Considering switch from iPhone to S8

[anon(9840969)]

abc

 

[pkcable]

It's a little more difficult to live without Google integration, BUT it's possible, your phone WILL work without you adding a Google account. Also you CAN sync locally via Samsung's version of iTunes or their similar program called "Sidesync" Here's a link.....

SideSync | Samsung US

 

[Golfdriver97]

1. Can you back up your android locally (to your PC) in depth the same way you can with an iphone without having to rely on Google, a cloud service, multiple apps to back up different portions of your phone etc?

Yes. You can check this out: https://lifehacker.com/the-most-useful-things-you-can-do-with-adb-and-fastboot-1590337225

2. Can you use android without being so intertwined/synced with Google? Every service or app on the device seems to be linked to your google account in some way unlike how you can still use and enjoy a lot of if not most of an iphone's features without having an apple ID. For example having to sign in to google immediately when setting up a new android phone without being able to skip that process.

You can skip the Google account set up. However, this really hamstrings the device in question. You can't access the Play Store, and without that, you won't get some updates to the device. Google, in an attempt to mitigate some OEMs failing to update devices, has taken some core Android aspects and have them updated in the Play Store. If you don't have a Gmail account, you won't get these.

 

[anon(9840969)]

abc

 

[anon(9840969)]

abc

 

[pkcable]

Does sidesync allow you to sync memos/notes, and text messages to your PC as well?

I'm not 100% sure but I think so, it's pretty robust.