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

[panzer06]

I've gone back and forth between iPhones and Android devices (mainly HTC One, Moto X and Nexus devices) for years and I always come back to the iPhone.

iPhones are simple to use and when most of the family uses an iPhone iMessages & FaceTime are really nice.

I have a friend who recently switched to a Samsung device and regrets it. She wants to switch back but can't afford to now that the remorse period is past.

I think I'll just stick with iPhones for now. So far Apple hasn't done anything to push me away like they have on their computers.

 

[Will22]

As a current Android user I cannot recommend ANY Android device. Yes there are new devices with the newest software etc but here's my view: new Androids age fast where as iPhones age quite well. I had the 4 and 4S and never had crashes, lag, phone shutting off like I do now. My experience with my current Android phone makes me consider even an old 4/4S. I still see many 4/4S devices in use with no software issues (I work on repairing screens on them as my job)

What android phone do you have? There are android phones out they that are as smoother, faster and a hell of a lot cheaper. At the end of the day it all depends on what you want your phone to do.

 

[keysofanxiety]

"iOS is an operating system designed for kids and idiots", one of my Android-wielding colleagues scoffed, unprompted.

"What operating system are you running, then?" I asked.

"Jellybean", he replied, deadpan.

Kinda says it all.

Sometimes it's not the operating system, but the people who use it which is enough to deter a switch. I'll stick with iOS because it works for me - I've never had a need to look for an alternative.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

"iOS is an operating system designed for kids and idiots", one of my Android-wielding colleagues scoffed, unprompted.

"What operating system are you running, then?" I asked.

"Jellybean", he replied, deadpan.

Kinda says it all.

Sometimes it's not the operating system, but the people who use it which is enough to deter a switch. I'll stick with iOS because it works for me - I've never had a need to look for an alternative.

The other one that makes me laugh is when people say 'iOS is for people that aren't good with tech'. Yet in my profession as a design engineer I encounter so many talented engineers and the iPhone is popular among them. Systems engineers, telemetry analysts, aerodynamic engineers etc. I think it's just forum and media born stereotypes that creep in and certain people begin to believe it.

 

[TroyBoy30]

My nexus 6 is every bit as good as my 6 plus. The screen on the nexus is actually better

 

[mattopotamus]

For me it has always been about the apps on IOS being more polished. The same app can look very different on android. Not saying that is a bad thing, but I typically like the IOS version better. I think a lot of this has to do with various screen sizes of android devices, so they do not always look optimized. I also get annoyed with duplicate apps (messaging, gallery, internet, etc.) I know choice is a good thing, but I prefer the way IOS has 1 of each and it syncs across the board with all apple products. When using android devices you almost need to go either all in with google services and disable the stock apps that come with you phone (unless using a nexus) or go all in with samsung.

Clearly there is nothing wrong with the android way, but I generally prefer the IOS way. Oh, and I am so use to swiping left and right on websites to go forward/back that it has become a must.

 

[Mr.C]

I did consider changing over to an Android or even Windows mobile phone prior to the announcement of the 6 Plus purely because I needed and wanted a phone with a larger display. I resisted the temptation because in my mind having used other peoples Android and Windows phones I find them inferior to the iPhone. Don't get me wrong they do in many cases have features which the iPhone didn't or doesn't have but I prefer the fact that with iPhone the software and hardware comes from the same manufacturer and is therefore better optimised and integrated. Plus my iPhone integrates better with my iPad regards apps and other functionality as well as with my MacBook and prior to that my Mac Mini. On a minor but in my mind important point the build quality of iPhones has always been far better then that of other brands like Samsung, Sony, HTC, Nokia etc.

