Must I Get an iPhone?

[atquinn]

I've had a couple of smartphones over the past 4-5 years, both Samsung Galaxy Series Androids. It's time to get new phones and my wife (who currently has an Android with a slide out keyboard; a dead breed at this point) is going to go for an iPhone (I'll suggest one of the models that will be announced tomorrow) since Android phones are increasing designed for people with oven-mitt-sized hands. Is there any reason for me not to do the same?

I still prefer the Android OS, but I'll have to be helping my wife with her phone anyway and us both having iPhones would allow us to do some things that we couldn't do if we had different OS's. Also, a couple of the things that made me prefer Android phones (removable batteries and expandable storage) have apparently been phased out as Google, like Apple, wants everyone to put all their data online for easier access to dataminers and hackers . Not to mention the vastly superior music possibilities (in terms of creation and recording) an iPhone presents.

At this point, I can't see any reason to stick with Android. Can anybody give me one?

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Austin

[velorush]

I've got none. I carried an iPhone 4 (not S) until it wouldn't work anymore since it wouldn't run the latest OS. I was going to switch to the Galaxy S6 and waited for its offering only to find out the two things that led me to Android (and specifically, Galaxy), removable battery and memory, were omitted from the S6. I went with an S5.

My wife (a die-hard dumbphone user) went with an iPhone 5S. It's been a great introduction to smartphones. To me, the weak link in the Apple landscape is iTunes. So long as I don't have to interact with iTunes (and really, I never did), the iPhone is likely the way to go.

I like Android - especially Swype keyboarding - and find the Android phone far superior to my old iPhone in every regard except placing a phone call. I seem to fight the thing every time I need to place a call.

If I had it to do all over again, I'd probably get an iPhone and have a homogeneous family platform. Apple messaging is available for her to message my son's iPod. I can't do that.

Not a very cohesive post, but I'm still rather torn on the matter.

[coolfeel]

I replaced the battery in my non-removable battery droid...just saying...

[atquinn]

I replaced the battery in my non-removable battery droid...just saying...

Yeah, but is it easy enough that you can carry around a spare bully-charged battery "just in case"? Probably not

Not a huge issue for me at this point, but it might be a bit of one for my wife since she doesn't sit at a computer surrounded by power outlets all day long like I do

Anyway, at this point, I'm thinking getting an iPhone and then jailbreaking it will probably be the best compromise for me.

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Austin

[alantig]

Couple things - one, and you're probably aware of this, but if you're going to need it in the next month or so, one of the new iPhones may not work because there's usually a delay on availability.

Two, if you jailbreak, you will open yourself up to some threats that you wouldn't have to worry about if you don't jailbreak. But if you're thinking of jailbreaking you're probably aware of that already.

The older iPhones get pretty cheap when the new ones are announced, so if you can live with a 6 or 6+, those would be cheaper. As for the battery life, a portable battery charger can be had for like $15, which makes the non-switchable battery immaterial to me.

[atquinn]

... As for the battery life, a portable battery charger can be had for like $15, which makes the non-switchable battery immaterial to me.

That's true; I need to get with the times My wife would probably be fine with a regular 6 of some sort; she probably uses her phone more than me, but I'm more of a power-user. I'll probably hold out for one of the new models if they actually look like they're worth it. There's no real issue in terms of having to wait or anything since our current phones are working more or less fine.

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Austin

[Tres Aardvarks]

I find myself in a similar situation. I had a Droid Razr Maxx HD that I loved (and got for the crazy long battery life). Then a Verizon bricked it, and their replacement one has had weird issues ever since - like suddenly deciding it's SIM card is invalid and dropping off the network. I'm in my upgrade window, but am torn between just saying F it(getting an iPhone) or getting another Android. My first notion would be to go stock Android, but then again the just announced Sony XPeria Z5 seems very VERY interesting. I'll admit it: the camera is now a major concern for me on any new phone....sad, isn't it?

[gorch]

Kids had a iPod Touch II for more than 5 years with no issues on the battery life whatsoever. It still worked great as a mp3 player for many years since the OS version went out of service. Even Mail and some installed games worked until it finally dissapeared somewhere in the house. The boys dropped the devices fairly often and long term crash tested them really well. We don't use any additional fun cases though. In it's age, once we had it to hard reset. The old iOS version was still downloadable from Apple. The reset worked flawlessly.

The iPhone is fairly robust. For its size, I prefer the older smaller dimension of the 5 generation. I have mine for about 2.5 years. It had upgrades from iOS 6 to 8 and still remained a fast phone. For regular non expert usage I would recommend the 5S. Fitting in almost any pocket, it should work for many years and is cheaper than the current 6 line. Usually with any new phone announced the prices on older models appear to drop. The 5s should become an even better deal with the new phone announcements expected tomorrow the 9th.

