Android

Freedom. I feel so restricted on iOS. I want to do this, and this, and that there too!

I like being able to customize it, I like being able to develop or at least modify apps for it since I am a Java/Kotlin developer, I prefer the more open ecosystem, etc.

There is a lot more freedom on Android. I want to be able to side load.

The simple act of trying to transfer ownership of an iPhone from one daughter to another this week almost broke me. I hate how difficult they make everything.

other linux phones are not really viable. I dont like supporting apple and even if I didnt care about that, their iOS is far too restrictive.

also Tachiyomi

Well I started off in the Google/Android ecosystem and I just can't get my head around the way Apple devices do some things. There's also cost involved - I buy a new mid-range phone every two or three years that costs me under $300 each time, and then I pair that with a cheap SIM deal (currently $25 a month for unlimited data over 5G). I could hardly do that with Apple given the cost of the device alone...

I can't get past feeling like iOS is more like Baby's First SmartPhone™ OS. I can get it if you're buying something for a child, or like your elderly parents or something, but it's all just too rigid, too simple, too walled in, and basically designed to keep unsavvy users from breaking anything. It's like the child-proof cap of operating systems. Android phones are more open, flexible, granular, varied and innovative. I just don't see myself ever switching.

The battery tastes better.

• Firefox with addons
• NewPipe with SponsorBlock
• USB type C
• Custom ROMs
• APK Sideloading
• USB Debugging for testing my Godot projects directly on the phone
• No apple tax
• Maybe more...

I can write my own apps without anyone's permission!

On top of my mind

• I can develop apps quickly and check how it looks on mobile (android can be built on any OS with lesser effort compared to iOS builds)
• RetroGames!
• Sideload apps
• More customisation options
• USB C

I use both Android and iOS Some features I miss on Android are

• Long press on space bar to move text cursor around.
• Seamless integration between Apple Devices

I used android for 12 years, and after I couldn’t find a flagship phone with an SD card slot I figured I’d try an iPhone because why not. That was 10 months ago and I’m still using it. Things I really miss and prefer about android:

-Customizability: being able to change whatever I wanted was great. I loved spending hours customizing launchers and how everything worked.

-File system: God do I hate iOS and how file management works on iPhones. It’s so unintuitive and dumb. To put videos on my iPad through VLC I have to download the app, then put the files in the app on a computer with iTunes or a Mac, then sync it. Drag and drop for music management was great too.

-USB C: no explanation needed

-Sideloading apps: I used this quite a bit more than I thought and it was definitely something to get used to, to not be able to easily do that without jailbreaking or whatnot.

-YouTube Vanced/emulation: I hate ads and like games

-Keyboards: the iOS keyboard is dogshit. The 3rd party ones are also dogshit, even though somehow the same ones on android were great

I've used both Apple and Android phones. They both suck, Android is just a flavour of suck I can live with.

Here's a few reason The back button Omg everytime I use an iPhone I go crazy trying to go back and forth.

Picture in Picture With android 13 and maybe 12 we were introduced to being able to make a mini map to keep using your phone AND gps or make a mini screen for youtube while you browse or play games.

Split screen apps iOS is finally getting it lol my Samsung Note 4 had it in 2014

Easy APK installs

Multiple brands with slightly different experience, I've gotten to try HTC, Samsung, Sony, Google,Xiaomi....they're all unique with Sony and Google being my favorite.

I could go on for days.....

I like to use my phone not just as a phone but a tiny computer. Computers do neat computer things.

• rsync my photos directly into my NAS a home
• Compile software
• Build and deploy websites
• Pull code, edit code, and push back to my Git repos.
• SSH, so much SSH (And Mosh)

Love the flexibility tbh. If I want to switch manufacturers my OS is the same Also much cheaper + I just love the app selection and the ability to put my own apps on here.

iOS is too restrictive for me and too expensive tbh. The ability to switch default apps is amazing. That said this is just for me tbh

Customization and not being locked into one manufacturer/environment. I currently have a Pixel 7, but if Google made a hardware change that I absolutely couldn't stand, I have a dozen other manufacturers to choose from that might fit my taste better, while retaining all my apps, accounts, etc. If Apple drops a feature... Too bad for you.

