Looking to Switch from Android to iPhone without Breaking The Bank

[Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 13:57
Last edited 17/10/2019 - 14:12

I've used Android devices for a long time, and would like to switch to iOS. The reasoning is a whole other (irrelevant) debate. I have always bought a midrange Android phone for $500-$800 and stayed on a $40 per month prepaid SIM. I'd love to stay on prepaid and i'd love not to have my bill go up from $40pm to $100pm, so i'm not sure any of the Australian providers' plans are much good to me. I'm hoping to find out the best way to approach making the switch in Australia.

Should I get an older iPhone new? Is there a decent plan or deal I should hold out for?

Love to know your thoughts!

Edit: Just adding that i'm currently on Boost prepaid.

Mobile

Comments

  • spackbace on 17/10/2019 - 14:00
    +1

    Boost - $135 for 12 months = $11.25/month.

    That should help your monthly budget for an iphone :)

    • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 14:12
      +1

      You mean pay less for calls/data so I can afford an outright phone? Either way - i'm already on Boost, so I imagine this doesn't apply.

      • stratbargain on 17/10/2019 - 14:29
        +3

        His point is if you can deal with 80GB of data and unlimited calls for $135 per year. Over two years your current $40 a month plan is $960. That boost plan is $270. So go on a 12 month boost plan and you have $690 + the $500-$800 you normally invest in an android phone to go get yourself a shiny iPhone.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 14:31

          Got it! Thanks.

  • dogboy on 17/10/2019 - 14:22
    +5

    I would recommend using an iOS phone before commiting so you understand the limitations. Not many people go backwards like this and are happy with the result from what I have heard.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 14:27

      What are the limitations? Or some of them?

      • bobbified on 17/10/2019 - 14:43

        What are the limitations? Or some of them?

        You should be doing some research yourself before spending any money. The price to switch isnt as simple as just the handset itself. You'll be switching ecosystems/platforms that may involve other costs.

        A quick google search for "Android vs iOs" will give you stackloads of information on the differences. Everyone's got their opinions and people will continue to argue about which one is "better". They both have their ups and down, so the "better" one is the one that suits you best.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 14:49
          +1

          Sure. I've done a lot of research already - was really just probing for what "dogboy" was thinking of in particular. In my view, the limitations that could be of concern with iOS include not being able to add apps that aren't on the app store, and being able to use custom OS software. I've done all of that before, and in honesty I never enjoyed enough benefit from it to justify doing it, so I wouldn't miss either.

          • jimdotpud on 17/10/2019 - 17:24

            @[Deactivated]: can't save files to your ios, cant just drag and drop from desktop
            you have to use stupid itunes app for everything
            stupid non industry standard lightning adapter
            the list goes on
            apple=shit

            • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 20:57

              @jimdotpud: Although I read that iTunes is gone in the new MacOS, so I imagine that will change. YOu need the Android file transfer application to transfer to Android too. And it's pretty shit.

              • jimdotpud on 18/10/2019 - 10:43

                @[Deactivated]: no you don't, plug in via usb and it shows up as a device with the internal mem and/or sdcard as a drive/ sub folder to drag and drop files (eg in windows explorer). you dont need a separate app to do it.

          • Bargain80 on 18/10/2019 - 11:11
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: The biggest draw back is you will loose the back button.
            you have to depend on the back button built by the application if there's any.

            Let me you give you an example.
            In youtube when you watch a maximized video and you want to go back to home screen, you just need to press the back button several times in Android.
            In Iphone, you need to tap the screen to bring up all the button, press the restore button and then press the minimise button. then you will see the home button which you can press.

            not sure why you want to move to ios if you have limited budget because that means you have to downgrade the phone spec.
            With $500-$800, you can buy a really good spec android phone online.
            But with iphone, you will be limited to older version or refurbished one.

            • ThithLord on 18/10/2019 - 12:00

              @Bargain80:

              The biggest draw back is you will loose the back button.
              you have to depend on the back button built by the application if there's any.

