Have You Convinced Someone to Switch to a Nexus 5?

[JeffDenver]

Agreed, it's a benefit for those of us who like to tweak their phones, which are typically the people who use these forums. We are the minority, however, although our numbers are growing.

I disagree. Even within the US, most people have Android phones. Outside of the US, almost everyone has Android phones.

You could say "well thats only because Android is cheap or ubiquitous"...but similar arguments could be made for iOS; "People only buy iOS for the image". The best selling Android phones are in the exact same price ranges as iOS phones, and some of them are even more expensive.

 

[Shilohcane]

Agreed, it's a benefit for those of us who like to tweak their phones, which are typically the people who use these forums. We are the minority, however, although our numbers are growing. For me, android is the ticket for smartphones, and Macs are my computer of choice.

Apple makes great products, and are built around a particular consumer. I've used both Macs and PCs extensively since 1984, and there are benefits to both. I remember the days when Macs were cool to own, when they were the underdog and struggling financially. They became what they are by sticking with a vision and making top-notch quality products. I suspect without the Apple vision over the years, we wouldn't be seeing the products we're using today. Lord help us if we had to rely on Microsoft to drive the innovation!

I believe that iOS has pushed Android for better products but Android has also pushed iOS to improve their products. Competition is always good for the consumers in price, quality, variety and features. Android is dominating market share of the world's mobile market. Still Apple is making the most money in phone/tablet sales. Apple's one size fits all phone that still looks too much like their 2007 model has too little variety. Android has like 30 something companies making Android phones that gives great variety but only Samsung seems to be making a lot of money in the Android world making phones. I found this quote from the linked story below that shows how much Android is taking 80% the world's market share.

"Android’s share of the mobile phone market topped 80 percent of units shipped for the first time since IDC began tracking the Google-created operating system, the research firm said in its release of its most recent quarterly figures. Apple, by contrast, captured just under 13 percent of the market. "

Android Eclipses Apple

 

[anon(8256055)]

I disagree. Even within the US, most people have Android phones. Outside of the US, almost everyone has Android phones.

You could say "well thats only because Android is cheap or ubiquitous"...but similar arguments could be made for iOS; "People only buy iOS for the image". The best selling Android phones are in the exact same price ranges as iOS phones, and some of them are even more expensive.

You may have misinterpreted what I said. I meant that those of us that follow the forums and like to tweak our phones are in the minority. Most people I meet on a daily basis just keep their phones stock, except for a few apps.

Although I've owned Apple phones in the past, I'm a die hard Android user now.

 

[Shilohcane]

You may have misinterpreted what I said. I meant that those of us that follow the forums and like to tweak our phones are in the minority. Most people I meet on a daily basis just keep their phones stock, except for a few apps.

Although I've owned Apple phones in the past, I'm a die hard Android user now.

I picked up on your statement that you were talking only about people that like to tweak our phones are in the minority not the US smartphone market share. Android has 52% of the US Market share and Apple has about 40%. Fact is if Apple loses their edge in the USA to Android they are going to be in real trouble since the USA is their largest market.

http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/r/story/70/00/022887/comscore2-v1-565x349.png?hash=Z2SzAmRmL2&upscale=1

 

[dylan808]

I can barely explain to my friends what a Nexus device is before they start telling me why i should switch to iOS already. Android has been stained into their brains as second place to the iPhone. But I did have people mention that the Android device I use (Nexus 4/5) are way better than the Android phones they experience (of course) and have commented on how two phones are similar, response-wise with the only difference being apps and size obviously.

 

[mrsmumbles]

I can barely explain to my friends what a Nexus device is before they start telling me why i should switch to iOS already. Android has been stained into their brains as second place to the iPhone. But I did have people mention that the Android device I use (Nexus 4/5) are way better than the Android phones they experience (of course) and have commented on how two phones are similar, response-wise with the only difference being apps and size obviously.

