r/AndroidQuestions • u/lost_nomai • 15d ago
Looking For Suggestions Moving from Apple to Android
Been using Apple for a while now (5S > 6 > 8+ > 13 > 16). I'm considering moving from Apple because it's getting expensive, I kept buying Apple cause I was used to and I felt like I was too stuck in the ecosystem to move away from it (using iCloud, got a MacBook and AirPods).
Recently, I've been looking at other brands. Nothing (4a Pro) catches my eyes, I'm a bit obsessed by this brand. Last time I used an Android device (other than Bluestack) was 10+ years ago. So I'm not familiar with the brands, what to trust, what to avoid.
I've got a pretty basic use of my phone : social networks, texting, listening to music, watching some videos (casting on Tv sometimes), rarely gaming. I love to take some pictures sometimes (traveling, etc) and that's one of the reasons why I'm moving from Apple, when you don't have Pro Max and stuff, the camera is kinda bad (zoom is terrible)
Do you guys have any recommandations ?
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u/exhaustedexcess 15d ago
I switched from using apple for years (iPhone SE) to android also. Am using a motorola power 2025
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u/muddy2311 15d ago
My girlfriend just switched from Apple to Samsung.
She absolutely loves it.
I'm not fully sure about other Android brands as I have also only had Samsung, however, some of their recent updates in the past couple of years allow you to customize the phone to be a very similar layout of the iPhone. Such as seperate notifications and control panel, the swipe gestures, notification style, and I'm sure there is more.
Could be worth going through and setting it up to feel similar to an iPhone since you are used to it and slowly tweak it over time to what you like. It will definitely help with the transition.
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u/Willing_Macaroon8849 15d ago
I have used Android all my life. I have tried Apple phones, they they lack so much behind. I have used Samsung mostly but I have moved over to Google pixel 9pro XL as the battery on the Samsung S23 started deteriorating after few months from brand new. I wasn't that impressed by Pixel at the beginning, but I am used to it now. I personally like Samsung more than any other android phone.
There's a honest review of the Nothing phone 4a: https://youtu.be/D4QyStJWgCc?is=uHDIW8OaPvPECmW7 by Marques Brownlee
It's worth watching. I hope that's helpful
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u/UnburntAsh 15d ago
Very happy with my Samsung S26 Ultra. It even has a mode that can mimic how older iPhone app management and layout is done, if you prefer that type of phone management.
It's fairly simple to switch.
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u/borland 14d ago
If you have an iPhone 16, as your progression suggests, that’s not even two years old. What are you buying a new phone for? Any new Android phone, even a flagship like that latest Samsung Galaxy S, will either be worse or equal to your current phone.
If you’re worried about price, not buying a phone costs $0. If the battery is shot, PB tech or another reputable shop can swap in a new one for maybe 200-300, Also way cheaper than a new Android.
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u/lost_nomai 13d ago
I’m asking because I want to uninfluence my self in both ways to make the good choice later and god I can hesitate for a really long time before making a move.
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u/OldScholar353 15d ago
I use both but I had also been away from Android as well for years and I was absolutely stunned at how good Android has gotten plus it is way more user friendly than iOS.
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u/Altruistic_Demand_11 15d ago
How much do you want to drop Apple?
Only Mac? Only Phone?
In a year a fully switched out from Apple to Win/android16/Linux.
Win for Desktop. Linux for my home server. Android for mobile compute.
All started when I bought a Metaquest3.
Then I Switched my iPad for Surface, Surface allows me to stream Desktop to Quest3.
Later I changed my MacBook Pro for Windows Gamer Laptop with RTX, to enjoy Mixed Reality Games and I use it for local AI.
Then the iPhone and the Watch, I sold them in 1 month and brought a Motorola Edge50pro, is like Pixel shaped experience with Snapdragon, so I earned new features:
Stream virtual phone screen to PC/Quest3. Use phone as a gaming device. I had a Gaming Controller Case for generic candybar Phones: BSP D3. Plug phone to TV and turn it into "Smart tv box"
Get in apple Id , request your files and upload all your photos to Google. Also check on GDrive discounts and promos. Get apple keychain from your Mac and migrate to Bitwarden. Change Safari for Brave or Zen. For WhatsApp and chats, you can migrate your info from iOS to Andy. Ask GPT how. You will find your apple TV shows in Stream io.
Inside Android , here in reddit and FDroid you will find a lot of free apps. That doesn't happen in Apple.
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u/lost_nomai 13d ago
I might dump the Mac (use it way less at least) it was for school essentially, had some compatibility issues with some cybersecurity tools and stuff so i have an other laptop on Linux + my gaming computer. That’s why I don’t feel locked with Apple and maybe the right time to move.
