Ask HN: Android or iOS, which one do you prefer?

3 pointskcindric3y ago4 comments

I hope this isn't a low effort post and I'm not wanting to start a flame war but I was wondering what the HN crowd uses as their daily driver phones.

I only had Android smartphones but I'm currently in the market for a new one because this old dog I'm using is slowly dying. I'm considering an another Android smartphone (Pixel 7 probably) because I'm so used to the whole OS experience, I like the side-loading app feature and I'm not heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.

But what I don't like about Android smartphones is their short lifespan in comparison to iPhones. Most of my Android phones lasted 2-3 years and I find it wasteful in this time and age to change phones so rapidly. OTOH iPhone doesn't precisely play the whole planed obsolescence game and I really think the Apple hardware is more superior.

To make my choice easier I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences about this dilemma.

4 comments

thesuperbigfrog3y ago

Android

The ecosystem is open and you get more hardware choices.

Termux (https://termux.dev/en/) means my smartphone can be a general purpose pocket computer.

App side loading means that if I want to I could add my own apps without needing to go through an App Store or pay a yearly developer fee.

What is the point of nice-looking, expensive hardware if it does not run the software you want it to run?

I want a useful pocket computer that can also make phone calls, not a fancy fashion appliance.

olvy03y ago

Why don't you start a poll?

https://news.ycombinator.com/newpoll

Personally I'm still with a slightly old and relatively cheap Samsung Android phone, almost 6 years old now. It still works absolutely fine for my needs, which are pretty modest, I'll admit.

birdymcbird3y ago

ios. i use macbook air and iphone. with settings, subscriptions, passwords all saved and synchronized using icloud. the camera on my phone works well. everything just works and i have no complaints.

me used samsung phones many years ago and did not like preinstalled bloat apps it would not let me remove. overall me think android not bad. tried google pixel phone and for its price i think it very good purchase.

i am big fan of apple products. feel they have high quality focus with hardware and software. some companies release barely working stuff to rush to market. Like, i never pay for amazon products quality and features feel like they hate customer.

fsflover3y ago

Neither. I am daily driving Librem 5, with Pinephone as a backup. Works well for me.

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