Long-time iOS users...what is your real opinion of the Note 7 having made the switch?

[TLD1]

Having been a long time iPhone user, I am nonetheless interested in the Note 7 simply because, no matter how polished & reliable it is...iOS has become a bit stale and in need of a makeover, and it looks like Samsung has finally upped their game as far as hardware and design is concerned.

That said, I've "tried" the Verizon versions of the BlackBerry Priv, Samsung Note 5 & the Galaxy S6...to see if I was the right "fit" for Android. I came away feeling that Android was more than a bit "busy" and less intuitive than I have found iOS to be overall, or maybe that I was just not enough of t techie to maneuver my way through it. Still I'm curious. And I'm willing to give Android another try...and maybe allow it more time than I have previously, with the Note 7.

I would really love to hear from some people who have been long-time iOS users like me, and who have passed the honeymoon stage with the Note 7...and will honestly say what is great, mediocre, and what is poor on this phone vs. the iPhone they were using for ages before.

Please...no iPhone haters, or comments about iSheep and the like. I really want some non-fanboy new Android conversions to speak candidly to help me make a decision.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chuck_loads]

Hey new to the forum but long time reade. Just got my tmobile black note 7 with a pelican case. Personally like both platforms just came from a 6s plus prior to that a note 4. Anyways its a huge step up from note 4 as far as performace mine was super laggy an gps stoped working after lollipop update. The iphone imho was smoother app to app an web scrolling but boring an screen compared to note 7 is dull but speaker was a tad bit louder. Camera is better with note its just fun to use took a day readjusting how to use. I like the grace skin lags but not bad if a lot of apps opened or right after reboot an battery life is similar to iphone. Id say take the 2 week test drive but i think the screen an water resistance will sway you as it did me. Good luck

 

[ecfritts]

Re: Curiosity: iPhone transplants a week later

Well here are some of the things I find myself missing on my 6s+:

iMessage - I know there are some options for this but since majority of my co-workers and family are on iMessage the integration doesn't work the same

Wallet- love having all of passes and gift cards handy in that app.

Apple Pay - Maybe it's just because I haven't set up Android pay again but when I used it on my Note 5 NFC would stay in and drain my battery when not using Android pay.

Notifications - On the one hand I like the blinking light on this device. Missed it actually. On the other hand I LOVED getting notifications that would turn my iPhone screen on and then allow me to respond to that notification without unlocking the phone at all.

Thanks really it. Some apps I agree run better on iPhone but I'm not really torn on that side. Only app that really is making me mad on Android is Facebook. I have notification icon next to the FB icon even though I've got zero notifications turned on or allowed both in the app and on the phone.

On battery I'm finding that I'm getting 9-11 hours with 4-4.5 hours of SOT. That's bdtter than my Note 5 gave me. Still not giving me the 12--14 hours on my iPhone. But I did tell myself that if I can get a routine 10 hours and 4 hours of SOT given my heavier use I'd take it.

PLUS. I'd always charge my iPhone around 5pm on my drive home for 30-40 minutes and that added 15-20% so doing that on this phone adds 50-60% which is a lot better (I haven't done it on my drive yet but have st home).

Overall I'm not dropping this phone. I might be persuaded on an iPhone 8 with some sort of radical overhaul and even bigger batteries but that's a full year away and who knows, the Note 8 might get a 4000 battery and improve even more.

I am fairly new to Android & by no means an expert...I have read several suggestions to turn NFC off to help with battery performance. I keep my turned off and Samsung pay still works. Hope that helps some.

 

[bembol]

I love both but prefer android because of the Customization and offers more options in terms of Hardware. Can I live without Waterproof, of course but love that I HAVE THAT OPTION.

iOS will always be smoother than android because it doesn't have to do too much and Apple having control over both Hardware & Software is the advantage. Again, I'm not going to go crazy over a little lag.

I'm using the iPhone SE because of iOS up here android Pay is not available and I love Apple Pay and the Wallet app, makes things so convenient.

I have the Note 7 and will I compare the two side-by-side in terms of performance and speed? No because really who cares. Its childish and I'm a grown man.

