It’s the biggest question of the 21st century... Which do you prefer, Android or iPhone? I’m NOT trying to insight all out warfare. I'm just interested in what everyone thinks. I’m team iPhone all the way. Why, you ask? I use a MacBook Even if I admit spec for spec Android phones are better on paper. I can’t get away from the fact that the iPhone integrates SO WELL with my MacBook. Using both in combination I can: Access texts from my phone on my laptop Use a universal clipboard; so if I copy text on my phone I can paste on the Mac (or vice-versa) Instantly access photos from my phone (Via the photos app) Share large media files instantly through Airdrop Software support I generally keep my phone for 4+ years. iPhone's tend to get at least 6 years of software support. Which means I can get some real millage out of my purchase. Comparably, most Android phones barely get 3 years of support. Which means if you want the latest software you have to buy a new phone... It seems like a lot of effort to switch I’ve been an iPhone user for a LONG time. Switching everything over just seems like a lot of effort, when the apps that run across both platforms are pretty much the same (Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, etc.) Air Pods Like my MacBook dilemma. I use Air Pods. I know you can use Air Pods with an Android phone, but you lose half the functionality! Which defeats the point in owning them. Resale value I suppose it's because of the longer software support & unicorn status of the Apple brand. But it’s undoubtable that iPhones hold their value better than their android counterparts. Which means when it comes to upgrade time you can offset some extra cost. Seems like solid logic to me 🤔 Those are just my reasons. But what do you use? Have I completely missed all the positives Android brings to the table? Or do you agree iPhone is the de-facto phone to get for most people?

Ahh you've found my Achilles heel for discussion here George..... I think for me I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed tech nerd. The last iPhone I owned was the iPhone 4s. I think back then Apple felt like they were pushing the boundaries of what consumer tech could do. I'll always admit that the iPhone was the catalyst that pushed the full industry forward. However what android has offered since is an amazing variety of devices. They helped shape the full budget device market & because there are many manufactures involved i.e Sony & Samsung. It's led to amazing competition within the Android eco system. That's only from a hardware point of view. Many would argue that iOS just works, This is purely down to Apple having a wall garden approach to software. Everything just works inside of the eco system they have carefully constructed but to your point that makes moving away from the comfort of there systems very unappealing. Android offers far more consumer friendly approaches to this and actively encourages users to push the boundaries of what is possible. For a self proclaimed tech nerd like me getting under the hood and playing with how things look, feel & operate is more valuable than having a curated and refined experience. I will always choose flexibility over convenience. Having said all that I don't think either Android or iOS is better than the other. I think it comes down completely to your needs and wants. Apple offer amazing hand-crafted devices that boast amazing specs & industry leading support. Android offers customization, next generation technology & a vast collection of devices to suit any niche requirements. I can't wait to see what's next in this crazy world of tech

Android, as I want to have control over my hardware and data, without paying apple tax

Ha a safe topic to kick of the community with 😂I am iPhone too, for some of the reasons above but mostly because it just works and I don’t have the patience anymore for fixing things. Android isn’t bad at all, I was using Samsung for a fair bit, but the value of Apple One too (costs about the same as Spotify for more), software support and there being stores I can take the phone to if there is an issue, all of that makes it the choice for me.

I've been on android since about 2010 when the HTC desire was out. I had a chance prior to get an apple on offer on Xmas Eve when shopping tho declined due to her feeling better about android and the fact I could add an micro sd card. It's purely down to apple are quite expensive, tho yes I got that offer in the 1st instance. Saying all the above, I know iPhones just work and can in some instances be 'better' BUT the variability of android is great and so better to that's just me and my opinion..lol I notice apple have introduced widgets I think to the OS which I guess is good but again they're just too expensive for my pocket, like I've an Poco X4 Pro 5g 128gb 6gb ram and paid £250 for it, was on Giffgaff but Smarty offers faster speed though going up Scotland on a holiday back in October the coverage was dire and I had to to rely on my girlfriends phone for navigation in certain areas..IE way out in the country

SMARTY iPhone Android

64 Replies

Scubadiverburt
SMARTY Pioneer
11-12-2022
Apple all the way since 2009 with a 3GS phone. iPads MacBooks iMacs etc etc along the way. Android is pretty good too and I have used when employed and no other option provided by the company.
Quackster05
SMARTY Pioneer
11-12-2022
Samsung all the way
- JodieC
  SMARTY Moderator
  12-12-2022
  What are you looking forward to in the new Samsung flagship?
  
  Is there anything about Apple that puts you off?
  
