Longtime Android user spends a month with an iPhone - honest opinion

[JDL7]

Hey guys, I'm Jake. I've been lurking around the boards for a while, but never signed up for an account until now. Wanted to share my recent experience with using an iPhone as a daily driver.

I've been a regular user of Android since late 2010, my first device being a Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate. For years I was used to carrying around two devices - my LG enV and several different Apple iPod models. I decided to give Android a try after numerous issues with three different iPod touches. That, and it was time to ditch my old brick of a phone and upgrade to a smartphone.

Now it's been a couple years and I've owned a couple of Android devices. The most recent was a Motorola Droid Razr M, which served me very well for about a year and a half. About a month ago, the device met it's demise when I dropped it into a bucket of water. To replace it, a friend of mine sold me his old iPhone 4 for around $50. At that price, I figured, this'll work for now.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect. My last experience with an Apple device was back when iOS was still called "iPhone OS" (We're talking version 3.0). However, the iPhone 4, despite its age, is running the current version of iOS. I must say, as a whole, iOS has come a long way. I used to laugh at my best friend because he has sworn for years that his iPhone is superior to any other device. After owning one myself for a little bit of time now, I'll admit - it's really not that bad. In fact it works pretty well.

Even for a 4 year old device, it runs smoothly. Apps do take a long time to load, but I can forgive that due to the old hardware. Transitioning between menus and apps that are already open is almost immediate - faster than my Razr M (crazy, right?). The battery also seems to hold a better charge than my Moto, but I personally believe that's because the iPhone is running on Verizon's 3G network vs. LTE. I have come to like iMessage a lot.

I do have my gripes. The notification center is awful. No swiping away notifications, no combined multiple notifications, and no active notifications. Also, not being able to customize my home screen (or anything else) the way I like it still frustrates me to this day. No free custom ringtones or sideloading of apps? No external storage? Get outta here.

I'm sorry I talked so much bad about the iPhone and iOS. It's not bad at all. In fact, I kind of like it - it does *almost* everything I need it to do. It's a very functional operating system and I can totally understand why a lot of people use it now. It's just too locked down. I'm just a couple of days away from being able to upgrade, and I've decided that I'm gonna head to my VZW store and pick up a brand new HTC One M8. I can't wait.. lol.

So that's my experience with an iPhone 4 after years of using Android and watching it evolve. If anyone else has a similar story, feel free to share it as I'm curious. I look forward to posting here more often.

 

[mikeca]

I have to use an Ipad at work almost daily but in my real life I use androids (some of which have been extremely inexpensive). The ipad does in fact work but it drives me bats as most of the apps have limited function (compared to the same apps on android) and I'm talking major ones like facebook, Drive, youtube, (and well... maps).

But you can defitely survive with apple (though you are way more likely to have to have a pc).

Now that I've moved up to a mid range device there's really no comparison but yes, I too can see why people who just want to certain things may like apple.

Personally I've got way too much going on and I really need the app integration and the notification functionality that apple still hasn't figured out.

 

[nickdalzell]

I preferred iOS before 7. It looks too girly like now. Google has a much nicer flat design.

 

[Takudzwa]

I like iOS for tablets and Android for smartphones. Personally I dont think there is a tablet that compares to the iPad, in the smartphone arena hats off to Android.

 

[Digital Controller]

Thanks for sharing Jake!

Nice to hear about your experience with an iPhone. Way to take the plunge

I feel you on a lot of those things you mentioned that were problematic for you, it's definitely one of the reasons I still don't switch over to one.

 

[nickdalzell]

For new customers like my stepfather the new iOS is great. But for those who used Apple products from the beginning, Jonathan Ive blew it. Big time. Apple was lost after Jobs' death. Now they copy Android...horribly

A business doesn't thrive by alienating their entire customer base. Trying to appeal to teens and making iOS 7 killed them

 

[Slug]

A business doesn't thrive by alienating their entire customer base.

If "their entire customer base" was alienated then Apple wouldn't be selling any devices.

I've upgraded plenty of long-time iPhone users to 5C and 5S models running iOS7, and have yet to hear any of them complain about the UI. To most, the important fact is that the user experience remains consistent.

 

[Stuntman]

I do appreciate the opportunity to finally use iOS devices the the past few months. Both Android and iOS has their strengths and weaknesses.

I like iOS for tablets and Android for smartphones. Personally I dont think there is a tablet that compares to the iPad, in the smartphone arena hats off to Android.

I'm currently using an iPad Mini and Galaxy S3 for my personal devices. I like the fact that iOS is just better at handling complex web pages with video than Android. For non-web functions, I prefer Android. You just get more functionality in general.

 

[Rxpert83]

Well check you out:
http://phandroid.com/2014/07/11/fro...s-iphone-opinions-accessory-reviews-and-more/

 

[Dankaru]

I had an iPad 3rd Gen and I just bought a Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and I have to say that the galaxy tab S is superior to the iPad. Or it at least stacks up. Much prettier display. Very responsive on load times for apps. Just an all around great device.

