Why do you personally prefer using an Android phone?

Cameri@lemmy.world to Android@lemmy.world – 240 points –

Everyone has their preferences, I would love to hear why you guys prefer using Android!

306

I want a customizable phone that is not stuck in a walled-garden. Plus I do not use Apple products.

In no particular order

  • File management works like a charm
  • USB-C and fast charging
  • Customizations
  • Custom ROMs
  • Privacy (getting a Pixel soon for GrapheneOS)
  • Easier to repair
  • More efficient (takes less steps to do stuff)
  • Looks better
  • Sideloading
  • More choices for phones

Sideloading is the big one. I was considering an iPad before getting Xiaomi tablet (even though it costs roughly the same), but sideloading is game changer.

  • YouTube Vanced
  • Emulators
  • Stremio and torrents

Along the lines of sideloading: proper adblock

I was reminded ads exist after I bought an iPad for school (sadly the notetaking experience is truly unrivaled). Adblock only works on Safari and whether it'll work properly is another roll of the dice.

I have an iPad too. Try NextDNS. I have it set up on my iPad. I think it works but I only use it as a glorified notebook so I'm not sure

  1. File management is noice, the ability to plug in a USB C usb is very clutch.
  2. I swear a lot more apps on iOS are subscription based than on Android.
  3. A lot more open source apps.
  4. Modded apps.
  5. I can easily connect my phone to my laptop and copy actual files.
  6. Sideloading.
  7. Choice.

#2 I am a developer, the reason for this is that publishing an app in App Store is not free unlike in Android where it's a one time payment.

In regards to point 2, this is very true. Apps that are free or freemium on Android are often subscription on iOS. I wonder if a part of it is the higher costs of requiring a Mac to develop the app (and iPhone to test it), and any app store differences that may account for this. Big companies can handle this, but for little guys it's a barrier to entry

I think it's also a chicken-or-egg question:

Apple users are more willing to pay for apps. So if you're a dev and you want to release a paid app, iOS is the platform of choice. So more devs release paid apps on iOS, so iOS becomes the platform with more paid apps. So users are more used to pay for apps. So paying for apps is normalized, so Apple users are more willing to pay for apps.

Etc. etc. etc.

I swear a lot more apps on iOS are subscription based than on Android.

I used an iPhone for a week for the first time in my life earlier this year and I realized that if I were to switch to IOS, I'd end up spending literally hundreds of dollar per year on stuff I can get for free on Android via piracy.

  • Headphone jack
  • SD slot

Yes I'm using a Sony phone (Xperia 1V)

How do you like it?

Been deciding between an Xperia 1V and s23 ultra.

It's a great phone. Good camera and it has a dedicated shutter button too. I'm not going to pay flagship money for a phone that doesn't even have a headphone jack...

I see!

I understand for me the big point is the update policy. Just 2 years of OS updates is dissapointing, same as the 30Watt max charger.

But indeed the Headphone jack and SD card functionality are such a big plus.

Thanks for the input!

Is 30W low? I just charge a bit everyday morning before I go out and it got to 100%

I am spoiled haha. I had an realme x2 pro since 2018 or 19 and that was already 50watts.

Also got the Realme Gt 5G as an replacement 2 years ago which is 65 watts.

Anything below 50watts seems slow in comparison haha ;).

i ended up getting the S22U, just because the Xperia wasnt availble locally. If i had had a choice, i would have gone for the Xperia every day.

I used it initially, because I hated Apple and their proprietary stuff and have stayed ever since. I liked androids more universal approach. SD cards, usb, etc.

Exactly. Also, custom kernels, rooting, optimizing battery life by underclocking, disabling wakeups, and a helalalot more

Sideloading apps is the main reason. I couldn't use a phone without Adblock.

iPhones are also just way more expensive and the few times i've tried them the UX just sucked so much, form over function.

  • iOS is very restricted compared to Android.
  • iPhones overpriced like crazy for what you get.
  • GrapheneOS

If you use any app other than what Apple provides, you become a second class citizen on your own phone.

Third party apps simply don't integrate with iOS nicely unless Apple allows it. Even though you can choose a web browser, it has to use Safari's underlying code base.

I'm on a Pixel 7. A lot of people say it's like Google's iPhone, but I can use Firefox as my browser natively. Adblocking actually works, too. I can choose any app as a default for whatever. Lots of FOSS! Google doesn't own my Pixel the same way Apple owns the iPhone.

On a pixel phone you can even install a google free OS like graphene (that's what I did)

Hi. I've heard quite a few people do this but never managed to ask why. So, taking the opportunity to ask.

What I mean is, if the large part of the phone is about the software experience and software optimisation (and the hardware in itself is nowhere near cutting edge) what's the upside of installing a non-google OS on it?

Perhaps I'll try it someday. For today, just curious. If you could shed some light on it. Thank you!

Sorry for the late reply, still getting used to lemmy and missed the notification.

I'm probably in the minority but I didn't actually do it to completely de-google. I still have some Google services installed, they are sandboxed and limited to what I actively want though.

My main reason was removing the insane bloat that comes with modern phones. Think Facebook/Google and vendor specific apps being preinstalled without the ability to remove, forced google search bar on the home screen etc.. Now I have a pretty clean, fairly safe, OS which behaves almost exactly like a normal phone.

Also important to remember on GrapheneOS is that your google play services are

  1. Optional
  2. Sandboxed Meaning even if you need google play, it's a more private experience than stock android. I personally use a separate user profile for apps that require google play services.

Some people want to get away from Google services and tracking; having a non-Google OS can allow for that. 🙂

I may be one of the last hangers-on for this issue, but: my Android phone has a headphone port! That was non-negotiable for me last time I got a new phone. Earbuds do not stay in my ears, are super uncomfortable, and I don't want to charge a wireless headset or mess with an adapter all the time. I have cheap wired headphones for going out and about that I don't lose when they fall out because the wire catches them, and really nice wired headphones at home that are much better quality than wireless ones. My car also has a 3.5 mm hookup that sounds a lot better than Bluetooth audio.

Besides that: Having more customization and control. Firefox + adblockers and other extensions. ReVanced for YouTube. Easier access to the phone's storage and files. Being able to block ads adds so much quality of life.

I absolutely agree with the 3.5mm headphone port. I use mine all the time as every wireless set of earbuds that I've tried has hurt my ears in minutes. I also can't forget to charge my wired ones. It's getting harder to find a decent phone that has both a headphone port and a micro SD card slot.

I literally can't keep the wireless earbuds in! I don't know if my ears are too small or weirdly shaped on the inside or what. Sometimes I can kind of wedge them in for a minute, but only by having them actively digging into the sides of my ear. That hurts and it still falls out as soon as I move my head.

My current phone doesn't have a micro SD card slot, but that's another improvement I would really like to have. I like to keep a lot of pictures and files on my phone and it would be great to be able to upgrade the storage as it fills up.

Definitely agree with the port.

I have the Qudelix 5K for really close to quality Bluetooth 3.5mm using Sony LDAC, and cost me 100 bucks.

Similar devices with lower quality are around 50-100 bucks.

Granted some do have great ways to enhance audio though.

Though for your earbuds, I'd get custom ear tips.

Like these

Headphones always win though, just that earpods are more mobile.

Revanced and Fdroid. Plus, I can use real third party browsers. And sideloading. And getting access to the file system. And having tons of vendors to choose from.

