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Other Would you ever switch to Android?
- Thread starter trevpimp
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Used Android before but last time was a Galaxy S5, so 6-7 years ago now?
But "ever?" Sure, why not? Anyone who says never to something is just a fanboy.
Google would have to change a lot of their bad privacy practices first; considering even thy can access your device as some users during Android 9 saw Google remotely changing settings. And in general their app privacy policies; many are just too abusive right now collecting data (even if you turned it off like location). They SEEM to appear to be turning around a bit on privacy issues, which is good. I dont see them ever becoming Apple, but if they could get even halfway there it would be a viable alternative.
The other aspect is the devices. iPhone you get 1 choice, whatever Apple puts out in the display size you want that year. That's it, and its getting a bit stale with the same notch especially if they dont deliver Pro Motion this year.
If you want a "big phone" there are a few dozen Android choices; and shocker they arent all $1000+ And many pack in the specs for $400-600. Im getting real tired of $1000 phones. Especially when you have something like the new Oneplus Nord that can have a 90hz big AMOLED display on a $400(ish depending on country) phone with 8 or 12gb or RAM and 128gb of storage. When an $1100 iphone still ha 64 base, its sad. Plus it has 5g; not a huge deal since 5g isnt everywhere but it at least has the option for $400ish
You can argue OS updated, but if you buy a $400-600 vs a $1100+ Max iphone (really $1250 since the base iphone is a paltry 64gb storage), you have far more budget to just upgrade that cheaper phone more often.
But "ever?" Sure, why not? Anyone who says never to something is just a fanboy.
Google would have to change a lot of their bad privacy practices first; considering even thy can access your device as some users during Android 9 saw Google remotely changing settings. And in general their app privacy policies; many are just too abusive right now collecting data (even if you turned it off like location). They SEEM to appear to be turning around a bit on privacy issues, which is good. I dont see them ever becoming Apple, but if they could get even halfway there it would be a viable alternative.
The other aspect is the devices. iPhone you get 1 choice, whatever Apple puts out in the display size you want that year. That's it, and its getting a bit stale with the same notch especially if they dont deliver Pro Motion this year.
If you want a "big phone" there are a few dozen Android choices; and shocker they arent all $1000+ And many pack in the specs for $400-600. Im getting real tired of $1000 phones. Especially when you have something like the new Oneplus Nord that can have a 90hz big AMOLED display on a $400(ish depending on country) phone with 8 or 12gb or RAM and 128gb of storage. When an $1100 iphone still ha 64 base, its sad. Plus it has 5g; not a huge deal since 5g isnt everywhere but it at least has the option for $400ish
You can argue OS updated, but if you buy a $400-600 vs a $1100+ Max iphone (really $1250 since the base iphone is a paltry 64gb storage), you have far more budget to just upgrade that cheaper phone more often.
I went from a 6 plus to s6 edge. Liked it for the look as it was different to any iPhone. Not a fan of the OS so went back to iPhone with the 6s. Then came the s10 and again I liked the look of it but as everything else I own is Apple I’m now back and won’t go to the dark side again.
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Until recently my answer would have been a hard no. I like what I like and don’t feel compelled to change.
That said, given all of the new models will be OLED, and I suffer from Apple’s implementation of it, this may be the first time ever that I switch. I’m not using my 8 Plus another year and I’m not holding out for a rumor of an ‘SE 2 Plus’.
That said, given all of the new models will be OLED, and I suffer from Apple’s implementation of it, this may be the first time ever that I switch. I’m not using my 8 Plus another year and I’m not holding out for a rumor of an ‘SE 2 Plus’.
If those are my only two options then no but I think it all depends on how things progress in the future. That said, I have been with Apple since the original iPhone and don’t see things getting bad enough to switch.
Every year I consider a switch to Android, but I don’t for a few reasons. The main reason could be considered “ecosystem lock-in.” But really I just see it as convenience.
I bought iPhones for my whole family starting years ago. Family Sharing gives us the ability to connect up to 6 accounts to share apps, music, Find My, and others. While there are solutions to many of these on Android and that will work across both ecosystems, I find the convenience of having everyone on Apple invaluable.
As a software developer, it’s in my interest to stay up to date on all sides of this. Which is a primary reason I have consider an Android phone every year. Going 2-3 years with Android could be worth it to me to have the device to test on and to have personal experience as a day-to-day Android user. My current Android device is well past it’s support cycle.
That said, I’ve not been convinced yet. I’m more likely to buy a slightly older Android device like I did last time.
There’s plenty of good things going on with Android. I would switch, but I’m unlikely to any time soon.
