Alright - I know some of you are coming from iPhones.

iMESSAGE, Facetime..... Apple masters things, while google makes a million apps and fragments things...oh i also miss the fact that ill never have the most up to date operating system....well not for atleast 6 months.
 
The best solution: use both. I love both platforms....They both have their bonuses. I use the iPhone for work.
 
I love both Android and iOS. I'll definitely miss iMessage the most, but for the most part I'm looking forward to exploring Nougat. If all else fails, then I just go back to my trusty 7 Plus. I'm really unbiased to both operating systems, so I really do enjoy both and I'm looking forward to trying out the S8+ I picked up today from Verizon.
 
It seems every app has something to say on my phone, well that is before I went to the notifications settings and turned off every single app apart from phone, all the emails, some social media and SMS messages. No I don't need a dictionary to use my SMS tone to notify me about some random rubbish. No I don't need the Edge Screen to notify me about adding something-or-other. No, the Play Store can't tell me about the exciting new what'sthisthingnow. OK< I don't know if the last two ever sent me notifications but i''ve had maybe half a dozen of the most bizarre notifications from apps that really have no right in sending you stuff. Clearly they are trying to say "Hey, look at me! I'm still here! Don't forget me!" and nothing more.

Whenever you install and run an app for the first time on iOS, developers are required to ask you whether you want notifications turned on or off right then and there. Brilliant. Saves me from being woken up at 3am by Super Mario Run whining that you haven't played it for a few days (not that i'm much of a gamer on either platform, except Sudoku maybe).

Just checking - you do know you can turn off all notifications by going into the notifications setting of the phone, right? Like...all of them. And then you can click on those you do want. And perhaps I'm wrong but I thought apps on Android did ask me if I wanted notifications when I installed. I seem to always recall it but maybe I am misremembering if it's on ALL of them.


I'm surprised that more granular control over notifications isn't a thing on this platform. On the iPhone, you can choose if you want app badges and/or lockscreen notifications and either banners or popups. Also, sounds and vibration can be controlled on a per app basis. Here on Android, you can do most of that but it would be really nice to be able to turn off notifications utterly and completely except for app badges. Unless of course i'm missing some functionality after only five hours playing with the phone after five years away. I just get the feeling that although i'm turning off notifications, there's still some app, or system that's going to spam me with something in the not too distant future at the worst moment possible.



My view of notifications is that unless I require them, like email, phone, social media and SMS, pretty much every other notification can get bent.

Play around with the notifications settings. I honestly don't know much about the baked in badges because most of the time I use Nova Prime and Tesla but you can do all the other stuff in three layers of notification control on a PHONE level (turn off all, turn off some, specify advanced behavior) plus prioritize plus do not disturb. My problem with Android overall is that because there are so many options, it can make it hard to understand. But those options are also what I value the most.

bxactions still works although I wish there was a silent toggle, much like the mute switch on my iPhone, as an option. The best I can do is 'Do Not Disturb' which is sub-optimal.

I personally don't like the hardware button on the iPhone because it has single handidly caused more missed calls and texts than anything. But you can mute your phone by holding down the volume button. Yes, it is freezed out when the phone is locked and doesn't work when listening to music but otherwise does fine.

Overall, what I can deduce is that the hardware is equal, even surpassing Apple but the software still has a way to go until it's as easy and fluid to use as my iPhone 7 Plus.

Overall though, I love the phone and can't wait to try the camera out at the Renaissance Faire in Irvine this weekend.

I think it really comes down to familiarity and beautiful garden. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a beautiful garden concept and it has allowed Apple to print money. But Android has always been for those taking the path less traveled. Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for...for what it's worth, the next iPhone is shaping up to be something pretty dang nice from the rumors I've seen.
 
I go back and forth often. That being said don't think I'll go back until I see what the iPhone 8 has to offer
 
Getting rid of my 7 plus for the s8+ I just received. The screen and feel in the hand are amazing. This is hands down the most gorgeous phone ever created.
 
iMESSAGE, Facetime..... Apple masters things, while google makes a million apps and fragments things...oh i also miss the fact that ill never have the most up to date operating system....well not for atleast 6 months.