GrapheneOS, other custom OSes, ability to hack/mod/repair.

Apple is one of the most scummy and anti-consumer companies in the world, they won't ever get a dollar from me or any endorsement.

Likewise. I've been on graphene for about 2 years now.

Miss iMessage and Facetime though.

It's more open and you're not confined to how Apple thinks your phone should look like.

Iphone is incredibly expensive. IOs seems much more restrictive than Android. There's a bigger offer of different phones and manufactures in Android. Most people in my country use Android.

I prefer the freedom to choose between multiple phone manufacturers, and am not tethered to a closed environment.

I dislike Apple alot, stupidly Expensive, more than they devices worth, very restrictive on what you can do with them (treat their customers as kids) and their monopoly.

There is also a wide variety of Android phones with different price ranges, and features (like my beloved headphone jacks), wider customisation and a somewhat better repaiability sometimes.

I first made the switch to android after my iphone 5 died and found out the newer models wouldn't have an aux output. I have significantly more chances to use a 3.5mm plug than bluetooth in my life, so it was an easy choice.

7 years later, and I still have the same phone. No bloat, and updated the way I want it. I charge it once per day at high-performance mode, and the battery is holding strong.

I keep an iphone dongle in my car for friends, because I am a gentleman, but they always remark on how easy it would be to just have the damn aux port.

I think my first "real" phone ever was a Used Iphone 5 and My hate for apple started when I wanted to use some niche apps I wanted to use where android only, and I would need to ask my mother to lend me her phone for a second, eventually I got my hands on android phone and not only I could use said apps (they would eventually reach ios tough) but do a whole lot ton more things with my phone, here androids are more popular than Iphones tough, as they are mor of a luxury product.

Which brand is your Android phone and are you running an alternative Android-based OS like /e/ or LineageOS?

galaxy s8+, just regular pie

I've never felt the need to install something else, since pie is so customizable as it is, and I like the way it works. no doubt there's some good OS out there, but I haven't felt the need to go that route.

do you prefer a different OS?

I actually don’t have an Android phone. Well, not yet. I want to get one. I’m just waiting for the right one.

I want an Android phone which has a headphone jack, an easily-replaceable battery, good enough specs to easily manage 3-4 major OS upgrades, and support from an alternative Android-based OS like /e/. Though, I have to admit that I’m starting to worry that I’m asking for too much.

I’ll probably get a Fairphone 5 if it’s released in the US and has a headphone jack.

I’d go with /e/ because it’s free of bloatware and Google’s spyware.

Yeah like people often pointing out that iPhone cameras are better. I have a friend who owns a Samsung A71 (a budget phone) and the pictures look just as good as an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 for half the price.

-firefox with addons (adblock is the condom of internet) -youtube revanced -fdroid -better kde connect integration -termux -the ability to sideload apps -customisation -more device options and generally cheaper models

To feel that YOU are the one really owning your phone.

iOS is always over-protective and doesn't allow sideloading. Whenever I use an iPhone I feel like I'm using a phone lent by a parent to some child.

There's not equivalent F-droid for iPhone, and almost all apps on Appstore contain ads.

  • Firefox with addons
  • NewPipe with SponsorBlock
  • USB type C
  • Custom ROMs
  • APK Sideloading
  • USB Debugging for testing my Godot projects directly on the phone
  • No apple tax
  • Maybe more...

Mainly that there are really solid midrange android phones nowadays. I just can't justify the iPhone pricetag.

That has to be the biggest factor by far. I got my pixel 6a for around 300€ total with a mobile plan (free calls, sms and a small amount of data)

Does everything I and realistically the vast majority of people need it for. And you can get perfectly usable phones for even less.

There is no way apple can beat that value, even if their update policy and thus longevity is one of the few things I envy.

Also many benefits of the iphone imo rely on being invested in their ecosystem.

The thing that can make up for lower Android longevity is the custom ROMs that might be out there (especially for common models like your pixel!) I do love the smoothness of the Apple ecosystem but alas I cannot afford it. I quite like Linux anyway.

You are right that the tech-savy can extend their longevity through custom ROMs, but that isn't for the average user. And you shouldn't have to resort to that to begin with.

The update policy just makes otherwise great phones become obsolete (in some ways) way too fast.

Sony smartphones for example are imo great in many ways (e.g. still retain the headphone jack and sd card slot) outside of being pricey. Yet they only get 2 years of updates (and maybe slightly longer security updates). That's just not acceptable in any world. Especially when you might not want to buy them at lauch price, since unlike iphones you can get decent discounts on androids for older models.

I could post why I do not like Apple, but that isn't why I prefer Android.

I like how there are a ton of options on Android. I can control what hardware I have, from an ultrabudget $100 phone to a $2000 foldable flagship. I can choose how I control my device, I can choose how my device looks. All of these things add up to letting me have the best experience.

I also like how you can install custom ROMs on many devices. This allows even more options in terms of personal control.

I just switched from an iPhone X to a Samsung A53. I'm a bit blown away with all the customization that is offered on an uprooted phone, nearly more if not equal to my jailbroken customization capabilities. Really impressed so far.

  • Camera roll folder for images.
  • Notification system isn't a teenagers messy room.
  • Red button to decline call, not a neantherdal's action to lock the phone...
  • File management
  • Apps are a lot more capable.
  • Full customization to my needs.
  • I'm not locked in to using the phone exactly how someone else decided I should.

  1. I can sideload apps. These apps are usually either obscure but useful or FOSS and designed for the user rather than for money.

  2. Even the apps officially on the Google Play Store are more powerful, such as emulators and an app using an advanced algorithm to change the speed and pitch of music while having it still sound high-quality. And of course, a file manager is a must-have.

  3. The ability to have Firefox+uBlock origin is a must-have for web browsing.

  4. More powerful in automation tools. I didn't care too much about this until I found it extremely useful for work.

  5. More hardware variety. I hate that you can't get a headphone jack on an iPhone and that the storage markups are absurd. Here I am with a $300 phone with a good performance, 256GB internal storage, a headphone jack, and a MicroSD slot. Bonus: The iPhone notch is incredibly ugly and the way Android does notches and punch holes is way better.

Unfortunately, we are beholden to greedy Google that actively is nerfing Android. Android 11 made it harder to access files, Android 12 replaced the WiFi and mobile toggles an incredibly poorly-designed internet toggle, and Android 14 is gonna restrict sideloading of older apps (which generally use less storage and are more optimized).

Wow, fuck everything then. I hope forks of Android continues to thrive, but there is only so much we can do when the base starts deteriorating in quality.

Too bad Linux phones failed to launch. I mean, if there is as great working phone that reliably makes calls and fully accepts SIM cards, I will buy it the day my phone dies. There needs to be a Fedora phone, an open source backed up by an established freedom respecting company with a lot of money.

Maybe it's just Samsung, but at least One UI refused to give in to Google retardedly combining the WiFi and mobile data toggles together.

The price, a burning hatred for apple, and I can switch over to something else like graphine os. I haven't done that yet but I plan to when I get a new phone though!

I also like IOS due to stability (I have an Ipad Mini) but I need some things firat before switching.

  1. Tachiyomi (Manga Reader)
  2. Ad free youtube aka Revanced
  3. Desk mode for playing TFT on a Monitor
  4. Sideloading unavailable regionally locked apps
  5. Emulators

I think there is an app in development called Paperback that could resemble what Tachiyomi it's doing for iOS

I like to use custom ROMs i can't live without them

This. LineageOS with Magisk modules like Viper4Android or AOSP Mods is just irreplaceable. Nothing ever compares for me.