              Let me you give you an example.
              In youtube when you watch a maximized video and you want to go back to home screen, you just need to press the back button several times in Android.
              In Iphone, you need to tap the screen to bring up all the button, press the restore button and then press the minimise button. then you will see the home button which you can press.

              You've no idea what you're talking about. On all iPhones with no home button there is a universal gesture to go back - swipe left to right from the edge of the screen. Thank you, please come again.

              • Bargain80 on 18/10/2019 - 12:39

                @ThithLord:

                You've no idea what you're talking about. On all iPhones with no home button there is a universal gesture to go back - swipe left to right from the edge of the screen. Thank you, please come again.

                Maybe you're the one who has no idea.
                Have you tried that with youtube? That doesn't work.

                It's working on standard app like mail.
                But not working on ALL situation.

      • crentist on 17/10/2019 - 15:24
        +5

        It doesn't really do anything better. It does some stuff worse though. Some of it seems to be security/privacy motivated, but so much just seems stubborn and anti-3rd party.

        eg you can't google translate text in other apps (eg whatsapp messages) without switching to the translate app and pasting in the text. This seems like it might be privacy focused, so fine.

        but then the music control widget defaults to apple music, and there is no way to change it, and no other control widget. so if you use spotify, you have to open the spotify app every time you want to start playing music, and it will then take over the widget. and if you want to switch to a podcast, you have to open the podcast app. etc

        Which is just stubborn design and forced default behaviour.
        In fact voice control for spotify is just now arriving to ios. Despite the google assistant app on ios already being capable of controlling it. Which meant that you could literally tell Siri to open Google, and have more control over your phone. But of course, you can't set google assistant as default

        Another thing is that apps tend to be less free than on android. developers expect ios users to pay cash, so things cost more, with less ad support, and no google rewards.
        people will say that ios apps are better quality or something, but not true. it's all the same. the claims just make it even more annoying when things crash

        me: switched to ios 2.5 years ago because i wanted a small phone, and SE was basically the only thing on the market. Still pretty much true, so I still use it. Works well enough, but I had to stop caring about some stuff. which isnt too bad either, because I don't wanna think much about phones anyway.
        like you mention about using custom OS etc. I used to too, and look for tweaks and such. now if something is crap, I just accept that there's no workaround and move on

        • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 15:29
          +1

          Yes - all of this. Thank you. I used to mess around with custom ROMS and try to use open source apps only, so Android was the right place to be, but my priorities changed (family, work, etc) so I really don't have time to think about that stuff. I also worry about privacy, and i'm not the biggest fan of Google generally so doing what I can to escape the (inescapable) behemoth.

          Thanks for this. Really helpful.

          • crentist on 17/10/2019 - 17:30

            @[Deactivated]: so many weekends lost trying to flash a bunch of pointless tweaks before rolling back to something less broken and doing it all again just to get things back to being usable.
            ugh

            i think thats half the reason i got back into small screens too. less to get sucked into. i used to have a Note 3 before big phones were popular and i modded it a bunch. then during a warranty repair i borrowed a spare iphone 4 and it just felt very comfortable to temporarily take a massive step back to something that did less to think about, but enough not to want more, and felt comfortable to grip in one hand so you could still do other things at the same time

            the SE is kinda the same. if cutting back on phone use is a main part of your motivation then a cheap used one for under $200 could be something to consider. still good other than the camera being a bit crap. or whatever the new one might be next year. im hoping they keep this old outdated size though

      • ThithLord on 17/10/2019 - 15:34
        +4

        What are the limitations?

        A superior experience with vetted apps that are designed for the limited amount of device options in mind. Android devices are incredibly fragmented, hence the Apps often run like a bag of shmit.

        Class leading chipsets that are still unbeatable, even considering the Snapdragon 855

        On the spot replacement device for warranty if you live in a metropolitan area and have access to an Apple store. If your device has a hardware issue, they will replace it on the spot - sometimes even it's outside of warranty (happened for me for a 2.5 yr old phone)

        Universal experience between iOS devices on similar version of iOS

        Day 1 software updates. As soon as an updated OS is released, you can download it

        OS Support for your device for at least five years. How often are people getting them on Androids? 1 and a half years?

