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

[CooKieMoNs7eR]

I got an iPhone because of iOS but lately I feel like Android is being more creative with their OS, Apple needs to make iOS more customizable, have a better/faster UI, I feel like iOS 9 is not even a major update, it just has some minor things here and there nothing crazy, and the multitasking feature is only on iPads, I just want Apple to step their game up, Android is really catching up...

 

[nordique]

Really? I think the App Store is awful.

Search/discovery on the App Store is garbage. If I want to actually find anything, I go to appshopper.com. Searching the App Store for “Score Pro” - the actual, full name of the app - returned it at #357, about 320 slots behind a vuvuzuela simulator. It was the #1 return on appshopper.com.

Google Play uses a standard browser interface, so if you're evaluating several choices, you can open them in separate browser tabs and flip back and forth between them. No such option in the App Store. Google Play will push apps directly to your Android (or a particular Android, if you have more than one) without having to download them to your Mac as well.

App Store vs. Google Play is one of the most compelling reasons I can think of for switching from iOS to Android.

That poster likely meant the # of options (App store has more apps than Google play). There are still many apps that are iOS staples, which are not on the Google Play store.

That said, most users will be using apps that are on both devices - stuff like twitter, Facebook, snapchat, whatsapp, score mobile, etc.... are pretty much the same on either device.

If the poster was referring to experience, then that is subjective. I do agree with you that being able to view multiple options in the Google Play store is very handy. But the experience of either store is still subjective.

 

[TnIan]

That poster likely meant the # of options (App store has more apps than Google play). There are still many apps that are iOS staples, which are not on the Google Play store.

That said, most users will be using apps that are on both devices - stuff like twitter, Facebook, snapchat, whatsapp, score mobile, etc.... are pretty much the same on either device.

If the poster was referring to experience, then that is subjective. I do agree with you that being able to view multiple options in the Google Play store is very handy. But the experience of either store is still subjective.

If the poster meant number/quality of apps, I'll wholeheartedly agree. And if anyone thinks the App Store offers a better experience than Google Play, that's a valid opinion, but I'd love to hear the case for it. The App Store, IMHO, is inexplicably crappy.

 

[robgendreau]

If the poster meant number/quality of apps, I'll wholeheartedly agree. And if anyone thinks the App Store offers a better experience than Google Play, that's a valid opinion, but I'd love to hear the case for it. The App Store, IMHO, is inexplicably crappy.

You're right about it's crappiness. It's filled with junk apps, and it's hard to find good stuff. Considering the thought that goes into Apple's brick and mortar stores, it is inexplicable.

I'm strongly considering an Android phone; I already switched to a Samsung Tablet since my iPad was horribly difficult to use with photos. The Tab Pro is a breeze. As I built up apps in Android on that, I'm becoming more interested in moving away from my iPhone. But I still have so many useful apps on it, and although they sometimes exist on Android I don't wanna buy them all. If I got some sort of financial incentive to cover that cost, it might be the last impetus to get me to jump over. And of course the cost of the new Samsung phones vs iPhone 6s will be a factor.

 

[Guacamole]

I would go back to Blackberry before I did Android. Even my friends who have Android wait for the day they move to Apple

I might break ranks here this fall if Apple does not give us a great iPad Pro as the MS Surface Pro 4 is looking like my next device to replace laptop!

A year ago I bought Blackberry Z30, the handset was on sale, my iphone 4 was mega slow and I didn’t like the bands at the back of Iphone 6 lol

now I can’t wait to get Iphone 6s.
It’s been frustrating to use the Blackberry , mainly because of the supported apps , even side loading some wouldn’t work all the time and the lack of emoji support

 

[Newtons Apple]

A year ago I bought Blackberry Z30, the handset was on sale, my iphone 4 was mega slow and I didn’t like the bands at the back of Iphone 6 lol

now I can’t wait to get Iphone 6s.
It’s been frustrating to use the Blackberry , mainly because of the supported apps , even side loading some wouldn’t work all the time and the lack of emoji support

I was with Blackberry for many, many years My first was a Blackberry RIM 950 I think which was nothing but an alpha-numeric pager. Later came the phone with the scroll wheel! I used mine with Nextel which being in construction was mandatory to stay in contract with everyone.

