It wasn’t a typical introduction to the “other” famed operating system, nor was it a planned one. It all happened on a trip back from Bahrain, when I lost my iPhone and had to get a new smartphone at the airport. Anxiously waiting at Zain’s branch, I got the most basic smartphone I could find because I wasn’t about to buy another iPhone 5S when the iPhone 6 release was just around the corner. I ended up with the Huawei Ascend P7, and something very unexpected happened after just one day of use…I liked it!
“Android,” … the operating system that iPhone users cringe at the sound of and boast about how iOS is so much better (me being one of them), wasn’t so bad after all. In truth, we really have no idea what we’re talking about (as per usual). Everyone simply prefers iOS because we are inherently slaves to our iTunes accounts; a brilliant move on Apple’s part.
Back to my new phone… The Chinese manufacturing giant Huawei (which many are still very unfamiliar with) turned out to be one of the most user-friendly mobiles I ever used. The size was perfect (a pinch larger than the iPhone 6), the design was sleek, and it’s extremely light. Now to the interface…the Google Play store (iTunes App store equivalent for Android) has almost all the same applications as iOS. My screens were very easy to use, the phone was very organized and it didn’t take more than a minute to figure out all the functions I require for my day-to-day phone needs. Aside from basic functionality, the camera is absolutely amazing! It delivers super clear pictures with editing options that go far beyond just filters. I had to say I was impressed, considering this is one of the cheaper alternative smartphones on the market.
Back to the Android OS, I started getting more input from regular Android users and addressing the main objections most iOS users bring up when considering the switch. The largest objection is that you don’t have access to your iTunes account. As a solution, my co-worker told me about an application called Double Twist which is apparently the cure for iTunes addicts. When downloaded on your Mac/PC and your Android phone, you will be able to sync your iTunes music library over Wi-Fi without even having to plug in. If that was your biggest concern for the switch, you may now rejoice.
In other reviews, there were some large differences that have now skimmed down with the release of iOS8. For example, Apple used to block third party keyboard software such as SwiftKey (this is an amazing app that gives you a much easier keyboard to type with and gets smarter the more you use it, predicting your next words in every sentence). I honestly don’t know how I used to type before this app, it’s that much better. Anyway! iOS has unblocked SwiftKey and other similar apps solving that barrier. I also have the application Truecaller which is an absolute MUST when you are on a new phone after losing an old one. On Android, Truecaller detects who is calling you as they are calling you, allowing my phone to identify most numbers I hadn’t saved yet. On the iPhone, you have to manually go into the App and enter the number to search the user. On the other hand, an issue I have with Android is not being able to use emojis on Instagram comments. Some of my Samsung friends don’t seem to have this issue, so there must be a solution that I am still too apathetic to figure out. Either way, I can now confidently say that people should choose their phones based on their preferred aesthetic and functionality, not on the operating system. Having said that, I am going to proudly purchase the iPhone 6 Plus because I don’t think it’s too big and am more comfortable having a larger phone with access to all parts of my iTunes library including shows, especially with the 5.5 inch screen.
As a testimony to how simple Android is, however, I have no issue continuing to use my P7 until the exaggerated price points of the new Apple device deflate. How about you? Which phone will you choose next?