I never used Facetime, I used Skype, iMessage is OK I suppose... I DON"T miss the inability to customize the quick access buttons... I use the WiFi hot spot regularly, and I had to go into settings every time. I paid $5 for an app that didn't really shorten the process any. Most of the time, I had to turn it on and off three or four times for it to turn on properly. Camera was mediocre, no built in RAW capture for the stock camera. You had to pay extra for a camera app that would do RAW capture. No app locker, so you had EVERY app you installed on your home screen. Not compatible with Chromecast/Miracast. The iTunes app was wonky. It kept adding songs to my most played play list that I had never listened to. No wireless charging. Apple Pay is accepted at less places than Samsung Pay. This is all I can immediately think of, I could keep going given five more minutes.
 
I have both and whilst I love the S8(+) I'd still give iOS the edge.

Android has the flexibility and widgets (and the bb hub) and notification leds (seriously apple!) expandable storage and wireless charging etc etc. but....

1 - the overall performance of iOS is still imo better, it's close now but the 7+ still edges it.
2- Battery... not only does the hardware software combo make the 7+ still the king of 'real world' battery life but on iOS I can see exactly what is using the battery. On android most stuff is hidden under 'android os' or 'android system' memo to google this is bloody ANNOYING!
3- iMessage... all the time whatsapp fails to support proper multi-device then imo iMessage is just better. Facebook should just quit trying for messenger world domination and finish whatsapp properly. Same goes for FaceTime I guess
4- 3rd party apps....Still slicker/more reliable on iOS they just are.
5- Portrait mode - it's not perfect but I was really hoping the S8 would have a dual lens camera.
6- Anecdotally it feels more secure, if I had to trust my life savings to one it would be iOS

Having said all that I have used an S7 edge on and off for the last year and am loving my new S8+ I like both a lot but am also intrigued for whatever the ip8 brings to the party.
 
Duo is a better FaceTime replacement than Skype, in my opinion. It's simpler and cleaner.

Do they have it for iOS as well? I'll have to check into it I love this phone. I haven't put it down since I've gotten home from work. Fiance is angry as can be about me getting it, but she will get over it lol
 
Just checking - you do know you can turn off all notifications by going into the notifications setting of the phone, right? Like...all of them. And then you can click on those you do want. And perhaps I'm wrong but I thought apps on Android did ask me if I wanted notifications when I installed. I seem to always recall it but maybe I am misremembering if it's on ALL of them.




Play around with the notifications settings. I honestly don't know much about the baked in badges because most of the time I use Nova Prime and Tesla but you can do all the other stuff in three layers of notification control on a PHONE level (turn off all, turn off some, specify advanced behavior) plus prioritize plus do not disturb. My problem with Android overall is that because there are so many options, it can make it hard to understand. But those options are also what I value the most.



I personally don't like the hardware button on the iPhone because it has single handidly caused more missed calls and texts than anything. But you can mute your phone by holding down the volume button. Yes, it is freezed out when the phone is locked and doesn't work when listening to music but otherwise does fine.



I think it really comes down to familiarity and beautiful garden. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a beautiful garden concept and it has allowed Apple to print money. But Android has always been for those taking the path less traveled. Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for...for what it's worth, the next iPhone is shaping up to be something pretty dang nice from the rumors I've seen.

Beautifully worded :)
 
Do they have it for iOS as well? I'll have to check into it I love this phone. I haven't put it down since I've gotten home from work. Fiance is angry as can be about me getting it, but she will get over it lol

Yes, Duo is available for iOS devices.
 
Selective focus is vastly superior to portrait mode IMHO especially in lighting conditions that are less than fully bright.
 
I forgot about Find My Friends and find my iphone. Very handy when My ride is running late, where the iphone was last seen.

What are good options for android? I'm more interested with Find My Friends.
 
Do they have it for iOS as well? I'll have to check into it I love this phone. I haven't put it down since I've gotten home from work. Fiance is angry as can be about me getting it, but she will get over it lol
Yes they do. My wife uses an iPhone 7 Plus and she's had no problems using Duo.
 
I miss Facetime and iMessage. I think my 7 Plus was also faster than my S8+. Other than that, I love the S8+.
 
I forgot about Find My Friends and find my iphone. Very handy when My ride is running late, where the iphone was last seen.

What are good options for android? I'm more interested with Find My Friends.

Google maps added at the beginning of this month, Location sharing, similar to Find my friends and works for iOS too.

For phone location and remote controls with a Samsung Galaxy you have 2 to choose from, you have the native Google's Android Device Manager on Settings-Google-Securuty and Samsung's Native Find My Mobile on Lockscreen and Security Settings.