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You've considered Android but stayed with iPhone -- why?

For me I like the overall package. Hardware is nice, iOS is smooth, support is top notch, apps are usually top tier. Add in high resale value and it's an attractive package.

Also most of my family n friends use Apple devices so it's a benefit using iMessage and FaceTime/ft audio. I am intrigued by some android offerings. I'm impressed with lg and Sony right now. Also the likes of xiaomi and meizu are impressive.
 
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Truefan31 said:
For me I like the overall package. Hardware is nice, iOS is smooth, support is top notch, apps are usually top tier. Add in high resale value and it's an attractive package.

Also most of my family n friends use Apple devices so it's a benefit using iMessage and FaceTime/ft audio. I am intrigued by some android offerings. I'm impressed with lg and Sony right now. Also the likes of xiaomi and meizu are impressive.
Click to expand...

Yep -- FaceTime is another consideration. Guess I'll just have to pay the piper.
 
Personally i cant see myself ever use an android phone...i love my android tablet though. Software is clunky and pretty ugly compared to iOS, but android alows me to torrent and stream contents directly via Miracast to my smart tv.
 
Frustration!

I used to beta test phones for years as I worked for a carrier... Always got bored of phones, could not wait to change and try the "Latest and greatest".

That came to a complete halt when I got my first iPhone... Then every beta test was painful, nothing worked, the phones felt cheap... Could not wait to get back to an iPhone as my daily device.

Every now and then I think I should take a look.... 5 mins later I can't wait to get back to an iphone!

Even the iOS early betas are generally more stable than any android device I have used.... But not used any Android in a year or so.
 
So I had considered going to Android for many years and never did because I was tied to Apple's ecosystem. But then they started going DRM free for music and I decided to switch. So when my iPhone 5's sleep/wake button broke I switched to a Samsung Galaxy S5. (this was right before they announced the recall for the iPhone 5's sleep/wake button... d'oh!)

So as far as being tied to the ecosystem, I found it completely wasn't the case. My music ported over beautifully. All the apps I used on iOS had a corresponding app in the play store. My shared iCloud calendars could still be shared via use of a plugin. Same with my contacts. It really wasn't an issue.

Unfortunately, the Galaxy S5 turned out to be one of the crappiest Android phones you could buy. The battery drained quickly, I had to download several bits of software to get it to work correctly (all of which drained the battery more) and it would crash and hang daily. I finally got rid of it and switched back to an iPhone 6.

So yeah, if the ecosystem is why you aren't switching, don't let that be the reason. I'd just stay away from Samsung phones.
 
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I use Android all the time for review devices, but I personally keep going back to iOS due to its simplicity. Taking care of X number of tasks on iOS just works.
 
Last year I had a LG G3 for 2 weeks before the 6Plus came out.

I did like Android and have used with my work before, so kind of knew what to expect.

Unfortunately there where more down points than up, the biggest being the battery life of the phone (not specifically Android) but i did need to run a GPU app for around 5 days for it to turn off features i didn't use to conserve battery.

Then there was the fact that since the first introduction of the App Store I have been buying apps on a monthly basis, prices ranging from £59p to £15+ and i simply do not want to have to re purchase all the apps i use again. Plus there is still not as much choice on Google Play Store than there is on Apple's App Store.

Finally I found, even after only 2 weeks of usage, the software to be really buggy and the speed of the device had reduced dramatically from when I first had it.

Things I liked :

UHD Screen on the phone
5.5" Screen (I know that now the 6+ has this its not a factor anymore)
Freedom of Apps available (emulators and such)
NFC
 
I also own an iPad and a Mac, so I've been used to the Apple ecosystem for a while now.

The fact that the hardware and software work seamlessly on each device and also between devices (thanks to iCloud, etc) means that I don't have to worry if my phone has synced my files/contacts/music/whatever with my Mac or my iPad, because all that is handled instantly and - most importantly - natively, without the need to install third-party software. It boosts my overall daily productivity, whether I'm working or just doing personal stuff.

I've been considering moving to an Android phone lately (namely, the OnePlus 2), but I'd hate to give up on that seamless interaction between all my devices, so I probably won't.
 
