What's The One Biggest Thing Keeping You from Going to an iPhone?

Obviously this is a question for those folk with an Android phone (and those still desperately clinging to a Windows phone?).

Years ago, Android had many objective benefits over iPhone and I didn't really like anything iOS or iPhone related.

These days, the current iPhone design (12, 13 & 14) is by far my favourite design of any current phone, iOS has almost completely closed the feature gap and iPhones cameras are fantastic.

However, the one thing which I appreciate too much to give up is how easy it is to connect my phone to any Windows PC and transfer files to and from it.
I don't have to f around with iTunes or any other third party program. Just plug in and do what I need to do.

On the flip side, when someone brings me their iPhone and asks for help getting photos or a video off of it, my day is instantly ruined.
Plug it into a Windows PC and you have to figure out the arbitrary folder structure to find photos. Oh and you're sure as hell not going to copy files to the iPhone this way.
Even if I connect the iPhone to a Mac, sometimes the Photos app just doesn't want to do it. I've had it show some photos but not all with no apparent explanation as to what's happening.

As long as this remains the case, I will never buy myself an iPhone.

Does this bother anyone else? Do you have other reasons?

Comments

  • +241

    The price

    • +7

      I thought this too, but the resale value of iPhones is so much higher.

      After 3 or 4 years I sell to upgrade. Always surprised at what my old iPhones fetched. My Samsung phones were worthless in comparison after 3 or 4 years

      • +34

        I sell refurbished electronics as a job and did the calculations on most android phones vs iPhones. And when you factor in the higher original cost and the fact that they are not discounted, the resale price is usually only around 5% more than popular Android phones like Samsung and Google which are usually my much cheaper in comparison and can be bought even cheaper with price discounts.

        • +9

          The thing is that you can get a good resale on basically any model of iPhone. You will only get a good resale if you happened to pick the ‘right’ android phone.

          • +1

            @CommuterPolluter: That's not true. As iPhones get older, their values also drop significantly. My recent purchase of iPhone 11 for a family member didn't go too well. Within a week, most retailers further drop the price by $100 to $150. I cannot even be bothered selling iPhone SE1.

            There had been some bargain deals on Samsung phones (trade in bonus $500 + $200 welcome bonus + $150 bonus). I paid $180 for Samsung S21 in 2021 (OZB deal). I did trade in an old phone to get that price. Anyway, cannot possibly get that kind of deal for an iPhone 14.

            • @netsurfer: The iPhone 11 is three years old. You bought it right before the next generation of iPhones is launched. That’s unfortunate for you, I guess.

        • -7

          I am sorry but thats just not true, as an example the Pixel 6 Pro was $1299 brand new and regularly discounted at $1099 or recently $999. I can get one relatively easily for around $700. Thats almost half of its value gone within a year. iPhone 13 Pro Max on the on the other hand sells for around $1400 retaining 70% of its value, more if you bought it using 10% discounted gift cards.

          Samsung is even worse - Fold's sell regularly for less than half their RRP within the first few months. S22 Ultra is a little better but that is only if you bought it discounted.

          • +34

            @dealsucker:

            Pixel 6 Pro was $1299 brand new and regularly discounted at $1099 or recently $999. I can get one relatively easily for around $700

            $1299 - $700 = $599. So you've effectively lost $600?

            iPhone 13 Pro Max on the on the other hand sells for around $1400 retaining 70% of its value

            $1400 / 0.7 = $2000. $2000 - $1400 = $600. So you've effectively lost $600?

            Seems like in your example they have both lost as much value in one year… as quoted by you

              • +25

                @dealsucker: Dollars lost is dollars lost. I'd rather lose 50% of resale value on a cheap Hyundai than lose 30% of value on a Toyota Landcruiser.

                • +1

                  @Mr Haj: I'd much rather drive a LC if I am loosing the same dollar value on a more expensive car than a cheap hyundai.

                  • +7

                    @dealsucker:

                    I'd much rather drive a LC if I am loosing the same dollar value on a more expensive car than a cheap hyundai.

                    Exactly… If you are losing the same dollar value. This is how things should be considered financially. Although cars are more complicated with insurance and fuel efficiency etc.

