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.
Android
DROID DOES
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The back is plastic,
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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!
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.
Tasker mostly. And apps for piracy are more plentiful lol
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
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I can sideload apps. These apps are usually either obscure but useful or FOSS and designed for the user rather than for money.
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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.
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The ability to have Firefox+uBlock origin is a must-have for web browsing.
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More powerful in automation tools. I didn't care too much about this until I found it extremely useful for work.
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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).
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.
- Not an iPhone
- Linux-based
- Can install apps from external sources.
- I can customize many aspects
- I can root it and run more advanced software, customize it further, and debloat/remove unwanted builtin apps (unlocked phones only)
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
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.
https://grapheneos.org/ - The private and secure mobile operating system with Android app compatibility. Developed as a non-profit open source project.
NewPipe, and Firefox Browser with uBlock Origin installed
That's it.
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
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 :/
Swiftkey has that option. Settings -> Input
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.
- File management is noice, the ability to plug in a USB C usb is very clutch.
- I swear a lot more apps on iOS are subscription based than on Android.
- A lot more open source apps.
- Modded apps.
- I can easily connect my phone to my laptop and copy actual files.
- Sideloading.
- Choice.
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.
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?
iOS is confusing as hell and extremely limiting.
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.
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.