        Unparalleled Cloud back-up/restore experience on your device

        The operating system is not designed entirely around mining data - in fact, Apple doesn't mine your data att all, and especially not for marketing purposes (though other services/apps on the phones can, of course). Android users will tell you differently, but outside a few glaringly obvious outliers, Apple does not mine your data.

        The "limitations" fanboys rabbit on about is generally mundane things like waa waa I can't assign Crazy Frog as an SMS tone to a certain contact!!!1! Walled Garden!!. You also can't use your iPhone as plug and play storage device. Android fans are inherent pirates so they get mad they can't drag their media onto an iPhone and watch their torrented films/music.

        That's as much as I can be bothered for now, tbh. Bring on the salty bois!

        • spiff on 17/10/2019 - 16:07

          As a 9 year iPhone user and now Android layman, I agree that Apple's ecosystem is superior in that it's more seamless, integrated and smooth. Security/privacy is also superior as you mentioned. You've also reminded me about how easy it was to back up and that I've never backed up my Android phone after 1 year of use cos I simply haven't been prompted or bothered to see how to do it. But having widespread flexibility (while still being easy to use since I'm no techxpert) in the little things that affect my day to day user experience is more important than all 3 of those factors. My takeaway is if you're not prepared to invest into the Apple eco-system then that's a big drawcard missing. I wont get into aesthetics of the new/recent iPhones since that's very subjective.

          • crentist on 17/10/2019 - 22:24

            @spiff: I think android backs up to your google account in a similar way anyway.
            I've never thought much about iphone backups for a similar reason, which amounts to "I dunno what it's doing but I'll find out if I'm screwed when the time comes"

            Everything important (email, photos etc) is in the google account anyway, so it seems better having it all in one place. icloud might as well be another samsung, sony, or huawei account for how interested I am in having yet another manufacturer wanting to backup my entire google contact list.

          • ThithLord on 18/10/2019 - 08:29

            @spiff:

            But having widespread flexibility

            Fair enough - you'd have to elaborate on which flexibility it is that you require, that is limited on iOS? There's very few that I can think of off the top of my head.

            • spiff on 18/10/2019 - 12:02

              @ThithLord: You might be thinking into it in more detail than me. What's impressed me is very surface level stuff. Choosing which items are on the quick access menu, using the phone as a computer by moving files on and off to not only computers but USB-C sticks. To be fair I don't know if iOS has improved in this area since getting rid of iTunes. I'm using Samsung so widgets on the home screen are handy and being able to choose from a decent range of them, and being able to resize. USB-C charging as opposed to lightning. Also this may be purely placebo but it feels like I have a choice over which ecosystem I want to be a part of. I chose Google. Starting to get into a bit of home appliance automation and have a Sonos set up which recently got Google Assistant integration.

      • netjock on 17/10/2019 - 20:18

        The limitations is probably more financial which means you take less holidays, save less, retire later etc due to the higher price of iphones.

        • ThithLord on 18/10/2019 - 08:33

          Not if they're like majority of iPhone purchases who hold on to their phone for an average of four years. Break down that $1500 purchase over four years, that's about $375 a year. Just over a dollar a day for a tool used day in, day out. A tool that will still receive day 0 OS updates and patches until it's at least five years old. With the processing power phones have these days, they will perform throughout those fives years. Heck, I have an iPhone SE which is has the internals of an iPhone 6s and my phone performs pretty damn well! It's a three yr old phone at this stage.

          iPhones are just economically sound purchase.

          • netjock on 18/10/2019 - 12:12

            @ThithLord: Where does your 4 year statistic come from or you just pulling it out of thin air?

            Verses say a Nokia 6.2 for $400 which will get updates for the next 3 years. That is $133 per year.

            Sorry I'd rather retire a year earlier than have work and extra year in my life to buy an iphone every 4 years.

            • ThithLord on 18/10/2019 - 12:41

              @netjock:

              Where does your 4 year statistic come from or you just pulling it out of thin air?

