Currently have an iPhone 4, but seriously wanting to switch! Any help?

[AppleToAndy]

Hi AndroidForums! As the title says, I currently have an iPhone 4 but have the chance at switching to another phone seeing as my contract is up. My 4's battery life is awful, it's slow, and crashes occasionally. It's old. I've had Apple devices for about four years now, and have always been happy with them. However, looking at the future, I don't know if I'll be as satisfied if I remain with Apple. This is a chance for me to move to Android, and I'm really thinking of taking it. Can you guys help out my decision? I've done a good deal of research, and here is what I've come up with so far. Hopefully you guys, being Android experts, can help clear some stuff up.

Why I like Apple:
~Good user interface
~Durable and nice looking devices
~Satisfactory customer support, at least in my experiences
~Extensive app and music store
~I already have a lot invested in apps and music with them
~I'm around a lot of iPhones every day, and iMessage is great
~Devices are very secure against any viruses
~Updates are prompt and universal

Why I want to leave Apple for Android:
~Greater innovation in Android devices
~Higher quality hardware
~Outside software, such as games, can be downloaded to Androids
~Adobe Flash Player is useful for doing more things online
~Greater range of customization to make my phone really mine
~Some phones have external battery and SD card support (Can somebody explain how SD cards work with this version of Android OS? I know no apps anymore, but what else can/can't go on them? Are they that useful?)
~Google integration seems like it would be useful and efficient

My worries about switching to Android:
~What about my library of apps and music with Apple? Do I lose all of that?
~Will my Android get viruses?
~If something happens to my Android, am I SOL with a broken phone?
~How much more barren is the Android App/Music store than iTunes/Apple App Store?
~If a bug needs to be fixed on my Android, how long will I be stuck with a buggy phone?
~Will there be a problem between Apple and Google if I try giving Google the soul that Apple already owns? ha, ha ha.

I don't expect an answer to everything, but if you can address some of my concerns I would really appreciate it. As a reference, the Androids I'm looking at are the Samsung Galaxy S4, though I'm thinking of dropping this one because of the memory and other recent complaints, and the HTC One. Thanks again!

 

[iTzKPanda]

~What about my library of apps and music with Apple? Do I lose all of that?
Your apps from iOS will sadly be lost. But most if not all your apps should be available on the Google Play Store.
With your music, you can simply transfer the files from your computer to your phone. There are many methods to do so such as iSyncr, Easy Phone Tunes, DoubleTwist, etc.
I think the HTC One has a feature which allows you to sync your iTunes to your new phone easily.

~Will my Android get viruses?
As long as you don't download any shady applications or files, you won't. It's pretty hard to get a virus on your phone if you're the average cell phone user.

~If something happens to my Android, am I SOL with a broken phone?
If it's under the manufacturer's warranty, then they should fix it or replace your device. Or you can get warranties from third party mobile retailers such as Best Buy.

~How much more barren is the Android App/Music store than iTunes/Apple App Store?
I'm not 100% sure on this, but I know that the Google Play Store is almost caught up with the iOS App store. Most .ipa apps/games from the App Store have been developed into .apk Google Play apps aside from a couple exceptions.
The music store should be relatively the same, unless it's a small artist that only decides to upload his/her music to the iTunes store.

~If a bug needs to be fixed on my Android, how long will I be stuck with a buggy phone?
However long it takes you to fix it.
All kidding aside, you can call your carrier or manufacturer or ask someone here in the forums for help. We'd be glad to assist you.

~Will there be a problem between Apple and Google if I try giving Google the soul that Apple already owns? ha, ha ha.
:haha:
Apple would be quite the jealous company when they know Google took one of their souls.


If you want to decide which phone to get between the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One, there are a couple threads in the Device/Carrier Comparisons Sub-Forum with people's opinions on both devices:
http://androidforums.com/device-carrier-comparisons/

Also, when and if you switch over to Android, check out this guide that's stickied in this subforum. It's very helpful for those who are new to the Android OS.
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/490778-please-read-me-first-android-things-know.html


Welcome to the forums!

 

[chanchan05]

Your only problem would probably be iMessage.

