Okay, this is not an iPhone vs Android Phone debate. I respect your right to choose whichever platform that you want.
I mean, iPhone seems so antithetical with the idea of freedom. You have to connect it to a server to even use it, all apps have to go through a centralized server, no option to install whatever apps you want, which means, you literally cannot have any third-party apps without an online account.
Most of my fellow americans seems to love the idea of freedom so much, yet just buy into a closed ecosystem with no freedom? 🤔
Like almost 60% of Americans use iPhone, kinda weird to preach freedom when you cant even have an app without a corporation’s approval. If it were any other country, I wouldn’t find it weird, but for a country that’s obsessed with the idea of freedom (so much so that they disobeyed mask mandates), it’s really weird to be using a device with zero freedom.
Honestly I didn’t get an iPhone until 2021 or so and all of my android phones before then ran slow in a year or so. That never happened with my iPhones. Having recently gotten into privacy and selfhosting I have considered a pixel with graphene but don’t wanna waste money.
Worth noting I don’t use iCloud or any of those Apple related services.
I know my partner thinks the same way. My family all has them recently too. Idk why though. We mostly had Samsung before then LG earlier.
I’m sure this is part of it. All my phones before iPhone sucked. All but one person I know with Android, their phones suck(the downside of cheap phones being available). While I didn’t try every model, and I’m sure they’ve gotten better, why would I abandon something that has worked well, for something where my only experience is negative.
Thanks for adding! I feel the same way. I can’t spend $1000 plus on something that most of my life has failed after a year or two.
A few things to comment on.
| I didn’t get an iPhone until 2021 or so and all of my android phones before then ran slow in a year or so.
Like your computer, smartphones slow down when you have a lot of things running/idling in the background. They also slow down with bloatware. Cleaning your phone’s memory every so often is a smart practice to incorporate into your ownership of the device. CCleaner is the one I download every so often to do a scan and clean what I can. There’s bound to be a better app option, but that’s the one I know about and have used before.
And just so we’re on the same page, I bought a refurbished Pixel 2 back in early 2020 and it’s been running fine for me. Haven’t noticed any issues with operations except for the screen and the battery not holding its charge as long as it once did. But to be fair, my screen has a few hairpin cracks in it from dropping it on accident a couple of times. And the battery hold on any smartphone degrades with age and usage.
| That never happened with my iPhones.
You’re either super lucky or you’re the kind of person that gets a new smartphone every year or so; for some reason or another.
As I mentioned above, smartphones naturally and unnaturally get slower as they age. But let’s not forget that planned obsolescence is very much being used across the board.
I use my phones until they break or get too slow. Androids always got too slow for me. Resetting to factory default didn’t solve this so I don’t think it’s bloat.
I’m actually mixing up my years. My first iPhone was 2017 until 2020 or 2021. 4-5 years. Only switched because I broke the camera.
My six-year-old iPhone was running super fast and nicely when I recently upgraded. I never had issues with performance. iOS does NOT necessitate closing background programs, also. It’s recommended you do not do that. It’s unnecessary.
all of my Linux phones before then ran slow in a year or so. That never happened with my iPhones
Linux isn’t really optimized for phones so they are going to be terrible.
And since Apple doesn’t really sell budget phones, iPhones are always gonna be fast, so is a flagship Android phone. Its the flagship aspect that makes a phone fast, not the OS.
I recently upgraded from a six-year-old iPhone and it STILL ran crazy smoothly and fast. The battery lasted most of a day, and I never had it replaced. The only reasons I upgraded were better low-light cat pics, more space, 120hz, and USB-C. I’ll probably keep this phone for six years as well.
Its the flagship aspect that makes a phone fast, not the OS.
And it’s the OS that keeps it fast a few years down the road.
Linux isn’t really optimized for phones so they are going to be terrible.
Android is technically Linux, which may or may not be what they’re referring to.
There’s basically almost zero Linux phones that actually function as a “phone” in any daily-driver capacity. They’re all still basicaly developing devices unless you’re referring to Android as a variant of Linux.
I mistyped, I meant android. And the Samsung and LG phones were not budget sadly.
I would never use an iPhone if my phone were my primary computing device. But I just make occasional calls and texts, and use a handful of apps (for instance, Nextcloud and Home Assistant connected directly to my home server, bypassing most of Apple’s ecosystem).
For a secondary device, I just want something simple and sturdy that I have to think about as little as possible—and for that specific use case the limitations are a plus.
I do always wonder if this is part of it. I want my phone to just work, but I have more appropriate tools for playing with stuff. My servers are Linux, my laptop is windows, and my work is Mac - appropriate tools for my uses. My kids can spend all day tweaking their gaming computers, but want their phones to just work also
While I’m atypical in how many different computers I have, are we just more used to multiple devices in the us?
Until there is a better alternative to the new evil that is google/alphabet, apple is a lesser evil.
Eh you can achieve similar or greater privacy on a Android phone simply because it’s not locked down in the way an iPhone is.
I think you vastly overestimate the “freedom” people need with their phone, you are doing the same thing Linux evangelists do, why would anyone use Windows when with just a phew workarounds everything works on Linux too, completely forgetting that average joe doesn’t give a fuck about any of that, they want something that just works and Apple is still the best at that.
