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Before you switch to an iPhone, read this

AndroidPIT thinking of getting iphone 3363
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We here in the Android community have seen many of our members break off and go to Apple. But how is this happening? Is Apple actually doing something right? Find out what is causing this to happen and what can be done to start turning the trend around.

AndroidPIT Sergio is thinking of getting iphone 3172
Find out what has moved some Android customers to Apple. / © ANDROIDPIT

The iPhone's prestige allure

There is a prestige factor with the iPhone that even I – an Android enthusiast – must acknowledge. Almost all of my friends have one; it's a fashion statement. But many owners don't seem to know how to get the most out of it – and I'm often asked why I don't own one.

If someone wants a bland but nevertheless seamless smartphone experience, then the iPhone is temping. But that's all there is too it. It's a shallow device, but that’s why marketing efforts are so important for Apple. The device can't really do that much, but the brand power can do a whole lot. 

Perception is powerful and marketing efforts have so far been effective for Apple

But Apple's public persona does not fit with the company's actions. Apple is a bully in the American market, suing Samsung over unjustified claims. This tactic has been successful so far, keeping a major potential competitor, Xiaomi, out of Apple's way in the US. Apple is keeping desirable devices out of the market to maintain its grip. This has not hurt the brand yet but the upcoming Supreme Court case might put a dent in its image.

androidpit apple vs samsung in supreme court
By taking to the courts, Apple has driven potential competition from the US market. / © ANDROIDPIT, shutterstock

Android flagships are getting their bearings

Flagship Android devices are becoming more fashionable than geeky, directly competing with the iPhone. Manufacturers are making more devices that appeal to style and not just specs. The Samsung Galaxy S7 is sleek and this device is in vogue.

Most Android brands with a premium flagship are aiming for fashionable devices. But the companies cannot only focus on the devices. They also have to improve their brand images. That's how Apple has done so well but it's also how it can be beaten. Android devices are already better and if their brands have the same prestige as Apple, it's only a matter of time before the iPhone is pushed out of the market. Live by the logo, die by the logo.

androidpit android flagships thinking
More high-end flagship choices from Android should give it a competitive edge over Apple. / © ANDROIDPIT

Don’t focus on the battles, concentrate on the war

This is a long-term perception battle. Android devices are better, but we need to let the market do its work. Over time, Apple’s upward trend will reverse; it’s inevitable. We can’t let setbacks or bad years dismay us. That’s how we lose the perception fight. If we think Apple can’t be beaten, then it has already won. This is damaging. We need to approach treat it as it is: a paper tiger.

Wars aren’t won by crying over every lost battle. The Android vs Apple fight is for the long haul. Instead of focusing on the fights that we don't win, focus on the war, which will be won. The good news is the trend is just starting to reverse, but perception is ever powerful.

So, if you're actually thinking of getting an iPhone, you need to ask yourself, how much does brand image factor into your temptation? Don't let marketing sway you, overcome perception and think independently.

What do you say to someone who is thinking of switching to the iPhone? Let us know in the comments.

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Go to comment (64)
Cory Schmidt

Cory Schmidt
Editor

A Minnesota native, Cory's background is in writing and editing. He received his BA from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and his MA from the University of Kansas. He joined the Android community in 2009 and is excited to be contributing at AndroidPIT.

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  • An Droid 14
    An Droid Feb 18, 2017 Link to comment

    Only one word: CHOICE.


  • Ryan Dunn 3
    Ryan Dunn Apr 18, 2016 Link to comment

    Android is innovative and always looking to enhance the obviously over saturated smartphone market. Apple wants to create reliability and trustworthy device. I work for a cellular carrier which are constantly sending me new phones every month or so, believe me there is always some issue with a Android device. They run great until you plug a bunch of apps into the device and then you start to see some issues. With the exception of the Nexus 6P, I loved that phone, however, the call quality was horrible on the device and I couldn't ever have a decent signal. I jumped to the iPhone 6S Plus and oh my am I impressed. It's been so long since I haven't had to ham factory reset a device and find some way to preserve the battery life in a device. I don't have to do any of this with the iPhone. Yeah it's boring and you can't customize it, but it's sacrifice my friends. You want a reliable device that works, sacrifice the customizing and heavy specs. You want to have a power house device then sacrifice the reliability of the important parts of a phone!

    Edward Amarille


  • 10
    Edward Amarille Apr 17, 2016 Link to comment

    Motorola proved with their Moto G and E series that with proper execution you can have a great phone experience without top end specs.
    Apple has been sending the exact same message for years, they just charge more for it.


  • 10
    Edward Amarille Apr 17, 2016 Link to comment

    But you forget to mention what Apple does right. Don't get me wrong, I've been an Android user for years, but even I know when to give Apple their justice.

    For example, iOS updates. They are not hindered by carrier like Android devices are. Not to mention the fact that since there isn't a million different specs to worry about, even a 5 year old iPhone can still get most of the features in new updates.

    Another thing to think about is that because their isn't a huge spec sheet to try to follow, almost all apps in the Apple store will work on almost any iDevice.

    Then there's the proven security. Unlike Android which has its security features defaulted off, iDevice security features are on straight out of the box.

    Another thing Androids cant do out of the box, full backups. With an iPhone just plug it into your computer, load up iTunes and you can backup your phone. With Android, you need to root your phone first, which usually means you have to wipe your phone BEFORE you can create a backup because to root most androids you have to crack the bootloader.


