Storage rant

[Android_user120485]

Is the android storage really bad or is it just xperia? I got a 16gb phone and the apps I've personally downloaded add up to around 3.5gb (ill list them all) and alls I got free is 1.8gb. Cleaned caches, gone through all the apps to make sure and that's all I'm left with? and I just know with a little bit of use another gb is gonna be taken from me like it does, chrome, fb, huya, pubg, whichever one is the culprit stealing storage w/o me actually downloading anything. Then what's with my apps downloading files that I have no idea what they are or what app they belong to, but each on is only kbs of storage so that's fine I guess but still annoying.

So the apps I got are: FB 280mb, I translate 137mb, AVG 7mb, white noise 65mb, duolingo 87mb, huya live 280mb, iq options 173mb, astro files 24mb, VPN 36mb, Weibo 59mb, Chinese hand writing 9.9mb, VLC 79mb and Hello Chinese 39mb. Totals 3.5gb. My audio is 130mb and others is 172mb (no idea what that is)

The crappy apps that come installed idk how much they add up to but it can't be that much and I'm only updating youtube and Chrome.
Really don't like how the Android OS takes almost 6gb, for Android 7 anyway idk about other versions. Don't have the sd cards as I'm thinking how good can they be? There would be no need to sell anything other than the 16gb devices and top it up with a 256gb+ sd card, this is my thinking anyway.

Was on iPhone before this and I'm guessing I'd have more close to the 10gb of free storage now if I had the same apps. I'll defo be going back to iPhone, Android is too stressful and complicated. I was just pulled in by the Free to download from any source, more customization and price vs phone size...but it's not worth it to me.

If you read this then thanks for sticking with my rant lol

 

[mikedt]

A 16GB iPhone, that must have been an iPhone 6 or older. Because Apple doesn't make iPhones with less than 64GB now AFAIK.

Only 16GB on a recent Android phone, that sounds like some budget or cheapo device you've got there. Quite frankly any smart-phone these days should have a minimum 32GB to be fully usable, with apps, games, media, etc.

BTW "Weibo 59mb, Chinese hand writing 9.9mb, and Hello Chinese 39mb". What have you actually got there, something bought cheap online and imported? Weibo is for mainland China only, and is only in Chinese. Does this phone have the Google Play Store, etc?

If it is an imported cheapo China phone, suggest you return it if you can. There's plenty of good Android devices with adequate internal storage to choose from, like Samsung, etc.

 

[lvt]

16gb is enough for a phone with basic usage like calling, texting, messaging... Facebook and Messenger/ WhatsApp are ok, but if you go beyond you will find yourself stuck.

A SD card could help, but it will make your phone run slower.

 

[svim]

If you were just trying to save money by buying a phone with lessor storage space than it's not a Google problem, nor a Sony issue, nor an Android issue, that's primarily on you. It was your choice.
Of course there's always the matter of getting whatever your carrier is giving you and this phone obviously has inherent issues that are frustrating you. Save yourself from all the aggravation, and either just get an iPhone or spend a little more to get a phone that does meet your expectations.

 

[mikedt]

If you were just trying to save money by buying a phone with lessor storage space than it's not a Google problem, nor a Sony issue, nor an Android issue, that's primarily on you. It was your choice.
Of course there's always the matter of getting whatever your carrier is giving you and this phone obviously has inherent issues that are frustrating you. Save yourself from all the aggravation, and either just get an iPhone or spend a little more to get a phone that does meet your expectations.

I didn't see the part about Sony earlier. So a Sony Xperia phone with Chinese apps preinstalled apparently, like Weibo.
Think that means one of two things.
1} It's a mainland PRC variant.
2) it's a fake Sony Xperia. And I have seen them.
Suggest the OP posts the full model number of it.

 

[lvt]

A couple of years ago HTC phones sold in their Taiwanese domestic market also have mainland apps like Weibo preinstalled. But those apps disappeared on later phones. I still have a HTC running KitKat with some Chinese apps, those apps runs like system apps and impossible to remove them.

 

[mikedt]

A couple of years ago HTC phones sold in their Taiwanese domestic market also have mainland apps like Weibo preinstalled. But those apps disappeared on later phones. I still have a HTC running KitKat with some Chinese apps, those apps runs like system apps and impossible to remove them.

From what I understand many Taiwanese detest anything that's "Beijing". Similarly with Hong Kong. Like why use Weibo when you've got Twitter available?

 

[MoodyBlues]

I'll defo be going back to iPhone, Android is too stressful and complicated.

Android should be neither stressful nor complicated.

Its virtually infinite customization options can be daunting, but that's not your issue.

I'd recommend heeding the advice others have offered. Then, if you're still unhappy with Android, there's no shame in going back to something you're more comfortable using.

Of course, if you stick around we'll be happy to help you use your Android device efficiently and easily.

 

[lunatic59]

I just did a quick lookup of the Xperia models and even the current Cheapo $200 Walmart model comes with 32GB of RAM. Either you got a really old phone or as Mike suggests, it's a counterfeit Xperia.

 

[lvt]

From what I understand many Taiwanese detest anything that's "Beijing". Similarly with Hong Kong. Like why use Weibo when you've got Twitter available?

I don't know, the phone came with Twitter, Weibo and WeChat and some stuffs that younger users didn't know like Plurk, Picasa...

 

[mikedt]

I know Plurk is really a Twitter lookalike from Taiwan, but don't know how popular it is these days, and Picasa is long dead now.

 

[Android_user120485]

I know Plurk is really a Twitter lookalike from Taiwan, but don't know how popular it is these days, and Picasa is long dead now.

Forgot I wrote this. The phones a legit xperia xa but I'm learning Chinese right now so hence all the chinese apps. It's a cheap phone I know but the price tag of latest models don't justify what I'd use it for (although I've just got into mobile gaming so maybe I'll get something a little more expensive now). I dont think the phone being cheap is my problem though, my iPhones was cheap and I never ran into problems I'm facing with this phone. Many things about android I like but the 2 things I look for most in a phone is battery and storage, I just think iphone does these better I've realised. Looking at androids storage makes my head spin lol, too many folders and more folders get added with names I don't even know. Swear if they made an android with all its customisation and freedom feel but with ios simplicity, that's my perfect phone right there.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Looking at androids storage makes my head spin lol, too many folders and more folders get added with names I don't even know.

Guess what? iOS is based on UNIX--just like Android. The fact that you're able to see Android's storage of its many files--which makes your head spin--doesn't necessarily mean iOS has fewer files. Perhaps it just means they don't let you see them.

As I said before, using Android should be neither complicated nor stressful. If you're having specific problems, we're more than happy to help.

But blaming Android when the real problem is your under-equipped phone (16GB? today?) is unfair.

 

[Hadron]

Exactly: you've no idea how messy iOS's filesystem is because they hide it from you. So in that respect you can get a iOS-like experience on Android just by not looking - but with Android you have the choice.