 

[nickdalzell]

Get the right device. A Samsung Galaxy series phone is my advice. My impression changed for Android once I got two Galaxy devices, a tablet and a phone. My Galaxy Tab beats my iPad on battery life

As for iMessage you can use Google Voice to text any number for free (iMessage only works with other iOS products)

 

[Stannis the Mannis]

You won't have to worry about viruses. That isn't really a problem, as long as you download from Google Play. If you want to download something from a 3rd party market app, make sure it's a trusted app (Amazon App Store etc).

 

[nickdalzell]

The closest thing to a virus I've ever seen is Airpush adware. Sad thing is many free apps have it and don't disclose it until after it is installed. Payware is worth the extra security.

 

[dylanrod24]

I used to have the iPhone 4 and 5 before I switched to android not too long ago. If your looking for a quality hardware android phone and durability the Samsung Galaxy especially the new S4 has pretty impressive hardware only problem is durability because they are plastic. If you want quality and hardware and durability look into the Motorola androids. Motorola phones have great hardware and are very very durable. For security androids app store called Google Play has some antivirus apps. I use and like lookout which is also available for iPhone. I had it on my iPhone before. Lookout works very well for security against viruses and malware. In my opinion closet thing to iMessage is Google talk. On each phone android looks different depending on the phone manufacturer and carrier. Google Play has more apps than Apples App store.

 

[TrueNorthist]

I'll just toss this in for free... I am no expert on such things but I did do a great deal of research before purchasing a smartphone and chose Android for one huge reason: I can "fiddle" with it, right down to the code level if I want. The iphone allows no such fiddling beyond shallow cosmetic changes. I do not like having zero control over a device that I own. When you are used to Linux, Windows can be annoying, but Apple feels like a straight-jacket.

 

[AppleToAndy]

Thanks for the answers, everyone! So basically, the biggest difference between the two is user accessibility with Android as opposed to the locked down nature of iOS. There is an iMessage alternative, antivirus software, and a comparable app and music store. Apple sure does a good job fooling their customers into thinking they're perfect and untouchable! I think other iPhone users would take Android into consideration if they looked into the OS and devices it offers. And about iMessage, the only reasons I'm fond of it are the "delivered" notifications and read receipts from other iPhone owners. I can surely get past that. I'm okay with rebuying the apps that I need since that's an unavoidable part of jumping ship. As of now, I think I would be comfortable switching over. Making the smartphone choice is the hurdle at this point, and that's something for another thread. Thanks again for the help and being so welcoming!

 

[7Priest7]

My worries about switching to Android:
~What about my library of apps and music with Apple? Do I lose all of that?

No, Apple will not delete your data. Your apps and probably your music will not be transferable. Apple has a bad habbit of over restricting their data(like music)

~Will my Android get viruses?

Your chances of getting a virus on android are no greater than iOS.
It's like Mac and Linux. Both have viruses, Both have less than windows.

~If something happens to my Android, am I SOL with a broken phone?

Manufacturer's have limited warranty's on phones, Also you can pay for phone insurance.

~How much more barren is the Android App/Music store than iTunes/Apple App Store?

https://play.google.com <-- Try to find things you want(I guarantee you will find something to do anything you want to do)

~If a bug needs to be fixed on my Android, how long will I be stuck with a buggy phone?

There is a good chance there will be a fix before you even notice a bug.
Android is more open and through third party development bugs can be tackled infinitely sooner than when dealing with a 100% proprietary OS.

~Will there be a problem between Apple and Google if I try giving Google the soul that Apple already owns? ha, ha ha.

Apple has a track record of being super greedy. From their computer systems in the early 90s till now, They do not support 3rd party hardware and they suppress free development of software.

The sooner you move to a mobile OS that supports freedom the better off you will be.

 

[7Priest7]

I'm okay with rebuying the apps that I need since that's an unavoidable part of jumping ship.

There are LOTS of free android apps.
There are even some open source android apps.
You probably won't have to buy many/if any apps.

 

[Crashdamage]

You can get your music out of iTunes. Several apps like DoubleTwist can do it.

If there is an Android version of the same app you bought for iOS you might not have to repurchase it if you contact the developer.