I actually was an Apple fan for a good number of years. I was like "the integration is so nice" and "all of my devices are in a good ecosystem and works great together". Then I got into privacy and security. Now I run GrapheneOS on my phone and Linux on my PC. The software I use is FOSS and my messengers are E2EE. Apple is good if you're a normie and has not realized the importance of privacy, not to say that Android is any better, because all Androids straight out of the box are littered with apps you can't delete, however, you can boot a new operating system like Graphene, Calyx, or LineageOS.

The only real alternative is iOS, which extremely restrictive and limiting, UI is unintuitive and clunky to navigate, and a lack of Quality-of-life enhancing apps (like better keyboards or apps to password protect other apps)

There's a bunch of small things that always get in the way. Lack of file system access for example, or FOSS app options.

other linux phones are not really viable. I dont like supporting apple and even if I didnt care about that, their iOS is far too restrictive.

also Tachiyomi

I decide how I use my phone vs my phone decides how I use it

I like how Android allows more customization. Also, I use a Galaxy Note 9 that I recently got from eBay, so I still have a headphone jack and sd card slot. I hate Apple for starting the trend of removing useful hardware from phones and laptops while still raising prices and hate even more that Androids started copying that. I miss removable battery phones. This Note 9 is my first phone without a removable battery.

Not being locked to one ecosystem and being forced to do everything the 'Apple' way. One of the biggest annoyances I have is being tech support for family with Apple products and they always ask why I am able to do stuff so easily with my 'cheap android'.

I haven't gotten a good chance to re-evaluate the PinePhone recently, but aside from that Android is basically the only option out there.

This is probably specific to the Pixel phones, not sure how much if any is relevant to other manufacturers.

1. Call screening and spam filtering is amazing. Having the phone automatically screen unknown callers means I haven't had to deal with a spam caller in years. And valid callers don't seem to have any problems understanding whats happening anymore. I used to get several who confused it for a voice mail when it first came out, but now it seems they understand how to leave a screening message and wait for me to pick up.

2. The phone tree and hold for me when calling businesses. Being able to read the options and click the text makes it so much easier to get through the options without having to really pay attention, then having it hold for me until a person answers lets me do other things instead of having to keep listening.

3. Song identification on the lock screen. Whether I'm out at a bar or restaurant or at home watching a TV show and a song I like but don't know starts playing, being able to see exactly what it is without even touching my phone is so convenient. I've found so many cool new bands I never would have without this feature. Its also amazing how it can often identify covers made specifically for TV shows right when they first air.

4. Amazing camera and cool features like photo sphere and the new magic eraser. The camera might not be as head and shoulders above Samsung and Apple as it was in the past but it's still always amazing how well it does in different conditions.

I use a combination of Termux + Andronix to run a full version of Ubuntu. Add Codeboard keyboard and suddenly I have a full dev environment on my unrooted, stock Android (Pixel). I don't think I can do that with iOS.

I had an Iphone a long time ago and it was fine but when I realized I couldn't side load apps easily it put me off completely. Felt like I didn't own my own device. I have been all android now for awhile and haven't looked back.

One word. GrapheneOS

I use a custom privacy focused rom, which I cant do on iOS.

It's open source.

I didn't see anyone mention photos. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I don't like the processing on iPhone pictures. They all look a bit soft.

They may win in video, I don't care about that enough for it to matter. Android cameras get way better development, partnerships, and processing, IMO.

It folds.

I can use a small screen phone when I want to, and open it up for a small tablet when I need it. I also have more choices. I have one Android phone with a headphone jack and a small screen, while I have another Android phone that gets the latest Google software and features.

I dislike Apple alot, stupidly Expensive, more than they devices worth, very restrictive on what you can do with them (treat their customers as kids) and their monopoly.

There is also a wide variety of Android phones with different price ranges, and features (like my beloved headphone jacks), wider customisation and a somewhat better repaiability sometimes.

things I dislike about Apple + things I like about android = preference.

Termux is probably the killer feature for me. Also price, I don't need an ultra powerful chipset in my chat, web and note taking machine and I like having the option of not having to pay for one.

Sideloading apps Adblockers Being able to replace my battery

The developer experience is miles better even with android studio being a buggy mess

It is also a great companion for sailing the high seas

I use Windows, Linux and MacOS daily, and want a phone where the connectivity features don't care what platform I'm on. iOS wants you to be on other Apple devices.

Beyond that, Android is more flexible. I don't do much fiddling with my phone's configuration but I like to have the option.

Lastly, I just like the interface better. That's subjective, and no I understand completely why iphone folks prefer that interface, but I like the stock android interface much better.

FDroid and custom ROMs