iPhone user potentially switching to Android.

[AC Question]

Hey everyone. This is my first post here so if I break any formatting rules or anything that's why.

The only type of smartphone I've ever used is an iPhone. I've never really had a reason to think about switching over to android untill recently. I'm bored with iOS and not at all excited for the iPhone 7.

Right now I have the iPhone 6 and my contract ends next month. I've done a bunch of research on android phones and I really like the Galaxy s7. The only thing stopping me from 100% wanting to get it is:

1.) Aparently android is not as secure as iOS?

2.) takes for ever to get updates

3.) lag when scrolling web.

Are these legitimate issues with the Galaxy s7?

 

[sydneycooper1979]

Mod note: moved to S7 forum

 

[kalinakara]

Hey everyone. This is my first post here so if I break any formatting rules or anything that's why.

The only type of smartphone I've ever used is an iPhone. I've never really had a reason to think about switching over to android untill recently. I'm bored with iOS and not at all excited for the iPhone 7.

Right now I have the iPhone 6 and my contract ends next month. I've done a bunch of research on android phones and I really like the Galaxy s7. The only thing stopping me from 100% wanting to get it is:

1.) Aparently android is not as secure as iOS?

2.) takes for ever to get updates

3.) lag when scrolling web.

Are these legitimate issues with the Galaxy s7?

Hi, I have an S7. I've also heard that Android is less secure but I personally have never experienced any issues. Haven't even heard of anyone with problems. My wife and most of my friends are on Android.

The second one about the updates is true (unless you get a Nexus).

Lag when scrolling web - no. You will experience a jump now and then but overall Android is every bit as smooth as iOS. To me, it is also so much faster. That was one of the reason why I came back to Android from iOS (I switched for about a year). Give it a chance, I think you'll like it.

 

[Matt724]

I've just made the switch after my last 2 iPhones not even lasting 2 years before their batteries got so bad they're unusable as well as other stupid things just not working. I love the S7 so far. The camera and screen are miles better than any iPhone. My only beef so far is not having a good backup service. You have to give it to Apple for iCloud that really did work flawlessly. But other than that, its been a very refreshing change swapping to Android and the S7 from years of iPhones.

 

[stere0xide]

1.) Aparently android is not as secure as iOS?
Android is as secure as you make it, you allow apps access to various things via a permission based like iOS. People that end up with viruses often try to side load apps and to allow for this you have to "enable unknown sources".

2.) takes for ever to get updates
Unlike iOS the updates to the main OS may already implemented on some Android skins already. Updates don;t take to long and you aren't usually missing out on too much. Consider updates as more of a refinement or optimization. I myself consider stock android a bit boring anyway.

3.) lag when scrolling web.
there isn't a noticeable lag on most flagships, your internet speed is also going to factor into to this.

 

[gobige7]

I just switched from iPhone 6 to the S7. I think your questions have gotten good answers.

My take: the camera is one of the coolest ever-it makes my old iPhone's camera look like a kid's toy when contrasting low light pics or selfies. I miss iMessage and being able to text from my iPad. I also miss FaceTime and being able to take video calls from my kids' iPads; however, we are working on installing ooVoo on their iPads (unless there's a better suggestion). The camera and processing speed alone make me thrilled with my switch so far.

 

[anon(749368)]

Funny, both me and my wife (mostly her) are thinking about switching to ios because we're bored with Android. IOS is more fluid when it comes to screen transitions, etc. But to answer your questions :
Android is as safe as it gets. Yes, there are vulnerabilities here and there (same as ios) but it yourw smart about what you out on your phone then you should be okay.
Back up services : between Google app store back up and Samsung's own backup service, there's nothing (Except screen lyout) you can't backup.
Updates can be slow especially if you have a carrier branded phone because there are at least three steps from mother Google to end user: Google sends the updated os to the manufacturer who tweaks it to suit their devices and then sends it to the carriers to test and add bloat ware (which, in most part can be uninstalled or disabled) and then the carrier pushes the update to the consumer. If you get an international phone (unlocked), the the carrier step is avoided and you get the updates faster. If you get a Nexus device, you get the updates the moment mother Google releases them.
While I enjoy the Galaxy s7, if you're in the market for a new phone, look at the upcoming Nexus or LG coming this fall with the latest Android OS software. The S7 may not see an update until the S8 is released in May 2017.
But if you like the S7 go for it, it is the best phone on the market today. (galaxy s7 edge and the Note 7 have identical internals, just different screens and, in the case of the Note, a sPen)

 

[Gayle Lynn]

iOS will supplement WiFi with cellular data, to improve WiFi performance, but also allow restricting individual app using background / cellular data.
When I was on 6S+ I found I used a lot more cellular data. Also needing to turn WiFi off/on to get it unstuck mode.

Getting security updates is important to me, looking at BlackBerry next time, AT+T and waiting is not ideal. No one here but a reviewer pointed to people not keeping apps and Android up to date.

Being able to have an OS update run in background will be a step forward.

 

[everlightdark]

Not secure as you can download roms and games from unknown sources? Also androids are amazing you can truly customize your phone and most androids you can expand your memory. Androids are amazing and I haven't even listed other things that other people might say!