Android

I can sideload apps on Android. I can't do that with iphone.

https://grapheneos.org/ - The private and secure mobile operating system with Android app compatibility. Developed as a non-profit open source project.

I really don't. But whenever I pick up an Apple product I feel like it was made for a dumb monkey and I feel stupider for using it. I personally miss Blackberry.

Mostly Sideloading and GrapheneOS. And that it's mostly open source

Because you can install any apk you want so you can get apps from github/f-droid. on ios to sideload you need to do some stuff with itunes iirc

Frankly, I'm too deeply rooted into the Android ecosystem with all my purchases over the many, many years.

Plus I enjoy diversifying my gadgets across several platforms.

Although I'm looking to invest in some smart-home products and ironically, am favoring Google first and foremost.

All my smart phones were Android, but not on purpose: Before buying one, I always entered my size and feature preferences (4G, NFC, water resistant, wireless charging, etc) in multiple sites like https://m.gsmarena.com/search.php3 and the best fits for the best price were always Android phones 🤷

Both iPhones I had started falling apart software-wise within a year or two. Messages wouldn't send, internet connections would fail, graphical glitches were everywhere, and I didn't get more control of the device to compensate. Also, WebKit fucks up so often it's frustrating.

Better compatibility with my other devices. Other than that pure flexibility and openness of it. There are no barriers between you and the phone.

Well. Long term apple user. I had everything. MacBook, Apple TV, iPhone, Apple Watch. But somewhen I crossed roads too much with the walled garden.

I compared a lot of Android driven brands and how everything works. The final nail was actually usability. I have been more flexible with Android and Windows than Apple and Windows.

Of course the experience is smooth with Apple. But imo Android and iOS devices have their benefits and for me thats Android - Also because I can easily switch brands and stuff.

Customization is the main draw for Android Phones, particularly Samsung Phones as Samsung is leading the Theme game at least to me. Right now, I'm rocking a Google Pixel, but Google offers decent enough customization options that I don't miss Samsung phones terribly much. The second thing is that I dislike Apple's Walled Garden with passion. I'll recommend their phones to people based on their needs; Personally, I will never own an iOS Device. The lack of customization of icons and the like is a hard pass from me.

For me, I started out with android back in the 2.3 days. Then custom roms, launchers, rooting was all really fun and exciting. I switched to an iPhone when the X came out after a bad experience with the Pixel 2 XL (QA issues and poor customer service mainly), and I didn't make the switch back until the Pixel 7 came out.

Right now, I'd say I prefer android because the notification system is much better. I have greater control of my homescreen, and more freedom to install software not blessed by either Apple or Google.

I used to be into custom ROMs back in the day so that was my excuse that I didn't want a corporate experience. But that was over a decade ago and all of those community features have now been pulled into the main AOSP. So now the only good reason is because it's the only smartphone OS I've ever owned or used really.

The barrier to entry to create your own apps (as a programmer) is low - Install Android Studio (on ANY OS - I am using Mac atm), crank an example app or some app from Github, build, sideload, enjoy your own app! ofc need to know Java or Kotlin!!!

I've got no great love for Android but the ecosystem is a lot less locked down for the most part compared to the Apple side. That at least opens up the door for tinkering with other options and controlling my environment.

I use it because I want something that is customizable.

I use Nokia 5.3 which does everything I want it to and then some and I got it for like $200 brand new. You can't get a new iPhone for $200 I'm pretty sure.

I've never used Apple. I remember trying to help friends with iPhone to customize their home screen and live wallpapers.Not an option at the time.

I like being able to control versions of apps. eg: I switched to an earlier version of Waze because the verbal input for navigation stopped working while connected to Android Auto.