Android

I want a customizable phone that is not stuck in a walled-garden. Plus I do not use Apple products.

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

I used it initially, because I hated Apple and their proprietary stuff and have stayed ever since. I liked androids more universal approach. SD cards, usb, etc.

1. File management is noice, the ability to plug in a USB C usb is very clutch.
2. I swear a lot more apps on iOS are subscription based than on Android.
3. A lot more open source apps.
4. Modded apps.
5. I can easily connect my phone to my laptop and copy actual files.
6. Sideloading.
7. Choice.

Iphone is incredibly expensive. IOs seems much more restrictive than Android. There's a bigger offer of different phones and manufactures in Android. Most people in my country use Android.

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.

• Headphone jack
• SD slot

Yes I'm using a Sony phone (Xperia 1V)

• iOS is very restricted compared to Android.
• iPhones overpriced like crazy for what you get.
• GrapheneOS

To feel that YOU are the one really owning your phone.

iOS is always over-protective and doesn't allow sideloading. Whenever I use an iPhone I feel like I'm using a phone lent by a parent to some child.

There's not equivalent F-droid for iPhone, and almost all apps on Appstore contain ads.

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).

Root.

That's it. Root.

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.

I may be one of the last hangers-on for this issue, but: my Android phone has a headphone port! That was non-negotiable for me last time I got a new phone. Earbuds do not stay in my ears, are super uncomfortable, and I don't want to charge a wireless headset or mess with an adapter all the time. I have cheap wired headphones for going out and about that I don't lose when they fall out because the wire catches them, and really nice wired headphones at home that are much better quality than wireless ones. My car also has a 3.5 mm hookup that sounds a lot better than Bluetooth audio.

Besides that: Having more customization and control. Firefox + adblockers and other extensions. ReVanced for YouTube. Easier access to the phone's storage and files. Being able to block ads adds so much quality of life.

I also like IOS due to stability (I have an Ipad Mini) but I need some things firat before switching.

1. Tachiyomi (Manga Reader)
2. Ad free youtube aka Revanced
3. Desk mode for playing TFT on a Monitor
4. Sideloading unavailable regionally locked apps
5. Emulators

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)

It seems like any time I consider giving iOS a chance, I hear about some basic thing where I'm like "Wait, it can't do that?" So until that stops happening, I'm sticking with Android.

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.

1/3 the price

Customization and the app drawer. Any time I have to use my wife's iphone I can't stand how many folders are all over the place to house the apps. Baffling design. I have a custom launcher which means I also set up gestures to open certain apps. Swipe up for Discord, down for fantasy hockey, two finger counterclockwise turn for Goodreads, two finger down swipe for Roku remote, etc. I also have custom icon packs.

Sideloading apps is the main reason. I couldn't use a phone without Adblock.

iPhones are also just way more expensive and the few times i've tried them the UX just sucked so much, form over function.

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.

Mainly that there are really solid midrange android phones nowadays. I just can't justify the iPhone pricetag.

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

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

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

The battery tastes better.

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 dont mind using iphone over android, it's just that Apple make it so damn hard to build an app for iOS (require Xcode on macOS only) and not allow sideloading app, like hello? I'm the one who own the phone here. So I stick with android, and think anybody who like to tinker with their setup and is a little tech savy should not use Iphone. Thanks for coming to my TED talk

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

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.

iOS is confusing as hell and extremely limiting.

How configurable and customizing can be achieved. Even if you like IOS GUI, you can perfectly install a launcher in android which looks like one and you're done. Try to do that on an actual iphone device, good luck bucko.

btw, sideload is A MUST for today's standards, and since we're talking about open source and all, almost all of my apps are open source, so yeah.

Long live AOSP

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...

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

GrapheneOS, other custom OSes, ability to hack/mod/repair.

Apple is one of the most scummy and anti-consumer companies in the world, they won't ever get a dollar from me or any endorsement.

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.

-firefox with addons (adblock is the condom of internet) -youtube revanced -fdroid -better kde connect integration -termux -the ability to sideload apps -customisation -more device options and generally cheaper models

I am a fan of blue bubbles :)