10 reasons to ditch your Google Android and switch to the Apple iPhone right this minute
WE’VE tested them both. Here are 10 reasons you should ditch your Google phone and switch to an iPhone right now.
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THE smartphone market is a battle of two tribes: an Apple iPhone-wielding gang on one side, and an army of Google Android devotees on the other.
But who is actually better off? Which smartphone can genuinely claim superiority?
After more than a month testing the best both camps offer, it’s clear both still claim their own advantages.
Below are the 10 best reasons to switch from an Android to an iPhone, each delivering something more than what Google offers.
Tomorrow, we balance the ledger with the best Android delivers.
Hey Siri, you seem smarter
Siri is so much more useful than she used to be.
You can ask Apple’s voice assistant to identify a song playing in the background, show you current movie screenings, update your Facebook status, set a reminder for when you get home, or navigate to a destination.
She understands Australian accents, she’s conversational, and she’s got Yelp, Wolfram Alpha, The Weather Channel, and Shazam to back her up.
Plus, she can appear on screen whenever you say “Hey Siri”.
She would be creepy if she wasn’t so useful.
Apps go to the iPhone first
On a numbers basis, the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store are equally matched.
That doesn’t tell the full story, though.
Many app developers still prefer to create programs for Apple first, and focus on better design when they do.
When Target Australia delivered its app recently, it went to Apple first.
The same was true of the game Fallout Shelter, Twitter’s live-streaming app Periscope and, notably, Instagram that took almost two years to arrive on Google’s platform.
Find what you’re looking for without looking hard
If you’ve ever switched between camps, you will have missed the iPhone’s search feature.
Apple’s Spotlight Search appears when you swipe a finger halfway down the iPhone homescreen and lets you scour your phone’s app library, its App Store, your documents, contacts, music, mail, maps, reminders, the news, and more to find what you need.
It’s a powerful if underrated feature Google should emulate.
Get every software update
Apple’s phone software updates are frequent, timely, and widely available.
You will not need to wait while your phonemaker tweaks the software and your carrier tests it, dragging its delivery beyond the limit of your patience.
Apple will simply make it available, notify you if your phone is capable of using it, and deliver it on launch day. Simple.
It will also deliver software updates for several years, rather than stopping at two.
Edit your photos before you take them
Debates over which platform has the better camera could form an infinite loop, but Apple’s camera menus deliver indisputably speedy and convenient access to photo editing.
Eight live filters are available with a tap of an icon, and users can swipe left or right to access different crops, panoramas, time-lapse photography, slow-mo and video modes.
With these shortcuts, there’s no need to delve deep into a menu system.
A feature that can save your life
If you have a serious allergy or medical condition, the iPhone can alert others to it.
The little known but important Medical ID feature is available in Apple’s Health app, and lets you add your basic details, medical conditions, allergies and reactions, blood type, and emergency contacts to the iPhone so paramedics can access them if you’re not in a fit state to explain yourself.
It’s not a replacement for a medical alert bracelet, but it’s a smart backup system.
The iPhone’s security is locked tight
Apple’s iPhone is based on a closed system, which means you can only install apps from the company’s app store.
This has disadvantages — it limits what users can access and gives Apple complete editorial control — but it also delivers greater security.
Malicious apps rarely make it through Apple’s testing process. Apple also delivers software patches to users immediately.
Get you on to planes, into shows
Australians will get Apple Pay before the end of the year but some items in the Apple Wallet are working right now.
Boarding passes can easily be stored, accessed, and referred to from within this app, with Australia’s two big domestic airlines, Qantas and Virgin Australia, supporting its use.
Ticketek can also deliver concert tickets to this handy storage facility.
More chances to dress up your phone
This is a superficial benefit but a real one.
Apple iPhones get more accessories than their Android peers.
This is largely because they are (a) popular, (b) high-end devices, but mostly (c) one of two sizes.
Apple is the only company to give users just two choices in phone size (in its current range), which limits screen size choices but multiplies the choice of covers, cases, camera lenses, docks, and more.
Share photos with the family automatically
The Apple iCloud’s Family Sharing feature can create a more complete family photo album, and cut down on app purchases.
Up to six family members can opt into this feature, and can share any app, music and book purchases from Apple, preventing double-ups.
The organiser can also set purchase permissions for younger members of the family who might not actually be paying the bills.
All users can also contribute to a virtual family photo album, so images snapped at family gatherings, for example, can be accessed by everyone.
Other iPhone advantages that didn’t make our top 10 include a lack of bloatware, AirDrop for sharing big files, VIP contacts, better customer support when things go awry, plus Live Photos and 3D Touch added to this year’s models.
Apple phones also hold their resale value better than other handsets.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s look at Google’s smartphone advantages.
Originally published as 10 reasons to ditch your Google Android and switch to the Apple iPhone right this minute
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