              • +9

                @dealsucker: Percentage means nothing when the same dollars are flying out of your pocket. Why is that so hard to understand..

          • +14

            @dealsucker: Eh. I don't really want to argue about it but you've chosen the cheapest available P6 pro vs the higher end price of a 13 max pro.

            If we go off eBay sold prices. The pixel 6 pro average is around $$840. And the 13 Max Pro is around $1250 from a quick look.

            Pixel 6 pro new price $1299
            Value lost $459
            Percentage of value lost from new - 35%

            13 Max pro new price $1849
            Value lost $599
            Percentage of value lost from new - 32%

            iPhones hold their value but usually when compared to the higher new price, it's not much more than 5 to 10 percent in my experience of selling them.

            Granted It is easier to sell them because there's a bigger market for them given that there's only "one" iPhone.
            But Samsung's and Google's etc are very close.

            • -7

              @Windows98: I am going off of my own experience of selling my own 13 Pro Max which was a 256GB model to get the 14 Pro Max and on facebook marketplace.

            • +2

              @Windows98: Did anyone seriously buy a pixel for RRP?

              6 Pro, 6 and 6A had $150-200 discount from RRP at launch.

              Samsung also does the same thing with pre-order discounts but they go even further with 'trade in bonuses', etc.
              There's also education discounts for these phones if you missed other methods.

              I got my 6 Pro for $1099 on launch day.

              iPhone doesn't discount at launch day while the other brands do. You need to subtract launch day discounts from RRP you are using.

      • +5

        The other thing is longevity. iPhone models typically receive 5 to 6 years of updates. We all know that one person still rocking an iPhone 8.

        Samsung at best offers 4 years OS updates and 5 of security.

        In terms of performance iPhones are not getting that much faster too. An iPhone 12 performs as fast as a 13, just less efficiently. And some variants of 14 rock the same processor as 13. These phones will be supported for a long time.

        • iPhone models typically receive 5 to 6 years of updates

          This one.

          If you can score iphones at the right price it actually makes sense.

          Flagship Android phones aren't much cheaper either.

          • @netjock: Flagship androids are shit. I'm an Android fanboy but the phones on offer are really Average at the moment.

          • @netjock: The iPhone keeps the phone system updated for as long as possible, which is why I like the Apple brand, but unfortunately I never own an iPhone. Back to reality, I like the differentiation that Android phone brands bring, and I find that Android flagship phones actually hold good value after a big sale

            Bought a HTC U Ultra 64GB $399 @ jbhifi 2017, sold it on webuy store $150 at 10/2021
            Bought a Moto Edge 20 pro $549 @ Goodguys 04/2022, sold it on cash converters for $400 last week

        • We all know that one person still rocking an iPhone 8.

          My partner was still using an iPhone 6 until a few weeks ago when he got an SE. It was working fine except it had an annoying habit of thinking it had no battery after you unplugged it from charging and turning itself off. Then after restarting it would be fine the rest of the day.

        • Not that much faster? They are already two years + ahead of the best from the rest and they pile on 17% more performance on top this year. Besides samsung's 4 years of OS updates is a very recent announcement - we dont know how it is going to pan out especially performance.

        • +1

          Correct. I loved my 256gb iPhone 8. I upgraded in last year to an iPhone 13 Mini with my new job. My Dad got the iPhone 8 as a hand-me-down and it's still going strong.

      • Sammy have no value after 12 months so you are lucky you got value after 3 or 4 years

        • +1

          When I say value I meant under 100 bucks lol

      • +6

        I buy a new $150 Android phone use if for couple of years and sell it for $80. Unbeatable value.

      • +1

        Had a $400 Huawei for 3 years, sold it for $150. Struggled to get much more than $200 for my wife's 3 year old iphone 8 around the same time.

      • +21

        The resale price doesnt matter jack sht to me. I use the phone till its busted and when its busted im happier when its not going to cost me $1500 to replace

          • +3

            @spammingb: Oh they are invincible ? wow they really should advertise that.

          • +4

            @spammingb:

            Androids are slow and laggy after 1 or 2 years.

            Is this from your own personal experience?