  1. The flexibility to easily run things such as Termux (from F-Droid or similar) - who doesn’t love a proper shell complete with the ability to install Python, tmux, sshd, etc right on their phone!
  2. Way superior notifications compared to iOS.
  • Out of the box notifications is better (ability to customise notification tones per-app and even per-type/channel if the app exposes them) compared to generic notification tones on iOS (unless there’s an in-app setting).
  • The notification icons in the status bar. On iOS I either have to look at my notification panel or lock-screen, or permit pop ups (which I hate for privacy reasons when sitting with other people).
  • Cool 3rd-party apps such as AODNotify, which bring back notification LED type effects on AMOLED screens (but also, real, bright RGB notification LEDs on Sony phones and older Samsungs)
  • Also Always on Display on AMOLED or Motorola’s Moto Display with gestures on IPS phones
  1. An actual choice of browsers. Firefox on Android actually IS a different browser to Chrome and the others. On iOS, they’re not much more than UI shells over the top of a shared browser engine.
  2. Things like text selection actually work. Every time I try to select or correct a URL in Safari for iOS I feel like throwing the device across the room.

Bad things - stupid bugs. The number of phones I’ve had with issues around notification tones not playing or being cut off (e.g. Moto Z2 Play) or stupid hardware decisions (no physical proximity sensor on Galaxy A51). Also, Bitwarden works way better on iOS - I always seem to have issues with Bitwarden’s integration in GBoard, and needing to use the legacy draw-over approach (but the fact Bitwarden can DO that on Android, is a win). Whereas on iOS, it feels far better integrated into the OS, replacing the standard password manager.

iOS is confusing as hell and extremely limiting.

I will say as someone who switched from android to iPhone 6 years ago I kinda regret it. My phone is a buggy mess and I have a 13 pro. One thing that always makes me so confused is whether the setting I’m looking for in an app is in the settings app and then have to find the app or the actual apps settings. It’s extremely inconsistent

I will agree it's limiting, but it isn't anywhere close to confusing. The one thing I will say is that some app settings are tucked away in the iOS settings app, which I would prefer them to be in the actual app.

Beyond that, I don't find it confusing at all.

Both are correct. You can hand an iPhone to a 3 year old and they'll figure it out. If you're used to Android and care about changing things or accessing files, iPhone is a pain in the butt.

There's always a learning curve going from one thing to another. Like you said, going from Android to iOS, learning the UI and where things are placed may take some time to get used to at first. I went from Android to an iPhone 12 a couple years ago, and it took some time to learn. Same goes for switching from iOS to Android. That being said, it doesn't mean the UI is confusing.

It's not so much that iOS is confusing.

It's more that you have to learn which things are just completely impossible to do on iOS for the single reason that Apple doesn't want users to do those things.

On Android, things that should be possible from a technical point of view are generally possible. Might take a while to figure things out, but generally, things are achievable.

On iOS, there's either a fairly straightforward way to do things, or there's not even a point in trying, because Apple has locked that shit down to the point where you'll just waste days trying to find a way, only to give up on the end.

I've got endless examples, from trying to move files/documents/music on, to, or from an iOS device in a non-Apple-approved way to sending media over non-Apple-approved channels to something as simple as syncing calendars in a way that Apple doesn't like.

On Android, all of these things can be achieved in a couple of minutes.

I used to bother with jailbreaking and all that jazz - but ultimately, to me, owning a shiny Apple device isn't worth having to deal with all the randomly imposed limitations.

Nah, it's just that it tries to hand hold so much that it gets in the way and complicates things even further.

I want my app icons close to the bottom of the screen where my hands are and not at the top of the screen just because Apple demands it. Also I can have ad free apps like ReVanced

Every time I show an iphone user that I can put my apps at the bottom, it blows their mind.

How configurable and customizing can be achieved. Even if you like IOS GUI, you can perfectly install a launcher in android which looks like one and you're done. Try to do that on an actual iphone device, good luck bucko.

btw, sideload is A MUST for today's standards, and since we're talking about open source and all, almost all of my apps are open source, so yeah.

Long live AOSP

Definitely having an OS that isn't locked down to oblivion, allows sideloading etc. and not paying an exorbitant amount for a phone

it is more flexible,
more poweruser friendly,
way more open and free,
and most importantly:
iphone is very expensive

I dont mind using iphone over android, it's just that Apple make it so damn hard to build an app for iOS (require Xcode on macOS only) and not allow sideloading app, like hello? I'm the one who own the phone here. So I stick with android, and think anybody who like to tinker with their setup and is a little tech savy should not use Iphone. Thanks for coming to my TED talk

It seems like any time I consider giving iOS a chance, I hear about some basic thing where I'm like "Wait, it can't do that?" So until that stops happening, I'm sticking with Android.

I have only ever inherited Apple products (excepting a long time ago when I used a Mac Book Pro) so I love my tablets, but I could never stand using an iOS phone. It genuinely sucks the kind of restrictions you run into, and the apps that let you do what you want are either comically overpriced or feel like a scam. Some things I will never trust on an Apple device because the FOSS solution is the best option.

With LineageOS + microg I have a cheap phone that performs really well and the battery lasts for multiple days. Had a jailbroken iphone before switching to Android but have never even thougt about going back.

Another LineageOS + microg user here.

I used stock android and iOS before making the switch. Best change yet.

What phone are you running LineageOS on? I have a S10e, thinking of getting Lineage once updates run out

Redmi note 9 pro, kinda hard to recommend if you're not committed to running LineageOS, but it was an easy choice for me, been using custom roms since the cyanogenmod days.

Customization and the app drawer. Any time I have to use my wife's iphone I can't stand how many folders are all over the place to house the apps. Baffling design. I have a custom launcher which means I also set up gestures to open certain apps. Swipe up for Discord, down for fantasy hockey, two finger counterclockwise turn for Goodreads, two finger down swipe for Roku remote, etc. I also have custom icon packs.

  1. Not an iPhone
  2. Linux-based
  3. Can install apps from external sources.
  4. I can customize many aspects
  5. I can root it and run more advanced software, customize it further, and debloat/remove unwanted builtin apps (unlocked phones only)

It's more open and not locked down to proprietary software.

Freedom. I feel so restricted on iOS. I want to do this, and this, and that there too!

The simple act of trying to transfer ownership of an iPhone from one daughter to another this week almost broke me. I hate how difficult they make everything.

Was it more involved than sign out -> factory reset -> set up as a new phone? (I'm just curious, have been on android for a few years now)

There were some self inflicted complications to be fair. I couldn't fully back up the broken phone because it was in a family group with an expired payment card. My wife hadn't had her iPhone for years so that was a pain in the arse to resolve which included waiting nearly two weeks for an email from Apple. Even when I got into her iCloud account updating the bank card failed every time, also you can't modify a family group in the browser. I ended up borrowing a family members old iphone so I could set it up as my wifes and disband the family group, then update the payment method directly on the broken phone. We could then pay the 70p or whatever for additional storage and back it up. I couldn't factory reset the other phone because in addition to the passcode, you also needed the screen time passcode which nobody could remember. I eventually installed iTunes on my PC and wiped it that way. I mean if you know all the security information I imagine it's a lot easier but I wouldn't have had this much trouble had they been android phones.