Many OEMs are driving that perception with their laggy UIs. I wonder if they know it makes them lose iOS converts.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[dkhmwilliams]

The problem with Apple and iOS is, they introduce features but it has to be used "their way". You can't customize your notification shade right? Let's say you don't want or care about a shortcut to a flashlight, can you remove it and use something else? This is a major benefit of Android, you can setup your phone in any way you like (and without jailbreaking/rooting)

Absolutely. But it is only a problem for those who want to customize that way. I have used Android a lot more than I have used any other platform, however, as the years have gone by, my need to customize my Android device has declined. Without any tinkering, the two platforms are very similar.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

 

[Central n ohios best]

Personally I don't like ios just as much as I didn't years ago. Its still the same ole same ole.

Sent from my T-Mobile LG Escape running 4.1.2 using tapatalk 2 (Central n ohio Austin IL)

 

[mzanette]

Absolutely. But it is only a problem for those who want to customize that way. I have used Android a lot more than I have used any other platform, however, as the years have gone by, my need to customize my Android device has declined. Without any tinkering, the two platforms are very similar.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

What do you consider tinkering? Android still has widgets out of the box which isn't tinkering. You can do alot more on your screen with those than any options iOS gives you. Also as previously mentioned, Android gives you the option to change your default apps for pretty much anything, browser, gallery, video etc, nothing like that exists on iOS. I don't think the platforms are similar at all.

 

[Robbie317]

I've given my advice and let a few people play around with it to see what they think... But I couldn't try and "CONVINCE" someone to get the same phone or switch... My personal preference might be completely different than someone else... I always tell people to go play around with different devices at a provider store... see what feels best in your hand and do a little bit of research... at least now the Nexus line of phones are becoming at least slightly more available in stores so people can test them out... I remember buying my N1 completely blind (or the N5 for that matter) and just hoping I liked it...

 

[Robbie317]

You may have misinterpreted what I said. I meant that those of us that follow the forums and like to tweak our phones are in the minority. Most people I meet on a daily basis just keep their phones stock, except for a few apps.

Although I've owned Apple phones in the past, I'm a die hard Android user now.

I think this is what the majority of people fail to understand... I'd say what at least 75% of all smart phone users are okay with how it works and how it looks right out of the box.... Maybe 5% of us really want to dig deeper and super customize our phones... Even when I had my GS3 and it was rooted I had two friends who also had GS3's and they were wowed by what I had done with my phone and when I explained you had to be rooted and then you had to kind of manually keep up with your own updates and what not it became "WHOA!! I like it just the way it came out of the box then."

So in the majority of the cases people are just happy with what they see in the commercial or at the best buy counter... Even the dummy units that don't even do anything are enough for someone to make a choice.....

I've also owned Apple products and phones... Actually I do still use an iPod for the gym and in my car... My wife and daughter both have iPads but I have my Nexus 7... I think Apple makes a great product.. It's just not my cup of tea when it comes to mobile devices... nothing wrong with that.... to each his own....

 

[Shilohcane]

Absolutely. But it is only a problem for those who want to customize that way. I have used Android a lot more than I have used any other platform, however, as the years have gone by, my need to customize my Android device has declined. Without any tinkering, the two platforms are very similar.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

What is missing on the N5 that comes stock on a iPhone that is so great? The fingerprint reader isn't a big deal. I have never rooted my N5 and my biggest tinkering would be turning on ART. Also, I replaced Hangout with 8SMS. Other than that I have turned on a lot of Google services like Drive, Gmail and Google+ for backups. About the only thing I can remember I don't have stock on my old iPhone as with my N5 is a compass.

Fact is I have some stock features on my N5 that the iPhone doesn't have like NFC, big screen, wireless charging and Miracast to stream video to my smart TV. Plus my mUSB port isn't propitiatory and I have lots of devices that can plug into my phone that isn't overpriced since they didn't have to pay Apple a cut of my cash for using their propitiatory lighting connector.

I won't by the Amazon Kindle since they are a propitiatory walled garden that is a lot more open than Apple Walled Garden Prison environment since at least Kindle supports some open standards.

 

[jairusz]

What is missing on the N5 that comes stock on a iPhone that is so great? The fingerprint reader isn't a big deal.