            • +2

              @CrispyChrispy: anecdotal evidence from other iphone users whom have also never owned an android

          • +4

            @spammingb: Android S20FE - 23 months - still smooth.

          • +1

            @spammingb: Slow and laggy, that was my experience on an iPhone when Apple slowed it down without my knowledge.

      • That's why you buy used Android phones.

      • +1

        I don't buy a phone to sell, I buy it to use.

    • I've had one before.

    • +13

      The price

      I think too many iPhone users look at overpriced Android flagships and think "it's not THAT much cheaper".

      They don't realise how similar the quality, experience and performance of a $600 Pixel 4a is to their $1700 iPhone 14 Pro.

      You're basically spending triple the money for a phone that's 5% better in some ways, 5% worse in others.

      • The iPhone 14 Pro is 3x faster than a Pixel 4a. So I suppose it’s triple the money for triple the performance then?

        • +7

          That's nice in theory, but the 4a is already very fast and responsive.

          Is there any scenario where I could actually notice the difference? I'm not compiling large code projects or playing demanding PC/console/VR games on my phone.

          A car that goes 600km/h would be nice, but most of us probably won't pay 3x the price of a 200km/h one when we're only driving it on public roads.

      • +1

        Hardware quality of a pixel phone is nowhere near an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy.

        So far, me and 2 of my colleagues had these issues:

        Pixel 3 (in the first 6 months of ownership)
        Battery (shuts down at 20%)
        Screen (tint)
        Speaker (muffled)

        Pixel 6:
        Fingerprint scanner (doesn’t work)
        Screen (flicker)
        Low or no signal

        We might have gotten lemons but these phones have been RMA’d many times, I won’t be buying a pixel for a long long time.

        • Then again……. I just handed down my Pixel 2 XL to a friend, still running perfectly (including the battery) and have had a 6 Pro since launch and have had zero issues with it. Different users have different experiences with any brand and model of phone. I dont consider what a phone is worth in X number of years as a reason to buy a particular phone.

      • +1

        I had someone tell me "Oh the Z Fold 4 is as expensive as an iPhone Pro Max"

        And I was like… Uh, okay? It also folds in half and is a never-before-seen form factor and frankly the first major innovation in mobile tech since about 2009, but go off I guess.

        Of course, I never actually mentioned price to begin with and this person kept bringing it up in multiple replies despite me having said initially that the price was not a factor I take into account when comparing top of the line flagships, so I think he had some deep-seated issues.

        • -3

          Android users: "ree apple too expensive form over function ree"
          Also Android users: "android form factor is major innovation, price irrelevant"

          • +1

            @GrueHunter: Apple user: "if I say the word 'ree' I'll make the person I'm mocking look foolish! I'm such a good debater and definitely not a fanboy who derives their entire sense of self-worth from their smartphone."

            Although I do note with some amusement that you're doing exactly what I described in the second half of my comment, which is ignore the fact I said price was not a factor in my decision and therefore an irrelevant metric in favour of trotting out the same lame fanboy counter argument. It's like you read half the comment and got so angry that you completely failed to read the second half before you felt the urge to reply.

    • Not just the price. It's the price vs features that put me off. I'd be happy to pay exactly the same amount on a Samsung flagship knowing that I get better value for money out of it.

    • +1

      Yep, i don't buy flag ship phones as I don't feel its necessary to spend that much. I would rather buy mid-tier android phones with good specs that still do all that I need.
      Also I dont want to be stuck in an Apple eco system.

  • +29

    The Price vs Features.

    Windows phone

    I really wish this was successful and we had a 3rd option. I loved how much was baked into the phone os and didn't need an app for every basic function.

    But then the apps you did actually want were either not available or 'coming soon'.

    • +9

      I had a Lumia 1020 for a bunch of years and yeah the Winphone app ecosystem was full of garbage and hacked together ports of stuff like Snapchat which would get your account banned if you used them.

      Really nice glass on it, and I'm still impressed by the photos it took.

      • -1

        I too used to have luminous.

