At the beginning of the year, I decided to switch from the Apple Ecosystem to a multi-platform ecosystem. I wanted to mix things up a bit to learn more about other devices and platforms so that I can provide you with my honest opinion about them.

Now, I have to admit to something, before joining the Apple ecosystem, a few years ago, I was a fan of Android devices, and they worked well for my needs. But one of the reasons I decided to switch to an iPhone was that I just didn’t feel happy using Android phones and when I got given an iPhone as a work phone I instantly preferred using the iPhone. I guess it felt better and there was something premium about it.

Fast track a few years and iPhone models later, I’m still a fan of iPhones and I enjoy using them. But I decided to switch as my contract was running out, and I wasn’t too impressed with the iPhones that were available at the time. I guess I wanted to try something different, so I decided to take out the Google Pixel 6 Pro.

I’m now on my second Android Phone, the Google Pixel 7 Pro, and I wanted to share the 5 things I learned after switching to Android.

Why I Left The Apple Ecosystem

1. Android Has Improved Since I Last Used It!

Have you ever asked someone why they don’t like Android? I certainly have, and the two most common responses I had were that it was slow and difficult to use. The good news is that smartphone manufacturers have done a lot to improve usability and performance of their devices, and that is something that even I noticed.

In the past, I’ve owned several Android phones from multiple brands and I always felt that I needed to change something such as installing a new launcher to improve user experience or changing some settings. But, that’s not something I ever experience on iOS and when I started trying out new Android phones in early 2021, I felt that same as the user experience has improved so much!

All the phones I tried, worked incredibly well and had a nice interface too. The experience was so much better compared to what I remember from using Samsung’s TouchWiz.

2. The Phone You Choose Matters!

As someone who has the experience of working in a tech store, I often had customers complain about how slow and unreliable Android was. But when they show me the phone they had, it was either a very early Android model or a very cheap phone in general.

Obviously, if you use an old phone or a cheap phone, the things it can do will be limited due to its specs and general age if it’s an older phone. This sort of thing can seriously influence someone’s view on the operating system, even though it’s not necessarily a fault with the system, but the hardware inside the device.

That’s why if you are trying out Android for the first time, it’s seriously worth visiting a store and to have a play around with their range of Android devices. I get that the logical thing would be to buy a cheap Android to see how you get on with it, but your experience will differ.

3. Not All Apps Are Available On Android

One of the most annoying things I find about Android is that not all the apps I used are available, and it’s not even Android’s fault. I was a massive fan of apps like Things and Fantastical, but that’s two examples of apps that are currently unavailable to download on Android.

This led me to find new apps, some of which are pricier! It took me a very long time to find a new alternative to Things, but the funny thing is that I actually prefer the replacement, which by the way is Todoist.

I still haven’t found a decent calendar alternative, so I just use the default Google Calendar app, which happens to also be the provider of my calendar. The app is actually pretty good, but if I had the choice, I would go back to Fantastical.

Therefore, if you are planning to switch to Android and there is an app that you heavily rely on, I highly recommend checking if that app is available on Android before switching.

4. Don’t Buy The First Version Of A Model

This is a lesson I learned after switching to Android, is not to buy any first attempts or versions of a particular model. I learned this lesson with the Google Pixel 6 Pro, which is actually a superb phone, but I continue to have issue till this day. That’s why I decided to go with an early upgrade and go with the Pixel 7 Pro, which is a monumental improvement.

I would go as far as saying that the Google Pixel 7 Pro is the best phone I ever had. It performs really well and has an incredible camera which doesn’t crash, unlike the camera on the Google Pixel 6 Pro did, in my case anyway. 

Buying first attempts can be risky, especially if they cost a lot. But they usually help manufacturers improve things in later models and Google has listened well to the concerns people have raised with the Pixel 6 Pro as the 7 Pro is phenomenal.

What It’s Like Travelling With The Pixel 6 Pro 

5. Android Is Actually Very Easy To Use!

The last thing I wanted to talk about is ease of use. As someone who works in the IT industry, I take easy of use seriously. The person using the phone for the first time should be able to pick up the phone and easily navigate around it.

Judging by what people have said to me and what people share online, in the past, there was a noticeable difference in how the phones worked and that it was confusing them. But now, especially with gesture control, the phones appear to be a lot easier to navigate.

At the end of the day, first impressions matter, that’s why when a person picks up that Android phone for the first time it needs to be easy to use and understand. That’s something a close friend mentioned when I was helping her pick a new phone. She ended up going with the standard Pixel 7, and she loves it!

Having used Android before, I knew what to expect, but the truth of the matter is that I was wrong, as the phone was even easier and more pleasant to use than I remember Android phones being in the past. I think gesture navigation plays a big role in this.

But Is It Worth Switching?

It’s been almost a year since I switched to Android, and I think that the switch was worth it. However, the one thing I have to say is that I don’t think it’s fair to call it switching to Android. Mainly because your experience may differ depending on the manufacturer.

I mean, I feel that I prefer the Google experience more than I prefer the Samsung experience, even though I do like Samsung phones. I guess it all comes down to personal preference, which is another reason why you should try at least a few different options by visiting a store that has them on display.

Furthermore, I think it’s important to mention that it is possible to switch, and it’s easier than the sounds. You can actually use a lightening to USB-C Cable to do this during the initial setup, and Google has even included a USB-A to USB-C adapter in case you only have a standard lightening cable! This guide explains the procedure if you are planning to switch to a Google Pixel Phone.

So to answer the question, it is definitely worth considering!

The Verdict

Based on the experience, I had so far, I’m happy that I made the switch, and I’m in love with the Pixel 7 Pro, it is simply one of the best smartphones I ever had!

Whilst I have switched my phone and my watch, it doesn’t mean that I’ve given up on Apple, in fact I still own an iPad Pro and I’m considering getting rid of my Windows PC in exchange for either a Mac Mini or a MacBook Pro!

If you have found yourself in the same boat, leave a comment down below, I would love to hear your experiences of switching to Android, or to iOS!

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