It's easy to avoid the iTunes world. I'm not buying stuff either except for app purchases. For music, I'm going Amazon Music. That's available on almost any platform. For pics, I'm partly using the cloud services except the new iCloud Drive. Other than that I'm using the cloud services provided by the ISP. There are many holes in the Apple fence. Bought one for my wife for compatibility reasons. She appears to be a great stress tester too. Loves it, although, she would never say that.

Our boys can tell about all common platforms and say the iOS apps appear to be more solid. From the early iPod Touch they had crossed the Android world and moved over to Windows 8 based phones recently. Windows seems to be quite popular with their friends too. My son says, synchronization with a Windows based PC is the best working he had ever experienced. I'm rarely synching my iPhone and iPad.

Having it all mixed up in the house, I see the Apple plattform the most quality of all in terms of software quality, service and device handling.

[atquinn]

I find myself in a similar situation. I had a Droid Razr Maxx HD that I loved (and got for the crazy long battery life). Then a Verizon bricked it, and their replacement one has had weird issues ever since - like suddenly deciding it's SIM card is invalid and dropping off the network. I'm in my upgrade window, but am torn between just saying F it(getting an iPhone) or getting another Android. My first notion would be to go stock Android, but then again the just announced Sony XPeria Z5 seems very VERY interesting. I'll admit it: the camera is now a major concern for me on any new phone....sad, isn't it?

I'm sure any phone I get will have a camera that's at least as good as my S4 (which is great for my tastes). The Z5 Premium looks like it could be pretty awesome if not for the hugeness of it!

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Austin

[crunchee]

I'm keeping my dumbphone as I'm waiting for the next new smartphone to come out. Which is the exact same line of reasoning I'll be using (again) after the most recent next new smartphones come out.

[django49]

Have you considered one of those rechargeable plug in battery backups? The are inexpensive, small and would give good emergency backup power.

[Sugartune]

I have a Blackberry from work. No cost to me. I like it. Does what I need it to do, and well. Battery lasts for days and only needs a quick charge to last another. Honestly, I'm not that interested in moving to the super smart phones. I spend so much time in front of a screen, the limitations of the Blackberry are always a blessing in disguise for me.

That said, I shopped for and guided my wife towards the Galaxy's. She's had a 1, 3 & 5. She loves it. I love that. Anytime I've used it or played around with it, it's been quite capable. I want to avoid Apple for some reason. Like I can avoid Skynet taking over somehow if I avoid their products. Though I know we're not any safer from that in the hands of Google, despite their "Don't be evil" mantra.

BTW, the new iphones are quite large. Big screen. Folks thought Galaxy's were large compared to iPhone, they now are about the same, not to mention the fact they both have bigger versions of their main phone.

[HAMERMAN]

I am not a fan of iTunes and in the name of trying not to be a follower I avoided an iPhone for as long as I could until years ago I finally got an iPhone 3G. I have since had an iPhone 4S and a iPhone 5 (my current phone). At this point I can't see myself switching back - and I am pretty open minded.

I would not go down the jailbreak route unless it's your only option.

The iPhone battery is not replaceable but in my experiance battery life on an iPhone is better than on the Galaxy. Either way you will still want to recharge every night. With an iPhone you will probably not have to worry about making it throught a day unless you are somewhere with a weak cell signal and no Wi-Fi. With a Galaxy you may worry about it.

If you have an iPad the way it works together with an iPhone is a bug plus for the iPhone.

[gtone]

Nobody needs one. The question is this - do you feel you want one?

Glad I'm a Luddite that doesn't carry a device. Can't see that it'd actually improve/uncomplicate my life in any way.

[alantig]

... As for the battery life, a portable battery charger can be had for like $15, which makes the non-switchable battery immaterial to me.

That's true; I need to get with the times My wife would probably be fine with a regular 6 of some sort; she probably uses her phone more than me, but I'm more of a power-user. I'll probably hold out for one of the new models if they actually look like they're worth it. There's no real issue in terms of having to wait or anything since our current phones are working more or less fine.

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Austin

FYI - and I should have posted this before - Modern Portables makes some nice power packs. Under $15 for their basic model, which will charge an iPhone twice (or so I've read - I've never tried to do it myself). The newer (6 and beyond) iPhone cameras are pretty good. My 4S camera was not great - any flash pics had a nasty glare to them.

The biggest drawback to the 6+ is the size - it was just too big for me. If it doesn't fit comfortably in my pocket, it's going to be more aggravation than I'm willing to put up with at this point.

[atquinn]

... As for the battery life, a portable battery charger can be had for like $15, which makes the non-switchable battery immaterial to me.

That's true; I need to get with the times My wife would probably be fine with a regular 6 of some sort; she probably uses her phone more than me, but I'm more of a power-user. I'll probably hold out for one of the new models if they actually look like they're worth it. There's no real issue in terms of having to wait or anything since our current phones are working more or less fine.

-

Austin

FYI - and I should have posted this before - Modern Portables makes some nice power packs. Under $15 for their basic model, which will charge an iPhone twice (or so I've read - I've never tried to do it myself). The newer (6 and beyond) iPhone cameras are pretty good. My 4S camera was not great - any flash pics had a nasty glare to them.