              Right here, buddy

              Sorry I'd rather retire a year earlier than have work and extra year in my life to buy an iphone every 4 years.

              Wow … you just decided to not buy the iPhone? Who'd have thought that that was an option! So hows about you get over other people who do buy iPhones?

              • netjock on 18/10/2019 - 14:14

                @ThithLord: CNBC article plus numerous articles talk about a research note which I can't find to validate the source. Far as I am concerned you are just believing crap from a third source. It is pretty sad that you have to go to 4 years to make the economics work on an iphone while most car novated leases are like 3 years.

                The other comment was in response to your believe that $375 a year over 4 years for an iphone is good value. Sorry but it isn't, only if you have the misplaced idea some how you are not paying for it or you live in an Apple themed gulag.

                • ThithLord on 18/10/2019 - 15:03

                  @netjock: From the article:

                  “Replacement cycles are elongating … a lot,” Sacconaghi said, noting that people are using their iPhones longer because of Apple’s battery replacement program, changes in carrier subsidies and higher prices, among other reasons.

                  Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed this on a company earnings call last month.

                  “Our customers are holding on to their older iPhones a bit longer than in the past,” Cook said. “When you paired this with the macroeconomic factors particularly in emerging markets, it resulted in iPhone revenue that was down 15 percent from last year.”

                  Even the CEO is agreeing users are holding onto their devices for longer. Why do you think Apple still supports 5yr old devices? You've got your head in the sand, bruv. You're beyond reason.

                  The other comment was in response to your believe that $375 a year over 4 years for an iPhone is good value.

                  Nah, mate. That's just one of the many reasons iPhones are very good value. See my previous comment on this very thread, I'm not gonna repeat myself.

                  • netjock on 18/10/2019 - 16:11

                    @ThithLord: You've got your head in the sand. Think about vested interest of Mr Tim Cook wanting to confirm people are holding onto devices longer rather than switching away. It isn't beyond reason it is just you believe everything that everyone else tells you without having to use your own brain. It is called lazy brain effect.

                    $374 per year over 4 years is good value vs say a Nokia 6.2 for $399 over 2 years. How did you ever pass math? it is basic arithmetic.

                    • ThithLord on 18/10/2019 - 17:06

                      @netjock:

                      $374 per year over 4 years is good value vs say a Nokia 6.2 for $399 over 2 years. How did you ever pass math? it is basic arithmetic.

                      Well that's like saying you should buy this $99 Telstra Essential Plus phone because look, it's not $399!!

                      Think about vested interest of Mr Tim Cook wanting to confirm people are holding onto devices longer rather than switching away. It isn't beyond reason it is just you believe everything that everyone else tells you without having to use your own brain. It is called lazy brain effect.

                      Pray tell what vested interest is this when he announced it to shareholders? Tim Cook may very well be worried about people 'switching away' but with Apple brand loyalty basically unparalleled to any other manufacturer, I can't imagine it's at the forefront in his mind.

                      And by the way, you do know what shareholders are expecting to hear from the CEO? How Apple are surging ahead with continued growth in sales. That's what shareholders give a fudge about in this capitalist world we live in. He literally went on to say [users holding onto their iPhones for longer … resulted in iPhone revenue that was down 15 percent from last year.”. Maybe think a little about what that's saying? While for customers it's fantastic - their phone is getting more and more support as well as lasting longer and retaining it's value - for Apple and its shareholders it means less growth.

                      • netjock on 18/10/2019 - 20:34

                        @ThithLord: You are just a fan boy. Absolutely lost all reasoning.

                        Cook admitted when asked. He didn't announce it. Read your own garbage links.

                        Telstra essential phone. Now you are just being flippantly difficult. It isn't even in the same ball park. If you want to use that then you can buy one every year and still be ahead by a lot.

                        Holding an iPhone for 4 years means babying it. The amount of broken screens etc I have seen it is unreasonable to expect 4 years and not an issue.

      • Bad Company on 23/10/2019 - 10:04

        What are the limitations? Or some of them?

