Lifelong iPhone user here but I’m considering selling my iPhone 15 Pro and trying out an Android for the first time.
I did just the opposite (lifelong Android user got an iPhone 15 Pro ) and I regret it, literally the only benefit of iPhone is so you can be part of iMessage groupchats and not turn peoples texts green. Okay maybe that’s a slight overstatement but it’s certainly how I feel. Sooo many things I can’t do…
- open a link in an email in whatever app I want (iPhone just opens in browser)
- plugins on a browser of choice (all browsers must use Safari engine by Apple requirement and are basically just reskinned Safaris…lame.)
- easily and quickly change all volumes and audio output device on the fly
- notification mgmt
- texting is way slower and annoying on iPhone
- settings menu is cumbersome with in app settings etc.
- I thought apps would perform better on iOS…not the case as I’ve found, for example Reddit itself glitches and I have problems with the keyboard getting stuck and back swiping (another topic entirely, no back button option)
- you’re right about the spam filtering for both texts and especially calls, Android is superior for that.
- a lot of other things Im not thinking of…in summary, I honestly think Android has been polished to the point it’s features outweigh iOS now. The downside used to be it wasn’t as polished and was rougher around the edges, not anymore
Screen mirroring
It allows calling, texting, link sharing between devices, access to the phone gallery, and even access to your phone’s app notifications right on your PC. However, one thing that Apple doesn’t allow is native screen mirroring, which is something you will find on multiple Android phones
I think you just have to try to understand the difference. Android is just so much more customizable than iOS. And once you have that freedom that Android gives, you don’t want to go back. But iOS and the apple-framewok are more simple, and many people like that. They don’t want customizability.
If you like tech and are a little geeky android is wonderful
I used iOS in the past, handed over my iPhone 11 to my mum because I got tired of it, most valuable things in Android for me:
Sane audio volume controls. I can control media, ring and notification volume at any time.
Brave browser with real ad blocker as on the PC (with custom and regional filters)
Change songs with long pressing volume up/down buttons, allows me to skip songs without looking at a phone
Easily install any apps that are not available in app store
Payments with NFC everywhere (no nfc with iPhone in my country)
The notification system in android is just better.
Real multitasking. Keep a remote desktop session for more than 5 seconds.
Real customization. Completely replace the home screen.
Real innovation. Daring new hardware and technologies.
The ability to sideload apps, as those not present in the Play Store or that you can’t install on your device, alternative app stores to the Google’s one even if that may change in the EU, and the variety of available devices from budget devices to flagship phones and from ruggerized phones to gaming ones.
A lot of things can be done on both platforms,. it’s just the WAY you do it (or to what depth you’re allowed to do it) is the difference.
Android and iOS both allow you to browse the file system,… but Android has a bit richer depth and capability. (especially with individual file management etc)
Android and iOS both allow side loading or alternate app stores… it’s just that Android has a longer history of that and the capabilities are more fleshed out.
Android and iOS both allow you to download Emulators… again, iOS history of this is shorter, so the capabilities are less than Android
Android and iOS both allow you plug in all sorts of USB peripherals (Keyboards, Mice, Wired-network, Webcams, etc)… again, it’s just that Android has a longer history of this so the capabilities are better.
It’s not really about WHAT you can do… it’s more about HOW you get there. Pretty much anything CAN be done… it’s just figuring out how the OS does it.
Big for me but maybe not others, Android Auto is way better on the new Ford’s (Sync 4A). CarPlay is really bad. On other older systems both are similar.
A big bonus though is AAAD and AAWireless allowing even more customization to Android Auto.
In general (really, in GENERAL), with Android, the phone is yours.
You can install another operating system. Think about that. You have choice.
Do you want choice? It’s fraught with potential issues. But you get to choose.