      • +1

        i still have one, i used it because it had a good offline gps, but yeah, its up there with my creative mp3 player :/ shame to send it to recycling…

      • +1

        My sister had one of those, completely stunned by the lack of features though, couldn't even connect it to our home wireless network, it just didn't have the option (I thought it was squirreled away in the settings somewhere, but that wasn't the case).

        • Wonder which model… The 1020 for sure had wifi, but yes the OS was a joke and hilariously difficult to customize/configure.

          • @monky: It had wifi, just, not the option to change the settings for wifi, which was bizarrae, I even googled it and confirmed that the settings for connecting it just didn't exist on that phone. Sorry, but I can't remember what model phone it even was, I feel like it was one of the Lumias, but it was so long ago and she didn't keep it for very long before changing it (she got too frustrated with it).

    • +1

      Had the 1520 and then 950xl

      Ohhh they were beautiful. (The ui, the hardware of the 950xl was plastic lol)

      What apps? There were none. Actually there were tons of tv series and movies lol

      • +1

        Honestly I had a 1020 back in the day, and the plastic never bothered me once. I want to see more phones with the build quality of Nokia's Lumia phones

        There's different kinds of plastic, and Nokia's CNC'd unibody made of solid polycarbonate is on highest possible end of the plastic scale: TBH in a smartphone I'd probably prefer it over the default metal-and-glass sandwich every day of the week. For one thing water and dust resistance is so much easier to achieve when you only have one surface glued down instead of two.

    • +3

      It's the perfect case study for why you make some sort of plan. They decided they wanted an OS to compete with the iPhone and actually made something really good in a very short amount of time. But they had no software, so they paid companies to make software. But then none of the phone manufacturers wanted to license the OS because they couldn't put their own UI skin on it (like they could with Android, despite everyone hating it), so they spent years pissing around with Nokia before finally getting something decent to market. And by that point all the apps built for them were out of date. Not to mention the upgrade process in the middle meant pissing off anyone who did use their phones.

      If Microsoft had done those things at once and launched a phone, it would have been an incredible success.

    • +2

      I really wish this was successful and we had a 3rd option.

      For a similar reason I keep looking at the Pinephone every now and then. But until its "Make/receive calls" functionality stops being asterisked with a "Sometimes", it will stay a meme forever.

    • I really wish this was successful and we had a 3rd option

      I really wish Stephen Elop hadn't taken over Nokia and forced this (Windows Phone) on it, destroying the company.

      The Nokia N9 (Meego) was a great device with a great operating system. Way more capable than the Lumia 800 (first Nokia Windows phone).

  • +28

    This: "However, the one thing which I appreciate too much to give up is how easy it is to connect my phone to any Windows PC and transfer files to and from it."

    I hate iTunes with passion and this is the only reason why I will never own an iPhone.

    • +29

      I switched to iPhone 2-3 years ago, I haven't touched iTunes. No need for it, you can sync your iCloud folder much the same way you do Dropbox or OneDrive.

      I don't even think about how to copy things from my phone to my PC, everything is already synced. I use OneDrive for my photos and iCloud for most other things, easy.

      • +2

        Google Drive, same deal.

      • With android, you could walk into any random computer and copy things to and from as long as you can authorise the phone to allow. No mucking around creating sync folders etc (which you won't be able to do in someone else's computer anyways). As far as I'm aware iPhone can not still do this.

        • +1

          It can do it with photos and videos but that’s it.

          But seriously, when was the last time you ever did that? I would feel weird asking, and since I don’t tend to carry a lightning cable around it’d be just easier to live in 2022 and send the file to them.

          • @freefall101: As a matter of fact, I tend to do it every week (working in different workplaces, traveling around with just the phone, and copying the photos on different computers along the way) plus I have never had any issue finding a USB C cable lying around (as it's pretty common - not just due to android phone - but also as display cables/ laptop chargers, etc). Now, why do I do this via cable not online, first, it saves me data, second, it's way too faster to do that. To copy a couple of videos and 100 photos just after taking them is nearly impossible (a few GB of data to be uploaded via mobile data / sometimes slow wifi depending on the place), via USB C cable, it takes few seconds and I'm done - move to the next one. I do have google drive subscription, regardless, don't really use it for this purpose as it's not instant.

