Everyone has their preferences, I would love to hear why you guys prefer using Android!
You must log in or register to comment.
Browser choice. Actually browser ENGINE choice. And the ability to set my own default apps, including the launcher.
F-droid. Side loading.
This is probably specific to the Pixel phones, not sure how much if any is relevant to other manufacturers.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
deleted by creator
I prefer Android because we all do not have much choice. Once I preferred Symbian, it was an inconvenient system for advertising salesmen, then there was Windows mobile, I liked it too, but it died quickly. I like the pushbutton phones with proprietary firmware the most, but unfortunately these days it’s hard to live without mobile apps.
Because I can use the real Firefox and not a Webkit imposter. I tried an iPhone for a year but it was too restrictive for me. Having a choice in phone manufacturer helps too. I’ve had phones from many different companies over the years.
Sideloading. And I refuse to pay Apple’s insane prices tbh.
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
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
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.
Freedom. I feel so restricted on iOS. I want to do this, and this, and that there too!
Anytime anyone asked why, my response has always been “options”. Plain and simple.
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.
deleted by creator
This is my answer, too. I like being free to put apps where I want them and not where the OS dictates.
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 only really use my phone for light browsing, texting, and calling.
I decided to splash out for my current phone, so that I could use it for 5+ years. $700 new in 2018, 8GB RAM, 256 Storage, Octacore CPU, 3700 mAh battery. OnePlus stopped pushing security updates, so I flashed another ROM that is still being updated. I expect this thing to run for a few more years.
The iPhone out in 2018 was the XS. the 256 GB version was $1150; worse CPU, worse battery, less RAM. I believe Apple is still supporting it for updates, but it should be near EOL.
The whole thing revolves around being ableto flash a ROM, though. For me it’s a no-brainer, but I don’t begrudge anyone for not being willing. If I wasn’t going to do that… I might actually get an iPhone, just for the extended shelf life. > Z Fold 3
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.
On a pixel phone you can even install a google free OS like graphene (that’s what I did)
Hi. I’ve heard quite a few people do this but never managed to ask why. So, taking the opportunity to ask.
What I mean is, if the large part of the phone is about the software experience and software optimisation (and the hardware in itself is nowhere near cutting edge) what’s the upside of installing a non-google OS on it?
Perhaps I’ll try it someday. For today, just curious. If you could shed some light on it. Thank you!
Sorry for the late reply, still getting used to lemmy and missed the notification.
I’m probably in the minority but I didn’t actually do it to completely de-google. I still have some Google services installed, they are sandboxed and limited to what I actively want though.
My main reason was removing the insane bloat that comes with modern phones. Think Facebook/Google and vendor specific apps being preinstalled without the ability to remove, forced google search bar on the home screen etc… Now I have a pretty clean, fairly safe, OS which behaves almost exactly like a normal phone.
Also important to remember on GrapheneOS is that your google play services are
- Optional
- Sandboxed Meaning even if you need google play, it’s a more private experience than stock android. I personally use a separate user profile for apps that require google play services.
All my smart phones were Android, but not on purpose: Before buying one, I always entered my size and feature preferences (4G, NFC, water resistant, wireless charging, etc) in multiple sites like https://m.gsmarena.com/search.php3 and the best fits for the best price were always Android phones 🤷
FDroid and custom ROMs
