I switched back to Android from iPhone.
Again.
I had at least 8 Ways the Apple Watch Series 8 Won Me Over From Android, but I guess that wasn’t good enough. This time, I lasted nearly 5 months, which I decided was long enough to make an informed decision about if I really want to switch to iPhone.
Turns out, the answer is no.
Why I switched back
I’ve already talked about how I made the transition from Android to iPhone just a little easier, which details a lot of my thoughts on the reasons switching to iPhone was difficult in the first place. Those are are all major reasons why I went back to Android, but here’s the TLDR version on why I prefer Android:
- Superior experience with Google keyboard, including a comma on the primary layout
- Robust built-in clipboard
- Fully functional widgets, including adjusting the size
- Better experience in Google-native apps like Docs and Sheets
- Customization of the home screen layout, including placing app icons and widgets wherever you want (instead of them snapping to the upper left corner) and choosing the grid pattern (4 or 5 apps across)
- Double-tap power button for quick access to the camera
- Phone call screening
- One of the apps I use multiple times per day works on Android (and is barely functional on iPhone)
- Fingerprint > face ID
I begrudgingly admit that being fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem has benefits, and because I am such a huge fan of the Apple Watch Series 8, I really wanted this switch to stick. But it didn’t. And I’m convinced it won’t. But in the interest of fairness, here are a few things I’ll miss from iPhone:
- Copy and delete after taking a screenshot
- Airdrop and other benefits of the Apple bubble
- The Apple Watch, of course, including unlocking my MacBook with the watch
- Shortcuts
In closing
This is a personal list, and what bothered me may not bother you. It all depends on how you use your phone and what apps you use regularly.
It’s a lot of little things that add up to a major annoyance. Like I said, Apple is lightyears ahead of any Android wearable, but companies are working to quickly close the gap, and I’ll look forward to that day. For now, I’m testing the Fitbit Sense 2.
Teena Merlan 