        • I find cloud folders much easier and simpler than bringing a cord around with me and plugging physically into computers tbh. I’d do it even if I went back to using android.

          • @FatBlanket: Yeah but what if you want to transfer these within minutes after taking photos and videos (usually a couple of gigabytes worth). And what if you are on a plan with only 30 GB per month, and the media that you would be syncing to cloud folders along will be about 50 GB?

            • @npnp: Well then an android might be the best lol. I’ve never personally been in a situation where it can’t at least wait until I’m on the NBN at home when dealing with large files.

              • @FatBlanket: But even then you have to both upload and then download. So you've got a 2GB video and you want to upload it. Most people do that at 2MB/s or less, so at least 17 minutes to upload it. Then download it to the other device, I'd say the average speed is 50MB/s so another minute.

                I can copy stuff to my Pixel 3a at about 65MB/s. So 18 minutes vs 30 seconds.

      • but i like having things on my nas "just in case"

        • Sync your cloud storage to your nas then. That seems a good idea anyway.

    • +19

      I hate iTunes with passion and this is the only reason why I will never own an iPhone.

      Nobody uses iTunes anymore. There is no iTunes app in the Apple ecosystem anymore. There is a music app for music. A Files app for files. An iTunes Store for purchasing music/movies. A Photos app for transferring photos between devices. Or you can just use airdrop, which is way easier. Airdrop works for files too.

      • -3

        itunes is still one method to transfer files from ipad to pc, https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/ipad/ipad32dd03cd/ipad…

      • +6

        Thank you. I did not know it. So, if I want to move a couple of movies from my pc to my android tablet it takes me approximately 30 seconds (including plugging in cables), without any need for apps etc.

        Are you both saying that I can do something similar with an iPad/iPhone? I remember searching high and low but the only solution was iTunes which seriously drove me mad:(

        Would appreciate your help (seriously, no sarcasm here).

        • -1

          Another method, is go to icloud.com on your windows PC, sign in, navigate to (or create) the folder of your choice on your icloud drive. drag and drop the video file from your computer into this folder. Wait for it to upload. Go to the Files app on your iphone/ipad, navigate to the folder on your icloud drive. click the video file to download to your device. click the share button, and the icon for your media player to launch it in the media player app of your choice (ie VLC). Not going to be 30 seconds as it will depend on your internet's upload and download speed, but a relatively quick and simple process. A more elegant solution would be something like Plex.

        • +1

          Im using 3u tools to transfer files and images. Have a look https://www.3u.com/ i also take backups its easy and better then itunes

        • Another app for that is GoodReader. You can set a network location folder on your PC and drag things into it and they'll appear in that app for viewing or moving elsewhere. You can also download youtube videos directly to your phone by visiting the page of the video on your phone, then navigating to a particular URL. It will then start downloading in the app.

        • -4

          Thank you. I did not know it. So, if I want to move a couple of movies from my pc to my android tablet it takes me approximately 30 seconds (including plugging in cables), without any need for apps etc.

          Watching a non-streamed movie on your tablet is a pretty specific use case, and nowadays I'd argue that is pretty rare.

          Why would you want to watch a movie on your tablet?

          On the rare occasion that I want to watch an old ripped DVD/Bluray or a pirated movie that I downloaded years ago, I'll put it on a USB drive and watch it on the TV. Otherwise, why go to all the bother?

          If I'm travelling and I absolutely have to watch a movie on my tablet (this happens about once a decade), I'll probably use a streaming service and watch something new. You can usually download them in advance in case you won't have Wifi when you want to watch it.

        • Just use LANDrop from any device to any device, e.g. iphone to Android/Windows/Linux/mac.

        • The network is everything - if I want to watch a movie on my iPad when I'm away from home, I'll either:

          • Download it in advance from a streaming service (including Plex, Emby, or whatever your local system of choice is)
          • Copy it locally from my SMB share through the Files app or via VLC etc

          Smaller files (Word documents, etc) I'll save on iCloud and use the web interface to download them if I need them. A good example is doing one-off PDF transfers.

          I haven't plugged an iPad into my computer since iOS 10 (I think - it's been a long time). Who uses cables now?