Not an Apple fanboy in the slightest but one could argue that the fact it was so difficult (without knowing ALL the security details) is a feature not a bug.

Agreed, but I wasn't even able to reset the screen time passcode on the phone where we actually knew all the other security details.

There is a lot more freedom on Android. I want to be able to side load.

This was one of my prime motivators for leaving iOS.

Also choice of device to meet my needs regardless of manufacturer, I'm still getting the experience , in the main.

Well, I don't trust the companies.

But Lineage without Google gives me a decent smartphone experience with minimized tracking capabilities for 3rd parties. (Yeah, provider can still do quite a bit, but the VPN takes care of a bit more there, still not all though)

I had an Iphone a long time ago and it was fine but when I realized I couldn't side load apps easily it put me off completely. Felt like I didn't own my own device. I have been all android now for awhile and haven't looked back.

I think for me a big thing is price. I like being able to buy a cheaper phone and just have a SIM only plan. I also love YouTube revanced and could not live without it so I guess I'm stuck Android.

I like being able to customize it, I like being able to develop or at least modify apps for it since I am a Java/Kotlin developer, I prefer the more open ecosystem, etc.

I used android for 12 years, and after I couldn’t find a flagship phone with an SD card slot I figured I’d try an iPhone because why not. That was 10 months ago and I’m still using it. Things I really miss and prefer about android:

-Customizability: being able to change whatever I wanted was great. I loved spending hours customizing launchers and how everything worked.

-File system: God do I hate iOS and how file management works on iPhones. It’s so unintuitive and dumb. To put videos on my iPad through VLC I have to download the app, then put the files in the app on a computer with iTunes or a Mac, then sync it. Drag and drop for music management was great too.

-USB C: no explanation needed

-Sideloading apps: I used this quite a bit more than I thought and it was definitely something to get used to, to not be able to easily do that without jailbreaking or whatnot.

-YouTube Vanced/emulation: I hate ads and like games

-Keyboards: the iOS keyboard is dogshit. The 3rd party ones are also dogshit, even though somehow the same ones on android were great

Hi there, just a question, see the VLC issue, have you tried the option to ‘Sharing Via Wi-Fi’ under ‘Network’ in VLC?
Once that is activated, it gives you a local IP then you go to your computer’s browser, type that IP address and drag files from say Desktop into the browser.
You will not need iTunes.

other linux phones are not really viable. I dont like supporting apple and even if I didnt care about that, their iOS is far too restrictive.

also Tachiyomi

Sideloading. And I refuse to pay Apple's insane prices tbh.

Well I started off in the Google/Android ecosystem and I just can't get my head around the way Apple devices do some things. There's also cost involved - I buy a new mid-range phone every two or three years that costs me under $300 each time, and then I pair that with a cheap SIM deal (currently $25 a month for unlimited data over 5G). I could hardly do that with Apple given the cost of the device alone...

On top of my mind

  • I can develop apps quickly and check how it looks on mobile (android can be built on any OS with lesser effort compared to iOS builds)
  • RetroGames!
  • Sideload apps
  • More customisation options
  • USB C

I use both Android and iOS Some features I miss on Android are

  • Long press on space bar to move text cursor around.
  • Seamless integration between Apple Devices

Long press on spacebar to move text cursor around.

You're saying you don't have that on Android? I do. But I use GBoard.

Looks like the UX is different on GBoard, it triggers language options when you have multiple languages set up, but works when you have only one language on. Thanks for letting me know!

It works with multiple languages too. Just tap and slide as if you're doing a horizontal scroll. Once in that mode, you can keep your finger held down and sliding as long as you want.

On my a android 11 / miui 12.5.2 pressing space bar to move cursor works without any problems.

Maybe Xiaomi implemented what iOS did in their miui, however same feature is not present in GBoard or SwiftKey :/

The trigger is slightly different on GBoard. Rather than long press and hold, you just touch the spacebar and drag right away. Press too long and the language options show up.

The other big difference with this is it's a 1-Dimensional traversal so it's like having the left and right arrow keys but not the up and down keys.

Oh my god thank u so much was really missing that from iOS. And airplay of course 🥲

Wow I didn't know, thanks for letting me know. Even the 1D traversal helps. Keeping one language makes this feature prominent.

Not being locked to one ecosystem and being forced to do everything the 'Apple' way. One of the biggest annoyances I have is being tech support for family with Apple products and they always ask why I am able to do stuff so easily with my 'cheap android'.

There's a certain level of classism I feel when it comes to phones, it almost feels tribal. Outside the tech/enthusiast space, the average person (at least here where I live) correlate Android with being the cheap option, whereas if you pick iPhone, you are picking the premium option.

Absolutely a class deal with my family. They aren't rich by any means but if you aren't running a Macbook, iPad, and iPhone then what are you doing with your life? They have no idea how to use most of their devices and they also have to watch every youtube ad on their official youtube client.. HAHAAHAHAAHHA

I decide how I use my phone vs my phone decides how I use it

I actually was an Apple fan for a good number of years. I was like "the integration is so nice" and "all of my devices are in a good ecosystem and works great together". Then I got into privacy and security. Now I run GrapheneOS on my phone and Linux on my PC. The software I use is FOSS and my messengers are E2EE. Apple is good if you're a normie and has not realized the importance of privacy, not to say that Android is any better, because all Androids straight out of the box are littered with apps you can't delete, however, you can boot a new operating system like Graphene, Calyx, or LineageOS.

Love the flexibility tbh. If I want to switch manufacturers my OS is the same Also much cheaper + I just love the app selection and the ability to put my own apps on here.

iOS is too restrictive for me and too expensive tbh. The ability to switch default apps is amazing. That said this is just for me tbh

I can't get past feeling like iOS is more like Baby's First SmartPhone™ OS. I can get it if you're buying something for a child, or like your elderly parents or something, but it's all just too rigid, too simple, too walled in, and basically designed to keep unsavvy users from breaking anything. It's like the child-proof cap of operating systems. Android phones are more open, flexible, granular, varied and innovative. I just don't see myself ever switching.

It's funny you say that about iOS because the big update before last(or whenever they went to material design or whatever) made my Android feel like a Fischer Price OS.

Here's a few reason The back button Omg everytime I use an iPhone I go crazy trying to go back and forth.

Picture in Picture With android 13 and maybe 12 we were introduced to being able to make a mini map to keep using your phone AND gps or make a mini screen for youtube while you browse or play games.

Split screen apps iOS is finally getting it lol my Samsung Note 4 had it in 2014

Easy APK installs

Multiple brands with slightly different experience, I've gotten to try HTC, Samsung, Sony, Google,Xiaomi....they're all unique with Sony and Google being my favorite.

I could go on for days.....

Great list! I agree with all your points. These features too keep me on Android.

I've used both Apple and Android phones. They both suck, Android is just a flavour of suck I can live with.

I haven't gotten a good chance to re-evaluate the PinePhone recently, but aside from that Android is basically the only option out there.

This is probably specific to the Pixel phones, not sure how much if any is relevant to other manufacturers.

  1. Call screening and spam filtering is amazing. Having the phone automatically screen unknown callers means I haven't had to deal with a spam caller in years. And valid callers don't seem to have any problems understanding whats happening anymore. I used to get several who confused it for a voice mail when it first came out, but now it seems they understand how to leave a screening message and wait for me to pick up.

