# Embracing Android: Five Features That Make Me Long for iPhone
Written on
Chapter 1: Experimenting with Tech
For the past two weeks, I've embarked on a month-long challenge of living without my iPhone or Apple Watch. So far, I've shared how little I miss my Apple Watch, which has been sitting on my bedside table, perpetually charging since I purchased my Casio G-Shock. Although I'll have to wear it again after this experiment, I doubt it will become a constant accessory for me.
Day 10... Am I Missing the Apple Watch?
This marks the longest duration I haven’t worn it in six years.
But what about the iPhone? Do I miss it?
A bit. However, as I mentioned before, I find the iPhone increasingly uninspiring. After all, what more can be done with a device that’s fundamentally just a mobile phone? I’ll reserve my comprehensive thoughts for the conclusion of my experiment, but for now, I want to share five features from Android that have impressed me over the last two weeks. Attention, Apple!
- Simplified App Organization
Jiggle mode on the iPhone is my pet peeve. I find it frustrating that it even received that nickname during an Apple event; it certainly wasn’t born with it. The entire process of rearranging apps irritates me. If you’ve ever tried to relocate an app from one screen to a far-off position on another, you know the struggle of maintaining your desired arrangement.
And don’t get me started on the chaos of accidentally creating a folder and trying to rectify the disorder that follows. You end up with an app you never intended to move stuck in a folder, while the app you were attempting to relocate vanishes entirely. It’s exhausting!
In contrast, Android offers a refreshingly intuitive way to rearrange apps. You can easily shift them between screens, create folders seamlessly, and move apps into their designated spots without any hassle. Plus, there's no annoying 'jiggle mode'!
- Quick Access with a Swipe
One feature I always miss after using Android is the ability to swipe left from the home screen. Formerly known as ‘Google Now’, this handy feature now presents a curated list of news, blogs, and articles tailored to your interests. It’s incredibly effective and consistently offers content I want to read.
In comparison, Apple requires you to dive into the News app to find stories it thinks you’ll enjoy.
Dear Apple: This approach isn't necessary.
The personalization of Google’s news feed is likely linked to my search habits, but honestly, I welcome it; if it means getting valuable content right in front of me, let ‘big brother’ do his thing. Meanwhile, Apple News has deteriorated over time, with a frustrating push towards a News+ subscription that feels unfriendly. A simple swipe-left feature would greatly enhance the user experience.
- More Engaging Widgets
While I don’t dislike iOS widgets, they lack excitement. This highlights a significant difference between the two operating systems; iOS resembles a formal guest at a party, while Android shows up in casual attire, ready for fun.
The widgets on Android are simply more vibrant and engaging (and yes, they are easy to arrange!).
- Superior Default Wallpaper Choices
Apple’s default wallpaper options have always left me underwhelmed. They seem so uninspired! With every new iOS update, the wallpaper additions come across as minimally curated. It feels like Apple is saying, “We never really wanted to give you wallpaper, so here’s what you get.”
In contrast, Android offers an array of stunning default wallpapers categorized into themes like ‘life’, ‘cityscapes’, ‘pride’, and ‘fun’. Yes, Apple, you can have some joy in default wallpapers!
- Enhanced Lock Screen Features
Though Apple has made some improvements to the iOS lock screen, it still feels a bit too rigid. Android demonstrates how it can be done differently. On my Pixel 4a, the lock screen is a treasure trove of functionality. Notifications are easy to manage and are organized neatly. Plus, a delightful animation at the bottom reveals notifications that are not currently visible, adding a playful touch.
And Android’s control center is conveniently accessible at the top of the notification screen, which I find much more user-friendly compared to iOS's separate setup.
Conclusion
If you have the opportunity to use different phones and, like me, you’ve been loyal to the iPhone for a long time, I highly recommend exploring Android for a while. It’s intriguing to see how the landscape has changed; once sluggish and overly customizable, Android now matches iOS in speed and smoothness—even on budget devices like the Google Pixel 4a.
Today’s takeaway is that Android feels more playful than iOS, and it’s hard not to appreciate that. While I don’t foresee this experiment converting me to Android permanently, it’s evident that iOS could benefit from a little more flexibility to keep me from wanting to switch again in the future.
Before You Go
Join my behind-the-scenes mailing list.
Chapter 2: Discovering Android's Appeal
The first video title is "5 Android Features I Wish iPhone Had!" - This video explores five specific features of Android that many users believe would greatly enhance the iPhone experience.
The second video title is "5 Reasons Why iPhone is Better Than Android!" - This video presents arguments in favor of the iPhone, discussing aspects that some users find superior compared to Android.