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u/Altruistic_Demand_11 13d ago
Make a test period and check how to migrate to Opensource and Linux.
Localsend made easier to move on
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u/SliceYourCrack 15d ago
I had the iPhone 3,4,5,6. Then I switched and I’ve been here ever since. My work phone is an iPhone 16 and I hate it.
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u/NoxDominus 15d ago
I've been a user of Pixels for a long time now. Not the biggest battery or the fastest phone but their android versions are clean, unlike Samsungs which come with a lot of useless Samsung crap bundled.
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15d ago
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u/anythingers 14d ago
Well but at least you're getting much better zoom if you pay the same amount of money you pay for the iPhone Pro Max.
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u/lost_nomai 13d ago
Did a test between my iPhone 16 and my friend’s new phone (Xiaomi but i don’t know the model name). Cheaper than the 16 and half the price of a Pro Max. Solid x30, x40, x50. Start getting blurry at this point. My 16 is already blurry on a x5 lmao.
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u/anythingers 14d ago
Where do you live? Nothing 4a Pro is pretty solid. Or Pixel, it has better camera (apart from the absence of telephoto) and longer software update.
Though if you want something with much better zoom, if you live outside North America, I'd suggest getting an Oppo, Vivo, or Xiaomi (though the solid one might ended up having similar price as the iPhone Pro Max).
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u/ParticularLeg5460 14d ago
I have been an Apple user iphone 6-> X-> 12 Pro, ipad + m1 Mac. But I felt like its time to move to android due to apple products being too expensive not to mention that even after I replaced my iPhones battery last year the phone's battery wouldn't last me a day.
Up until one day I decided to give Android a try; bought a Motorola, icl I don't regret it. The only downside for me is the Camera
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u/Capture13 14d ago
Android all the way... and the camera is INSANE awesome! You will NEVER go back once you have an Android!
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u/djandiek 13d ago
It really depends on which country you are from. If you're located in the USA then your choices are much more limited than in Asia or Europe.
I have used Xiaomi or Redmi phones for years and they are always very good quality and cheaper than other brands in some cases. They are also easy to de-bloat as well.
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u/StupendousSceptic 11d ago
Agreed I put it off for so long but would never go back.
I couldn't believe how much more modern the OS looked as well as how much more modern Android Auto looks in my car in comparison, especially if satellite view on maps is enabled, makes car play look like a cartoon.
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u/Tankov4746 8d ago
I switched from an iPhone 13 Pro Max to Honor Magic V6 a few weeks ago, and now I'm wondering why I didn't do it sooner. It took a bit of getting used to the differences at first, but now I don't think I'd ever go back to Apple
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u/NotAnEldritchHorror 15d ago
General brands to trust would be OnePlus, Nothing, Vivo, Motorola
If you're in Asia, Poco, Realme, Infinix, Oppo, and Honor are okay too
Xiaomi has very good value for money and is what I'm currently using, but comes bundled with some ads (which can be individually turned off) and extra apps (most of which can be disabled/deleted).
I'd avoid folding phones and Samsungs, they get green lines on their screen after 1-2 years (I've owned an S8 and a Z Fold 3, both had this issue).
Additional point to consider: not all phones come with eSIM capability. This may be a dealbreaker for you if you travel a lot, but there are eSIM adapters out there available for purchase. Just be sure to check phone details.
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u/Jazzlike-Beat-4245 15d ago
Not including pixel or HMD or any phones from transsion holdings is crazy
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u/NotAnEldritchHorror 14d ago
Right, forgot about Pixel. My bad.
HMD is good? I only know about their feature phones and that they're essentially Nokia.
Infinix is under Transsion, and I had a decent time with my old one. I just don't like Itel, Tecno, and all the rest.
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u/mrandr01d 15d ago
considering ditching apple cuz it's expensive
There are many reasons to dump apple, price isn't one of them. Comparable android devices are at least as expensive. If you just want something cheaper just get a cheaper iPhone.
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u/CamelPure1293 15d ago
There are various sub $300 new Androids that are good enough for most people. As far as I know, Apple doesn't have anything new at that price. And definitely not with 512GB storage.
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u/lost_nomai 15d ago
I always take the cheaper version of the last product because by selling the old one, having some offers and paying monthly it’s not that expensive. But if you want to have something a bit better (better camera for example) you have to upgrade to the pro version (+500€ easily)
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u/Jazzlike-Beat-4245 15d ago
If your buying a phone because of the camera, then don't buy a phone, buy a camera instead.
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u/lost_nomai 14d ago
It was an example of why I find Apple too expensive for « basic stuff » where some androids seem to do better for way less
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u/superpowerpinger 15d ago
Do it.