 

[techguy15]

Guess I can clarify here: I have a Galaxy Light from Metro PCS. Yes, it's cheap and not a high end phone. I get that, but stay with me on my thinking.
The Galaxy Light was introduced in October 2013. Theoretically it should still run fine considering it's coming up on two years. But mine doesn't. I had to have it replaced within the first 30 days because the phone dialed randomly while in my pocket (thank God no 911 calls were made!), it cut off my LTE signal and went back to "E" (Edge) and it would simply shut off in the middle of a game. The screen would look like it's melting and slowly fade away. Considering this phone is new, it shouldn't be doing these things regardless if it's a less expensive phone or not.
Back to the older iPhones. I had a 4 and 4S and I had ZERO crashes, bugs, no problems on them. Only thing I can think of was calls were dropped but that was the carrier's fault and NOT Apple's. I jumped over to Android and kinda got stuck here. I rely on Gmail and Google Drive for documents and photos. I know there are apps for iOS so switching wouldn't be an issue really. It's just that the newer iPhones are currently out of my budget. I know it can sound odd to have an Android person like myself on here vouching for Apple but it's currently how I feel. Apple seems to put out more quality phones and software. I know that no phone is perfect and that the iPhone has faults and updates can slow it down etc.
I used to be into rooting and custom ROMs but at the end of the day I realized I just need basic calls, texts l, emails, web browser and few games. I don't need a quad HD display, the latest processor and stuff. Maybe that's why I enjoyed my 4 and 4S back in the day.

 

[mattopotamus]

Guess I can clarify here: I have a Galaxy Light from Metro PCS. Yes, it's cheap and not a high end phone. I get that, but stay with me on my thinking.
The Galaxy Light was introduced in October 2013. Theoretically it should still run fine considering it's coming up on two years. But mine doesn't. I had to have it replaced within the first 30 days because the phone dialed randomly while in my pocket (thank God no 911 calls were made!), it cut off my LTE signal and went back to "E" (Edge) and it would simply shut off in the middle of a game. The screen would look like it's melting and slowly fade away. Considering this phone is new, it shouldn't be doing these things regardless if it's a less expensive phone or not.
Back to the older iPhones. I had a 4 and 4S and I had ZERO crashes, bugs, no problems on them. Only thing I can think of was calls were dropped but that was the carrier's fault and NOT Apple's. I jumped over to Android and kinda got stuck here. I rely on Gmail and Google Drive for documents and photos. I know there are apps for iOS so switching wouldn't be an issue really. It's just that the newer iPhones are currently out of my budget. I know it can sound odd to have an Android person like myself on here vouching for Apple but it's currently how I feel. Apple seems to put out more quality phones and software. I know that no phone is perfect and that the iPhone has faults and updates can slow it down etc.
I used to be into rooting and custom ROMs but at the end of the day I realized I just need basic calls, texts l, emails, web browser and few games. I don't need a quad HD display, the latest processor and stuff. Maybe that's why I enjoyed my 4 and 4S back in the day.

The 4/4S is still my favorite iPhone to date. I loved the size of that thing. I really hope this 6C thing in a small form factor is true.

 

[ABC5S]

Here you go. Fixed for ya for easier reading.....

Guess I can clarify here: I have a Galaxy Light from Metro PCS. Yes, it's cheap and not a high end phone. I get that, but stay with me on my thinking.

The Galaxy Light was introduced in October 2013. Theoretically it should still run fine considering it's coming up on two years. But mine doesn't. I had to have it replaced within the first 30 days because the phone dialed randomly while in my pocket (thank God no 911 calls were made!), it cut off my LTE signal and went back to "E" (Edge) and it would simply shut off in the middle of a game. The screen would look like it's melting and slowly fade away. Considering this phone is new, it shouldn't be doing these things regardless if it's a less expensive phone or not.

Back to the older iPhones. I had a 4 and 4S and I had ZERO crashes, bugs, no problems on them. Only thing I can think of was calls were dropped but that was the carrier's fault and NOT Apple's. I jumped over to Android and kinda got stuck here. I rely on Gmail and Google Drive for documents and photos. I know there are apps for iOS so switching wouldn't be an issue really. It's just that the newer iPhones are currently out of my budget. I know it can sound odd to have an Android person like myself on here vouching for Apple but it's currently how I feel. Apple seems to put out more quality phones and software. I know that no phone is perfect and that the iPhone has faults and updates can slow it down etc.