I bought iPhones for my whole family starting years ago. Family Sharing gives us the ability to connect up to 6 accounts to share apps, music, Find My, and others. While there are solutions to many of these on Android and that will work across both ecosystems, I find the convenience of having everyone on Apple invaluable.
As a software developer, it’s in my interest to stay up to date on all sides of this. Which is a primary reason I have consider an Android phone every year. Going 2-3 years with Android could be worth it to me to have the device to test on and to have personal experience as a day-to-day Android user. My current Android device is well past it’s support cycle.
That said, I’ve not been convinced yet. I’m more likely to buy a slightly older Android device like I did last time.
There’s plenty of good things going on with Android. I would switch, but I’m unlikely to any time soon.
I have tried ... many times ... including recently. There are always some shiny features that get me to try Android on various flagship phones, but at the end of the day I'm painfully reminded again and again why I don't use Android.
The seamless integration between all of my Macs, iOS devices, etc. with messages, handoff, continuity, copy & paste, etc I would take a huge hit in productivity, so no.
You can avoid surveillance by not using a phone or the internet.
I've been back-and-forth with both iPhone and Android many, many times. No matter how many times I've bought a shiny new Android device, I always seem to keep coming back to an iPhone. I'm semi-reluctantly now using an iPhone SE 2020 after returning a Samsung Galaxy S10. The hardware, like many Android devices, was much nicer but the software is just riddled with little niggles that ruin it.
For example, I've yet to ever experience emails coming in without some form of notification delay on Android. This has been in Gmail, Spark, Outlook – doesn't matter how much you tweak battery optimisation etc, it happens every time. Drives me crazy.
The latest issue was a fairly important voice recording I had made using Samsung's own app. When I played it back, it cut off for no reason during the last few minutes, which meant an important amount of information had been lost. This isn't the first time it has happened – a third-party app did the same thing when I used to own a OnePlus 6T. Google "android audio recording cutting off" or similar to see what I mean (loads of threads on this at Android Central).
The final nail in the coffin is the frankly dreadful state of smartwatches on Android. Not a deal breaker for many, I know, but I use it for fitness tracking and music control and, in some cases, it's not just that the watches are poor but the apps just aren't there or are mediocre.
I'm not saying I would never switch again, but there would have to be some fundamental improvements to the Android operating system and lousy battery optimisation problems the devices have. I've had these issues with Samsung, Pixel, Huawei, OnePlus...the list goes on, making me believe the software issues are deep-rooted.
For example, I've yet to ever experience emails coming in without some form of notification delay on Android. This has been in Gmail, Spark, Outlook – doesn't matter how much you tweak battery optimisation etc, it happens every time. Drives me crazy.
The latest issue was a fairly important voice recording I had made using Samsung's own app. When I played it back, it cut off for no reason during the last few minutes, which meant an important amount of information had been lost. This isn't the first time it has happened – a third-party app did the same thing when I used to own a OnePlus 6T. Google "android audio recording cutting off" or similar to see what I mean (loads of threads on this at Android Central).
The final nail in the coffin is the frankly dreadful state of smartwatches on Android. Not a deal breaker for many, I know, but I use it for fitness tracking and music control and, in some cases, it's not just that the watches are poor but the apps just aren't there or are mediocre.
I'm not saying I would never switch again, but there would have to be some fundamental improvements to the Android operating system and lousy battery optimisation problems the devices have. I've had these issues with Samsung, Pixel, Huawei, OnePlus...the list goes on, making me believe the software issues are deep-rooted.
I have tried in the past to switch to Android and the longest I’ve lasted was a week.
I have an android phone as my secondary phone which I basically use as an iPod.
Admittedly the gap is closing but for me android isn’that the point where I’d want to use it on my main device.
No consistent updates. No app optimisation (because how can a Dev optimise their app for a thousand different handsets), No tap to the top. No keyboard/trackpad. I find Google’s keyboard awful in comparison to apples (I know that’s personal).
Android has so many great points. I love the openness of the OS (although in day to day usage this doesn’t make a difference imho), I love that you get A LOT for your money with android devices. I just don’t like android enough to give up iOS to use it. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Also for me one of the biggest draws to Apple is the fact that if my phone breaks I can go to the Apple store and have it repaired or replaced there and then. After a decade of having that convenience the thought of having to call, send phone off for repair, hope they actually fix it and don’t just say it’s water damage, waif weeks for it to be returned etc just sounds unacceptable to me.
I have an android phone as my secondary phone which I basically use as an iPod.
