can't hold the phone though.

The law concerns two things:
  • Holding hand held devices.
  • Being distracted so that your dangerous.
Poking the screen to answer the phone/switch apps is allowed, and when you think about it is little different to using the car's radio or heater/air con/fans. All this said, hands free calls do distract people and if it does so enough to affect driving then that would be the offence if anything.

If iMessages are disappearing, it's likely a setting in either of your iMessage settings.

You should be able to swipe up when the keyboard is open, it just takes a little getting used to.

The keyboard clicks for the calculator. You're right about them, but if it's bothering you you can go to silent whilst you use the calculator?

With notifications, have a play in settings with badges, banners and alerts. You can get it so they're in notification centre and/or have badge icons. Yes you still need to look, but it's not a big task (you don't need to go through multiple apps)?

With the headphone jack - just leave it attached to your headphones?

Can't help with the camera though, that shouldn't be happening. Maybe contact Apple for support?

All this said - sometimes a device/OS/software isn't for you. Last time I tried an Android phone I was in the same position. Just didn't get on with it and it wasn't for me. If you're in that position with the iPhone, fair enough. It's pointless holding on to something so expensive if you're not happy with it and regardless won't be able to become happy with it.
 
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keysofanxiety said:
Press the home button if you're in a call. It'll keep the call going while you have the homescreen available for navigation.
Click to expand...

It's illegal to touch the phone whilst driving.

Actually, it seems I'm wrong according to the above poster.
[doublepost=1475227759][/doublepost]
MrBukey said:
In the U.K. You can touch a sat nav/phone in a holder. You can't hold the phone though.

The law concerns two things:
  • Holding hand held devices.
  • Being distracted so that your dangerous.
Poking the screen to answer the phone/switch apps is allowed, and when you think about it is little different to using the car's radio or heater/air con/fans. All this said, hands free calls do distract people and if it does so enough to affect driving then that would be the offence if anything.

If iMessages are disappearing, it's likely a setting in either of your iMessage settings.

You should be able to swipe up when the keyboard is open, it just takes a little getting used to.

The keyboard clicks for the calculator. You're right about them, but if it's bothering you you can go to silent whilst you use the calculator?

With notifications, have a play in settings with badges, banners and alerts. You can get it so they're in notification centre and/or have badge icons. Yes you still need to look, but it's not a big task (you don't need to go through multiple apps)?

With the headphone jack - just leave it attached to your headphones?

Can't help with the camera though, that shouldn't be happening. Maybe contact Apple for support?

All this said - sometimes a device/OS/software isn't for you. Last time I tried an Android phone I was in the same position. Just didn't get on with it and it wasn't for me. If you're in that position with the iPhone, fair enough. It's pointless holding on to something so expensive if you're not happy with it and regardless won't be able to become happy with it.
Click to expand...

Didn't know that. "You can use hands-free phones, sat navs and 2-way radios when you’re driving or riding. But if the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle you could still get stopped and penalised."

Good bits of advice there. Thanks.
 
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It's indeed possible to swipe up Control Center when the keyboard is open. You just need to do it more slowly because otherwise it thinks you're using the keyboard. Without the keyboard you can do it slow or fast.

This is by design so the Control Center doesn't accidentally trigger when using the keyboard.
 
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Mildredop said:
It's illegal to touch the phone whilst driving.

Actually, it seems I'm wrong according to the above poster.
Click to expand...

I'm in the UK too. Illegal? By the absolute letter of the law, possibly. But practically, what actually happens? You just press one button, once. You can even do that without looking at the phone, just from fumbling alone.

Heck, as long as you've got one hand on the wheel, half a second doesn't matter. I'm sure you've taken more than that amount of time to do a gear change, or reach for some food, or smoke a cigarette, or drink, or shake your fist angrily at somebody who cut you off.

It's a case of pressing the home button once, while in a call. If the answer to that is "can't do that, it's illegal", I really can't help you. Best to go back to Android.
 
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keysofanxiety said:
I'm in the UK too. Illegal? By the absolute letter of the law, possibly. But practically, what actually happens? You just press one button, once. You can even do that without looking at the phone, just from fumbling alone.

