Longtime iPhone user goes Android for 4 months. Result? Back to iPhone

[Dulanic]

I can say without a doubt my SGS2 does not have those problems.

 

[alkemyst]

Doesn't really matter what it costs, you're not going to buy something you don't know how to use. There are exceptions to everything of course, but I highly doubt the majority of Android sales are from people who have no idea how to use a phone at all, else we would be seeing just as many returns as sales.

Everyone knows how to use a phone...most do not really know how to use a smartphone. They buy the android because you can get it for free/under $100.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I work around a ton of well-paid engineers. There is much Android vs iPhone debate.

However, as soon as any Android user gets real seat time behind the iPhone they admit they bought the Android thinking it's the same only cheaper.

Many don't even bother with Jailbreaking either since $0.99 apps (and free) you know will work fine without screwing around with things.

Funny I've used iOS a good deal yet I bought a Captivate over an iPhone 4 even though they were the same price at the time.

 

[A5]

at least iphone/ipad can connect to my car's USB and it will control the ipod app through my car

tried it with my inspire and it only plays the music on the SD card, not through apps like pandora or slacker

That's a problem with your car, not the operating system. My car (2009 Mazda 6) controls my Android phone over bluetooth (even in Pandora) with no issues.

 

[Bateluer]

This thread isn't going to end well. . .

Everyone knows that Android is an excellent OS, but has such variation between handsets that saying Android is inferior because you used one single device makes you look like an idiot. iPhones are the same, if you've used an iPhone, you've used an iPhone. If you've used an HTC Sense device, you've used a VERY different device than a Motorola with Blur or a Samsung with TouchWiz, or a vanilla device, even though they all run Android 2.2.x or 2.3.x

Most of the problems people complain about with Android phones are entirely related to the manufacturer UIs and carrier bloat, not the OS.

 

[alkemyst]

Funny I've used iOS a good deal yet I bought a Captivate over an iPhone 4 even though they were the same price at the time.

Some want to appear geeky and be able to bash the iPhone.

If you have the time to screw with a phone all the time then it could work.

 

[Krynj]

I can say without a doubt my SGS2 does not have those problems.

This. I have an SGS2 Epic 4G Touch. And it really is the best Android device on the market. No lag -- EVER. Every transition and animation is silky smooth. Its responsiveness and fluid movements feel just like iOS. The SGS2 line of devices has really raised the bar and set a new standard for performance on high-end Android phones. It really is a great device, and anybody would be a fool to disagree.

I used to be a big iPhone basher, but I've really settled down. It all boils down to preference at this point. Fans of each platform will argue what they like/dislike about either one, but the fact is, they're both perfectly capable platforms with a great app library. iOS makes Android better, and Android makes iOS better. The more each platform innovates, the more it forces the other one to catch up.

Though I will say, in an honest, non-fanboy tone, iOS has a lot more catching up to do than Android. Android gets a bad wrap from the low-end devices that are compared to iPhones. If every iPhone user had spent as much on an Android phone as they did their iPhone, they'd probably feel differently about Android -- especially the SGS2 line.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Some want to appear geeky and be able to bash the iPhone.

If you have the time to screw with a phone all the time then it could work.

Or I want a phone that actually does what I need.

 

[alent1234]

That's a problem with your car, not the operating system. My car (2009 Mazda 6) controls my Android phone over bluetooth (even in Pandora) with no issues.

didn't feel like paying the extra $2000 for the Nav/bluetooth package for my CR-v

if iphones can do it over USB why not android?

and google Nav is useless on both of my android phones. always loses GPS, but when i use maps it finds my location right away

my wife and i are already talking about buying one of the iOS navigation apps

 

[Dulanic]

didn't feel like paying the extra $2000 for the Nav/bluetooth package for my CR-v

if iphones can do it over USB why not android?

and google Nav is useless on both of my android phones. always loses GPS, but when i use maps it finds my location right away

my wife and i are already talking about buying one of the iOS navigation apps

Because your car manufacturer decided that is what they wanted to support. What do you want google to go out and make decisions for car manufacturers?

Wait...forget everything I said....

 

[Krynj]

Some want to appear geeky and be able to bash the iPhone.

If you have the time to screw with a phone all the time then it could work.

Or you're like my dad, and got a Droid Incredible at a great price, and love it. He came from an LG Dumb phone, and he's great with it -- and he's not tech-savy at all. He loves the device, uses tons of different apps, and has no problems texting, MMSing, browsing, etc, etc.

He doesn't care about iPhones, nor would he know what an iPhone was if he even saw one, so he didn't buy it for that. Nor did he buy it to screw with all the time, in an attempt to make it work.

 

[alent1234]

Because your car manufacturer decided that is what they wanted to support. What do you want google to go out and make decisions for car manufacturers?

Wait...forget everything I said....

doesn't change the fact i can plug in my ipad into the USB and it will control it from the dashboard radio to play from radio apps or control the ipod app to play by artist, playlist, etc. why pay $2000 for Navigation?

and for some reason my HTC phone won't push email into exchange subfolders, the Moto phone will but i couldn't figure out how to switch between accounts

 

[alkemyst]

Or you're like my dad, and got a Droid Incredible at a great price, and love it. He came from an LG Dumb phone, and he's great with it -- and he's not tech-savy at all. He loves the device, uses tons of different apps, and has no problems texting, MMSing, browsing, etc, etc.

He doesn't care about iPhones, nor would he know what an iPhone was if he even saw one, so he didn't buy it for that. Nor did he buy it to screw with all the time, in an attempt to make it work.