    • DroidBro 3
      DroidBro Apr 17, 2016 Link to comment

      True yeah


  • DroidBro 3
    DroidBro Apr 12, 2016 Link to comment

    I have an Android phone. I'm a geeky sixth grader and everyone in my class has a frikkin iPhone 5s. They're all pressuring me to get one, but f*ck them, no way am I dealing with the uncustomisable and grounded piece of software iOS is. I keep telling everyone that if their phones ran Android without proper optimisation, they would suck. Seriously, dual-core 1.5 GHz Apple A7s vs Snapdragon 820s and Mediatek Helio X25s? No way, no HELL way am I turning to Apple.

    Charudatt KumbhareAnna S.


  • 2
    he4995 Apr 10, 2016 Link to comment

    I managed to convince my brother who was a hardcore apple fan to switch to android. He owned an iphone 6, traded it for a galaxy s7 and loves it very much.


  • Ingo V. 10
    Ingo V. Apr 10, 2016 Link to comment

    As much as I'm a convinced Android lover, this article does the device itself (iPhone) no justice. I'm not talking about Apple's terrible policy, I'm talking about a brilliant piece of hardware. The iPhone is an incredibly (and unbeaten in that field) crafted device, it's only iOS and Apple itself that sucks. I had a substitute iPhone for a few months, waiting for my new Android device. What pissed me off MOST was that you basically can't operate an iPhone without being glued to (the TERRIBLE piece of shit software that is) iTunes. That's a real joke. And you didn't mention that joke in your article at all. That's actually the #1 reason to not turn to iPhone.

    Charudatt KumbhareEdward AmarilleGrimJimCrowleyCory Schmidt


    • Cory Schmidt 19
      Cory Schmidt Apr 10, 2016 Link to comment

      Hi Ingo, thank you for the comment. I agree with you on everything except for your assertion that the iPhone is unbeaten in design. Check out our comparison with the Galaxy S7:
      https://www.androidpit.com/samsung-galaxy-s7-vs-iphone-6s-comparison


    • GrimJimCrowley 14
      GrimJimCrowley Apr 12, 2016 Link to comment

      Agreed. iTunes is the worst. That being said, my wife's iPhone 6 runs smoother, faster, and longer than my Galaxy S6.

      Edward Amarille


    • 10
      Edward Amarille Apr 17, 2016 Link to comment

      Funny thing about that iTunes......
      Tell me about any Android phone that can be fully backed up straight out of the box. No rooting, no jailbreak.

      My iPhone is fully backed up both on the cloud and on my computer without me having to bypass any core element of the operating system.


  • Waqas Arif 2
    Waqas Arif Apr 9, 2016 Link to comment

    ios never hang.I think only this is enough for it.

    Edward Amarille


  • 46
    Deactivated Account Apr 9, 2016 Link to comment

    Boy this has turned into one giant fan boy fight on both sides. I like android because of it's flexibility and adaptability. You can get phones with Micro SD support and removable batteries. Plus there is such a wide selection of styles price ranges, there is something for everyone. Some have talked about call reception being better with Apple. All I can say when on the boat returning from offshore my S3 will pick up signal miles before and IPhone will.


  • Mullet man 5
    Mullet man Apr 9, 2016 Link to comment

    Android phones having more ram is a invalid argument .. IOS ram management is superb

    Edward Amarille


    • 10
      Edward Amarille Apr 17, 2016 Link to comment

      Agreed completely. My iPhone 5s runs smoother than my friend's S5


  • Mullet man 5
    Mullet man Apr 9, 2016 Link to comment

    its funny how they find all these security exploits in android that never actually cause real world problems. Every update apple has some outrageous issue. the trick to bypassing the lock screen. The 1978 bricking issue , a few years back when everyone's alarm didn't go off on new year's day so many more. I swear every release of IOS has a lock screen bug. now that apple had to release 4 updates to fix their last update. you gotta wonder if they should take a page from androids handbook, I mean honestly they have a manageable about of phones to test probably all sitting at their HQ gotta wonder whats going on over there, when android releases a update it is being installed on devices they don't even know about and they don't have so many issues.

    it takes a great hacker days to find an android exploit.. It takes a teen in the back seat of a mini van on a road trip to find IOS exploit.


    • Diptangshu M. 15
      Diptangshu M. Apr 9, 2016 Link to comment

      The last sentence, you nailed it.


    • 10
      Edward Amarille Apr 17, 2016 Link to comment

      No offense, but there are thousands of "cracked" Android apps that prove it is easier to exploit the Android system. Even if your phone is not rooted, you can install apps cracked by other "exploiters"


  • Tiago Costa 1
    Tiago Costa Apr 8, 2016 Link to comment

    I have a great winning arguement "if you want to be part of a brainless comunity who pick a phone because its fashion or its all people have it just because, then go ahead be part of that comunity of lambs who dont know what to do with the money". i know its a little ofensive to some people, however they are using android phones and loving it


  • 5
    Mike Thibeau Apr 8, 2016 Link to comment

    wasn't really anything in this article that would change my mind. right now I'm torn between the Note 6 and the iPhone 7. Happy to hear a lit of Pros and Cons about it. No fan boy crap, convince me on is better then the other. I know realistically it can't be done as we know nothing about either phone, so happy to hear the pros and cons based on existing phone...

    Had an Iphone 3gs, HTC raider, Samsung Note 2 and Note 4.

    Cory Schmidt

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