Those days are gone and so is Blackberry as I knew it. They are just a shadow of what they were hoping for someone to buy them out.

 

[planetf1]

I've been using android since the Galaxy S2, and before that nokia's unix-based maemo. Prior to that symbian.. since around 2003. But it's come to that point where I think the next phone will by the next iphone .. why?

* My current Samsung devices (S4, note 10.1) lag android OS updates by 6-12 months - fixes and updates dry up once shipped!
* Google is only barely getting it's act together on payments
* Regardless of whether using official code, or alternatives performance can be erratic, especially v5 causing performance glitches
* trying to get to the bottom of any issue is almost impossible (ie where did my battery go)
* ended up needing to "root" to get even vaguely sensible behaviour
* samsungs repair strategy is useless - a tablet may get sent away for 4-6 weeks. I think it's the same with phone. no replacement

Basically there seems to forever be something not working right. fix that and something else fails.. and meantime the manufacturer cares little for any device after it's first few months in the market

When it works it's lovely and fluid... then 30 mins later things stall, it lags.. then a bit later all fine.. and this isn't just the S4... the S3 did the same. It may be camera, web browsing, facebook, who knows.

What I mostly use:
* Web browsing (chrome preferred.. may try safari)
* instagram, facebook, camera, twitter, , gmail/inbox, maps, whatsapp, sms,. spotify, amazon, iplayer, bbc, calendar, banking apps, hue, sonos, swiftkey (keyboard)

What I think I'll gain:
* stability
* battery life
* Apple Pay (contactless payments)
* easier IBM corporate access (esp due to fingerprint) - and more apps
* a variety of 3rd party apps where I've found they've yet to provide an android version (or lag by months)
* but mostly not spending so many hours swearing at the damn thing
* better in-car/BMW support
* better repair support
* a new platform to learn

What I'll lose/get frustrated by
* customization
* android wear/watch support (though that's been another frustration)
* £££
* OLED display (it's lovely)

Also considered
* OnePlus2 - a close call there.. cyanogenmod is quite nice, open.. but they've gone their own way & dropped the ball on payments (no nfc)
* Nexus - I think the work/app wins on the other side make me thing I'll skip here

So current thought is pre-order the followon from the iPhone 6 plus 64 or 128 ....

So there you go. What did I get wrong?

 

[jt2ga65]

I've had an iPhone since iPhone day in 2007, and have thought about an Android something or another for a log time, even getting a tablet once before getting my iPad. I had the original one jail broken so I could install apps, but after the app store opened, there was no real need. I still want to get a decent Android tablet, but have not found one that I can justify.

I stayed with the iPhone at first because I wanted a phone that worked more than something that I could customize and have to mess with to keep it running. Now I keep the iPhone because all my family and wife's family have it, and with Facetime and iMessage, and the integration with my other Apple products, and apple integration with stereo stuff... Sorry, an Android just can not compete with eh way I live my life. Now, if ti was just a phone, and had no other features... I might not care.

 

[Shirasaki]

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.

I stay at iPhone and iOS is simply because this ecosystem is better, although, not so much.

 

[WhackyNinja]

I had an iPhone 5 before I switched over to Google's Nexus 5 in 2014.

Android is a good OS. Very customizable and free but Im considering getting a iPhone 6S and returning to iOS solely because (like many others have said) the Apple Ecosystem.

The Moto X (2015) is a very good phone! I would recommend getting it because the specs are pretty great for the price but if you want to get the 6S by all means go for it as well.

 

[snifferdogx]

Had an Android phone - HTC Incredible S during 2011-2013. Hated the thing so much, and couldn't stand Android. Yeah, it's customisable. Great. It's also sh*t. Unstable, Google Play is full of malware and porn, and infinite menus, submenus, and config settings that are all over the place.