I love my N7 be use of the Build, Design, microSD, S-Pen, Waterproof and of course the colour, Coral Blue!!

Having said that what makes android better is launchers, I love Nova Prime. If we were stuck even with pure android like nexus I don't think I would bother switching.

 

[TheLegoJoker]

My first two smartphones were the droid and Droid 2 by Motorola. Then I switched to Apple and stayed there until last Friday when my shiny new Note 7 arrived. I held onto the iPhone a couple days to make sure I was ready to commit to at least one year.
What is better about the iPhone?
Pokemon Go (don't judge) runs way better on ios than on android. I'm hoping they fix that but not going to give the Note up for that.
Battery life is better for me and how I run my phone.
Paid version of scrabble available. Not available on android.
I am so used iOS I dont fumble around looking for apps I want. I just know where everything is. Of course, with time android will have that same familiarity to me.
Aluminum back makes the phone feel more sturdy and less worried about dropping it.

As for the Note, I've stuck with Samsung's apps so far and everything is running great.
The display is beyond any phone I've seen.
Esge shortcuts are handy, especially since I mentioned before about my lack of familiarity with android in recent years.
Fast charge makes up for the lacking battery. I've had zero concerns about getting through a day.
The phone is beautiful to look at, though that has nothing to do with how useful it is.
Transfer tool included let me move my iTunes library and photos and contacts from my phone so no worries there.
Samsung Pay is awesome. Not to mention the $20 you get for signing up and making a purchase before the end of this month. No more looking for Apple pay signs for me. I can pay almost anywhere now.

Just a few of my thoughts after a week. I'm very pleased with my purchase. If you are bored of iOS like I was, I think it'll be a good move for you.

 

[sudbury78]

Long time android user and with the pressure of my family ( iMessage and FaceTime ) I switched to iOS. I was bored. Insanely bored. Then jailbreak hit in October and it was a whole new ball game. The fluidity the speed and the battery. Amazing. You always hear 'it just works'. True.

Couldn't wait for the note 7 to come out so I can go back home as I said. Wanted nothing more than to be a note 7 user. 48 hours later it was packaged up. I was literally bummed.

I got so used to the iOS platform and with my tweaks (50-60) it was a great combo. I can't go back at least yet.

 

[msm0511]

Long time android user and with the pressure of my family ( iMessage and FaceTime ) I switched to iOS. I was bored. Insanely bored. Then jailbreak hit in October and it was a whole new ball game. The fluidity the speed and the battery. Amazing. You always hear 'it just works'. True.

Couldn't wait for the note 7 to come out so I can go back home as I said. Wanted nothing more than to be a note 7 user. 48 hours later it was packaged up. I was literally bummed.

I got so used to the iOS platform and with my tweaks (50-60) it was a great combo. I can't go back at least yet.

Oh wow! So you returned your Note?

 

[TLD1]

Long time android user and with the pressure of my family ( iMessage and FaceTime ) I switched to iOS. I was bored. Insanely bored. Then jailbreak hit in October and it was a whole new ball game. The fluidity the speed and the battery. Amazing. You always hear 'it just works'. True.

Couldn't wait for the note 7 to come out so I can go back home as I said. Wanted nothing more than to be a note 7 user. 48 hours later it was packaged up. I was literally bummed.

I got so used to the iOS platform and with my tweaks (50-60) it was a great combo. I can't go back at least yet.

So, you're really not comparing the iPhone to Note 7...you're comparing a jailbroken iPhone to the Note 7, right?

I think maybe my issue is that I haven't given Android OS due diligence before throwing my hands up in confusion and judgement. I don't know if my feelings will change after a more lengthy trial period, but it might.

 

[o4liberty]

It's a very different OS to get use to but in my opinion it's light years above Apple. Just the size of the S7 devices make the switch so much easier. I tried the 6S plus but way to big compared to the Note 7 which has a larger screen but a smaller footprint great job Samsung.

 

[spasell]

Love this device. My one real issue is something I hope I can get my car dealer to fix. My 2013 X3 won't stay connected to my Note 7. It finds it pairs nicely and then connects and disconnects over and over. After about 6-7 repairs on its own, the BMW itself just removed the phone from memory and my Note 7 still shows it.

