Why did you buy an Android phone?

[Noctus]

1 hour ago, sof006 said:

Not forced to use iTunes is my main reason. 

I have to agree with this. I got the original as an xmas present in 07 coming from a Nokia N95 and at the time thought it was wonderful. Then itunes was introduced and the dreaded quicktime. During the 2 years i had it, it was the buggiest, most rage inducing PoS software to ever be required for loading / unloading files into my phone. Considering i came from drag/drop, i couldn't believe how frustrating it was. Soon as the contract ended i sold the phone, spent AGES getting itunes & quicktime off my dam PC and got the Blackberry Bold (since my pals had it and we could use blackberry chat for free) Then i got a HTC Sensation XE (actually still have it and sat it infront of me next to my Note 9 atm. God, this XE used to be a "Big" phone ), my introduction to Android, and never looked back at Apple ever again.

 

edit- im also glad i never got sucked into their eco system. As watching over the years the incremental additions to the iphone to milk money, the requirement you "must have X" for it to work and will be hard to work with anything else etc plus the ridiculous prices they charge and the restrictiveness of the OS, solidifies i chose right in not choosing apple over android.

[rickymohk]

Android is open source. You name the pros. The philosophy of open source software is much more worth supporting than a proprietary, completely locked down, closed platform. We want the whole tech world get better, not just a single company.

[Beskamir]

18 minutes ago, Commodus said:

As I recall, Ron later had misgivings about posting that, because it didn't really tell the whole story (for instance, the iPhone kicked the ever-loving ass out of the Nexus 4 and most 2014 Android phones in performance, and Apple Pay is far better than Google Wallet).  That and it was purely antagonistic.

Sure, but I like software buttons, split screen apps, etc. and as far as I know iOS doesn't have those yet.

[Commodus]

5 minutes ago, ElfFriend said:

Sure, but I like software buttons, split screen apps, etc. and as far as I know iOS doesn't have those yet.

Any iPhone with a notch uses screen gestures to navigate, no physical buttons.  I'd argue that it's better than dedicated on-screen buttons since it's still easy to use but doesn't take up screen real estate.  Android Pie's controls are a bit of a mess, to be honest!  iOS does have split-screen on the iPad, but not on the iPhone (yet, at least).

[SenKa]

I run my business almost entirely from my Note 8, so:

Better multitasking

Stylus Integration

Themes/3rd Party app support

Ease of repair when compared to an iPhone (Parts availability)

USB-C

Headphone Jacks (sometimes, but at least we have the option)

Proper organization of the "Desktop". No junk drawers for me!

3rd Party Dev support when the device reaches EOL with the Manufacturer (Or even before, for that matter!)

Generally more lenient EOL (Apple's is 2 years for hardware, even Samsung is better than that)

Cheaper devices with similar CPU performance

Upgradable storage via Micro SD (Sometimes, but atleast its achievable.)

[Donut417]

It was mainly cost at the time for my first phone. Once you get in to using a platform is hard to change. I continue to buy Android devices because I use Google Services a lot. 

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

android user have full control of phone

and apple controls iphone users

 

Other than that, apple always has many non user friendly issues every year

- new cable for each phone

- camera bump

- no back button!!!!!

- basic tech falling massively behind , dual cores, sd card, led mon, wireless & fast charge, low resolution

- ultra expensive accessories and software.

[Ja50n]

My Galaxy S7 was only $260 and gave me a 1440p OLED screen, an awesome camera, and all the performance I need. If I want, I can expand the storage, and it’s still waterproof! I’ve customized my home screen to look unlike anybody else’s phone. Also, it’s got a gold front face, which looks gorgeous.

[BananaInSandals]

1. Wide spectrum on price range. You decide if you want an expansive phone or a dirt cheap one.
2. Variety hardware specs. You decide what you want. Want one with a better front camera and don't care rare camera? Want one with good sound and don't really mind worse camera? Anything you want (as long as you can pay).
3. Software customisation. You can use whatever you want as long as you can find it. Want to change launch? Tens of thousands exist on Google Play. Want to make the icons in manual arranged in a dick shape? Just move them.
4. Can move files directly to a pc. Like seriously, I don't want to install iTunes or whatever to simply transfer my porn anime files. I just want to plug in and drag-and-drop.
5. Customise OS. Most popular Android phones have customised OS on the web for greater functionality or smoothness. 
6. Ppl don't know my phone's price and spec immediately (unless they're very "mobile-savy"). This is quite important if you have nosy co-workers... (WOW u hv a 1.2k iPhone u must be rich REEEEEEEE)
7. CHEAPER than iPhone (mostly) and better bang for the buck. 

[Curufinwe_wins]

1 hour ago, Commodus said:

As I recall, Ron later had misgivings about posting that, because it didn't really tell the whole story (for instance, the iPhone kicked the ever-loving ass out of the Nexus 4 and most 2014 Android phones in performance, and Apple Pay is far better than Google Wallet).  That and it was purely antagonistic.

Apple pay might work better than Google pay... but Samsung obliterates them both with MST incorporation.