  2. The phone tree and hold for me when calling businesses. Being able to read the options and click the text makes it so much easier to get through the options without having to really pay attention, then having it hold for me until a person answers lets me do other things instead of having to keep listening.

  3. Song identification on the lock screen. Whether I'm out at a bar or restaurant or at home watching a TV show and a song I like but don't know starts playing, being able to see exactly what it is without even touching my phone is so convenient. I've found so many cool new bands I never would have without this feature. Its also amazing how it can often identify covers made specifically for TV shows right when they first air.

  4. Amazing camera and cool features like photo sphere and the new magic eraser. The camera might not be as head and shoulders above Samsung and Apple as it was in the past but it's still always amazing how well it does in different conditions.

Customization and not being locked into one manufacturer/environment. I currently have a Pixel 7, but if Google made a hardware change that I absolutely couldn't stand, I have a dozen other manufacturers to choose from that might fit my taste better, while retaining all my apps, accounts, etc. If Apple drops a feature... Too bad for you.

I use a combination of Termux + Andronix to run a full version of Ubuntu. Add Codeboard keyboard and suddenly I have a full dev environment on my unrooted, stock Android (Pixel). I don't think I can do that with iOS.

Holy Sh...! That is awesome. I never heard of it and just tried it out. Thank you so much for your post, you made my day :-)

I like how Android allows more customization. Also, I use a Galaxy Note 9 that I recently got from eBay, so I still have a headphone jack and sd card slot. I hate Apple for starting the trend of removing useful hardware from phones and laptops while still raising prices and hate even more that Androids started copying that. I miss removable battery phones. This Note 9 is my first phone without a removable battery.

I use a custom privacy focused rom, which I cant do on iOS.

I like the variety of hardware available, and the customization available in the software, especially with third party launchers.

I recently started using Niagra Launcher, love the minimal design it has.

Curious if Niagra affects phone performance? I love the look of it, but my Pixel 3 is aging.

I haven't noticed performance issues or any battery drain on my S22 Ultra

It folds.

I can use a small screen phone when I want to, and open it up for a small tablet when I need it. I also have more choices. I have one Android phone with a headphone jack and a small screen, while I have another Android phone that gets the latest Google software and features.

Z Fold 3 is probably my favourite phone since the S2!

I've had several Notes and some other nice flagships, but by far, the Fold just really hits the spot.

I miss my S2...

I owned and put a ton of work and love into four different S2's. At the time, and for much longer than was necessary, it was the perfect device.

Originally for it's openess to "mess around", you can generally get as deep into it as you wish to.

Now days, it's mostly just to avoid Apple hardware surcharge and Apple lock in ( if you use Apple for anything they suck you into Apple for everything else things don't work).

I still love Android but yeah my primary motivator is now avoiding Apple hassles 😅

I like to use my phone not just as a phone but a tiny computer. Computers do neat computer things.

  • rsync my photos directly into my NAS a home
  • Compile software
  • Build and deploy websites
  • Pull code, edit code, and push back to my Git repos.
  • SSH, so much SSH (And Mosh)

Sideloading apps Adblockers Being able to replace my battery

The camera on the pixel phones.

My friend recently went on a trip into the mountains for some hiking, they took some photos that made me ask if it was from a DSLR camera, but it was just from a Pixel 7 Pro. Amazing how far phone cameras have come.

other linux phones are not really viable. I dont like supporting apple and even if I didnt care about that, their iOS is far too restrictive.

also Tachiyomi

Curious, why do you say other Linux-based phones are not viable? I've been daily driving PostmarketOS on SDM845 devices and it has been a great experience thus far, almost on par with Android. For any app that's not available on Linux, I use Waydroid with Magisk + MicroG and it works flawlessly.

I suppose, to be fair, I've not actually looked into any in a while, but its mostly the support, thats what I'll follow for my daily driver. I cant imagine my bank apps will work with a linux phone, tachiyomi doesnt have a linux app. does the linux phones support nfc pay options? I'd be surprised if they did..

its just normal daily stuff that I want to make sure just works cuz its what every one is using. for my desktop/laptop I'll use linux all the way cuz they dont have to interact with what every one else is using.

Number of reasons

  • F-droid(Basically not having to go through proprietary app store) and apps only on them
  • Multitasking is leaps and bounds better(windowed mode, split screen...)
  • Fingerprint
  • SD card
  • Connect phone on Win11 (I know it's microsoft but it works great and I don't ever plan to use Mac
  • Customization, which is basically non-existent in iOS
  • Samsung Dex. It's a bit more than a gimmik to me.
  • File management. Iphone is a freaking joke

There are some things that iPhone is just better but all those things are things that I can live without.

Up until when the iPhone 12 came out, I used Android. Then I got an iPhone 12 Pro and I haven't hated it. I do miss many of the customization features available on Android, but iOS is extremely polished, and simple.

Where it falls short is the apps that I sometimes used on Android, are not available on iOS. Then you get into the options for Reddit (not any more), other social apps, and now Lemmy. Apps for the same service can vary in features, which can be a big deal.

I often find myself using my old s10 for apps like Jerboa (Mlem is okay, but I prefer Jerbo), apps for car diagnostics, previously Boost for Reddit, etc.

My next phone will likely be Android. However, probably not for another year or two, maybe longer. I'm waiting for a big step in hardware, and potentially an option with a hidden selfie camera. I'd love to have a full screen phone from the likes of Google or Samsung. One can wish.

I've been thinking about this for a while. Years ago I would have said customisation (root, custom ROMs, etc) but lately the need for that has gone down a lot for me. Now, it's:

  • Termux - a Linux terminal on the go
  • Syncthing - self-hosted file sync
  • Home screen widgets for Todoist

Browser choice. Actually browser ENGINE choice. And the ability to set my own default apps, including the launcher.

F-droid. Side loading.

I didn't see anyone mention photos. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I don't like the processing on iPhone pictures. They all look a bit soft.

They may win in video, I don't care about that enough for it to matter. Android cameras get way better development, partnerships, and processing, IMO.

The developer experience is miles better even with android studio being a buggy mess

It is also a great companion for sailing the high seas

  • custom homescreens and themes
  • more advanced browsers like Firefox
  • sideloading apps
  • automation via Macrodroid/Bixby Routines/Home Assistant
  • open source alternatives like K9 mail
  • more native integration with Google services, though this has become less crucial over the years

I was an iOS user for nearly a decade but I increasingly grew tired of the walled garden and lack of customization (i.e. not being possible for me to tailor the OS closer to my needs), especially the lack of third-party stores for FOSS apps. Not to mention the fact that the App Store model actively discourages developers of these apps, so it is an ideological question at the end of the day.

I used to like customizing the UI a lot, and jailbroke my first iPhone (a 4S).

Nowadays, iOS and Android have converged somewhat. But the big sticking point that makes me stick with Android is that sideloading apps on iOS is still a major, major hassle.

Apple's app store monopoly is a huge issue, I recently was suggested an app for iOS called, "Carrot Weather" as it was highly acclaimed for being optimized and brandishing a clean UI, however, when I opened the app, I was asked to pay a yearly subscription of $50. For a weather app.

Noped out of there immediately. Everyone and their mum seems to have a subscription service now.

I don't anymore, but when I did, it was the extra freedom and modability. In particular, the ability to use SwiftKey is really important to me and once upon a time iOS didn't even allow that.

Now I want my phone to just work and do all my experimenting on Gentoo. Which I use for gaming, no less. iOS is just very convenient by default, even if it's not perfect. But I could never get Android to be perfect for me either. The only thing I really miss is Vanced though.

