Re: Is iPhone just a status?
I currently have no phone. I wanted to know what iphone is like. But it just looks like people are paying more than top range android devices for something that is locked down and not much can be done. People pay more for a flagship android because it has better software/hardware features. Why do you pay even more for something which has virtually nothing and is extremely simple? iphone should be in the budget range, with its secluded OS and small screen. I think people do it for the brand, and Im not one of the people who finds that impressive - the opposite.
I am getting board warnings at every turn and even a ban by moderators, although the people insulting me on this topic are being blanked from any staff punishment.
I just recently moved from android to iPhone a few months ago. I've also owned a windows phone, and a palm webos Pre.
It there
I think there is a common misconception about the iPhone being "useless" compared to android or being a status thing. I was t at one point thinking the same, as a matter of fact, I know several people on this forum have been. 6 years ago, yes, the iPhone was a status thing, but its evolved a lot.
The reason I switched from android had a lot to do with stability and reliability as well as hardware quality, and it was a great reason, but there's actually a lot more to the phone than people think.
First off, compared to android, there is little that is actually missing. I seriously did not think I would adjust because, like you, I was under the impression that it was just a simple phone for people wanting something simple (I think saying it was for uneducated people was a bit insulting because I am educated and chose to buy this based on several weeks of research and I know many more who use it for the apps it has) When I got it, I had my phone exactly like I want it, and even found some nice welcoming features compared to android.
Here's what I like
- easy one stop area to turn off notifications and even several unified options for them.
- when an app is closed, its closed. Android does not always close apps like you think
- I have yet to have malware issues. I'm sorry, when I buy an app from the android market, I don't want to have to hope that it works right and won't send me notifications every five minutes from apps I didn't even download because it downloaded a bunch of random apps....
- so much less force closing or issues like that
- better quality apps as you said, however, this is a lot more important than you think for many as there are certain apps only for ios.
- a good and high quality built in video calling service (this is good if video calling is important to you)
- notifications on the lock screen (though I think android 4.2 does this now
- guaranteed updates for the life of your contract and as soon as available
- generally better battery life than a good portion of android phones considering the size
- smooth OS with few issues
- a phone that isn't giant
- several options for contact tones including text tones, ringtones and vibrate patterns (only Samsung offers this)
- quick access to music
- very similar features to android
- a full backup service
Now here's what you need to know about the actually differences. Aside from customizing a launcher, widgets and choosing default apps, there isn't much else android does different (excluding manufacturer customizations). Changing themes requires putting a completely different rom on the device which sucks. Many apps with special features require rooting, and many of the manufacturer features seem gimmicky and are poorly executed more often than not. Pure android and ios are honestly similar enough to where one cannot say one is superior to the other as both have their ups and downs. I like the holo design, choosing the default apps, and device options, but I find the manufacturers kill the android experience by slow if no updates, crappy implementations of updates, and sometimes glitchy or distracting skins. I like being able to know I can rely on my phone working when I need it. I like that the battery lasts long even on 4g compared to any phone I've had. I like that I know my phone takes good pictures and all around it feels like a quality phone. It's worth the money I paid, and I bought it off contact just to get away from my android phone which was equally
priced when purchased. I think android has great potential and I hope the Moto X finally gives android the smooth reliable experience that people love about apple. I am a tech nerd and some of the cool features android phone makers come up with seem awesome, but that's exactly what they want, people like you and me to buy into features that most people honestly never use. I have not felt deprived with my iPhone at all. Someone mentioned cars before, lets use this analogy. Given the option of a car with good crash tests, good reliability, good gas mileage, and comparable features to other cars, or the car that isn't always reliable, gas mileage varies substantially, is less safe, but has more features (many which are not important to most people and is the same price which one would you choose? I'm going with the car I can rely on and has good features still. You use the analogy I can get a dumb phone if I want reliable, (implying the iPhone has no features) however there are only a few features it lacks compared to android and most of them are not important to most people. I learned how wrong I was when I got my iPhone so you likely won't understand unless you get one as well. My best friend thinks exactly as you do about my phone, yet, in 6 months I've gotten more updates from apple then him, his phone was abandoned less than a year after being introduced. Why would I want a product with so little support? Screen size? That's completely a personal perspective as many people like many sizes.
The whole "status" thing is just the old way of thinking that everyone buys iPhones for status, but I could care less about that. I like it because its a quality phone in every way I need it to be. I actually am not even a fan of the company apple, but I can say the same for Samsung, and Microsoft. I buy what works best for me, I could care less if its got a fruit symbol or not. Just don't think iPhones are for uneducated people, as many people on here have tried several different devices and have based their opinions on actual experience not speculation or what they have heard or think. Even with tons of research there is only so much you can learn without your own experience. Hope this helped and was what you came on here looking for.