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3 things to consider before switching to an iPhone

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Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the podium in October to celebrate a record number of Android users switching to iOS, and pretty much every year, when Christmas rolls around, Apple sees a big upswing in sales against Android. Is Android seeing an exodus, and if you’re thinking of switching, is it a good idea?

s6 edge plus vs iphone 6 plus front
Which one would you take home? / © ANDROIDPIT

Now, firstly, Tim Cook’s statistic was widely publicized as being that 30 percent of Apple’s 2015 Q4 sales came from Android deserters. This is incorrect. In fact, 30 percent of their sales that came from people upgrading a smartphone were coming from Android. This rules out all those upgrading from a feature phone and first-time buyers – a significant portion of total sales, especially in China. The statistic also ignores the other side of the coin: the number of users who have left Apple for Android. It was an effective piece of PR, but Apple refuses to release concrete figures that would tell the real story.

It does remain true, however, that a significant number of people do make the switch every year, and Christmas is an obvious time to do this, as you probably won’t have to splash the cash yourself.

If you’re thinking of migrating to the dark side, here are some things to consider.

1.Screen size

With the release of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, Apple bumped up screen size considerably. This was a direct response to one of the main reasons many people prefer Android. Now Apple can comfortably compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Nexus 6P.

lg g4 apple iphone 6 screen display
It used to be that the iPhone's screen was small and pathetic, but not anymore. / © ANDROIDPIT

If this encourages you to switch, remember that Samsung still reigns supreme, with a ridiculous 577 ppi display on the Galaxy S6, compared to the iPhone 6S’s 326 ppi. The Nexus 6P muscles out the iPhone, too, at 515 ppi.

2. Security

This is a tricky one. Android is so popular partly because it offers great freedom for developers, but this also poses a risk. Apple’s walled-garden app store means every app is vetted before becoming available to users. Being able to sideload apps on Android is both a blessing and a curse, and malware has been spread through the Google Play Store, too, with Google often reacting only after thousands have been infected.

eric galaxy s6 encryption
With great power comes great responsibility. / © ANDROIDPIT

You have to ensure that the app you’re installing is coming from a reliable source if you’re going to avoid any malware. Exercising caution goes a long way on Android but is not necessary on iOS. It comes down to a question of whether you trust yourself with the freedom Android offers.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety”. I'm stretching, but the man would have been an Android fan, for sure.

Google is also now starting to offer up monthly security updates, which might go some way to making Android a more secure OS.

3. Freedom

The issue of security brings us nicely on to the main difference between Android and iOS. The freedom Android provides is unparalleled. Being able to root your device, sideload apps, install custom launchers and ROMs, and tinker with every aspect of your device means that when you buy an Android phone, it really belongs to you, and you can do with it as you see fit; this is something that the iPhone simply cannot come close to providing, despite increased efforts from Apple to make its iPhone seem more customizable.

Are you considering making the switch? If so, what are your reasons?

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Go to comment (26)
Chris Marshall

Chris Marshall
Junior Editor

Chris is a graduate in English and Philosophy and habitual tamperer with technology. A recent convert to Android, through the marvel of the Samsung Galaxy S6, he looks to share the fruits of this technological honeymoon through AndroidPIT.

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26 comments
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  • 5URV1V0R 11
    5URV1V0R Nov 22, 2015 Link to comment

    The IOS ecosystem is so different!!! Simple but restricting, too restricting

    W N


  • 4
    James William Nov 17, 2015 Link to comment

    Nice article. I didn't have iPhone still. But I'm planning to buy this very soon.


  • 2
    Popa Florin Nov 17, 2015 Link to comment

    iPhone is a good phone, android device are small computers where you can do whatever you want . what you can do with iPhone is limited by apple will.


    • 13
      Arjun Paliath Nov 17, 2015 Link to comment

      I would say both iPhones and Androids are small computers.
      While Androids are mini linux computers, iPhones are mini Mac computers.

      You get a plethora of apps on both iOS and Android to do what every you want. :)
      So it comes down to preference and budget eventually.. :P

      Aish


      • 2
        Aish Nov 17, 2015 Link to comment

        Eventually, we will probably have everything as wearables.. As they show on the new Total Recall Movie.. :P


      • 13
        Arjun Paliath Nov 17, 2015 Link to comment

        Lol.. :P


  • 1
    ggggggg Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    After read this article, I still wanna switch to Apple.. Android is eating too much resources and I hate it when my phone starts running slow


    • 3
      Andres Zito Nov 17, 2015 Link to comment

      I wouldn't do that. However, if you don't use your phone but in a standard way (calls, calendar, email, sms and a casual game), you may find iPhone easier. However if you like to try new things, change the appearance of your phone, etc. then stick to Android and change to a more powerful phone...


  • 1
    r plain Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    i switched to android over apple due to iso 8 well 3 weeks later lollipop came out and i hate it its ruined my tab 4 and also made using my new note edge hell to many issues and im not going to.try to.fix it thats androids job so now im stuck with a 900 dollar phone that does nothing but frustrate me guess i will try windows next id be happy if i coukd go back to kitkat but of course you cant no ones protecting us consumers and that needs to stop


  • 13
    Arjun Paliath Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    Another major factor IMO is personalisation.
    Android offers so many options such as launchers, icon packs etc while iOS just offers change of wallpapers.
    I know jailbreaking allows you to customise your iphone but Android does this with such ease.