Who cares about a measly fingerprint reader. My Nexus 5 unlocks once it sees my GLORIOUS face.


Sent from my mobile device using an app.

 

[turbodmac]

I've had 2 people choose an N5 since seeing mine. One was an iOS user , the other a Blackberry user. Both are very happy with their decision so far.

 

[dkhmwilliams]

What is missing on the N5 that comes stock on a iPhone that is so great? The fingerprint reader isn't a big deal. I have never rooted my N5 and by biggest tinkering would be turning on ART. Also, I replaced Hangout with 8SMS. Other than that I have turned on a lot of Google services like Drive, Gmail and Google+ for backups. About the only thing I can remember I don't have stock on my old iPhone as with my N5 is a compass.

Fact is I have some stock features on my N5 that the iPhone doesn't have like NFC, big screen, wireless charging and Miracast to stream video to my smart TV. Plus my mUSB port isn't propitiatory and I have lots of devices that can plug into my phone that isn't overpriced since they didn't have to pay Apple a cut of my cash for using their propitiatory lighting connector.

I won't by the Amazon Kindle since they are a propitiatory walled garden that is a lot more open than Apple Walled Garden Prison environment since at least Kindle supports some open standards.

Of course there are some features that the Nexus 5 have that the iPhone doesn't. I'm not debating that at all. But there are some things that the iPhone has stock that the Nexus 5 doesn't. For instance, visual voicemail, flashlight, a decent video player. Now of course you can download apps from the Play Store that will address these things. But out of the box, those things aren't there.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

 

[mrsmumbles]

Of course there are some features that the Nexus 5 have that the iPhone doesn't. I'm not debating that at all. But there are some things that the iPhone has stock that the Nexus 5 doesn't. For instance, visual voicemail, flashlight, a decent video player. Now of course you can download apps from the Play Store that will address these things. But out of the box, those things aren't there.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

There is a video player. But many/most choose another.

Flashlight, tbh it would be more cumbersome to use a phone with a 5 inch screen as a flashlight while you're fumbling with keys or something. I'd rather have the phone safe in a pocket or bag and an actual flashlight on the key chain.

VV is usually provided by carriers but yes, there are alternatives.

What you see as limitations I see as choices.

Sent from my LG870 via Tapatalk 2

 

[dkhmwilliams]

What you see as limitations I see as choices.

Sent from my LG870 via Tapatalk 2

It kinda forces you to look for alternatives. In many instances are quite good. But sometimes they are not. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Android and I had a Nexus 5 for a month. I understand the pros and cons of stock Android and iOS. I'm sure I can detail frustrations on both sides. But this time around, I feel like there are more things missing that I want from stock Android than with iOS.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

 

[mrsmumbles]

It kinda forces you to look for alternatives. In many instances are quite good. But sometimes they are not. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Android and I had a Nexus 5 for a month. I understand the pros and cons of stock Android and iOS. I'm sure I can detail frustrations on both sides. But this time around, I feel like there are more things missing that I want from stock Android than with iOS.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

That's cool. But if you decided to stick with iPhone... Oh well.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[dkhmwilliams]

That's cool. But if you decided to stick with iPhone... Oh well.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

We'll, that's for now. I usually change devices every couple of months. We will see how long I hold out this time.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

 

[Shilohcane]

Of course there are some features that the Nexus 5 have that the iPhone doesn't. I'm not debating that at all. But there are some things that the iPhone has stock that the Nexus 5 doesn't. For instance, visual voicemail, flashlight, a decent video player. Now of course you can download apps from the Play Store that will address these things. But out of the box, those things aren't there.


Sent from my iPhone 5S. The "S" is for sexy.

Seriously you consider a stock flashlight as deal breaker over a App you download that turns on your phone's LED flash as a deal breaker? Apple didn't even have a flashlight on my i4 till I downloaded a App.

Apple's Visual Voicemail isn't different than my T-Mobile services provider gives me with voice mail in a different UI. I haven't even noticed the different in function since I left Apple to move to Android with voicemail. Also, I had a iPhone what is that decent video player ability the N5 doesn't have?