          • +15

            @cafeman: How iPhone users seriously explain uploading files to the internet and downloading them again as a reasonable method of transferring files between two devices that are less than a metre apart never ceases to amaze me.

            • @xsacha: That's a fair point - I actually use the filesystem integration on my personal PC so it's no different to OneDrive or DropBox. I only use the web interface on my work laptop so I don't have to sync everything.

              Otherwise SMB shares are great for large / bulk file transfers and don't require going over the WAN.

        • +1

          On Mac. Just airdrop it to the iPhone or iPad. It will then pop up on the screen and you save it to Files app and store it in iPhone or iPad storage. Easy. No cable. May be not 30 seconds but very close to that.

        • I had one yonks ago, searched high and low, keep coming across $$$ programs to do this

          Eventually found out how to do it myself, such a painful experience

          It involved connecting your phone to the PC as a camera

    • +11

      My first smart phone was an iPhone 3. After fighting with iTunes for 2 years I switched to Android. Now I won't go back, even if iTunes is no longer a thing. And don't me started on Macs!

    • What are you talking about. iTunes is all but redundant these days.

  • +11

    Does this bother anyone else? Do you have other reasons?

    It used to. The iOS file system is bad, but now everything is cloud based, haven't connected a phone to PC in years. iTunes was uninstalled the day I started using Spotify.

    • +1

      I don't use the native iOS email, maps, music, files. I use Outlook, Google maps, Spotify and OneDrive. My photos/camera roll are sync'd to Onedrive, so I just delete them from the iPhone when I get to 1000.

  • -7

    I'd say the price but it pays for itself after 2-3 years and then lasts a further 2-3 years.
    The best way to transfer the photos is to right click the phone and select 'Import pictures and videos'. Hassle free, loses the folder structure and just dumps them in your selected folder - no issues with this method.

    I personally just use iCloud for backup, haven't needed to import any more than a select few photos that I consider important or ones I want to edit.

    Now with your issue resolved, enjoy purchasing your new iPhone :)

    • +8

      but it pays for itself after 2-3 years and then lasts a further 2-3 years

      How does it pay for itself?
      I have an old Moto G (first gen), as a spare phone, that I've had since 2014. Use it when cycling, as it's smaller and fits my jersey pocket. Its Gorilla glass screen has survived 2 big stacks so far, one which resulted in broken ribs, without even a scratch. I paid less than $200 new and it just keeps going, like one of the old Nokias.

      • +5

        Did you upgrade to the Gorilla Glass ribs?

      • Did you use it in bed and drop it on your ribs?

        • +2

          Oh didn't realise he was referring to his sleep cycle.

        • +2

          Did you use it in bed and drop it on your ribs?

          Bike's turning circle is a bit too big to ride on the bed.

  • +17

    As someone who bought there first iPhone ever (iPhone 13 Pro) after always having an android I can honestly say it has been my favourite phone. The design is up to personal taste anyway but just the quality is incomparable, whether we are talking about build quality, software quality, software security I honestly believe iPhone does it better.

    I actually expected the change to much harder to adjust but it was easy. Everything just works. I get what you're saying about plugging the phone into a Windows computer it can be annoying, although its better than it ever has been. I personally haven't had this issue as I don't really transfer any photos or files off my phone. ( never did this with an android either really) I have have to though I just upload them to a cloud account or email it to myself.

    I always say to people who want to try but are afraid they will hate it to just do it, bite the bullet. worst case scenario is you hate using it and you sell it for pretty much what you paid for as they hold their value a whole lot better than any android.

    • +5

      Actually I just plugged my phone into my work PC for the first time ever (Windows 10) and it asked if i trust this device on my phone I click trust, then I open the phone storage though file explorer go to Internal Storage>DCIM and there a bunch of folders organised into months of which the photos and videos were taken/recorded.
      I can select what I want to coop and just copy it over, easy as that. (Although slow over lightning cable if doing large files)

      • Why even bother? Everything is online and in the cloud now.

        For Android there is PC link up that is quite handy for photos/SMS. But even before that you could just go to google photos in the web browser and get all the photos.

        I don't really know about iPhone, but I am presuming much the same?

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