 

Plus the most hilarious thing about that welcome to 2012 thing was that he predicted apple wireless charging in 2016. Reality was 2017)

 

 

[bleedblue]

As a UI/UX guy

• Hate how Apple's UI looks
• Hate how everything is on the home screen
• Don't like the lack of customizability
• That button thing that floats around on screen bugs the hell out of me
• Have experiences where code for hybrid app works in every environment except an iOs device.

Also, I don't really use my phone for anything else except basic phone stuff and social media. The most intensive thing I have on my phone is MyBoy GBA emulator. A $300 phone is perfect for me.

[Crossbred]

Emulators and actually being able to download from the internet. I found it had better value for me as well.

[Crossbred]

7 minutes ago, bleedblue said:

-Snippity-

John gba is >>>

[Misanthrope]

1) Came free with my calling plan

2) Nice looking screen

3) Beyond average battery life at the time

4) Did what I needed it to do (Check social media, make calls, tether 4G over wifi without root, takes pictures that look visible)

 

If an iPhone at the same price and specs was available I'd get that/might get that. But such devices are usually older generation flagships so that's never ideal anyways vs a budget phone that's more recently made. This is particularly true about being offered for free with the calling plan by carrier.

[Drak3]

Windows 10 Mobile is discontinued and the only other (current/recent) phones I really like are made by Samsung.

[TimeOmnivore]

Far fewer problems with compatibility. My sister wanted me to back-up all of her photos from her iPhone to her laptop - iOS makes this such an insane hassle due to Apple wanting to keep everything within their ecosystem; with Android, if I want to back up photos or whatever else, I can simply go to the folder they're in and copy and paste them to whatever other device I want to store them on - no hassle. Apple's implementation of many features that most people wouldn't think take that much effort are suddenly far too convoluted and take far longer to sort out than they should, and even when (if) you do get your issue sorted out, there's usually some obnoxious caveat that makes everything needlessly frustrating.

 

Larger selection of apps. I don't have to rely on the Google Play Store to get apps I need/want on my phone. Don't want to deal with ads on YouTube for free? Just download a third-party app. Wan't to play games that fans created a mobile port for? No problem, and in all of my searching for mobile ports of games, I have yet to come across any iOS option.

 

Basically, Apple likes to have everything deeply ingrained into their own ecosystem - which I'm sure works great when you have everything together and only use (and pay a fuckton more for) their products - but I strongly prefer the usability, compatibility, and openness that Android provides.

[DrMacintosh]

7 hours ago, FloRolf said:

Tried copying pics from a friend's iPhone to my PC which was literally impossible without iTunes or we were just too stupid. 

It’s that last bit   iPhones have a folder for pics in file explorer. 

[79wjd]

1 hour ago, dgsddfgdfhgs said:

- new cable for each phone

Apple has used the 30-pin connector from 2003 through the iPhoen 4s in 2011. Since then, they replaced it with the Lightning connector, which has been the only connector used for the last 6 years (newest iPad Pro aside).

 

Alternatively, over the same period (let's just look at 2008~ onward when Android was relevant in the smartphone space), there was Micro-USB until a couple years ago, and then Type-C. 

 

That's two connectors for both platforms, and lightning replaced the 30-pin connector when there were only a vastly inferior alternative -- Micro-USB.

Quote

- basic tech falling massively behind , dual cores, 

Apple's SoC has always outclassed the highest end SoC available on an Android device -- this has been especially true since Apple started designing their own SoCs almost a decade ago.

Quote

- ultra expensive accessories and software.

Sorry to break it to you, but this is pretty par for the course for most first-party accessories.

[ARikozuM]

1 minute ago, 79wjd said:

That's two connectors for both platforms, and lightning replaced the 30-pin connector when there were only a vastly inferior alternative -- Micro-USB.

HEY! There was Micro-B! 

 

[79wjd]

3 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

HEY! There was Micro-B! 

 

I think everyone in the industry is trying to forget that abomination of a connector.

[ARikozuM]

5 minutes ago, 79wjd said:

I think everyone in the industry is trying to forget that abomination of a connector.

It'll come back if you call its name. 

[krakkpott]

Ability to customize almost everything, trying out new flavours, all those good stuff. I can even revive older phones that had crappy performance & battery life that were using their stock OS.

[Haaselh0ff]

Hate Apples programs and enjoy how simple and easy it is to transfer and move files around on Android. Also nice that I can run APKs.

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

in android : everything is permitted

 

[Gegger]

My current Phone is a 2013 LG Nexus 5 (Android Marshmallow)

Why I got Android:

• Easy to repair/upgrade/switch parts(I ended up swapping my battery out)
• I like Android look
• FILE MANAGEMENT
• Micro/Mini USB (Cross brand stuff)
• App drawer
• Easter Eggs
• Many options to chose from
• GOOGLE DOESN'T HAVE TO APPROVE PLAY STORE UPDATES UNLIKE APPLE!!!!!!!!AND APPLE CAN TAKE FOREVER
• Headphone jack (GODDAMMIT Apple why did you kill the headphone jack)