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For me, it's the reverse, long-term Android user here, usually Nexus devices. I am seriously considering switching when the 6s comes out.

Why I am considering iPhone:
* Camera - especially if 6s has significant update.
* Stability & Responsiveness - Lollipop has been terrible, tired of inconsistent user experience with updates.
* Apps - iOS generally gets newest apps first or updated apps first
* The "it just works" factor - I experienced this switching from Windows to OSX and hope for the same with iOS.

What I expect I will miss:
* Google Now and google's voice command support and quality voice recognition
* Ability to customize look and feel
* Going "naked" - I don't use a case or screensaver and have had zero issues with cracked screens, etc. - However, I see so many cracked iPhone screens I expect I'll need some protection.
* Google ecosystem? Not sure on this. I am a gmail/calendar, google voice, and google music user. All usable w/iOS from what I understand, but not sure how good that experience will be.
 
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I switched from a iPhone 5 to an HTC One. I was on iOS for 2 years by that point and was pretty frustrated that Apple didn't go to larger screens earlier. People can argue "Apple did it when they were convinced people wanted it" but Apple didn't do it and I wanted something bigger.

Android was a fun experiment for a few years until I got an iPhone 6 Plus. I wont say "android sucks" because it doesn't. Its just very difference with different pro's/con's. Would I do it again? Yes, I would if the issues where the same. If Apple refused to do something I really want and Android supports it. If the issue was big enough to be a deal breaker i would. People who cant see any positives in other OS's are so far gone i cant even talk to them.

Anyway, I can say that i'm back to iOS now and i'm happy. I will say from much experience that the apps that dont have an Android counterpart are much better then the alternate apps on Android. Day One, Omnioutliner, Fantastical, etc. I find apps that do have counterparts to be about the same. Twitter, IMDB, Dropbox, etc.. There are a few android apps I would put above the iOS counterparts: Pocketcasts (i still use), Falcon Pro (before i switched to iOS), Draft (Great note taking app), etc..

So right now i stay with iOS because it checks all the boxes that make me happy.
 
I have used iPhone since iPhone 3G. I do currently have a iPhone 5 (Had it in for a service a while a go for bad battery and bad lock button).
My work phone is a Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 (A horrible Android phone. It's pure crap :p ).

The fact that you can install "Apps" outside of an App Store and that Android seems to be a more open system, was the things that tempted me to buy an Android phone. I did instead buy an iPhone 5, simply because I was happy with my iPhone 3G. I have also seen that Android is more locked down than i tought :3 Android is also a Google product and I do not like Google that much...

The service in my country is also great. I bought my iPhone 5 online. My battery almost failed a while a go, together with the lock button. All I had to do was to hand it in on the nearest Apple dealer. They sent it in to swap my battery, lock button and camera all for free. There is 5 year limiteded warranty on all phones in my country, but the fact that they actually took the time to fix something I didn't know had an error (the camera) was great.

The great thing about Apple phones are:
  1. Simple to use.
  2. Excelent service in my country.
  3. It just works, most of the time :p
There are probably more, but thats what I can think of right now :)
 
1. Apple Eco System
2. fragmented update system
3. inconsistent interface
4. I've tried using a couple android phones and I've always just been lost - Isn't intuitive (Though I haven't spend a strong effort on them)
 
I've considered Android but there are several factors keeping me from making that leap.

  • We have several other Apple products in this household (Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, Two Phones, Router, Apple TV) and compatibility is extremely nice. I'm hesitant to toss a new OS experience into the mix, especially as my familiarity with the OS X/iOS platform makes it easy for me to set things up and execute whatever tasks I have in mind at the time.
  • The prospect of losing a lot of my apps or their data (having to repurchase apps). I also rely on iBooks for reading (albeit it on my tablet). I'd hate to have all my books suddenly inaccessible on one device because it's not compatible with iBooks.
  • Perhaps the most compelling argument (though certainly the most subjective). I don't like Android's environment. I loathe the idea of my phones security and overall experience being at the whims of whatever manufacturer provided the phone. There are still so many devices out there running near-legacy versions of Android... all because the manufacturers refuse to update their 'version' of the OS.
 
