Android

1. The flexibility to easily run things such as Termux (from F-Droid or similar) - who doesn’t love a proper shell complete with the ability to install Python, tmux, sshd, etc right on their phone!
2. Way superior notifications compared to iOS.

• Out of the box notifications is better (ability to customise notification tones per-app and even per-type/channel if the app exposes them) compared to generic notification tones on iOS (unless there’s an in-app setting).
• The notification icons in the status bar. On iOS I either have to look at my notification panel or lock-screen, or permit pop ups (which I hate for privacy reasons when sitting with other people).
• Cool 3rd-party apps such as AODNotify, which bring back notification LED type effects on AMOLED screens (but also, real, bright RGB notification LEDs on Sony phones and older Samsungs)
• Also Always on Display on AMOLED or Motorola’s Moto Display with gestures on IPS phones

3. An actual choice of browsers. Firefox on Android actually IS a different browser to Chrome and the others. On iOS, they’re not much more than UI shells over the top of a shared browser engine.
4. Things like text selection actually work. Every time I try to select or correct a URL in Safari for iOS I feel like throwing the device across the room.

Bad things - stupid bugs. The number of phones I’ve had with issues around notification tones not playing or being cut off (e.g. Moto Z2 Play) or stupid hardware decisions (no physical proximity sensor on Galaxy A51). Also, Bitwarden works way better on iOS - I always seem to have issues with Bitwarden’s integration in GBoard, and needing to use the legacy draw-over approach (but the fact Bitwarden can DO that on Android, is a win). Whereas on iOS, it feels far better integrated into the OS, replacing the standard password manager.

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)

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!

I want my app icons close to the bottom of the screen where my hands are and not at the top of the screen just because Apple demands it. Also I can have ad free apps like ReVanced

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

I like to use custom ROMs i can't live without them

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

With LineageOS + microg I have a cheap phone that performs really well and the battery lasts for multiple days. Had a jailbroken iphone before switching to Android but have never even thougt about going back.

I tried ios/ipados devices in the past. I always come to a point the limitations of the system annoyed me so much. Sometimes it's the not accesible nfc reader. Somertimes the garbade filesystem and sometimes i wasn't able to open a file from the app i want because of different reasons. I haven't used it for years, but i think the OS is terrible for someone that want to use file, hardware or any process like i the person is used to it or want to use.

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.

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.

NewPipe, and Firefox Browser with uBlock Origin installed

That's it.

Everything about Apple software rubs me the wrong way. It's like it's wired opposite to my brain. I had a mac laptop for years and pretty much hated it.

I've used iPhone sporadically (and developed for them on one project) and you can't change the things I'd want to change. I dislike the home screen grid and they added widgets far too late. It took them multiple years to semi-fix notifications. The lack of a back button still perplexes me, especially when one app launches another.

Unfortunately I'm increasingly feeling that Android is a buggy mess too. Android 12 was a complete disaster and my phone is still messed up from it (some apps still don't get notifications) even though I'm now on 13. Google is focusing on the wrong things IMO but I don't think I'd last 48h on iPhone. I actually preferred Windows Phone to iOS. Don't get me wrong I don't think iPhone is a bad product in any way (except how closed everything is), it works for a lot of people - just not me.

I think for me a big thing is price. I like being able to buy a cheaper phone and just have a SIM only plan. I also love YouTube revanced and could not live without it so I guess I'm stuck 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.

I have a z fold 4 that I use the large screen on to consume a lot of media. Sports, podcasts, movies, tv shows, you name it. I either have a video in full screen or I'm split screening a video with a messenger app on the other side! I also use it as my car's "android head unit". I purchased a tablet CD Mount and I slap it on there opened up and have an app duo that launches automatically when I connect to my car's Bluetooth. Google maps on one side, Spotify on the other at a 70/30 split of screen real estate. And finally, YouTube Revanced.

Just can't do that type of stuff on iphone :)

It's more open and not locked down to proprietary software.

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.

The battery tastes better.

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.

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 come and go from both iOS and Android, but on the whole I much prefer Android.

There are four things that keep me wondering if I'll go back to an iPhone:

1. the Watch
2. Airdrop
3. the general seamless integration across Apple devices
4. better art/design/editing apps

That said, these things keep me on Android:

1. really really love that it's more of a computer in the way it handles file management at OS level and across apps.
2. related to point 1: Background activity. Far fewer apps on Android require you to keep the app open while they work away, which is intensely valuable to me in my workflow.
3. core OS app alternatives, and easy sideloading of good apps that aren't quite 'legal' (😎)

(Apple has improved in these areas, but I'm still more impressed with Android's approach, despite the inherent security risks)

I mean, exactly none of the above is important to regular people, and even most iOS 'power users' are adamant they don't need that level of system access badly enough to leave iOS for it. Which is cool! But I'm glad I have it, and frankly I find my Samsung S23 Ultra experience to be better in just about every way than the various times I boot up my iPhone 13 Pro. (And I've absolutely spent enough time in both camps to know what I'm talking about. 😂)

My iPhone 13 Pro is now not much more than a camera and a gaming machine with the Razer Kishi V2 attached, haha.

That said, there are four things that keep me wondering if I'll go back to an iPhone:

1. the Watch. The Apple Watch is still the best watch around. I've had the Pixel Watch and the Galaxy Watch 4, and I still miss the Apple Watch 5 gathering dust in my drawer. I prefer the shape (which is why I have an old Oppo Watch and a Huawei Watch Fit 2), and it just does so much more than any Wear OS watch.

2. Airdrop. Yes, Android has its own take on this concept, but when you use an Android phone with a Macbook, the options are far fewer. Syncthing, Airdroid, Snapdrop, etc. None of them are quite as good.

3. the general seamless integration across Apple devices.

4. Better art/design/editing apps.

The camera on the pixel phones.

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

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.

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.....

1/3 the price

Well, I don't trust the companies.

But Lineage without Google gives me a decent smartphone experience with minimized tracking capabilities for 3rd parties. (Yeah, provider can still do quite a bit, but the VPN takes care of a bit more there, still not all though)

Tasker mostly. And apps for piracy are more plentiful lol

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

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.

I feel very constricted using Apple. Everything from the OS to any plug has to be theirs, their way. Android gives me choices and more freedom. It's kinda awkward when a bunch of my friends have iPhones and I'm the one android messing up the group chat colors for them but it's well worth that sacrifice

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

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

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

• I can build my own ROM and add any tweaks I want to the source
• Full filesystem access, not the circus act iOS is running with their "file management"
• I can run any browser I want, download any file I want
• I can sideload any app I want, and install open source apps from F-Droid
• I can use projects like ReVanced to install modified apps effortlessly, and don't have to go through the AltStore/Apple Developer BS to install simple things like uYou
• I can entirely replace my home screen with a different launcher app if I wanted to

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.

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 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 hate Google and Samsung a tiny bit less than I hate Apple.

It's open source.

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...