Edit: PS: it's also visually damned ugly.

 

[vikingjunior]

After the Apple watch debacle where I ordered online at 3:02 am and didn't receive on launch day and when I did receive watch it was DOA. Apple insisted I send the watch back and wait for a replacement I threw a tantrum and sold all my apple products and purchased all new Samsung products including a S6.
Now fast forward and I miss my lag free iphone, if Samsung could ever find a way to release a truly lag free phone well it would be game over. So I'm leaning towards purchasing a 6s.

 

[MaxBga]

I've had some phones, I like to try everything.

I've had iPhones from the 3G in 2010 (bought an used one because it was too expensive at launch) to the 4s & then I decided to try an Android phone (I bought an used nexus S from a friend to try) & I kind of liked it. I then bought a Nexus 4 when it was released and I kept it for 3 months.

First, I thought that it was an amazing phone & that android is so much "cooler". I felt more freedom and stuff. I liked the screen size and the customization that I was able to make. But I always get bored of customized things.. But I hated the fact that it's always complicated to do things, always had to google "how to .." and the battery life sucked as well as the camera.
I'm also a "buying-case addict" I have to say, and finding cases for android phones is soooo much more complicated..

Then I bought an iPhone 5 as a second phone and I realized how much I loved Apple and iOs. Because it's so simple, so easy and fast to get used to and I knew everything I could do with it, i wasn't wasting my time on google. So I used it as my daily driver and sold the nexus.

To me, there are more things I like about the iPhones than things I dislike & Android isn't really for me (not really interested in customization, always thought that iPhones had good battery life compared to android, don't need extra power as long as it's not laggy)

And from the 5 in 2013 (I guess), I've only had iPhone as daily drivers. And NO WAY I'm going back to try Android!
I love the built quality, the premium feeling, the beauty of the device, the amazing operating system and the Apple ecosystem doesnt bother me that much.

So basically, I've had every iPhone except the first one & the 5c (which I don't care about at all since I think it was a huge mistake from Apple).

So yeah, I love iPhones & Apple!

 

[Glideslope]

Easy.

1. It's the best Smartphone in the industry hands down.

2. Ecosystem.

 

[nj-morris]

Because iPhone is unapologetic. Why else?
Seriously though, it's an interesting thought. I didn't really understand Android 2 years ago, and I didn't like it, and I didn't want to break the bank with an iPhone, so I got a BlackBerry. I'll just say that I highly regretted it. The beauty of iOS is that it's straightforward and all the apps are designed specifically for that phone. The beauty of Android is the sheer choice and customisation, which is nice for some, but most just don't want to get involved with all that complication.
That said, after nearly 2 years of saying that I wanted an iPhone as my next phone, I've finally given in and decided to get a Galaxy in October. I still think the iPhone is better, but not since I have an iPad. Sure, it's nice to have iCloud and continuity, but I feel like if I have one, the other seems to have less purpose.

 

[Flow39]

I bought a 2014 Moto X in February after using iOS since iOS 4 and an iPhone 6. I was really happy with my iPhone, but I wanted something else to try out that had more customization and freedom. Plus I wanted to try it to give a truly unbiased opinion of both OSes. I got the Moto X, a 32 GB Pure Edition, on sale from Motorola for $450. I put my SIM in it and was really enjoying Android. It was the first time I didn't think that I'd upgrade to the next iPhone.

I kept using it, and I started noticing small little annoyances. The home screen would redraw CONSTANTLY, causing a ten second delay where I couldn't use the phone at all. RAM was being used like crazy, even when nothing was open. I usually have 700-800 MB of RAM left out of 2GB with nothing open. Battery life was pathetic. A 2300 mAh battery that couldn't last more than 3 1/2-4 hours of SoT. Standby time was also terrible- it usually drains 2-3% per hour on standby. I tried all the battery fixes (location services battery saving mode, turn down brightness, delete widgets, use dark themes in apps, use Moto Display, clear cache partition) and nothing was working. Lag was still evident, even on Android 5.0 (which I do like, but is too buggy right now).