Heck, as long as you've got one hand on the wheel, half a second doesn't matter. I'm sure you've taken more than that amount of time to do a gear change, or reach for some food, or smoke a cigarette, or drink, or shake your fist angrily at somebody who cut you off.

It's a case of pressing the home button once, while in a call. If the answer to that is "can't do that, it's illegal", I really can't help you. Best to go back to Android.
Click to expand...

Is it pressing the home button once? It's pressing the home button and then finding/opening Google Maps. All whilst trying to talk on the phone and drive.
 
While I don't comment on anything else, if I drive, I will use data only SIM if I want navigation and avoid answering any phone call to ensure driving safety. If I ever want to make a phone call, park the car somewhere and make a call.
 
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I never answer my phone while driving.

I recently moved to iphone so have not used navigation while driving and get call yet.

Most issues of OP are easy to cover come bar the black camera app that's odd and not good.
I only use bluetooth headphones so 3.5mm jack not an issue (I have an iphone 6s plus anyway but never use 3.5mm port)

If driving could you not set phone to do not disturb mode?
Unless calls are very important to you of course, but if so then they are more important than navigation anyway.
 
To me these seem like completely reasonable reasons to not like the phone. Small annoyances matter if you encounter them often enough. An incoming call should not severely interrupt navigation even though OP was wrong about it being illegal to touch a phone while driving.
 
A user posts a pretty detailed list of issues looking for some help. Nothing in their post suggests a troll and yet you get all these overly defensive posts.

That other newbie was right "this place is like a f***ing cesspool of fanboys."
 
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...just like when you first bought your first Android device, it took a while to get used to it. The same can be said of the iPhone and iOS. Give it a moment. As for some of issue, review what others have said above...
 
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If you are in an environment where the very, very silent calculator clicks are a problem, every other sound should be a problem to! So why not roch that silent switch on the side of your phone?
And regarding your problem with phone calls and navigation: I can't believe it's prohibited to only touch your phone. I mean, how is this different from using your in car radio?
 
Mildredop said:
I've been Android for several years, but have watched as iPhone has evolved device more suitable for me, so thought I'd give it a go.

Largely, I love the phone and a lot of stuff about it. But there are several niggles which have made pine after Android.

- Phone call cancels navigation. When driving using the phone as navigation, if someone calls, the whole screen is taken-up with the phone app. As it's illegal to touch a mobile phone whilst driving in the UK, technically I'm unable to get my satnav back until I hang-up.

- iMessage. Seems like a great idea, but my girlfriend (who is iPhone) has gone back to Whatsapping me because messages were disappearing.

- Camera often doesn't open. I just get a black screen and need to flick to video and back to photo for it to work.

- Can't swipe from bottom if keyboard is open.

- Can't turn off Calculator sounds

- Zero idea of missed messages/email unless you go looking for them. Driving is a prime example - I now have to check when I finish a journey to see if I've missed anything. And fingerprint unlocks the phone so quickly, it's already unlocked before it's out of my pocket, so I don't see notifications on the lock screen.

- Lack of headphone jack has become a bit annoying as twice I've forgotten the adapter.
Click to expand...

1 - There's a blue bar at the top of the screen to easily return to navigation. This isn't illegal in the U.K. as long as the phone is in a cradle and not in your hand. I've just checked this information online now to be sure and I am definitely correct.

2,3 and 4 - All of these are software glitches that I myself have never encountered, so if you really are experiencing all three of these you are very unlucky and I would suggest a fresh install of iOS or ask Apple to swap for a new phone.

5 - Calculator sounds work in the same was the keyboard clicks which are also not controlled/silenced by the volume buttons, I'll admit it's a very mild annoyance that they can't be disabled like the keyboard clicks can. My suggestions would be to put the phone on silent or to use a third party calculator app (there's an abundance on the App Store). Hardly seems a reason to switch phones.

6 - A bit confused by what you expect for this? Lock screen can be configured to show all new messages and emails, as can the easily accessible notification centre. The red badge app icons also make it pretty hard to not realise you have a new message.

7 - Headphone jack has been discussed to death, some care about it, others don't. Surely you knew about it before you bought the phone though?

I agree with others, it does feel like you are looking for reasons to be annoyed and to change to android.
 
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