Here is my story
I have been using iPhones and Android (and Windows Phone) in my life. Last 8 years, exclusively on iPhone. Have iPad , MacBook, Apple Watch. But a few days ago I decided to try Galaxy S22 plus + Watch 4. Have 2 week to decide if I am going to switch. Reasons I even though about it are these:
- iPhone is boring. Nothing happening for a while, no major features.
- Tired of being forced into a lot of Apple ecosystem items. Don't get me wrong, Apple eco system is very good (not perfect). I love that I can easily answer calls, write text messages on my MacBook. But it works only with Apple
- Also just wanted something fresh to work on since I am a little crazy on tech side.
3rd day with Galaxy. I like a lot from this phone especially real fast charging, reverse charging (try to charge you Apple Watch without charger). Some stuff have not changed since I last used Android (it was Nexus 4 in bright magenta color) and I mean stability and optimizations of applications. Even apps from big companies like Twitter and Facebook does not work as good as on iPhone. Not to mention they completely not optimized for my Galaxy Tab s8+! Hope this will change with 12L/13 Android release, but it is up to those companies, not Google or Samsung.
Absolutely love DeX! Now I do not need to take tablet with me to work since I can simply connect phone and use on big screen!
Ability to simply copy music where I want it to copy is the best! You have real file system, not simulated like on iPhone.
Notifications on Android are miles ahed of iOs! Always loved this on Android.
I did loose some of Apple features:
1. iMessage. Can be replaced with SMS/MMS but not as good as iMessage. I do have a lot of friends with iPhones,
2. Facetime! Yes, Android has Duo and you can install it on iPhone/iPad, but you cannot video call from contacts on iPhone, you have to go specifically into Duo(or it is possible?)
3. Quality of applications. Same comapany has completely different quality of their application on different platforms.
4. AirTags - Much better than anything else on a market, but I can switch back to Tiles, so not a huge deal.
Could be some other stuff , still working out.
5. AirDrop - Yes, Google and Samsung both have their own similar things, but I cannot just drop anything to macbook without third party apps. Same goes to Windows 10/11 which nearby share is not compatible with Google's one. But I've heard Microsoft is working on it. And actully for Windows you can just connect cable and take what you want easily. So I do miss AirDrop and I do not miss at the same time.
Some stuff I do not like about my S22 plus + Watch 4.
Battery life on Watch 4 is much worse than Apple Watch (AW), but since I always charge during night, I can easily manage whole day on watch.
Battery on phone is almost as on my iPhone 12 Pro Max, may be just a little worse.
Haptic feedback on Watch 4 not even close to AW
Synchronizations of pictures. There are Gallery and Google photos. First has some weird way to sync (through OneDrive - still unable to connect somehow), second does not always work fast. Still not a big deal since photos eventually will be synched.
So, what could force me to return Galaxy and go back to iPhone? Stability of Galaxy. Yesterday my phone shutdown for no reason. If I was not listening to music I couldn't knew it is off till I try to use it. Hope this is just one time bad thing.
Long story short. If someone deep into Apple's eco system , it could be hard switch. And that is why Apple is doing all this integrations - to keep users! It is good for company, but for users - you are forced to do things in a way Apple decided for you. Sometimes it might drive you crazy
Not all people like to be forced, freedom of choice is very good idea
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