As soon as Apple announced their March 9th Apple Watch event, I switched back to my iPhone. I haven't looked back since, even though I do pick up the Moto X and play with it from time to time. Don't get me wrong, I do like the Moto X and Android, but there were just too many problems with them that I didn't want to have to constantly be dealing with and fixing. If I had to get rid of my iPhone, I wouldn't hesitate picking up an Android phone (probably the Nexus 6 or 2015 Moto X). I just use iOS now because of how reliable, consistent, fluid, and fast it is, and I'm not looking to use an Android device as my daily driver for a while. iOS is good for me.

 

[tedson]

Security, plain and simple.

With Android you never know if you will get system or security updates. It depends on OEM and carrier getting their act together.

I also trust Apple more to do TouchID and ApplePay correctly.

Also, iOS is more responsive than Android.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

Self respect. Next question?

 

[Chicki]

I've been using androids since the beginning, and I don't have many complaints. I use to switch phones constantly and tinker with rooting and roms... I enjoyed it but I'm not into it anymore. I've been using a Note 3 since launch (this is the longest I've ever had one phone lol) and my only complaint is that I wish the camera was better.

That being said, I'm looking forward to trying an iPhone this fall when the 6s plus is released. I'm a little scared but also excited and after getting my MBP, I really want to try an iPhone Can't wait!

 

[whtrbt7]

Simplicity/speed of use and ecosystem. The iPhone and iPad are much faster to use than android devices when considering total time spent on the systems. Even the newest Android devices and specifically the Samsung variants have setup time between old devices and new devices that are just too time consuming for me. If I break or replace my iPhone or iPad, I restore one from either iCloud backup or iTunes backup and I'm ready to go within minutes. I have to say that I like the hardware that Samsung builds into the Note 4, Note 5, S6 edge plus and everything but for some reason, Android seems to take too many steps to do things or will lag at certain points to where I feel the UX is just not as good. I also don't have great exchange support on Android where I feel it particularly annoying. The home screens on Android are fun to play with and super customizable but getting to core data and info that is useful to me is tough. Ok Google is quite good on Android and Hey Siri is ok except I can only use it on my apple Watch when I am on the go. Google has a better voice activated response and mapping system compared to . The problem with Android is both on ecosystem, being too open but opaque in security and data handling, as well as not being smooth/fast/efficient enough for daily use. At the end of the day, the iPhone and iPad are my daily drivers.

 

[notaznguy]

1) I'm stuck in the iOS system. I use iCloud and iTunes. It's too complicated to switch to Android and then back to iOS should I ever decide to get an iPhone again. I also own an iPad Air 2...so it just makes sense to use iPhone.

2) Better resell value.

3) Dedicated support and more accessories. If I ever have issues, I'll just set up an appointment at a genius bar. There's an entire store devoted to just Apple stuff man - there's too many different types of Android phones, good luck with that. More accessories for iPhones vs thousands of different accessories for Samsung, LG, HTC, etc.

 

[biscuitsxluv]

I had a Samsung Note 3. Stuck with it for a year. Touchwiz is full of bloat ware I couldn't removed. Tons of apps constantly running in the background. Crashes a lot. Freezes a lot. And at the same time I had the iPad, MacBook Pro... I missed having it all streamlined. The ecosystem is what really brought me back to the iPhone and then it was the fact that I hated touch whiz. Google Play is a joke. Full of spam, junk and yucky apps. No quality apps. I love iMessage, too. Missed it so much!

 

[Gryfter]

heavily invested in iTunes...
not a fan of the Android OS; played around with numerous Android phones from friends and just meh...

 

[Nevw]

I have Apple for everything except the smart Phone. In one way a bit silly but I have a Samsung galaxyS4. Only gripe I have is that it is not a seamless transfer of photos. Have to do it via drop box. If I do replace it I may consider an Apple device but that will depend on price.

 

[andyp350]

I'm way too invested in the Apple ecosystem to ever get an Android device. Apple would have to release a really disastrous device for me to even consider moving platforms.