I want a customizable phone that is not stuck in a walled-garden. Plus I do not use Apple products.
In no particular order
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.
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.
#2 I am a developer, the reason for this is that publishing an app in App Store is not free unlike in Android where it's a one time payment.
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.
Having the ability to add an SD card is great
Was great
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.
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.
More customizable, open source, don't want to pay the apple tax
Revanced and Fdroid. Plus, I can use real third party browsers. And sideloading. And getting access to the file system. And having tons of vendors to choose from.
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.
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'.
It's more open and you're not confined to how Apple thinks your phone should look like.
I prefer the freedom to choose between multiple phone manufacturers, and am not tethered to a closed environment.
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.
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.
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.
-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
Mainly that there are really solid midrange android phones nowadays. I just can't justify the iPhone pricetag.
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 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.
There aren't a whole lot of options. It's not that I particularly care about Android as much as that I don't want to be stuck in the Apple ecosystem. If there was any other usable alternative with a large library of apps I'd definitely check it out.
NewPipe, and Firefox Browser with uBlock Origin installed
That's it.
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!
I can sideload apps. These apps are usually either obscure but useful or FOSS and designed for the user rather than for money.
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.
The ability to have Firefox+uBlock origin is a must-have for web browsing.
More powerful in automation tools. I didn't care too much about this until I found it extremely useful for work.
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).
I was an iOS user for nearly a decade but I increasingly grew tired of the walled garden and lack of customization (i.e. not being possible for me to tailor the OS closer to my needs), especially the lack of third-party stores for FOSS apps. Not to mention the fact that the App Store model actively discourages developers of these apps, so it is an ideological question at the end of the day.
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 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
I also like IOS due to stability (I have an Ipad Mini) but I need some things firat before switching.
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.
I can write my own apps without anyone's permission!
It's more open and not locked down to proprietary software.
it is more flexible,
more poweruser friendly,
way more open and free,
and most importantly:
iphone is very expensive
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