For me it's probably the ability to sideload apps, among other things. Apps like NewPipe which would never make it to the Play Store are apps that I use every day, because they are just good apps. Also, I just like the UX of my Pixel compared to an iPhone - I couldn't live without things like a back button, and I sort of don't like the iOS UI.

Termux is probably the killer feature for me. Also price, I don't need an ultra powerful chipset in my chat, web and note taking machine and I like having the option of not having to pay for one.

I dislike Apple alot, stupidly Expensive, more than they devices worth, very restrictive on what you can do with them (treat their customers as kids) and their monopoly.

There is also a wide variety of Android phones with different price ranges, and features (like my beloved headphone jacks), wider customisation and a somewhat better repaiability sometimes.

things I dislike about Apple + things I like about android = preference.

I agree with almost everything you've said, but how do you consider Apple a monopoly?

I actually use iOS but I’ve had phones on both sides of the aisle several times in the last 15 years. I work in cybersec and android excels at that kind of thing. Infinitely more power to access systems, use terminal, pull up ip based webpages, and a far more comprehensive app suite to do so. Personally, I’ve just found iOS more stable in my day to day but I have an android tablet for best of both worlds.

I love the iPhone hardware. Especially the mini.

But I really don't like iOS. Or the lightning connector.

Same thing with Macs.

Overall I think Apple makes gorgeous hardware but the software just isn't for me.

I always tell people the best phone (or best one iPhone vs Android) is whatever is best for them.

My wife loves her iPhone and everything about it, and that's okay!

This is me! They've gotten slightly better about it, but back when I was still carrying an iPhone it drove me insane that you had zero choice but to use what Apple wants you to use for a lot of basic functionality.

I'm not sure if it's still the case, but one thing that used to irritate me in particular was that even if you install a different browser, iOS will still use the Safari engine.

That, and I honestly just think iOS is kind of ugly.

Agreed. Also their hardware and software integration, long term support, and battery when compared to other flagship phones, although the s23 seems to be on par with iPhones this time around.

Anecdotally, I have to say iPhone seems to have terrible battery life. My wife and several friends all have had the last few iPhones and they seem to be charging their phones all the time. At least every night but often during the day as well. My Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ was amazing. Like 1.5 days of battery. Then I got my Google Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro and it blew my mind. I go 2+ days on a charge no problem.

I suppose to be fair I use my phone more like I did my BlackBerry back in the day, whereas they all use TikTok and stuff fairly frequently.

But I really don’t like iOS. Or the lightning connector.

USB-C, come on guys, lightning needs to go the way of the dinosaurs.

always tell people the best phone (or best one iPhone vs Android) is whatever is best for them. My wife loves her iPhone and everything about it, and that’s okay!

Absolutely, animosity and tribalism are not the way forward!

I only really use my phone for light browsing, texting, and calling.

I decided to splash out for my current phone, so that I could use it for 5+ years. $700 new in 2018, 8GB RAM, 256 Storage, Octacore CPU, 3700 mAh battery. OnePlus stopped pushing security updates, so I flashed another ROM that is still being updated. I expect this thing to run for a few more years.

The iPhone out in 2018 was the XS. the 256 GB version was $1150; worse CPU, worse battery, less RAM. I believe Apple is still supporting it for updates, but it should be near EOL.

The whole thing revolves around being ableto flash a ROM, though. For me it's a no-brainer, but I don't begrudge anyone for not being willing. If I wasn't going to do that.. I might actually get an iPhone, just for the extended shelf life. > Z Fold 3

I run stock Android on a Pixel device. I use android because I disagree with the walled garden approach. I should be able to share a photo album or message with anyone I want and I should be able to load software from wherever I want.

I use Windows, Linux and MacOS daily, and want a phone where the connectivity features don't care what platform I'm on. iOS wants you to be on other Apple devices.

Beyond that, Android is more flexible. I don't do much fiddling with my phone's configuration but I like to have the option.

Lastly, I just like the interface better. That's subjective, and no I understand completely why iphone folks prefer that interface, but I like the stock android interface much better.

iPhones are expensive. I just buy a Xiaomi phone with good components and crap software, unlock the bootloader, install good software (LineageOS). Does everything I need from a phone.

The customization, just being able to place icons anywhere on a screen without having to fill from top to bottom. Seems so simple and yet you just don't have the option on Apple. Just an example, but its that over and over again

Wait – you can't adjust icon placement on iPhone?

As far as I'm aware, you have to fill from the top down. I've seen some work arounds with 'ghost' apps to fill the space, but yeah

For me, it's a few things:

  1. I've never been particularly fond of the ux and closed garden nature of iOS. The irony of course is that my primary laptop is a macbook, and my workstation OS is Windows and Linux.
  2. I'm pretty specifically fond of the experience I get with Google's pixel line, in that I can remove pretty much all the crap wear that I can't get rid of on things like Samsung phones, they are fairly sturdy and performant, and I just like how stuff works.

@Cameri what has been said.

Plus the price. Really.

My current phone costed me less than 200$ and I got it from a seller that likes to inflate the prices.

It's got everything I need:

  • Stock Android
  • 128 GB of storage
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • A headphone jack
  • Triple camera (which does suck at times tho, but I do have a DSLR as well whenever I need something better. And no, the phone camera doesn't suck at night tho).

For me it's mostly the freedom and potential for customization and personalization. I like being able to install almost any app I want, being able to use 3rd party hardware like cables, bluetooth devices, etc. Not saying you can't do any of that on Apple devices but it just doesn't feel as free. I also don't feel like I'm rewarding the questionable choices Apple does with their devices, like making it difficult to repair yourself. Their phones don't feel like they're truly mine.

I come and go from both iOS and Android, but on the whole I much prefer Android.

There are four things that keep me wondering if I'll go back to an iPhone:

  1. the Watch
  2. Airdrop
  3. the general seamless integration across Apple devices
  4. better art/design/editing apps

That said, these things keep me on Android:

  1. really really love that it's more of a computer in the way it handles file management at OS level and across apps.
  2. related to point 1: Background activity. Far fewer apps on Android require you to keep the app open while they work away, which is intensely valuable to me in my workflow.
  3. core OS app alternatives, and easy sideloading of good apps that aren't quite 'legal' (😎)

(Apple has improved in these areas, but I'm still more impressed with Android's approach, despite the inherent security risks)

I mean, exactly none of the above is important to regular people, and even most iOS 'power users' are adamant they don't need that level of system access badly enough to leave iOS for it. Which is cool! But I'm glad I have it, and frankly I find my Samsung S23 Ultra experience to be better in just about every way than the various times I boot up my iPhone 13 Pro. (And I've absolutely spent enough time in both camps to know what I'm talking about. 😂)

My iPhone 13 Pro is now not much more than a camera and a gaming machine with the Razer Kishi V2 attached, haha.

That said, there are four things that keep me wondering if I'll go back to an iPhone:

  1. the Watch. The Apple Watch is still the best watch around. I've had the Pixel Watch and the Galaxy Watch 4, and I still miss the Apple Watch 5 gathering dust in my drawer. I prefer the shape (which is why I have an old Oppo Watch and a Huawei Watch Fit 2), and it just does so much more than any Wear OS watch.

  2. Airdrop. Yes, Android has its own take on this concept, but when you use an Android phone with a Macbook, the options are far fewer. Syncthing, Airdroid, Snapdrop, etc. None of them are quite as good.