I used to be into rooting and custom ROMs but at the end of the day I realized I just need basic calls, texts l, emails, web browser and few games. I don't need a quad HD display, the latest processor and stuff. Maybe that's why I enjoyed my 4 and 4S back in the day.

 

[nickchallis92]

Well let's be fair, iOS is hardly the 'most advanced operating system'.

You can't even attach two different file types to one email; there is no way of cycling back through apps as the iOS sandboxes everything and developers are constantly having to trick the phone into doing what they want it to do.

For example, opening a link in twitter is achieved by using an in-app browser because they know there is no intuitive way of going back to twitter once the link is opened. In Android, you open a link, chrome displays the page and a press of the back button takes you back.

IOS is simple, but so simple that it can make ordinary tasks complicated.

 

[iphonedude2008]

Well let's be fair, iOS is hardly the 'most advanced operating system'.

You can't even attach two different file types to one email; there is no way of cycling back through apps as the iOS sandboxes everything and developers are constantly having to trick the phone into doing what they want it to do.

For example, opening a link in twitter is achieved by using an in-app browser because they know there is no intuitive way of going back to twitter once the link is opened. In Android, you open a link, chrome displays the page and a press of the back button takes you back.

IOS is simple, but so simple that it can make ordinary tasks complicated.

Actually in iOS 9 if an app takes you to another app like a link opening safari, there is now a back to "whatever" button where the signal icons are.

As for mail, take a look at the picture I posted. Sure, iOS doesn't give you full file system access, but it does give you the equalivalent for anything in your iCloud Drive. When I use my nexus 6, I hate have no to dig around for files and organize the file system. I like that iOS manages it for me.

I'm a developer so this isn't coming from someone who doesn't understand computer. I enjoy doing all that root level stuff on my computer and having a phone that works without me having to spend time being its janitor.

Also, Cydia tweaks can do so much more cool stuff than any rom I've seen on android. Sure kernel stuff is still not available, but with apples optimization I'm not sure what else could be done.

That's why I choose iOS over android. Cleaner and simpler so I can focus on the complex stuff when I want to, not when my phone forces me to.

 

[iApple_man]

I wanted the note 4 recently but I remembered the lollipop ruining that phone. I now have the 6+, still on trial until the 3rd. I know the 6s is around the corner but I liked the 6 prior so the plus was a easy decision to choose.

I appreciate support that iOS receives basically. There is no mind battle of when updates will come. With Apple, EVERY iPhone gets the update. To know people are still using a 4s?, that's impressive. I've learned a lot about Apple after almost a year of using this ecosystem and I can honestly say, I'm glad I switched.

The new galaxy phones(6 edge + and Note 5) look nice but it's still touch whiz and there phones get obsolete after two years, ask Note 3 owners. The support is not universal either. It's always a soup kitchen line of people asking about there update per carrier and you always have forum hijackers, meaning I'm on a Verizon board getting news about our update and then boom a sprint person asks about their update. Lol

Anyways this is why I'm staying with Apple, the support.

 

[perkedel]

The other one that makes me laugh is when people say 'iOS is for people that aren't good with tech'. Yet in my profession as a design engineer I encounter so many talented engineers and the iPhone is popular among them. Systems engineers, telemetry analysts, aerodynamic engineers etc. I think it's just forum and media born stereotypes that creep in and certain people begin to believe it.

"iOS is an operating system designed for kids and idiots", one of my Android-wielding colleagues scoffed, unprompted.

"What operating system are you running, then?" I asked.

"Jellybean", he replied, deadpan.

Kinda says it all.