 

[exninja]

I think your opinion is very similar to all reasonable android-preferring people. I don't get the fanboy/hater people.

 

[nickdalzell]

I prefer my Note tablet over my iPad. Unlike my iPad, I don't have to worry that I will pick up my tablet one morning to find my UI suddenly changed without recourse. My iPad was fine until iOS 7 silently installed to it and aside being hideous, it lagged like a budget Android tablet.

While Samsung has good alternatives to the pinkie pie flat iOS stock apps, I admit that I do miss the way iOS6's contacts, notes and calendar looked. Sadly Android has no such apps sporting that beautiful UI in Play Store. I do miss how my device would seemingly turn into whatever app would be. It could turn into a real notepad, real radio (have to admit, being able to physically turn those virtual knobs gave a level of tactile feedback unmatched by anything Android had at the time and really dazzled on the retina display without introducing lag or battery drain).

To this day, while Google's not-so-flat Material Design is enticing me these days, I still miss the device transforming into a notepad or calculator. The flat apps don't give nearly the same illusion

 

[WuBoy]

Is there anyone that really thinks that iOS is bad? I'd take Android over iOS all day any day, but iOS isn't bad. It's just too limited.

 

[TheGhizzi]

Last year, I bought my wife an iPhone 4S off some guy on craigslist.
Me, being a PC & Android user that I am, have always griped about many "lacks" that the iPhone has as compared to my then Galaxy S3 (now have the s5). With that said, I also have an iPad because of how much better it is than any other tablet. I Love my s5 and all that it offers but IPhone's ease of use is why I bought it for her. She doesn't care about all the bells and whistles. One can't deny Apples strong integrated system either. Android is still not as reliable and a bit flimsy but they're catching on.
Well she ended up leaving the phone in a rental van down in Miami so ended up getting her the iPhone 5s- which she loves but again, I'm quite happy with my S5.

 

[nickdalzell]

Perhaps I am spoiled by my Note 3 but I cannot imagine going back to Such a dated, and teeny little screen?

 

[boyo1991]

I have a similar, in a way story.

I started out on an iPod touch 3. Or whatever.. Don't remember atm. Then I had a friend that got an iPad air recently. Since then I stopped being a hater and just kinda accept their differences but know my place is with android. I can't imagine the thought of an iPad freezing up so bad and not being able to pull the battery, nor do I want to be locked down.. I hate iOS ui... But then, android is generally more buggy, fragmented (making development slower or consistent) a lot of the animations and sounds are archaic on android. Reminds me of froyo still!

IOS is generally sleeker, easier to use, and development is quicker. Its the non geek thing to do..

Android has customization control(and I mean a LOT as we all know haha), side loading, SD cards/removable extendable batteries (sometimes).. Its in the Linux family so has years of experience behind it. For the geeks.

Just imo

 

[mrex]

I like iOS for tablets and Android for smartphones. Personally I dont think there is a tablet that compares to the iPad, in the smartphone arena hats off to Android.

Let see what happens with ipad Air 2.

But at the moment 1 gb ram is way too low for current ipad air and you face several problems if you ever try to do something else than surfing abit. E.g. the reload-problem soon when using Safari and tabs are open. The same issue is actually been there over two years and Apple hasnt fixed it. In an application you may get memory warning messages. Maybe it is fixed in iOS8 finally? But who knows, it has been there already years, so why they bother to fix it now. But im pretty sure, they have added 2gb ram into their next ipad air2. Otherwise the device is a piece of

 

[Digital Controller]

Perhaps I am spoiled by my Note 3 but I cannot imagine going back to Such a dated, and teeny little screen?

I feel you Nick, I am the same way with my Note 3, I don't know if I will ever be able to go below a 5.5" screen again.

 

[Firey05]

A quote from one my colleagues "An iPad is something your grandma can take out the box and setup"

I somewhat agree with him, having had every model of the iPhone from 3GS to 5 and an iPad and now using a Galaxy S5. iOS is far more simplified, but clean and does what it needs to do. It really isn't as bad as people make it out to be. Whereas Android does what it needs to do and lets you customise it to do so much more.

Coming back to the quote... my grandad decided to get an iPad and the internet at age 79 and practically setup the iPad himself, gets on google and looks stuff up and sends a few emails.... I wouldn't trust him with an android device.

Moral of the story: Each OS has it's audience and purpose. I agree with promo87. Android is a successor of Apple. If there wasn't an iphone released many years ago, I doubt Android would be what it is now.

 

[JDL7]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm glad I'm not the only one who shares a similar viewpoint. On an even better note, I've had my M8 since Monday and couldn't be any happier with my choice. Lightning fast operation, perfect audio quality, and easily lasts 16+ hours on a charge ☺