  3. the general seamless integration across Apple devices.

  4. Better art/design/editing apps.

@Cameri I came to Android to use rif for reddit. It's gone now and now i'm using the mastodon app chatting with everyone on lemmy.world and other instances. I have a main account on lemmy.world but i just use it to moderate my sub check my notifications and that's about it. I really like my S23 though

I'm still new to the fediverse, how would you use the Mastodon app to chat with people on lemmy.world and other lemmy instances? Would you be able to read threads in different communities like /c/android etc?

@ipkpjersi Yes. You basically get the community name in mastodon do a search for it then follow that community. Once in the mastodon app the home feed will be post from that community from wherever that instance/community is. You can the comment and reply all that good stuff. You can't creat post or have the lemmy.ml or other instance front page just your own instance front page

That sounds really cool, thanks!

You can tell he's using Mastodon to interact with this thread because his comments all start with @ing the user he's replying to.

Customization, and the access to apps on Google Play or even just on the internet. As long as you agree to accept liability, you can download pretty much any app package file and run It.

Apple is a lot more strict about only being able to download published apps, only from the App Store

In Turkey, Apple products are exorbitantly priced due to factors such as exchange rates, taxes, and so on.

Sideloading of apps, Pixel features and having an always accessible back button/gesture

I had to use an iPad for something yesterday for the first time in a long time and truly have never appreciated the back button bring omnipresent on screen more in android

Because I can use the real Firefox and not a Webkit imposter. I tried an iPhone for a year but it was too restrictive for me. Having a choice in phone manufacturer helps too. I've had phones from many different companies over the years.

Tbh because it was cheap when I was younger, and now I don't really see a need to switch to iPhone (and have thus never used one). I like the photography on Pixel and also the UI better than iOS.

I can use my phone the way i wanted, not what Apple wants 😁

For me, it's the ability to customize the software experience to the way I like. I like my experience very close to stock Android with as little bloat as possible so being able to do that through a custom rom or by removing apps through ADB is a big deal for me.

Everything about Apple software rubs me the wrong way. It's like it's wired opposite to my brain. I had a mac laptop for years and pretty much hated it.

I've used iPhone sporadically (and developed for them on one project) and you can't change the things I'd want to change. I dislike the home screen grid and they added widgets far too late. It took them multiple years to semi-fix notifications. The lack of a back button still perplexes me, especially when one app launches another.

Unfortunately I'm increasingly feeling that Android is a buggy mess too. Android 12 was a complete disaster and my phone is still messed up from it (some apps still don't get notifications) even though I'm now on 13. Google is focusing on the wrong things IMO but I don't think I'd last 48h on iPhone. I actually preferred Windows Phone to iOS. Don't get me wrong I don't think iPhone is a bad product in any way (except how closed everything is), it works for a lot of people - just not me.

Just switched back to Android a few days ago after using the iPhone for quite some time. Customization and control were my favorite reasons for Android in the past and it stayed the same. I use a Pixel 7 Pro with GrapheneOS. The fact that I even have an option to use a different OS that focuses on privacy is amazing.

I bought my first Android smartphone in 2008. In terms of computer ecosystems that I was interacting with leading up to that, I was using Windows, Mac OS, and Linux for various applications, so I don't think there was any tribalism in my decision to go Android. Rather, it was just that in testing Android and iOS through friends and at the telecom store I just could not wrap my head around iOS from a usability perspective. Android just felt really intuitive to me. I never have and probably never will be a mobile device power user, so flexibility in that regard wasn't a factor either. To this day, I've never had any serious software issue with Android devices, and they just do what I need them to do, in a format that I have gelled with from the get-go.

Customization and repurposing of old phones. So far, I've turned one phone into a local, offline router. One into a security camera, one is my web cam.

There aren't a whole lot of options. It's not that I particularly care about Android as much as that I don't want to be stuck in the Apple ecosystem. If there was any other usable alternative with a large library of apps I'd definitely check it out.

At this point there are very few meaningful differences. They are both capable and there are plenty of good phones to choose from. I'm just used to Android.

Main difference for me is, I can install apps outside the android app store!

I've done Palm Treos and windowsCE phones and, blackberries, I went Motorola Droid when they first came out, try to short stint with an iPhone 4, went back to Android ever since.

What's blocking me from going back to iPhone? Honestly they're hardware is great. Long battery life reasonable charging. It's the setup of the phone itself It's the software. It hasn't changed significantly since iPhone 4.

I want a large clock widget on my front page I want weather for this week at the bottom I want weather for today hour by hour, below that I want five folders, stuff to use while driving, media stuff, chat stuff, camera stuff, productivity stuff. I didn't want to have multiple desktops, swiping off main will bring me to gaming stuff, then drone flying stuff, then audio stuff.

Android software options historically were cheaper and free options were better than the Apple free options I'm not really sure that's the case anymore.

I'd like to have the option for a round watch with a functional physical bezel, that has 24 hours of battery life.

I'd like not to be penalized for using a Windows PC with my phone and my watch. Even a little garbage like you can reset your Apple account on an Apple device right now, but if you will need to reset it from Windows you have to wait 3 days.

It wouldn't keep me from transferring but, I'd miss stuff like Samsung dex.

It really is just a coincidence.

I got an Android for my first ever smart phone because the friend who was advising me happened to be an Android user too. If they'd been an Apple user, I probably would have gotten an iPhone that day.

I've stuck with Android since then because it's what I know. I had an iPhone for work for a while and I found it annoying to try to learn all the differences.

Customization is the main draw for Android Phones, particularly Samsung Phones as Samsung is leading the Theme game at least to me. Right now, I'm rocking a Google Pixel, but Google offers decent enough customization options that I don't miss Samsung phones terribly much. The second thing is that I dislike Apple's Walled Garden with passion. I'll recommend their phones to people based on their needs; Personally, I will never own an iOS Device. The lack of customization of icons and the like is a hard pass from me.

Back then, I found out that Android is more cutomizable than Apple, as well as cheaper. Not only that, I felt like Apple was restrictive at times.

Because there's an Android phone model for every type of person. There's no iPhone with a big screen, sd card slot under $500 cad

I really like this Pixel feature called Overview Selection where in the all switcher you can highlight/copy like any text on the screen, even from images. Also having a type C plug.

Using a custom launcher is still one of Android's best features.

I also love having the app drawer. I keep the ten apps I use most frequently on my home screen. Firefox, Maps, PowerAmp, Phone, Messages, YouTube, Amazon Music, my bank... And everything else lives in the app drawer. I worked hard on getting a good wallpaper. I want to see it. That's what I liked least about my old iPod Touch. Once you have a fair few apps, you can't see the wallpaper anymore. If it's not important enough to go on my home screen, I don't mind grabbing it from my app drawer. Plus, I use Nova + Sesame to search. So just pulling up search and typing the first two letters gets me what I want 99.9% of the time.

I can't find shit on my wife's iPhone. I pull up Spotlight by default. I also do this on her MacBook because at least half the time I'm using it, I'm playing around in Terminal.

It's easier to talk about what I like... How all your devices connect together. Been waiting for Apple to really expand that feature since the Mac's are using the same chips.

Surprisingly I used to be HUGE into Apple. Then the iPhonw came out and me and Apple prted ways

There and lots of small reasons that ebb and flow with Android release but I have one red line I will not cross:

The OS on any portable computer of mine must always allow me to develop personal use software with no subscription or gatekeeping to the development, installation or continued use of that software.