i am in the exact situation as u, i have a 4s and i am considering getting a moto x style. i am still debating what i want . i love the QHD resolution, bigger screen and potentially better battery life with its 3000 mAh battery of the moto x as well as the camera,3gb of ram. not to mention that its much cheaper. i did a lot of research about apps etc, the thing i noticed is that most of my favourite photography apps are missing on android like camera+, enlight, pixelmator, scannable. i will miss those if i have to switch, i paid for these too. android does have tons of cool stuff. the quick charging is really impressive. and i like it. but on the ios side, iphone 6s plus or 6s does have all the apple ecosystem of apps, unique and better apps. the iphone has a mute switch on/off. i will really miss that if i switch. also notification badges on app icons something i take for granted on ios is missing on android. i hate the battery life of my iphone 4s and i fear that unless i use an iphone 6s, battery life wont be as good. the iphone is really really expensive in my country. i love my iphone, i want to use touch id, force touch, maybe a better camera compared to moto x, will need to wait for review. the iphone has distinct notification sound for every apps/ emails . i know i got an email by its notification sound, i dont have it on android unless i customise it. small things like this makes me want to stay on ios. the inclusion of 2gb of ram is a great thing but future ios version will only make the iphone slower and slower. on the android side u dont even get regular updates. i'm still considering all the pros and cons . my sister has a moto g, and that phone is amazing for its price, but has a camera that sucks.

i will subscribe to this thread. lemme know what u decided in the end
 
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I started on Android in 2010 and switched to the 4S and have never looked back. A lot of my reason for staying is because of stability problems I ran into with the Galaxy S where I'd have to do a factory restore every month or so to get the thing to receive calls.

However, with ios8 I've run into a fair share of stability issues that makes me disappointed that it feels like the software is losing some of its refinement but hopefully ios9 will fix all of that.
 
I love my iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple TV and even the Airport Time Capsule. But for me, my iPhone has become a device where I do little else than check Twitter, browse the internet a little and send a few texts (iMessage and WhatsApp) a day.

It's now getting to the point where I feel like I'm not utilising my iPhone fully, but I am paying a premium for it and that's not sitting right with me anymore - old age I guess. So this week I've been looking at some Chinese Android phones, and found that some have amazing spec, even including finger print scanners, and now I'm seriously considering moving to one of those for £150 and a £10-15 pm I contract. Saving me around £600 over 24 months ... enough to buy a new iPhone
 
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I have had both the original Samsung Note , and a HTC One. the Note was ok, but lousy battery life. The HTC One had serious issues , the worst being , it would not ring more than one time before going to voice mail. I spent hours with ATT advanced tech support , and finally gave it up,in disgust. I have had the iPhone 6 Plus for several months now, with very few problems!
 
Hermes Monster said:
I love my iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple TV and even the Airport Time Capsule. But for me, my iPhone has become a device where I do little else than check Twitter, browse the internet a little and send a few texts (iMessage and WhatsApp) a day.

It's now getting to the point where I feel like I'm not utilising my iPhone fully, but I am paying a premium for it and that's not sitting right with me anymore - old age I guess. So this week I've been looking at some Chinese Android phones, and found that some have amazing spec, even including finger print scanners, and now I'm seriously considering moving to one of those for £150 and a £10-15 pm I contract. Saving me around £600 over 24 months ... enough to buy a new iPhone
Click to expand...

I don't use my iPhone nearly as much as I do my MBP. That's something to consider, as you have indicated.
 
I flip top between iOS and Android... Would have got another Nexus 5 a few months back when mine was stolen, but couldn't get one at a decent price and condition I wanted, so flipped back to an iPhone 6.

Although I'm marginally tied into both ecosystems, I've made my cloud, mail and music choices sensibly enough that it doesn't matter which platform I'm using (apart from trace keyboards still needing some work on iOS).
 
Tymmz said:
Personally i cant see myself ever use an android phone...i love my android tablet though. Software is clunky and pretty ugly compared to iOS, but android alows me to torrent and stream contents directly via Miracast to my smart tv.
Click to expand...
 
