Switching to Android

Going tomorrow to change from an iPhone to the new Google Pixel 2. I will also be switching from AT&T to Verizon as they have $300 off per phone right now, so between the wife and I, we'll save $600 by switching providers. Anyone else made the switch to Android and regret it?

 

I don't think you'll regret it. Especially once you figure out the enormous flexibility of the Android platform. I sort of went the opposite of you and regret it. I went from a Windows laptop to a Macbook. I'm in the process of selling the Macbook and going back to Windows. Apple only works with Apple devices and iOS. It throws tantrums or outright refuses to work with anything else. Windows and Android play nice with everything and everyone without holding you hostage to their particular hardware which is sold at inflated prices.

 

If you have plenty of Apple devices (laptop iPad etc) it makes sense to stay w iPhone because of convenience. If not it would be whichever you prefer. I tried the galaxy S6 from iPhone few years ago then went back to iPhone after. Most carriers give you a few weeks money back guarantee. Use it!

 

The only reason I am getting a new phone is because of this latest IOS 11 release. It is absolutely horrible and my older iPhone 6 cannot handle it. It is so slow to respond to anything that it gets very frustrating trying to text or type anything. My battery doesn't last an hour since the update either. I've looked at downgrading back to IOS 10 but Apple has quit signing it making that impossible. I even went and bought a new fire tablet so I didn't have to use my phone at home but enough is enough, time to move on.

 

Thumbs up on Verizon

But here’s a fact:

Pop the battery of an android you find the IMEI number. Give this number to a tecky and you android is now CLONED.

Can’t do that to iPhone unless you actually into the phone menu.

More facts:

Android playstore market is filled with unmonitored apps that can also take over your phone

iPhone apps are screened before placement.


Get a iPhone 8 or X

 

IOS 11 is a drain on older iPhone batteries for sure, but I wouldn’t let that be the determining factor. I presonally would upgrade to an 8 or X. The battery life on my iPhone X is awesome

 

I have one of each, work/personal.

FaceTime is way better than the google hangouts video chat garbage, aside from that, they both work fine. I prefer android, just wish they had something as good as FaceTime.

 

Definitely not letting the battery issue be the deciding factor, my plan was to get an 8 but then my eyes started wondering to the new Pixel. Think it's time for a change up.

 

I went the other way. Had android from the start and swore I would never go Apple. Our programmer at work is a big apple and linux guy and convinced me to go with an iPhone. I have to say I was surprised and will not go back to android. Apple is just more refined...period. The android is more like a toy IMHO, not polished, kind of cludgy. For business the apple products just make sense, no worries about viruses, they do work with windows apps like office and you can always install a VM to run windows and still be safe from viruses, etc because its in a sandbox environment. The only down side to me is cost.

 

x2
I was TEAM ANDROID for years and no one could have changed my mind...

....”was”.....is the operative word

 

I don't think I have ever met a programmer that likes Apple products. Linux, yes but not Apple. All the programmers at my work are Android guys.

 

android experience is directly proportional to the hardware it's installed on. shitty phones drive shitty experience. My last phone was a samsung s7 and now have the note 8... both are freakin aweswome

 

Like most I've owned both. Both are nice phones & have similar features but the only thing I don't like about iPhones are the limited memories whereas the androids, Samsung in particular, are expandable.

 

I switched from Apple to Android, (4s to S4) and after getting used to the differences, I don't plan on going back. I didn't mind my iphone because it was jailbroken, but I got tired of all Apple's bullshit.

 

You are definitely correct , i have an iphone 6 and it is very annoying texting and mine would just freeze, it doesn’t help i drop it once in a while, my wife swap hers to the Android and she likes it way better.

 

We had iPhones and went with Galaxy phones then returned to iPhone. The end user experience simply was not even in the same league.

This wasn't my experience at all. I know some computer programmers who switched to Apple for its unix core. Most programmers/engineers I talked to, even those who use Windows, like Apple products.

 

Lol wtf. Those are the worst reasons ever, and not even completely true.

There are plenty of reasons to prefer Apple, those aren't the reasons.

OP, I use a Pixel 2 XL and it's an amazing phone. Been on Android for 5 years now. The latest Pixels got my Apple lifer wife to change. I manage a corporate wireless account and see all phones. The latest Apples are really nice for sure, until you realize they are the same old Apple OS. Of the Android line, nothing matches the Pixel 2s at the moment.

Unlike other brands, Google is using a pure version of Android. It's not a skin on top of Android, with slow updates, and junkware.

 

@mdavis -
Not trying to be a jerk or an Apple douche but I think you’re asking a bit much of your iPhone 6. It’s basically a 4 year old device which in tech/phone years is geologic. And while yes the 6 “supports” the new OS, you’ve got to take that with a grain of salt.

To stretch the limits of hyperbole, you’ve essentially installed a back-up camera and are disappointed that it isn’t working well with your 8-track player. But more realistically, you’ve loaded a disc full of mp3 files and can’t get it to play on a classic CD player.

I don’t think anyone has ever accused an iPhone or Android phone of being a Tundra. 2-3 years is about all I expect out of my phones. Anymore is house money. I like Apple stuff because it “just works” (but I understand limitations). And as mentioned above the security of the “App Store” vs androids is worth its weight to me. Having an android that can be “unlocked and changed and etc.” to me is like comparing a gerber multitool to a benchmade knife.

 

Pixel 2 XL is a beast. Only thing my wife misses is iMessage. And I'll openly admit, Android doesn't have something to match it. Her whole family uses iMessage to share photos and videos and while Google Photos is amazing, it's not the same. iMessage let's you sure nearly full res video recordings via a message. She also misses FaceTime, but, Google Duo is a good substitute, and available in the Apple store for iPhone users.

 

Apple or Android. Both very good. Depends on the hardware. Newer phones makes for a better experience. Pixel 2 is pure android, no bloatware and you’ll get the updates first.

I’m too invested in the Apple ecosystem to switch, but if you’re not then try it out.

 

This is where the pixel comes in. No bloatware. No useless crap you can’t get rid of.

 

Yep. The Verizon version gets three junk apps on activation, but they can be uninstalled in about 3 seconds.

 

While I see what you’re saying, there should be a warning or an easy way to go back to previous versions. If that was the case, I would no doubt not be looking at new phones. My 6 is only right at 2 years old, there was plenty of life left in it until this update.

 

No. So much no. It's just as easy to steal an iPhone IMEI as an Android or Windows device.

Yes, Android allows more apps on their marketplace. For many of us, this is why we prefer Android. Android is also more compatible with everything else on the planet, including Apple devices..

I agree with ColoradoTJ that you can't go wrong with either, but the argument that one is less secure is simply not true.

 

I still have the original Pixel XL (my work provided phone for 6 more months) and I love that it's pure Android. It is an amazing and still relevant device.

Apple, and a lot of the providers that create their own versions of Android iterations, have been known to introduce code in New software packages that slows the performance of the older models. Then they harass you daily to upgrade the software.. when you do, your phone slows to a crawl and you go get the latest version. Shitty tactic but it's prevalent. The Pixel is a good choice because this will never happen on a pure Android device.

I still have (and have developed for, although not for awhile) the original Android phone, the G1 aka Dream.

 

Couple more hours and I’ll be playing with my new toy.

 

Yeah I agree

 

I switched to a galaxy S6 and I knew from the minute I got home that I made a mistake. After a few months I traded the phone for a 7 plus. My wife kept her galaxy for a year and then got rid of it when the screen stopped working.