        Years ago when my Android phone broke, the telco gave me a loan phone as a "courtesy phone" as my main phone was getting fixed. My main phone back then was an HTC Desire, the loan phone was an iPhone 3GS. Man did I hate it.

        As someone says, you should do thorough research before deciding to spend that kind of money on electronics. For me, the biggest bugbear was how iPhone was treating me as an idiot.

        I mean, it's just a phone, I should be telling it what to do, not the opposite, right? However, when I tried to download an app bigger than 30 MB over 3G service, I was told it's not possible because it consumes too much data. WTF, what if I had an unlimited data plan? What if I have lots of data left and it's the last day of the month? On an Android phone you get a reminder, but you had the option to download over the mobile phone network if you wanted to. THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT, APPLE.

        Unbelievable in the year 2019, iOS still doesn't allow you to download large apps over the mobile network, albeit the limit has raised from 30 MB. Ridiculous.

        I still vividly remember the look on my colleague's face when I complained this limitation to him. He said Apple knows best and it's usually better to not provide the user with an option or they may make a mistake. I almost couldn't believe what I heard.

        To quote Seinfeld, people that stupid shouldn't be allowed to live.

  • scrimshaw on 17/10/2019 - 14:46
    +1

    Rumours are that a budget oriented iPhone SE2 is coming out soon. that said it's $399 US dollars which translates to probably $600 AUD, which is still kind of Android 'almost flagship' territory pricing.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/10/2019 - 14:50

      Thanks - that would be perfect. Pity my Android phone is currently in such a state it is almost too hot to pick up sometimes, and quits apps when it feels the urge.

    • ThithLord on 17/10/2019 - 15:35

      They announced the SE originally in March so I'd imagine they'd do the same for this phone, if it's even gonna happen

  • Kangal on 17/10/2019 - 15:04
    +6

    You can chalk up iPhones into several phases:
    Phase 1: iPhone/2G very limited. It's a feature-phone.
    Phase 2: iPhone 3G/S, it's a good smartphones (compared to Symbian, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Palm, Android 2.3).
    Phase 3: iPhone 4/4S/5/5C… these are okay superphones (compared to Windows Phone, SailOS and Android 4.0).
    Phase 4: iPhone 5S/SE/6/6 Plus/6S/6S Plus… these are good 64-bit superphones.
    Phase 5: iPhone 7/8/7Plus/8Plus… these are better 64-bit superphones with water resistance, no Headphone Jack.
    Phase 6: iPhone X/XS/11/Max… these are the "flashy" superphones.
    Phase 7: Upcoming models with 5G, Underscreen Selfie/Fingerprint, Better displays (either 120Hz or 21:9 or both)

    I would recommend you to get an Used iPhone 8 Plus (256GB) and aim to get it for $600 or less.
    That way you can enjoy the best that Apple made, with TouchID and 3Dtouch. The display and camera are very good, not the best but its definitely high-end, and not mediocre. Not to mention the A11 processor is still besting the likes of the QSD 855 Plus, and it has the latest iOS version and will be supported for a long time. You also get water resistance, wireless charging, and decent fast charging (sold separately). Overall, that whole package should serve you well for a long time, and by the time you're due for an upgrade, we would've gotten over this disappointing iPhone X/Phase 6 family of devices.

    It's really not worth paying more to get an iPhone X-variant, unless, money is no object. I would only pay more to get a decent Android upgrade (eg Samsung S10 Plus) instead.

  • onetwothreefour on 18/10/2019 - 13:19

    The reasoning is a whole other (irrelevant) debate.

    Yet 90% of the comments are talking about this.

    LOL

    • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2019 - 14:04

      Internet people.

  • branners on 19/10/2019 - 15:41

    A couple of things re iPhones; you are probably aware that there is a generation gap before 6/6 Plus and 6S/6S Plus. The latter phones will continue to get iOS updates, the former will not.
    Also, it may be worth considering a refurbished unit. Boost sells 7s for less than $500 for the 256gb model and they come with a 12 mth warranty. Personally I think the 6S Plus is better value but that is just me.

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