A couple of years ago, I was looking to upgrade my iPhone 4 to a 5S (newest at the time), but decided to go with an LG G2 because of the much lower upgrade price ($99 vs $299). I am mostly Apple at home MBP, ATV, etc.), but had familiarity with Android through my work phone and a Nexus 7 that I had picked up to play around with. The Android devices I had meant I already had a Google Play account and a handful of apps, so the G2 seemed a decent choice at the time.

I liked the ability to customize the UI, and the bigger screen with the "tap on/tap off" feature. Unfortunately, the phone ended up being less than reliable, as some misbehaving apps forced me to do a factory reset 4 times (including reload of all apps) in the year I owned it. I also was unable to take advantage of a few familiar apps that were Apple-only, like Sampletank midi and a few other music apps.

The final straw was when the G2 started going into a continuous reboot loop. Doing yet another factory reset helped briefly, but didn't fix the problem. This experience, plus the release of the iPhone 6 (eliminating the size disadvantage) pushed me back into the iPhone world after a year of Android experimentation.
 
I just bought my first two android phones. first a lg 54 but it had issues and my hands did not like it and traded for a galaxy s6. I was sick of the poor keyboard support in apple I mean come on still buggy after a year? several times a day I had to kill mail or imessage to get the swiftkey keyboard to come up. word prediction is so bad on a iphone. getting blasted wit ha ringtone when listening to musing or blasted with a alert while on the phone is a plus I just found on the s6. it stops the playback and then rewinds a second or so. I do miss the app store though googleplay is easier to get around and access since you can do it on the web and send apps to your device. and I miss applepay since you did not have to unlock your phone to use it. but the s6 is faster then my 6+ ok google works much better then siri and is faster. wireless charging and fast charging are great but the s6 does eat the battery faster. but I need awhile to really see how it works. love the alert LED and I love to be able to put icons where I want them I hate when your layout shifts if a app is deleted it is so annoying . not sure how good the backup and restore is it did not do great across phones missed a lot of apps. tired of the lighting cord and costs and the finiky problems with usb extension cables and such. For some reason since the 5s noise from a high frequency motor caused the screen to spaz when using it plugged in. I had to get a spare battery pack to charge my phone. no issues with android.
I am getting tired of apple giving us little improvements and they seem to be more and more buggy. fingerprint reader sucked on the 5s was great on the 6+ but my wie and daughters 6 was only ok.
it is a lot of work changing over and getting the new phone setup. figured out how to sync my notes and get my audiobooks on it though need to get my movies changed so I can get them on the tablet they gave me when I bought the l6.
I know if apple comes out with wireless charging it will be proprietary and cost too much. widgets on the screen is great but I miss the pull down menu for some things as the widgets for some apps are so small or limited. I like how I can see more on the lockscreen on the iPhone but it will go away when you unlock it. removing notifications on the iPhone is just plain primitive and pretty much too much work. my wife uses voiceover as she is blind and it has been getting more and more buggy. she can't even use the phone keyboard when on the phone the numbers won't talk. can't use airplay as it kills siri. or kills the mike more like. apple has good hardware but it seems it is getting limited by lack of innovation.
 
I used to go back and forth between iOS and android. My only real long term use with an android phone was the galaxy nexus which I had for just under a year. I bought it unlocked almost 7 months after its release for a good price. There wasn't anything spectacular about the phone but it performed well..except when it didn't. Perhaps I was careless about my usage patterns but the customizations, widgets, and custom keyboards that android fans claimed were superior did nothing but really slow the phone down. As time went on the phone got more and more sluggish and that was without any customizations runing. Battery life was terrible, standby time was atrocious, the whole phone lagged badly. I would constantly delete apps and photos to keep space down and it wasn't enough. Maybe I had a rogue app? Quit a process I shouldn't have? I bought my first iPhone (but not my first iOS device) with the 5 and it lasted me a year and now I'm a year jnto my 6. I tinker with the settings I worry about but otherwise this phone works as well as it does on day one. I have a MacBook Pro, love iCloud and iMessage and the apple ecosystem. Maybe android has gotten better but between those issues and the sometimes atrocious looking apps and security concerns I'm sticking with iOS. Runs better, easier to use, looks better, better apps, and I'm in the ecosystem.
 
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