Like I said, I agree with that. Most that bought their Droids loved them (I do like my buddies with some new OS hack that compiles the entire build rather than runs it as libraries/separate modules).

However, the iPhone fit and finish and support easily through the App Store is second to none for those with more money than time.

I was going to buy the Evo X (I think, whatever the best Droid was back in March) since I could pick it up for like $99 vs the $600 for two phones I did.

I am glad I got my iPhone things I need I can download in 30 mins max and I know it works. I know guys that hosed their whole phone in a meeting downloading something.

 

[gaidensensei]

However, the iPhone fit and finish and support easily through the App Store is second to none for those with more money than time.

Now come on. That's just a little ridiculous. Android market is for the poor people... alright. I have both iOS and android, apps on both cost the same price and if not much else, more freebies are on the app store.

Why apple cost more is for profits, something costing more does not necessarily equate to it being better.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I appreciate the OP's dilemma. That is why I personally have bought two iPhones in a row- I didn't want to be without once I was spoiled to what iOS had given me.

This cycle (Oct 2) I plan to move to Android because I realize that what I really get from my iPhone I can get from Android plus some because I don't really maximize my iPhone.

 

[Dulanic]

doesn't change the fact i can plug in my ipad into the USB and it will control it from the dashboard radio to play from radio apps or control the ipod app to play by artist, playlist, etc. why pay $2000 for Navigation?

and for some reason my HTC phone won't push email into exchange subfolders, the Moto phone will but i couldn't figure out how to switch between accounts

Sounds like it really bothers you, may want to go buy a different car.

 

[Binky]

I am glad I got my iPhone things I need I can download in 30 mins max and I know it works. I know guys that hosed their whole phone in a meeting downloading something.

WTF are you smoking?

Android has its fans and iOS has its fans. Ridiculous comments just prove you're blinded by your (over-zealous) love for one or the other.

 

[dainthomas]

doesn't change the fact i can plug in my ipad into the USB and it will control it from the dashboard radio to play from radio apps or control the ipod app to play by artist, playlist, etc.

doesn't change the fact that this is everything to do with your car stereo and nothing to do with android.

http://www.ford.com/technology/sync/

Certain features of SYNC® may work differently depending on which phone you have. Platforms such as iPhone, Android and Blackberry all work with SYNC, but different phone models do vary;

 

[OBLAMA2009]

i have dx and i dont have any of those problems. the only real problem is sometimes it loses 3g and i have to trun off/on

 

[Fire&Blood]

I lost count of gadgets that became useless because of improper or worse, nonexistent driver support. Not surprised that some car to phone syncs won't work at all. It's not really a feature worth touting even when it does.

why pay $2000 for Navigation?

You wouldn't, neither would I but the whole point is that many do and it's not up to anyone to tell them they are right/wrong for it. I'm sure some dedicated GPS units fans could type up a whole list of why GPS navigation trumps the phone.

Some people can't even figure out what specs/features can be compared objectively and which belong in the matter of personal preference category.
For example, if I think the iphone's screen is too small (for me), it doesn't mean that it's too small for everybody. And repeating that opinion over and over would do nothing but annoy folks.

 

[pm]

I've been watching this thread and trying to decide if I want to step in as moderator and what I should say. I thought about locking the thread, because I initially agreed with Bateluer's comment that this thread wasn't destined for good things. But the idea that we can't objectively discuss issues with Android (or iOS) is counter to the point of this forum. I would ask participants to be respectful of each other and refrain from one-liners that don't add to the discussion.

Thanks
Moderator PM

 

[ultimatebob]

I'm puzzled... I have an HTC Inspire "4G" phone for work, and it has great battery life. It's better than my Droid X, and on par with my old iPhone 3G.

Are you sure that you didn't get a bad app that was killing your battery? You can tell what's eating it up from the battery control panel.

 

[kaerflog]

I have a G2x.
Overall I like it.
I like having a real free GPS and Google Voice integrated.
One thing I hate Android is that I have to micro manage things all the time to make sure I can survive a whole day on battery.
Another thing that bugs me is that I have to have background data on to use Messenger.
Android likes to eat up my data when I leave it on.
Once again, having to micromanage my phone.

 

[gorcorps]

As a long time iphone user who recently switched to Android, I can see why some would go back. For what I want my phone to do I don't expect to leave Android now that I'm here... but I wouldn't hold it against others who move back either.

Battery life for me was bad at first too, and I know that HTC has notoriously bad battery life and small capacity batteries. Apple has a much more efficient system with iOS for whatever reason. However a fresh battery in my Atrix will last as long as my iphone 4 did. It's a bit higher capacity but it's solid. The bigger issue is that the battery meter seems to be incredibly inaccurate. I'll restart my phone and the indicator will jump up my 20%. I don't think it affects the total life of it, but it's still odd.

I've had my launcher freeze on me a couple times, but TBH I've had the iphone freeze on me too. I like to mess with things and see what limits my customization can reach. Sometimes I get to a point where some apps aren't playing nice. I don't think this is limited to Android at all in my experience.

Size is one of the reasons I moved AWAY from Apple. The screen just started to feel cramped after a while. Actually the 4" on the Atrix also feels a little small in portrait mode still which right now is how I usually use the phone. I think a 4.5" screen would treat me nicely. This is highly dependent on your typing style and hand size though.

 

[Renob]

Just want to say I like this post being I will be buying my first smart phone and not sure what i will get, will say if the Ip5 does not have at least a 4in screen i will go with Android