  Personally, I have used iPhone for several years, I have actually never owned a Samsung device so I could be biased. There are many pros and cons to both devices so it's great to hear different opinions on both manufacturers.
Bigmac
SMARTY Rookie
11-12-2022
Android, as I want to have control over my hardware and data, without paying apple tax
- MeganMo_1042939
  SMARTY Maverick
  17-01-2023
  Agreed
- SquPaulStephen
  SMARTY Maverick
  01-01-2023
  Android, never owned any Apple device.
paddywvw
SMARTY Commentator
11-12-2022
I've owned three iPhones. A 3G, 4 and 4S. I gave up the 4S in around 2014, because having kept an eye on Android, I finally considered it had come of age as a useable operating system and I wanted more freedom really. For those of a certain age, I would say Apple OS is like the BBC's "Swap Shop". Organised, logical, but a closed system and not given to too much frivolity. Android is Tiswas. Organised chaos where anything could happen. It came down to affordability in the end. A shiny new large screen Android, compared to (as they were then) a dinky screened iPhone. I found myself using the magnification on the iPhone more and more just to get things done.
George
Team SMARTY
10-12-2022
Spot on leedorney, whilst iPhones always feel great and you don't really get many issues, you are definetly paying the premium and without alot of the flexibility and innovation that you do get with Android. I dream of the day I can get a folding iPhone!
- leedorney
  SMARTY Teamster
  11-12-2022
  George, I can assure you that Android has became a lot more structured and as much I once walked into an Apple shop and tried to use a macbook, it didn't go well lol, I know apple now use widgets I think which are good..as it was as Paddy says a bit tiswas 😁 theira definitely more cohesiveness and tighter feel to it..tho I'm surprised that apple dont have a 'folder 🤔
leedorney
SMARTY Teamster
09-12-2022
I've been on android since about 2010 when the HTC desire was out. I had a chance prior to get an apple on offer on Xmas Eve when shopping tho declined due to her feeling better about android and the fact I could add an micro sd card. It's purely down to apple are quite expensive, tho yes I got that offer in the 1st instance. Saying all the above, I know iPhones just work and can in some instances be 'better' BUT the variability of android is great and so better to that's just me and my opinion..lol I notice apple have introduced widgets I think to the OS which I guess is good but again they're just too expensive for my pocket, like I've an Poco X4 Pro 5g 128gb 6gb ram and paid £250 for it, was on Giffgaff but Smarty offers faster speed though going up Scotland on a holiday back in October the coverage was dire and I had to to rely on my girlfriends phone for navigation in certain areas..IE way out in the country
- SteveTy_1496906
  SMARTY Enquirer
  03-01-2023
  My first android Device was HTC wildfire was absolute cack went to apple for a while then decided do get a Samsung galaxy s8 and stuck with Android ever since
  - MeganMo_1042939
    SMARTY Maverick
    17-01-2023
    I had one too! I actually loved it, but It got water damage
BradMac_1558137
SMARTY Pioneer
09-12-2022
I’m a iPhone and I love the new iPhone 14 pro max
- JodieC
  SMARTY Moderator
  12-12-2022
  What is your favourite part of the iPhone 14 pro max?
  
  I am currently using the iPhone 12 pro max but I am looking to change to the new 14! What stands out to you?
Nathan
SMARTY Moderator
08-12-2022
Ahh you've found my Achilles heel for discussion here George.....

I think for me I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed tech nerd. The last iPhone I owned was the iPhone 4s. I think back then Apple felt like they were pushing the boundaries of what consumer tech could do. I'll always admit that the iPhone was the catalyst that pushed the full industry forward.

However what android has offered since is an amazing variety of devices. They helped shape the full budget device market & because there are many manufactures involved i.e Sony & Samsung. It's led to amazing competition within the Android eco system.

That's only from a hardware point of view. Many would argue that iOS just works, This is purely down to Apple having a wall garden approach to software. Everything just works inside of the eco system they have carefully constructed but to your point that makes moving away from the comfort of there systems very unappealing.

Android offers far more consumer friendly approaches to this and actively encourages users to push the boundaries of what is possible. For a self proclaimed tech nerd like me getting under the hood and playing with how things look, feel & operate is more valuable than having a curated and refined experience.

I will always choose flexibility over convenience. Having said all that I don't think either Android or iOS is better than the other. I think it comes down completely to your needs and wants. Apple offer amazing hand-crafted devices that boast amazing specs & industry leading support. Android offers customization, next generation technology & a vast collection of devices to suit any niche requirements.

I can't wait to see what's next in this crazy world of tech
William-b
SMARTY Pioneer
06-12-2022
Ha a safe topic to kick of the community with 😂
I am iPhone too, for some of the reasons above but mostly because it just works and I don’t have the patience anymore for fixing things. Android isn’t bad at all, I was using Samsung for a fair bit, but the value of Apple One too (costs about the same as Spotify for more), software support and there being stores I can take the phone to if there is an issue, all of that makes it the choice for me.

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[Open Discussion] iPhone vs Android: Which do you use and why?

64 Replies

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