I need to pair it again. And the same thing continues to happen. Endlessly.

My iPhone works perfectly with it. No issues at all. This really sucks because I travel a lot for work and put about 2500 miles on my car each month so I am constantly on the phone with customers and then using it to listen to music and audible.

This one thing is such a huge deal for me.

 

[SteveISU]

It's good to experience both platforms. They both have their pros and cons. Love Samsung and the Note series, it's a great functional device that packs features. I also love Apple because their ecosystem is second to none. If you have a Mac, iPad, iPhone they integrate so seamlessly it's hard to imaging why anyone would want to throw a wrench in the works. I think that is the primary reason people stick with iPhone. It can get stale and old, but damn do those things run simpatico. Apple doesn't do a ton, they aren't rushed to put features into their system if they don't work the way they want them too, but what they do do they do very well. I think people get bored of the simplicity of iOS, regardless of "it just works". Android is fun because the options are endless and there really aren't any boundaries. It's your phone and no ones going to force you to use it their way. The annoyance of Android is when it goes bonkers, it can make life rough and push some to the "other side" (ie...iOS). I've never had to worry about doing a Factory Data Reset on an iPhone to stop some rogue process from screwing with the phones operations or battery life. I've never had to figure out why Apples OS is consuming gobs of battery life, installing a battery stats monitor in order to figure it out while scratching my head (all the while being told by everyone on a forum to perform a FDR). It's both tough and fun using Android and iOS's. Every negative on one platform makes you think of a positive on the other and vice versa. I know for some it becomes like a game of ping pong that ultimately drives you to the brink of insanity. If Samsung/Android could get their act together and if Apple could just open up in the slightest. I think the key to getting along with Android from someone who's primarily used iOS is to understand and accept that things work differently on Android, things may not seem "intuitive" all the time, but it's the way it's done and saying to yourself "That's not how Apple does it" is the wrong mindset. You hear to often someone say "But on iPhone!", it's not an iPhone, stop trying to make your Samsung Note 7 like your iPhone and just embrace the difference.

 

[msm0511]

There are good and bad about both OS's Some of the pros about Android I almost consider cons. A pro is that you can choose 3rd party apps to be the default. It's great you can do that. On the other hand I sometimes find it crazy that I have to find alternatives for stock apps when I like Apple's stock apps. (That's completely personal preference).

I will say the best of both worlds for me is to have an Android phone and an iPad Pro. You get all the benefits of both OS's that way. It's not the most cost effective way, but it works for me. If you already have an iPad then you'd be set.

If you decide to go the Note 7 route there are already a few threads about switching, and you can always ask questions. I'm familiar with both Android and iOS (iOS user for 8 yrs and Android for 3). Several other members are familiar with both as well. Most are helpful in the forums. I'm honestly learning TouchWiz right now as well because this is my first Samsung phone.

 

[ILowry82]

There are good and bad about both OS's Some of the pros about Android I almost consider cons. A pro is that you can choose 3rd party apps to be the default. It's great you can do that. On the other hand I sometimes find it crazy that I have to find alternatives for stock apps when I like Apple's stock apps. (That's completely personal preference).

I will say the best of both worlds for me is to have an Android phone and an iPad Pro. You get all the benefits of both OS's that way. It's not the most cost effective way, but it works for me. If you already have an iPad then you'd be set.

If you decide to go the Note 7 route there are already a few threads about switching, and you can always ask questions. I'm familiar with both Android and iOS (iOS user for 8 yrs and Android for 3). Several other members are familiar with both as well. Most are helpful in the forums. I'm honestly learning TouchWiz right now as well because this is my first Samsung phone.

I agree with you. That's my setup, Note 7 and iPad Pro. Android phones and iPhones both have pros and cons. However no android tablet can even come close to competing with the iPad Pro. As for learning touchwiz, do yourself a favor and get Nova Launcher. Much better. Especially if you like customization

 

[1213 1213]

An unfamiliar os is always going to seem unintuitive and daunting at first. You'd only really see if it properly fits if you use it for a week or two. Being prepared to invest some time into getting familiar with it is pretty much a must, but since you seem interested in switching you'd probably naturally find yourself seeing what you can do with it.