The biggest drawback to the 6+ is the size - it was just too big for me. If it doesn't fit comfortably in my pocket, it's going to be more aggravation than I'm willing to put up with at this point.

Yeah, apparently there's no market for a small, flagship-level powered phone, which is too bad, everything just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I could easily operate my Samsung Epic with 1 hand (unless I was using the slide-out keyboard). I can still use my S4 with one hand, but with more diffculty. And whatever phone I get next will probably be a 2-hander even if it's only going to be a little bit bigger than my S4.

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Austin

[cynic]

The iPhone 6 is the same length and a tad more narrow than the S4. The 6+ is the silly big one.

[Armitage]

The Samsung has a thumb setting so your controls and numbers etc are smaller and move over to one side.

[atquinn]

The Samsung has a thumb setting so your controls and numbers etc are smaller and move over to one side.

Cool. The other thing cool about an Android phone is that, for example, mine is setup 95% of what I'll ever need to touch, navigation-wise is in the bottom 1/3 of the screen. That sort of set would be bit more difficult on an iPhone, although again, if I Jailbreak it, that would greatly open up the customization possibilities.

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Austin

[Lockbody]

The camera on my wife's iPhone 6 is phenomenal. Light years ahead in quality over my 5S.

We found out at work Friday that our boss has signed an agreement to get rid of our iPhones and replace them with...

Windows phones. Stupid Lumina 640

When I asked my Cisco rep what they had in the works for Windows phone he just laughed at me.

That said, we saw a new Windows phone that just may be a game changer. I can't really discuss it due to a NDA, but MS has been listening, and even our hardcore Apple guy said that it may have been one of the coolest devices he's ever seen.

[Lockbody]

The Samsung has a thumb setting so your controls and numbers etc are smaller and move over to one side.

Cool. The other thing cool about an Android phone is that, for example, mine is setup 95% of what I'll ever need to touch, navigation-wise is in the bottom 1/3 of the screen. That sort of set would be bit more difficult on an iPhone, although again, if I Jailbreak it, that would greatly open up the customization possibilities.

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Austin

Are you talking about rearranging the icons? Easy to do on any iPhone.

[mathman]

Iphone 6 has a mode to drop the icons closer to the bottom of the screen.

To invoke Reachability in any app, the Touch ID button is double-tapped (not pressed). Tapping the Touch ID button (home button) twice will bring the top half of the iPhone 6 Plus screen down to the middle of the display. This means controls or apps at the top of the screen can be reached without using a second hand.

I really like my iphone 6. Got it last christmas after many years of flip or texting phones.

Love it.

[Steve Haynie]

What is this "jailbreak" that keeps coming up?

[gorch]

Although these gadgets are still called phones, in reality they are full scale computers with the phone just one out of thousands of apps. The camera on the iPhone 5 already had a fantastic quality. Using a specialized app it creates professional pics that can easily improved with filters. I'm already saving on the additional compact camera. So it counts on the mp3 player and many other devices I had to buy years before.

Women don't need to buy pocket mirrors anymore. The modern wife switches the camera to selfy mode and checks makeup on the fly in parallel to uninterupted chatting. Got that?

Advantages are bigger than men can ever imagine.

[geoff_hartwell]

I went iPhone 5s and it rules.

Huge improvement over my droid.

[atquinn]

What is this "jailbreak" that keeps coming up?

Android phones have something called "rooting" which I did to my first Android and have felt no need to do to my second. Basically, it's a way to get into the inner working of the phones.

Just as an example (which might not be true any longer, so don't kill me if it isn't). On an iPhone, you can load a 3rd party browser, like Chrome (which I would do since I use it on my PC at home and this would let me use a common set of bookmarks anyplace I use the Chrome browser). However, the iPhone doesn't give you anyway of setting a default browser (which the Android OS does), so if you tap a hyperlink in an email, it will open in Safari, no matter what other browsers you have installed or might want to use. If you jailbreak your phone, you will be able to set Chrome as your default browser and then if you tap a hyperlink in any app it will open in Chrome. So jailbreaking gives you the ability to customize your phone the way you want (including installing non-Apple approved apps).

When I rooted my first Android, I did it because, even if you set the phone volume to 0, if you rebooted the phone it would play its startup song at full volume regardless (this was a problem because I had to reboot it all that time as it crashed in various programs ). After rooting the phone, I was able to alter a system file to defeat this. In later operating systems, they fixed this problem, so now it's not an issue (phones don't crash as much and setting the system volume level applies to the reboot volume).

However, as a rule, Apple is very against customization in their phones, so it's unlikely that many of the things I have issues with would ever be "fixed" in iOS updates. This is stuff that 99% of the people who use either phone platform would never see as an issue of course, but using an Android for so long has indulged my ability to be incredibly picky

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Austin