There's NO active Linux or Android viruses. NONE. There is some malware, yes. Viruses are a type of malware, but not all malware is a virus. That's very important distinction to keep in mind. Viruses are a much more serious problem than other types of malware.

 

[gtbarry]

I'm okay with rebuying the apps that I need since that's an unavoidable part of jumping ship.

Rumor has it, if you contact the app developers directly SOME will be willing to allow you to swap your license over to Android. Basically, they will delete your apple license and give you an Android one.

I've never done that, but I have heard a couple times this is possible.

Then again, given the amount of time that would take, given that a lot of the apps you are looking at may be free or cost 99 cents - is it worth your or the developer's time?

 

[nickdalzell]

I was back and forth for a long time and many times got very frustrated with Android but the recent device changes now made me take the SIM out of my iPhone and now enjoy my new Galaxy Precedent which I've tried but just cannot kill

 

[Davdi]

Regarding Viruses on Android - THEY DON'T EXIST! Sure there's malware, Trojans, Apps that phone home with excessive data and things like AirPush advertizing
But stick to Play Store and reputable sources like Amazon and you should be OK.

 

[Stannis the Mannis]

Regarding Viruses on Android - THEY DON'T EXIST! Sure there's malware, Trojans, Apps that phone home with excessive data and things like AirPush advertizing
But stick to Play Store and reputable sources like Amazon and you should be OK.

This guy knows what's up.

 

[sherriemelton5]

Google Play has a lot of apps than the Apple App store. Thanks

 

[Kane860]

I have just recently made the switch from iPhone to Android Samsung Galaxy S4... let me provide some brief feedback based on my experience so far..

1.) I have definitely noticed that the average price of apps in the android app stores are much higher than the prices in the iTunes app store.. once again, I am just going by on average..
2.) Losing iTunes for backing up and syncing is a hard pill to swallow... I have not been able to have the same seamless syncing, backing up and restoring on Kies, which is supposed to be like iTunes for Android.. You will have to get use to this and look for other backup options that members can recommend.. I am actually waiting for people to recommend some as well. But so far, nothing is up to par with iTunes for backing up and syncing..
3.) Yes android has big features but unfortunately I would say that they should have first refined the basic features before jumping to big features. For example, when I download 3rd party apps, badge notifications will not even work on them without downloading another 3rd party app just to enable badges, and even then it doesn't work well.. I feel that badge notifications is something so basic...
4.) If you use Bose headphones or Beats by Dre headphones or apple headphones, any headphones with built in remote controls on the wire, get ready for this... most of the functions on the remote will no longer work because android does not support them... I was so mad when I couldn't even turn the volume up and down from my headphones or skip tracks... there are some 3rd party apps that you can download to restore some of the functions but you will not be able to use all 3 buttons on these headphone remotes..

Keep in mind that I am writing all this just to prepare you for a few things that you may realize when you go to android. However, I am still very happy with my android phone and overall, I would say that there are still more positives than negatives going from iPhone to Android.. You just have to get use to certain things that you will lose from iPhone.. once you get over these things you will love your android phone!

 

[nickdalzell]

Badge notifications in Android are one thing i wish Google enabled standard. I can get some in Go Launcher but it doesn't support every app and sometimes app updates break them. I never liked the super cluttered notification bar and hid it on my device. I just prefer to know exactly how many new items in each app are there before i waste time opening it and icons on the status bar crowding the clock and signal bars isn't cutting it. One iOS feature i really miss. Also iOS seemed far more stable. My iPhone 4 never froze while charging and i still get annoying 'the application Facebook has stopped' alerts which seem unnecessary annoying and offer zero help . Ive had to readjust to BlackBerry style battery pulls and common crash notices which are annoying but just part of Android whether i like it or not.

 

[iTzKPanda]

still get annoying 'the application Facebook has stopped' alerts which seem unnecessary annoying and offer zero help .

That's just because the Facebook app for Android is awful.

 

[nickdalzell]

It wasn't just Facebook. Google Play crashed twice today as i was looking around. Maps did it once while navigation for seemingly zero reason. Gmail does it constantly. One would expect Google apps to be the most stable since Android is made by Google. Its annoying and something iOS users have to adjust to. Battery pulls too, as just like BlackBerry, you WILL one day deal with the sleep of death aka a frozen phone that refuses to turn on if in standby or on charge. With customization comes cost. If iOS wasn't so boring and if iTunes didn't Jack their song prices to 1.29, I'd have stuck with it.