Personally I am a tinkerer and I still switched to an iPhone, because I need a phone that just works, with android there was always something randomly breaking, and most phones I had to set up to restart every evening otherwise it would just have random glitches in a few days.
I have owned my iphone for close to 2 years now and I can count on one hand how many times I had to restart it, hell I remember having and issue restarting it because I forgot how to do it.
Usamericans usually like to look for “the best”, whatever that means, and never accept “second”. I assume that they need that to feed their pride.
Apple has managed to make them believe that iPhone products were the best smartphones, and all of Apple’s marketing is focused on maintaining that belief.
Came here to say the same thing. Americans are brainwashed from a young age by advertising and classism. They have easily fallen into the advertising that crApple has about some ‘superior lifestyle’. And actually crApple is just an over priced UI that attracts idiots. It’s a mentality.
cringe
Not an American, but as an iPhone user who has had Android phones since cupcake before: iPhones „just work“, they are a lot less janky than Android, the ecosystem is smooth (although admittedly and intentionally less so when leaving it), they get updated for longer (and at the same time!) and apple has a much better privacy track record than the competition (a low bar).
Yes, I would prefer to install my apps from anywhere I want on the device I should own. An open source phone from top to bottom would be my dream, but Android is about as far removed from that as an iphone. Google took Linux and made it into a Frankenstein nightmare that is wholly dependent on them.
Just try to stick to open source and make your phone respect your privacy and see how far you get. Start at the usually locked bootloader, install a rom without google and see how few apps are left that do not require google services. And even then you are most likely dependent on binary blobs for the drivers, meaning the manufacturers can (and will) pull the rug from under your efforts as soon as they no longer feel like updating their shitty built of Android for the device in time.
I do not have time for that. What I have is enough money to buy a phone that comes as close as possible to my idea of safety, freedom and privacy without constantly jumping through burning hoops. If I am to be in a cage, it better be golden.
An open source phone from top to bottom would be my dream, but Android is about as far removed from that as an iphone. Google took Linux and made it into a Frankenstein nightmare that is wholly dependent on them.
have you considered flashing custom roms on it? e/OS, LineageOS and GrapheneOS (restricted to google pixel for hardware+privacy/security reasons) are all opensource.
As soon as you start flashing custom firmware the “just works” goes right out of the window.
Graphene. Don’t try the others if you aren’t prepared for an uphill battle. Graphene just works.
I agree that graphene is the hands down best. But for people who have a device and want to switch, and that device is not a google pixel, well that severely limits your options.
Just to say. I recently jumped from Android and the iPhone didn’t just work like I remember they did. Two bugs I had were adding comments on Reddit using Firefox. The keyboard would come up but my text would be off screen so I couldn’t see what I was typing. This could be a Firefox bug but it was still very weird and not one I’d seen on Android.
One bug that used to get annoying is I’d unlock the phone and when going to type, the volume would be at max briefly before going back to the volume the phone was set at. This caught me out a few times in the middle of the night.
I couldn’t get on with iOS and felt that after not using it since the iPhone 4S that nothing had really improved. Also the lack of being able to use uBlock Origin on Firefox was awful. It’s been a while since I browsed the web without an adblocker and I really hated having to do something every day. Eventually I sold the 16 Pro I had and went back to my Pixel 8.
The one thing I remember being great about the iPhone was when you upgrade you restore the backup and the phone just works. With Android you typically have to go around and login to all the apps again. Again a developer issue but certainly easier on iOS.
This could be a Firefox bug but it was still very weird and not one I’d seen on Android.
This is likely directly related to the fact that Apple blocks use of any other web renderer than Webkit based on App store guidelines.
This means neither Chrome nor Firefox on iOS are actually the normal versions. Normally Chrome uses Blink and Firefox uses Gecko, but they both use Webkit on iOS.
(Yeah, I know this thread was meant to be about Americans specifically, but this proves they can be forced to allow it!)
they are a lot less janky than Android
What did you find so problematic and unsolvable?
Mostly because of bullying. Android users are poor shamed.
Surely that’s not a uniquely American phenomenon.
unless you’re going to crack your android and install a custom rom (which, with limited exceptions, is extremely risky to do,) your choice is to either use an apple product, or a google-based OS.
Apple has a slick design, and while android (and many of he devices it runs on) aren’t awful, it’s hard to change. and virtually every mainstream mobile device manufacturer is using some some form of android os with a custom UI, including Huawei (which no officially a fork, because of sanctions.)
everything that’s not android or apple is pretty much going to have to be installed custom. (there’s a few linux-based things that aren’t android, mobian, for example is a mobile-version of debian.)
I’ll leave it to the other to rant about why apple might be better than android for privacy and useability, given the caveat of not hacking a custom rom.
unless you’re going to crack your android and install a custom rom (which, with limited exceptions, is extremely risky to do,
Lolwat
You can install custom roms to your phone.
Most device manufacturers put up roadblocks, and carriers will try to talk you out of it, but you can.
The first step is cracking the bootloader (which is a mobile version of the bios.)
