iPhone 7 Plus to Galaxy S8+ (returning to Android)

[TabGuy]

Screen is gorgeous but even in full brightness it's worse to see in sunlight than my iPhone.

Here's a tip. Samsung doesn't permit you to turn the brightness all the way up by moving the brightness slider. Set brightness to "auto" and you'll get 50% more brightness in direct sunlight than you can get by sliding the slider all the way to the right. It's been this way in Samsung phones for years.

I know you don't care since you returned to the iPhone but this tip may help others.

 

[peejay1977]

Well folks, I've had a full refund from Samsung and I'm sad to say I'm left rather perplexed by the whole experience to be honest. Alot of my friends call me an Apple fanboi and it's true I have alot of their products but it's not through brand loyalty, just a preference at the time.

My 4 days with the S8+ left me a little sour on the whole and judging by the amount of threads on here describing issues it's a little worrying.

I had a number of issues with the device all seemingly software related and I consider myself someone who knows what they are doing when it comes to setting up a phone and ensuring it's done right, without a ton of crap being installed etc.

The biggest surprise to me is how completely disinterested and unhelpful Samsung were right from the outset to get the problem sorted and keep me as a customer. It's not that the service was bad per se, they didn't really seem to care at all if the problem got resolved or not.

Anyway, I'll be staying with the iPhone for now but maybe I'll return to Android one day.

 

[m1racle]

I think you just had an unfortunate experience, let's not forget no one comes online to stay 'everything's working as it should'. The iPhone is fine but hasn't really moved on for a while now. If I was you I would have got a replacement but as long as you're happy with the iPhone it's all good.

 

[T48]

No issues, lag or complaints with my S8+ & have had it since April 21. Battery life has been amazing as well.

Kind of curiously wondering if some people that switch operating systems didn't really want the complete change?
What I mean is, they may have wanted the device, but deep down did not really want to change to a different operating system? Or likewise with an Android person switching over to ios. Not calling anyone out. But sometimes think that consumers want something a little new without the drastic change.

 

[peejay1977]

No issues, lag or complaints with my S8+ & have had it since April 21. Battery life has been amazing as well.

Kind of curiously wondering if some people that switch operating systems didn't really want the complete change?
What I mean is, they may have wanted the device, but deep down did not really want to change to a different operating system? Or likewise with an Android person switching over to ios. Not calling anyone out. But sometimes think that consumers want something a little new without the drastic change.

I totally get what you mean, I can identify the pro's and con's of both OS's and I spent a long time asking myself what I'd miss moving away from iOS and of course the "prettiness" of the apps is one but really thats just cosmetics. FaceTime and iMessage was another, but with the iPad I have it's not the end of the world.

I also considered the fact that unlike iOS Android is developed and then tailor made to fit devices and sometimes this has varied results but I still decided to go ahead and make the change knowing what I was letting myself in for.

I think if the phone has been replaced without issue then the rest of my quibbles would have been forgotten or at least wouldn't have been such a bother.

As for the brightness, it WAS on auto brightness but in direct sunlight I literally couldn't read it. Don't get me wrong, my iPhone isn't great but I can just about read it.

Aside from the blatant video issue which may well have just been a defective unit my experience with various apps was less than great. Forget the prettiness, just apps working in a timely smooth fashion without me wanting to smash my head into the screen would have been nice. I'm an IT Software Tester so I know my way around OS's and such but I couldn't believe how poorly optimised or functioning some apps were.

There are those that would say I was destined to compare it to iOS and find fault, and I'd say the same in their shoes but I don't just spend £800 on a phone lightly without giving it a proper go.

But, it's all academic now as it's been returned and I have had a full refund. Maybe one day I'll return, there was alot to love about the phone, and the eco system too.

 

[Lodingi]

I always chuckle at threads like these. Anytime I see a longtime user of another platform take the plunge to Android, I always know the end result. A failed experiment.

I have had the complete opposite as the OP. My screen rotates properly, Bluetooth has been perfect, my screen is much more visible in direct sunlight than my daughter's Iphone 7, battery life is amazing, video playback is flawless and so on.

I commend people for trying something different, but I would have to ask why the OP bailed on a platform that he/she is completely satisfied. Every time I consider an iPhone purchase, I slap myself back to reality. It's a great platform, but not for me. I would also point out 4 days use does not provide an accurate experience. I'm also not sure what Samsung could do to help, except swap out the phone. What resolution were you seeking?


Edit: I see the OP posted a response while I was typing this post.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

End of the day, we can try to help, but we can't control someone else's experience. Get the phone that works for you.

For me, the S8 has been a great experience so far. Blazing fast, stunning design and very smooth. But we know quite a few people have gotten defective devices. Sounds like the case here.

 

[peejay1977]

I always chuckle at threads like these. Anytime I see a longtime user of another platform take the plunge to Android, I always know the end result. A failed experiment.

I have had the complete opposite as the OP. My screen rotates properly, Bluetooth has been perfect, my screen is much more visible in direct sunlight than my daughter's Iphone 7, battery life is amazing, video playback is flawless and so on.

I commend people for trying something different, but I would have to ask why the OP bailed on a platform that he/she is completely satisfied. Every time I consider an iPhone purchase, I slap myself back to reality. It's a great platform, but not for me. I would also point out 4 days use does not provide an accurate experience. I'm also not sure what Samsung could do to help, except swap out the phone. What resolution were you seeking?

See my last response, it wasn't an experiment. I have been an Android user in the past and still have a faithful Nexus 7 tablet I use very occasionally.

I wanted the phone replaced, they refused and wanted to leave me without a phone for at least a week, possibly more.

4 days was enough for me to be dissatisfied with the particular handset and it probably did mar the overall impact of the phone. I had countless issues with apps not working as I expect, like I tried to go "live" in Facebook and everytime I rotated the phone to use landscape mode the button to start going live disappeared off the screen. I had to quit, close the app and restart to get it to work.

Photoshop app, editing and saving pics (which I do alot) took so long to update and then save the file I gave up using it, albeit in a very short space of time.

Had the phone not been an issue my experience could have been different, but in my opinion Samsung refusing to just replace the phone was unacceptable.

One thing I will say, Apple have a LONG way to go before CarPlay is even slightly as useful as Android Auto.