Sometimes it's not the operating system, but the people who use it which is enough to deter a switch. I'll stick with iOS because it works for me - I've never had a need to look for an alternative.

android people always seem to insult the intelligence of iOS people when reading their forums, usually marked by vile comments. I'd like to think of these groups are ones that live in their parents basement in whitey tight and can't afford luxury phones.

i know many who are professors in sciences who use iPhone. i'm in tech, and i use iPhone because **** just works.
I used to have androids too, even google's own nexus. confusing design, with crashes that are frequent with stock android without apps, just using the browser.

i don't want to tinker / tweaking with settings, i do this **** for living at work, least thing i want to do when i get home.

Software updates/security updates are important to me, specially when using mobile device as payment tool.
When you use an android device, you'll never be sure whether or not you will get one if any.

 

[Applejuiced]

I never even considered switching to Android.
iOS is great and fits my needs perfect.

 

[keysofanxiety]

android people always seem to insult the intelligence of iOS people when reading their forums, usually marked by vile comments. I'd like to think of these groups are ones that live in their parents basement in whitey tight and can't afford luxury phones.

i know many who are professors in sciences who use iPhone. i'm in tech, and i use iPhone because **** just works.
I used to have androids too, even google's own nexus. confusing design, with crashes that are frequent with stock android without apps, just using the browser.

i don't want to tinker / tweaking with settings, i do this **** for living at work, least thing i want to do when i get home.

Software updates/security updates are important to me, specially when using mobile device as payment tool.
When you use an android device, you'll never be sure whether or not you will get one if any.

Well I simply think it's funny that they say iOS is designed for kids, and yet their OS has names like Lollypop, Jellybean ... Not to say that a naming scheme changes anything really, but they can't appreciate the irony.

 

[nickchallis92]

i'm just making the point that iOS complicates basic tasks.

The presence of a back button is brainless on Android. Whatever you're doing, the back button takes you back to the previous screen. This is regardless of app and the button is always in the same place!

If you're composing an email, the attach button works like it does on a PC or Mac. You don't have to trick the OS by uploading files to 'the cloud' (which most people of a certain generation don't comprehend).

If you have a notification on Android, it stays there until it is dismissed, rather than just disappearing when you unlock the phone.

We're all free to point out the relative merits of iOS and Android but dismissing another OS because it has a silly name or because some professor you once knew when you visited Norwich used an iPhone is ridiculous and just weakens your argument (mostly because it is a total non-sequitur).

Oh and "I'd like to think of these groups are ones that live in their parents basement in whitey tight and can't afford luxury phones" is just a stupid comment. Samsung flagships, especially now the edge phones are about and can cost more than iPhones depending on the configuration.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

i'm just making the point that iOS complicates basic tasks.

The presence of a back button is brainless on Android. Whatever you're doing, the back button takes you back to the previous screen. This is regardless of app and the button is always in the same place!

If you're composing an email, the attach button works like it does on a PC or Mac. You don't have to trick the OS by uploading files to 'the cloud' (which most people of a certain generation don't comprehend).

If you have a notification on Android, it stays there until it is dismissed, rather than just disappearing when you unlock the phone.

We're all free to point out the relative merits of iOS and Android but dismissing another OS because it has a silly name or because some professor you once knew when you visited Norwich used an iPhone is ridiculous and just weakens your argument (mostly because it is a total non-sequitur).

Oh and "I'd like to think of these groups are ones that live in their parents basement in whitey tight and can't afford luxury phones" is just a stupid comment. Samsung flagships, especially now the edge phones are about and can cost more than iPhones depending on the configuration.

It depends on what a person defines as easy. iOS is easy in my opinion and the lack of back button or email attachments don't affect everybody or we'd see more made of it with feedback.

I think the points about people mocking iOS for being for kids and idiots is also valid. It's been used on here more times than I care to remember. When the iPhone is so popular in the corporate and technical fields of employment, it kind of puts that 'mock' to rest IMO. Most of the silly accusations on here are fans speaking with hope rather than reality.