 

[erasat]

Love this device. My one real issue is something I hope I can get my car dealer to fix. My 2013 X3 won't stay connected to my Note 7. It finds it pairs nicely and then connects and disconnects over and over. After about 6-7 repairs on its own, the BMW itself just removed the phone from memory and my Note 7 still shows it.

I need to pair it again. And the same thing continues to happen. Endlessly.

My iPhone works perfectly with it. No issues at all. This really sucks because I travel a lot for work and put about 2500 miles on my car each month so I am constantly on the phone with customers and then using it to listen to music and audible.

This one thing is such a huge deal for me.

Just to be sure, have you removed both connections, from the car and the phone? Not just pair it them again and again, but delete the connection from both and then begin to setup from scratch.

 

[SteelGator]

I agree with you. That's my setup, Note 7 and iPad Pro. Android phones and iPhones both have pros and cons. However no android tablet can even come close to competing with the iPad Pro. As for learning touchwiz, do yourself a favor and get Nova Launcher. Much better. Especially if you like customization

I am actually considering a surface pro. My work is all MS, and their tablets are like very laptopish in functionality. We are going to 365, so i anticipate even further integration.

 

[anon(52425)]

I try every year before I turn back to iOS. My wife lasted 4 days. I lasted 5. For someone that is an iOS user and a long time one for that matter, it's hard to give up the fluidity and "just works" mentality. My note 7 started to lag on day 3. And I had less than 50 apps on it and they were well known, major apps. I don't care what people say here when one person says their note 7 lags and the other says theirs doesn't at all. That's nonsense. We all know there is some lag and stutter, that's the android game. Yes there are ways to improve performance and I did such things (nova, disabled unnecessary apps and bloat). But at the end of the day, the lag still existed and I jumped ship. I hope one day for an android experience that is on par with iOS. Right now, having to disable things, disable animations, etc on such a powerhouse device is unacceptable to me. I guess I'll try again next year with the 8.

 

[Kelly Kearns]

There are good and bad about both OS's Some of the pros about Android I almost consider cons. A pro is that you can choose 3rd party apps to be the default. It's great you can do that. On the other hand I sometimes find it crazy that I have to find alternatives for stock apps when I like Apple's stock apps. (That's completely personal preference).

I will say the best of both worlds for me is to have an Android phone and an iPad Pro. You get all the benefits of both OS's that way. It's not the most cost effective way, but it works for me. If you already have an iPad then you'd be set.

If you decide to go the Note 7 route there are already a few threads about switching, and you can always ask questions. I'm familiar with both Android and iOS (iOS user for 8 yrs and Android for 3). Several other members are familiar with both as well. Most are helpful in the forums. I'm honestly learning TouchWiz right now as well because this is my first Samsung phone.

The default apps are why I don't like Vanilla Android. Myself I like the default SMS, File Explorer and Gallery of Samsung.

On my Nexus I had to go find better apps and that was a pain.

Now with even a Samsung, you can use those other apps if you want. I'm not a fan of Vanilla Android, but prefer Android over iOS on every way.

 

[Chuck_loads]

For me the biggest reason I wanted to switch was the ip68 ratings love to listen to music in shower an at lake. I only prefer to carry one device had a lifeproof case kn iphone got case replaced 3x in the time i had it. After 3 months it would seep thru the charging port cover last time it did it messed up the phone got it replaced thru apple care an service was great just had it with that setup. So hence the switch back to samsung really enjoying the phone as I please with out worry cept if i get clumsy an drop it.

 

[polbit]

Re: Curiosity: iPhone transplants a week later

I just sent the Note 7 back to Verizon earlier today...

While on the surface the Note 7 is a great phone, I have to say I'm more than disappointed after using it for 9 days. Between interface inconsistencies, random slowdowns, unexplained sudden battery drains, poor app scaling when set to smaller fonts, overall quality of apps as compared to their iOS counterparts, this phone in no way justifies the $870 price on Verizon. I've got my list of annoyances with iOS and iPhone, but at the end of the day, it just works better for me, and gets out of the way...