    And while iOS apps are in face seamless in performance and use, I think Android offers developers infinite freedom to customize the application features.

    I know tasker or leandroid etc are quoted often as an example but in my experience the one feature I really missed after switching to my iphone is the Active Notifications/Ambient Display.

    A major point in my opinion.

    AishDeactivated Accounthotspring21


    • hotspring21 12
      hotspring21 Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

      Yes Nova launcher is great. I didn't like Touchwiz apperance, but Nova completely transformed it.


  • 31
    Deactivated Account Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    can't see apple making a phone for a £100.... what sort of world would we live in if apple was the only choice....

    hotspring21


    • hotspring21 12
      hotspring21 Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

      Well only people able and willing to plop down $1000 on a phone would have one. That excludes vast number of people on planet earth unfortunately.


  • Paolo 17
    Paolo Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    You kinda forgot about the Apps. I know Android has apps that ACTUALLY do wonders for the Android experience, but the truth is, iPhones ALWAYS get quality apps first, and stay there. I mean, sure, there's Tasker, something touted over and over with the Apps argument, but what chances are the average John and Jane will use it, more so know what to do with it? Tasker is beyond technical, and that's a problem. The Apps that make Android "superior" are regularly too much work for average users - you have Xposed, Root, and overwhelming customisation options that make for inconsistent visuals, especially with icon packs. And where there are the apps EVERYONE actually uses, they run better, have more features, and are less spammed with ads on iOS. Just look at the sorry state of Android podcast apps for example.


    • hotspring21 12
      hotspring21 Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

      Nova launcher is super duper. Anybody can use it without root. You can also install MIUI v5 icon pack with Nova launcher and it completely transforms Android phone UI apperance. Nova launcher basically allows you to completely customize UI to however you want it. Big plus for me was how great my Galaxy Note 4 looked after installing Nova launcher. I tried iphone many times, but IOS threadbare UI is very hard to tolerate. For example, it's totally brain dead not to allow user to arrange app icon on the screen however he/she want.


  • 7
    Pankaj Saini Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    You guys are back on track
    Pleased to see numerous articles
    All are worth reading, thanks pit.

    Kris CarlonOmar HamwiChris Marshall


    • Omar Hamwi 17
      Omar Hamwi Nov 17, 2015 Link to comment

      Thanks for the feedback, Pratham.


  • 49
    storm Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    Apple holds no appeal for me. Just look at our idioms and cultural references. Bad apples, garden of Eden, wicked witches tool of choice. Apples are evil.

    hotspring21


  • hotspring21 12
    hotspring21 Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    Why would anyone switch? Apple is now further behind Android than ever before. Apple iphone once may have had high ground in Camera, but it's now behind number of Android flagships (per Dxomark.com which used to put iphone as top smart phone camera - not anymore). Apple is also behind many Android flagships in display quality. As for battery, Android blows away iphone 6S plus with ultra power savings, extended battery, turbo charging and wireless charging, all of which iphone lack.

    There is also good reason never to buy/use iphone or any Apple product from open source point of view. Android can be used for anything, profit or non-profit. Also freedom to use and program one's own device anyway one wants - this is not available in Apple's jail - aka "walled garden". Even after you bought the iphone, Apple still effectively owns it and can tell you what you can and cannot do with iphone.

    Finally, the best good reason not to switch to Apple iphone is simply the outrageous cost. Now it's possible to get Android phone which offer great user experience like the gorgeous Oneplus X for $250, or Zenfone 2 Laser with 3GB ram 5.5 1080p screen for only $200. Alcatel Onetouch idol 3 @cricketwireless for $150, or Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 at $160, (which can be used with Tmobile and At&t in US) has geek bench multi core score higher than iphone 6S. So entry level Android phone like Oneplus X, Zenfone 2, Alcatel onetouch idol 3 and Redmi Note 2 are getting better faster than flagships, and can already meet needs of most of users out there. So there is no need to spend close to a thousand dollars to buy exorbitantly priced iphone any more.


  • Neil McVicar 5
    Neil McVicar Nov 16, 2015 Link to comment

    I tried that. Bought an iPhone 6 plus to replace my old S3. I found it painful from the start.. Click on a picture and make it your desktop? No. Click on a song and make it your ringtone? No. Install Swiftkey? Kinda, but it doesn't work half the time. Plug into my computer and drag files back and forth? No. Using any software apart from the apple supplied music and podcast apps is possible, but painful. No app drawer? I don't own stocks, why do I have to look at a stocks app on the screen? I don't own an apple watch, why do I have to look at the watch app etc, the list goes on - you get the idea. With iOS you have to do everything the Apple way and it's just awkward. After 5 months I finally reached a conclusion. iOS and Android run on different types of devices. The iPhone is a phone - a brilliant phone. It's world class for making calls, texting and listening to music. An Android phone is a mini computer, flexible, powerful and infinitely customizable easy to modify to the way you want to do things and, yes, easy to screw up if you start fiddling with roms beyond your ken. As for me I now know which way my path lies, the wife loves her new iPhone, I love my new Galaxy S6

    Arimizanhotspring21

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