Admittedly the gap is closing but for me android isn’that the point where I’d want to use it on my main device.
No consistent updates. No app optimisation (because how can a Dev optimise their app for a thousand different handsets), No tap to the top. No keyboard/trackpad. I find Google’s keyboard awful in comparison to apples (I know that’s personal).
Android has so many great points. I love the openness of the OS (although in day to day usage this doesn’t make a difference imho), I love that you get A LOT for your money with android devices. I just don’t like android enough to give up iOS to use it. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Also for me one of the biggest draws to Apple is the fact that if my phone breaks I can go to the Apple store and have it repaired or replaced there and then. After a decade of having that convenience the thought of having to call, send phone off for repair, hope they actually fix it and don’t just say it’s water damage, waif weeks for it to be returned etc just sounds unacceptable to me.
I wouldn’t switch. I tried Android in 2011 didn’t like it. I’m sure it’s much improved now but I enjoy the sync between all my Apple devices too much.
Android still sucks ... but thanks to modern hardware, the suckiness is a buttery smooth experience. Still sucks though.
I would never use iOS as my daily phone. I just wouldn't.
I have multiple iMacs, Macbooks, iPads, and a Mac Mini.
But I could never use an iPhone. It's just behind the curve, overall.
I understand that people like simplicity, which is the reason why they have it.
I myself still use a Oneplus 5 despite all these years.
Oneplus is definitely worth checking out, by far one of the fastest phone I've ever used in my life.
I have multiple iMacs, Macbooks, iPads, and a Mac Mini.
But I could never use an iPhone. It's just behind the curve, overall.
I understand that people like simplicity, which is the reason why they have it.
I myself still use a Oneplus 5 despite all these years.
Oneplus is definitely worth checking out, by far one of the fastest phone I've ever used in my life.
It certainly doesn’t suck, the 120hz makes it run even better than iPhones now. Which is why apple badly need pro motion to catch up. However we will he s to wait around year for that
I don’t think you read my comment.
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This comment doesn’t make any sense. You own all Apple products but not an iPhone. Why? How is it “being the curve”?
I did, nothing about android sucks. It’s certainly ahead in hardware and has improved a lot in software. Certainly areas like ecosystem and iMessage is where apple are certainly ahead
have android and iphone but freakin what's this an issue? The only leverage iphone me just keychain which sometimes work and not.
The only place it’s ahead is the high refresh rate screens. Current hardware specs catching up to last year’s iPhone isn’t being ahead.
Huh? Android has been ahead of apple for a while with hardware specs. They won’t even get periscope lens for another two years which android top flagships have had since this year. 120hz has been around since 2018.
It’s only just got PIP and widgets which android has had for 8-9 years. We still don’t have spilt screen on iPhones Or reverse wireless charging
Software wise iPhones are great and so is user experience but hardware features they are still behind and likely will for a while
I switched to a Pixel 3a XL last year. I like it well enough, but will probably switch back to iPhone at some point. I'm still using my 6s+ as a secondary phone.
Apple's services have no hold on me. Back in 2012 Apple wouldn't sync with my PowerBook G4 so I found my own services and have been using those since. I can still use iMessage though as I have a Mac Mini running AirMessage.
The thing about Android is that the OS allows you to use whatever default app you want to use. So, don't want to use Google apps, no problem. Don't want to use stock Apple apps? Well, you don't get a choice.
I don't use my phones like a substitute computer (I have many computers already that I use as the real thing) so my phone tends to get used as an actual phone. Therefore, my app use is limited. That's been the same with iPhone as well.
PS. Deleted my Facebook account in Feb. 2017. Had been using FB since 2009 or so on a Mac and then on an iPhone. So, I don't know why people think that just because you use Android you're automatically using Facebook. That app has never been installed on my Pixel.
Apple's services have no hold on me. Back in 2012 Apple wouldn't sync with my PowerBook G4 so I found my own services and have been using those since. I can still use iMessage though as I have a Mac Mini running AirMessage.
The thing about Android is that the OS allows you to use whatever default app you want to use. So, don't want to use Google apps, no problem. Don't want to use stock Apple apps? Well, you don't get a choice.
I don't use my phones like a substitute computer (I have many computers already that I use as the real thing) so my phone tends to get used as an actual phone. Therefore, my app use is limited. That's been the same with iPhone as well.
PS. Deleted my Facebook account in Feb. 2017. Had been using FB since 2009 or so on a Mac and then on an iPhone. So, I don't know why people think that just because you use Android you're automatically using Facebook. That app has never been installed on my Pixel.