 

[techguy15]

android people always seem to insult the intelligence of iOS people when reading their forums, usually marked by vile comments. I'd like to think of these groups are ones that live in their parents basement in whitey tight and can't afford luxury phones.

i know many who are professors in sciences who use iPhone. i'm in tech, and i use iPhone because **** just works.
I used to have androids too, even google's own nexus. confusing design, with crashes that are frequent with stock android without apps, just using the browser.

i don't want to tinker / tweaking with settings, i do this **** for living at work, least thing i want to do when i get home.

Software updates/security updates are important to me, specially when using mobile device as payment tool.
When you use an android device, you'll never be sure whether or not you will get one if any.

As an Android user I cannot say I've never insulted iOS users. In fact, like I've stated on here I support the way iOS operates. I definitely don't think it's for kids, for dumb people or for old people. It's a simple interface and it works.

 

[perkedel]

As an Android user I cannot say I've never insulted iOS users. In fact, like I've stated on here I support the way iOS operates. I definitely don't think it's for kids, for dumb people or for old people. It's a simple interface and it works.

not you individually, but you should've seen some post comments in sites like android police /bgr.

 

[iphonedude2008]

not you individually, but you should've seen some post comments in sites like android police /bgr.

Yeah I've got to say macrumors does a good job of keeping away most craziness like you find on sites like android police.

 

[perkedel]

In addition to carrier crapware (I had a sprint LG android that came with this thing called Sprint/Mobile ID that installs its own wallpaper, ringtones, widgets including social media apps, and can't can't remove the damn thing without rooting), when buying an android device, consider this little thing that most people overlook:

What happens when you happen to have a lemon? This dude isn't too happy with it.

I had an android device misbehaving. I couldn't get a next day replacement. Took some time to get another one while dealing with reboots in a few hours.
I've never had to have my iphones/macs/imacs/airports replaced, I did have a keyboard replaced since the batteries leaked. I got another one the very same time I brought it in.

After sales support (updates, tech) is definitely not a strong point of android makers. (have I mention bug/security updates?)

 

[techguy15]

Yeah I've got to say macrumors does a good job of keeping away most craziness like you find on sites like android police.

Glad to see I'm one of the non crazy Android people here lol. I've got more respect for iOS than Android. Sad to say Android people can be ridiculous and immature towards the Apple crowd

 

[Mxbzz]

Glad to see I'm one of the non crazy Android people here lol. I've got more respect for iOS than Android. Sad to say Android people can be ridiculous and immature towards the Apple crowd

Let's not get carried away now.. there are quite a few Apple enthusiasts here that won't even give Android a chance. Just take a look at the Samsung Ultimate Test Drive thread and see how many posts contain negativity among Samsung and/or Android.

Anyhow, I enjoy both operating systems. I use an iPhone 6 for work because the battery life is almost always consistent and reliable. I can go a few days without a charge, depending how many calls/messages I get of course. I absolutely enjoy Android as a personal device-- being able to use different launchers, and running shortcuts from the sides (a la SwipePad), or running simple scripts such as having music automatically play after connecting to my BT audio.

Both operating systems have their strengths and weaknesses, but I'm fortunate to be able to use both on a daily basis

 

[iphonedude2008]

Let's not get carried away now.. there are quite a few Apple enthusiasts here that won't even give Android a chance. Just take a look at the Samsung Ultimate Test Drive thread and see how many posts contain negativity among Samsung and/or Android.

Anyhow, I enjoy both operating systems. I use an iPhone 6 for work because the battery life is almost always consistent and reliable. I can go a few days without a charge, depending how many calls/messages I get of course. I absolutely enjoy Android as a personal device-- being able to use different launchers, and running shortcuts from the sides (a la SwipePad), or running simple scripts such as having music automatically play after connecting to my BT audio.

Both operating systems have their strengths and weaknesses, but I'm fortunate to be able to use both on a daily basis

I have a 6+ and a nexus 6 and I tried to use both like you do, one for work and one for personal use. It didn't work very well. I just ended up picking one and using it for a few days. I don't know how people manage to use 2 phone but I'm glad you enjoy it. People miss the point when they get caught up in arguments that the goal is to enjoy your phone and if you love it, it shouldn't matter what others think.