this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2023
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Android

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Everyone has their preferences, I would love to hear why you guys prefer using Android!

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Browser choice. Actually browser ENGINE choice. And the ability to set my own default apps, including the launcher.

F-droid. Side loading.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

In no particular order

  • File management works like a charm
  • USB-C and fast charging
  • Customizations
  • Custom ROMs
  • Privacy (getting a Pixel soon for GrapheneOS)
  • Easier to repair
  • More efficient (takes less steps to do stuff)
  • Looks better
  • Sideloading
  • More choices for phones
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Sideloading is the big one. I was considering an iPad before getting Xiaomi tablet (even though it costs roughly the same), but sideloading is game changer.

  • YouTube Vanced
  • Emulators
  • Stremio and torrents
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Along the lines of sideloading: proper adblock

I was reminded ads exist after I bought an iPad for school (sadly the notetaking experience is truly unrivaled). Adblock only works on Safari and whether it'll work properly is another roll of the dice.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Sideloading. And I refuse to pay Apple's insane prices tbh.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I actually use iOS but I’ve had phones on both sides of the aisle several times in the last 15 years. I work in cybersec and android excels at that kind of thing. Infinitely more power to access systems, use terminal, pull up ip based webpages, and a far more comprehensive app suite to do so. Personally, I’ve just found iOS more stable in my day to day but I have an android tablet for best of both worlds.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I love the iPhone hardware. Especially the mini.

But I really don't like iOS. Or the lightning connector.

Same thing with Macs.

Overall I think Apple makes gorgeous hardware but the software just isn't for me.

I always tell people the best phone (or best one iPhone vs Android) is whatever is best for them.

My wife loves her iPhone and everything about it, and that's okay!

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I could post why I do not like Apple, but that isn't why I prefer Android.

I like how there are a ton of options on Android. I can control what hardware I have, from an ultrabudget $100 phone to a $2000 foldable flagship. I can choose how I control my device, I can choose how my device looks. All of these things add up to letting me have the best experience.

I also like how you can install custom ROMs on many devices. This allows even more options in terms of personal control.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (4 children)

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.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Don't like Apple's anti consumer attitude, same reason I don't buy Nintendo products.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

@Cameri I came to Android to use rif for reddit. It's gone now and now i'm using the mastodon app chatting with everyone on lemmy.world and other instances. I have a main account on lemmy.world but i just use it to moderate my sub check my notifications and that's about it. I really like my S23 though

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Just switched back to Android a few days ago after using the iPhone for quite some time. Customization and control were my favorite reasons for Android in the past and it stayed the same. I use a Pixel 7 Pro with GrapheneOS. The fact that I even have an option to use a different OS that focuses on privacy is amazing.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

In Turkey, Apple products are exorbitantly priced due to factors such as exchange rates, taxes, and so on.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

For me it's probably the ability to sideload apps, among other things. Apps like NewPipe which would never make it to the Play Store are apps that I use every day, because they are just good apps. Also, I just like the UX of my Pixel compared to an iPhone - I couldn't live without things like a back button, and I sort of don't like the iOS UI.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago
  • 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...
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

If you use any app other than what Apple provides, you become a second class citizen on your own phone.

Third party apps simply don't integrate with iOS nicely unless Apple allows it. Even though you can choose a web browser, it has to use Safari's underlying code base.

I'm on a Pixel 7. A lot of people say it's like Google's iPhone, but I can use Firefox as my browser natively. Adblocking actually works, too. I can choose any app as a default for whatever. Lots of FOSS! Google doesn't own my Pixel the same way Apple owns the iPhone.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Tasker mostly. And apps for piracy are more plentiful lol

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

NewPipe, and Firefox Browser with uBlock Origin installed

That's it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)
  1. I can sideload apps. These apps are usually either obscure but useful or FOSS and designed for the user rather than for money.

  2. Even the apps officially on the Google Play Store are more powerful, such as emulators and an app using an advanced algorithm to change the speed and pitch of music while having it still sound high-quality. And of course, a file manager is a must-have.

  3. The ability to have Firefox+uBlock origin is a must-have for web browsing.

  4. More powerful in automation tools. I didn't care too much about this until I found it extremely useful for work.

  5. More hardware variety. I hate that you can't get a headphone jack on an iPhone and that the storage markups are absurd. Here I am with a $300 phone with a good performance, 256GB internal storage, a headphone jack, and a MicroSD slot. Bonus: The iPhone notch is incredibly ugly and the way Android does notches and punch holes is way better.

Unfortunately, we are beholden to greedy Google that actively is nerfing Android. Android 11 made it harder to access files, Android 12 replaced the WiFi and mobile toggles an incredibly poorly-designed internet toggle, and Android 14 is gonna restrict sideloading of older apps (which generally use less storage and are more optimized).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Both iPhones I had started falling apart software-wise within a year or two. Messages wouldn't send, internet connections would fail, graphical glitches were everywhere, and I didn't get more control of the device to compensate. Also, WebKit fucks up so often it's frustrating.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago
  1. Not an iPhone
  2. Linux-based
  3. Can install apps from external sources.
  4. I can customize many aspects
  5. I can root it and run more advanced software, customize it further, and debloat/remove unwanted builtin apps (unlocked phones only)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The price, a burning hatred for apple, and I can switch over to something else like graphine os. I haven't done that yet but I plan to when I get a new phone though!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I like the variety of hardware available, and the customization available in the software, especially with third party launchers.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I recently started using Niagra Launcher, love the minimal design it has.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Curious if Niagra affects phone performance? I love the look of it, but my Pixel 3 is aging.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I haven't noticed performance issues or any battery drain on my S22 Ultra

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Well. Long term apple user. I had everything. MacBook, Apple TV, iPhone, Apple Watch. But somewhen I crossed roads too much with the walled garden.

I compared a lot of Android driven brands and how everything works. The final nail was actually usability. I have been more flexible with Android and Windows than Apple and Windows.

Of course the experience is smooth with Apple. But imo Android and iOS devices have their benefits and for me thats Android - Also because I can easily switch brands and stuff.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The camera on the pixel phones.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

My friend recently went on a trip into the mountains for some hiking, they took some photos that made me ask if it was from a DSLR camera, but it was just from a Pixel 7 Pro. Amazing how far phone cameras have come.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Mostly Sideloading and GrapheneOS. And that it's mostly open source

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Because Android is technically open source and the hardware is free enough that I can install an alternative OS if I want to.

Also, the phones are cheaper and have headphone jacks!

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