That, so far, rules out all iOS devices. And really iOS and Android are the only players in the game worth using, so I've been and android user since installing the first beta on an SD card for my Windows Mobile HTC Blueangel

  1. Ability to root
  2. Ability to root
  3. Ability to root

Gives me a lot of flexibility on customizing the look and feel, running apps / doing things that are otherwise prohibited - (e.g. using Android Auto in a banned country, keeping some bloatware apps / system processes from accessing internet, screen projection in AA), cleaner ways of ad blocking, more thorough control of the phone in general.

  • F-Droid via Neo Store (for Termux and Revancify CLI)
  • Saikou (best replacement for Aniyomi imho)
  • Developer Options

More customizable, open source, don't want to pay the apple tax

  • I can build my own ROM and add any tweaks I want to the source
  • Full filesystem access, not the circus act iOS is running with their "file management"
  • I can run any browser I want, download any file I want
  • I can sideload any app I want, and install open source apps from F-Droid
  • I can use projects like ReVanced to install modified apps effortlessly, and don't have to go through the AltStore/Apple Developer BS to install simple things like uYou
  • I can entirely replace my home screen with a different launcher app if I wanted to

I can sideload any app I want, and install open source apps from F-Droid

Going to shoutout Jerboa for Lemmy, it's working really well surprisngly even though it's in a very early stage of development.

I can use projects like ReVanced to install modified apps effortlessly, and don’t have to go through the AltStore/Apple Developer BS to install simple things like uYou

I don't know how Apple plans to handle the EU law for sideloading, but currently you can only sideload an app for 7 days with free software like AltStore, it's really not fun lol.

I can entirely replace my home screen with a different launcher app if I wanted to

Launchers are such a game changer, I hope they continue to thrive!

Even if Apple is better, the friction for me to switch would be way too much. I am way too entrenched into the Google ecosystem. Having said that, the customization of Android is much better. I like being able to change my launcher and I feel like I have more control over my phone.

I really don't. But whenever I pick up an Apple product I feel like it was made for a dumb monkey and I feel stupider for using it. I personally miss Blackberry.

Frankly, I'm too deeply rooted into the Android ecosystem with all my purchases over the many, many years.

Plus I enjoy diversifying my gadgets across several platforms.

Although I'm looking to invest in some smart-home products and ironically, am favoring Google first and foremost.

I used to be into custom ROMs back in the day so that was my excuse that I didn't want a corporate experience. But that was over a decade ago and all of those community features have now been pulled into the main AOSP. So now the only good reason is because it's the only smartphone OS I've ever owned or used really.

This is me. I have noticed though that if I use someone's iOS device I just hate how few options they have on the device. I use tasker a lot and not being able to automate everything just kills me.

Better compatibility with my other devices. Other than that pure flexibility and openness of it. There are no barriers between you and the phone.

For me, I started out with android back in the 2.3 days. Then custom roms, launchers, rooting was all really fun and exciting. I switched to an iPhone when the X came out after a bad experience with the Pixel 2 XL (QA issues and poor customer service mainly), and I didn't make the switch back until the Pixel 7 came out.

Right now, I'd say I prefer android because the notification system is much better. I have greater control of my homescreen, and more freedom to install software not blessed by either Apple or Google.

I've got no great love for Android but the ecosystem is a lot less locked down for the most part compared to the Apple side. That at least opens up the door for tinkering with other options and controlling my environment.

Because you can install any apk you want so you can get apps from github/f-droid. on ios to sideload you need to do some stuff with itunes iirc

Options. Like being able to install a google-free os. The wide assortment of open source apps.

I've heard great things about GrapheneOS.

Both iPhones I had started falling apart software-wise within a year or two. Messages wouldn't send, internet connections would fail, graphical glitches were everywhere, and I didn't get more control of the device to compensate. Also, WebKit fucks up so often it's frustrating.

Customization is the main draw for Android Phones, particularly Samsung Phones as Samsung is leading the Theme game at least to me. Right now, I'm rocking a Google Pixel, but Google offers decent enough customization options that I don't miss Samsung phones terribly much. The second thing is that I dislike Apple's Walled Garden with passion. I'll recommend their phones to people based on their needs; Personally, I will never own an iOS Device. The lack of customization of icons and the like is a hard pass from me.

When I was younger I couldn't afford iPhone prices.

Nowadays, Safari is such a pile of trash that ruins my job day to day that by god, I refuse to give the company that made it money

Hopefully real third party browsers are coming to iOS soon. Safari is outdated as hell.

I use Nokia 5.3 which does everything I want it to and then some and I got it for like $200 brand new. You can't get a new iPhone for $200 I'm pretty sure.

I like android phones because they're cheap. if I damage it, no big deal.

I use it because I want something that is customizable.

Well. Long term apple user. I had everything. MacBook, Apple TV, iPhone, Apple Watch. But somewhen I crossed roads too much with the walled garden.

I compared a lot of Android driven brands and how everything works. The final nail was actually usability. I have been more flexible with Android and Windows than Apple and Windows.

Of course the experience is smooth with Apple. But imo Android and iOS devices have their benefits and for me thats Android - Also because I can easily switch brands and stuff.

Don't like Apple's anti consumer attitude, same reason I don't buy Nintendo products.

Because I don't have any other choice :(

I have a z fold 4 that I use the large screen on to consume a lot of media. Sports, podcasts, movies, tv shows, you name it. I either have a video in full screen or I'm split screening a video with a messenger app on the other side! I also use it as my car's "android head unit". I purchased a tablet CD Mount and I slap it on there opened up and have an app duo that launches automatically when I connect to my car's Bluetooth. Google maps on one side, Spotify on the other at a 70/30 split of screen real estate. And finally, YouTube Revanced.

Just can't do that type of stuff on iphone :)

Honestly, they're the only smartphones I've ever used, going all the way back to the MyTouch 3G. Well, my first "smart" phone was a Sidekick that I got in 2009 or so, but I upgraded to Android and the MyTouch 3G when my cousin gave it to me when she got a new phone.

Since then I've had a Galaxy S, Galaxy S5, Note 5, and I've had a Pixel 4a 5G for a couple of years now.

Oddly enough I've been on the fence about going to iPhone for my next phone. I have a lot of time and money tied up in the Play Store, and I know it doesn't just go away when I get a new phone, but I've gotta take some stock before I make a switch. Apple products have become more and more enticing as I get older. I used to have harder feelings about the phone divide, but I honestly haven't cared the past 5 years, a good phone is a good phone.

All my smart phones were Android, but not on purpose: Before buying one, I always entered my size and feature preferences (4G, NFC, water resistant, wireless charging, etc) in multiple sites like https://m.gsmarena.com/search.php3 and the best fits for the best price were always Android phones 🤷

Tasker mostly. And apps for piracy are more plentiful lol

The barrier to entry to create your own apps (as a programmer) is low - Install Android Studio (on ANY OS - I am using Mac atm), crank an example app or some app from Github, build, sideload, enjoy your own app! ofc need to know Java or Kotlin!!!

I prefer Android because we all do not have much choice. Once I preferred Symbian, it was an inconvenient system for advertising salesmen, then there was Windows mobile, I liked it too, but it died quickly. I like the pushbutton phones with proprietary firmware the most, but unfortunately these days it's hard to live without mobile apps.