This step is a usually one-way step, and leaves your device vulnerable. The exception are google pixles, which are designed to allow you to re-lock it. Which is why graphene is only available for pixels.
Whatever you do, make sure you never try any of this at home kids.
It is super dangerous and frankly illegal 🤡
It’s…. Not illegal.
You fuck up your boarloader you brick your phone. That’s not that dangerous, plenty of ways to do it safely.
When I talk about “risky” I mean that your bootloader is now cracked and any one wanting to suck off your data has had 90% of the work done for them.
Not sure what you mean by cracked
Yes it is unlocked if you are using LineageOS is
But it can be locked with GrapheneOS or calyx
You can buy phones with eOS? Also has a locked bootloader.
There are other options too
Not an iphone user, but am intrigued by all the ads the apple people say are on androids. Literally have never seen one, and I’ve had adjusted androids since the og htcs.
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I’m from SEA, junior. Why?
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Really? The question isn’t targeted at Americans. It’s asking why most americans use iphones. Where does it say only Americans can answer? Are we carrying on from the other thread?
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You are rude. Reporting.
Joined 21 hours ago
And already reporting people? Aren’t you special.
Where does it say only Americans can answer?
In the title and body of the post.
Why do most Americans use an iPhone?
≠
Americans, why do most of you use an iPhone?
Yes. The guy has anger issues. Appears to be picking fights with everyone.
Are you OP?
Agreed. Yes I want to hear what other people say. The only reason it’s even valid to say “why does country x ….” is to included whether and how it’s different than “country not equal x”.
Most of the time we may find out we’re all people, regardless of political divisions
Yes, @Jeebaichow is correct. It’s the other guy who doesn’t quite have a grasp on nuance. Why can’t a BMW driver criticize/ have an opinion on a Mercedes, as long as it’s valid?
Cars are not countries.
It’s the opposite. On Android I have an adblocker. On my work iphone I have to raw dog the internet
You can install AdGuard on iOS, it will at least block ads in the browser.
And then “just say no” to apps for websites
For iPhone, The internet is much better:
- in reader mode
- with AdGuard
I didn’t realize there was AdGuard available. Is it an extension or like a standalone app running in the background?
Sorry, I don’t have any details. I enabled it long ago and really don’t think about it except when it breaks a web site. Then it’s well integrated to temporarily turn it off
Rawdogging the internet applies to those who do not set up their phones properly. This applies to both IPhone and Android users. It is uncool that Apple only allows Webkit based browsers, where uBlock Origin doesn’t work. But even Safari Browser can be set up properly in the settings. Additional to that, there are extensions that block ads and trackers. I use a combinatiion of three extensions and I haven’t seen any ads so far:
KaBlock!
Hush Nag Blocker
Ad Guard (I only use the free tier)
Android has a lot more free apps with ads, while on iOS there’s a lot more “gimme $2” apps. It’s a trade off.
Apple requires like $99 per year to keep the app in the store. Google play requires like $25 one time fee.
Supposedly that’s a significant impediment to malware - requiring an active credit card and non-trivial fee.
Any commercial product of any size is not going to miss $100. So it comes down to: is it good to reduce malware or is it bad to block freeware?
Saw them all the time on my first android phone which was a $20 Huawei phone which is almost certainly a major factor.
I’ve used an IPhone since 4s. I have a 13 Plus Max. However. I used to have android devices. I always enjoy the UI/UX on the iPhone over the Android os. Even after working for the Android team. I still preferred iOS. I know I’m missing out to some awesome android features. But I can always jailbreak and add those features like I have on my iPad mini cellular. Which worked with Google Fi somehow. After jailbreaking. And my iPhone 6.
through significant promotion and advertisement by APPLE, the mackbook, is used by tons of programmers though, and i have used the desktops at university library.
You have to connect it to a server to even use it
That’s also true of the versions of Android that 99.99% of people use
cannot have any third-party apps without an online account.
Most people don’t care. They’ll use the suggested app store and have an account already.
Right or not, it is what it is.
- iphones are the first recognized “smartphone”.
- apple is an american company.
- apple has a massive fanbase that is completely dedicated to apple and all their products.
i’m not sure what the global usage of apple products is, but i think here it’s probably a lot higher than in other places. throw in the fact that there’s only one device capable of (legally) running apple’s mobile software, and there you have it.
also, their advertising didn’t hurt either. no one on the android side had the kind of advertising they did until maybe 6 or 7 years later and by that time you were probably already well established in the iphone ecosystem.
They used to innovate, no doubt. But their products provide absolutely terrible value now. Great resale, sure. But you’re overpaying 20% for the hardware you’re getting which is not the case on the Android side. The only thing iPhone universally does better is 1) video and 2) ecosystem (if all your products are Apple). The rest is a tomaeto vs tomahto situation.
Not relevant to most basic users but I could not use a phone where I did not have the freedom to sideload apps, especially if I’m overpaying for the hardware.
Because they are easily gullible.
Whatever you say, Mr. President!
The answer is marketing by Apple and mobile carriers, which lean on peer pressure via iMessage. Plus the iPhone built on the success of the iPod, which led the market for mp3 players.