 

[Stannis the Mannis]

I've never had those problems. After seeing your other posts I'm pretty sceptical in regards to the authenticity of your posts and it's not very beneficial for the forum when you spread false information to new users, what you listed does not apply nor is your "experience" representative of android in general.

 

[Frisco]

I've never had those problems. After seeing your other posts I'm pretty sceptical in regards to the authenticity of your posts and it's not very beneficial for the forum when you spread false information to new users, what you listed does not apply nor is your "experience" representative of android in general.

As a Staffer here for just about three years now, I can tell you that we've most certainly seen those issues crop up from time to time, some on a regular basis (thus the proliferation of members with queries as to remedies for said issues ).

Those issues stem from weak quality control in some section of the chain of manufacture, assembly and inspection of some Android models. It has even been suggested that there are issues that are traceable to the design of some Android models (similar to the antenna design in some early iPhone models, and the famous map/navigation problems we've seen in the news wrt iPhone 5).

As to skepticism wrt "authenticity" of member's posts, and the use of the term, "false information," well, I disagree with the "false information" part for the reasons pointed out earlier in this post. As to what's beneficial to the forums.. well, that Moderator material: perhaps one will chime in.

 

[Slug]

As to what's beneficial to the forums.. well, that Moderator material: perhaps one will chime in.

From the Site Rules, Para 1:

These forums were put together for Android fans to come together and help each other, collaborate and discuss in a positive way

 

[aysiu]

~What about my library of apps and music with Apple? Do I lose all of that?

If you bought DRM'ed songs from iTunes years ago (pre-2009, I think?), then you will not be able to play those songs on an Android device.

Anything else you can sync up in a variety of ways.

I'd recommend one of these two methods:

1. Install Google Music on your computer and have it automatically upload your iTunes songs and playlists. Then install Google Play Music on your Android phone, and that will have your library, some of which you can stream, and some of which you can keep available offline.

2. I have used DoubleTwist extensively, and I can highly recommend that you use iSyncr instead. iSyncr isn't as elegant-looking, but it far better performing in terms of syncing up with iTunes... at least in my experience.

~Will my Android get viruses?

Your Android will not get a virus. Will it get malware? Yes, but only if you choose to install the malware. Malware does not nor has it ever just magically appeared on Android devices. It has always been trojans users choose to install (or, more precisely, get tricked into installing). There are some "free" apps, though, that are extremely aggressive with their notification-based ads. I've never experienced any of these myself, but I've read a number of threads here about them.

~If something happens to my Android, am I SOL with a broken phone?

It's really the same deal as with an iPhone. You have a manufacturer's warranty. Your provider may have some kind service plan you can pay extra for. You can buy protectors and cases so it won't crack if you drop it. Totally the same deal.

~How much more barren is the Android App/Music store than iTunes/Apple App Store?

Not barren at all. It's not as bad as it used to be but still to a certain extent you'll see a couple of apps in the App Store that aren't in Google Play... or whose versions are more polished in the App Store than they are in the Google Play version. For the most part, all the major stuff is available in both platforms (Netflix, Google Drive, Google Maps, Yelp, Flixster, etc.).

~If a bug needs to be fixed on my Android, how long will I be stuck with a buggy phone?

If you buy a non-Nexus phone and you're unwilling to root (jailbreak) your phone, then you'll be stuck with it probably forever, or at least 1.5-2 years. Buy a Nexus phone. Or root your phone.

~Will there be a problem between Apple and Google if I try giving Google the soul that Apple already owns? ha, ha ha.

No. Most iPhone users I know use Gmail and Google Maps, so it's all good.

I don't expect an answer to everything, but if you can address some of my concerns I would really appreciate it. As a reference, the Androids I'm looking at are the Samsung Galaxy S4, though I'm thinking of dropping this one because of the memory and other recent complaints, and the HTC One. Thanks again!

If you get the Samsung Galaxy S4, go for the one with vanilla Android, and you'll get speedy upgrades.