Why I came back to the iPhone
…and it has nothing to do with iPhone 11
Just like many of us, I am no fan of Android neither iPhone. I have owned an iPhone 5S very long time ago, then switched to Android. Although I was very happy with the iPhone 5s I cannot stand the iPhone’s design since 6th generation. While the Android world is always tempting with a lot of options.
In the next few years, I owned a Huawei P9 and then Blackberry KeyOne. Apparently, they were not popular yet were amazing. The P9 had extraordinary build quality as well as the design. It had a Leica logo near the rear cameras. One of the first dual-camera phones which produced stunning photos, such as those below:
The Blackberry KeyOne was extraordinary in a very different way. First-time Blackberry phone was shipped with Android, I thought it worth a try. And I was amazed. Maybe it’s not for everyone, but typing on the physical QWERTY keyboards is being blessed. Typing without looking at the phone is way so cool in 2019. Keyboard shortcuts is always a signature of Blackberry, not only to open apps, but also this legendary shortcuts combination: ctrl+A, ctrl+C, ctrl+V. Not to mention the quick button at the side, you can set it up to open an activity of an app, such as open Slack search panel and instantly start typing — just like hitting command+K on Mac. It’s so convenience I hit that button thousands times every day.
Eventually, every phone has its lifetime. It’s sad that we need to move one to the new one at some point (is it?). Here come the problems:
Too many options - the strength yet also the problem of Android phones which lead me to the paradox of choices
Remember the last time you want to see a movie at the theater? There are only 3–5 movies to pick from, it’s easy. How about opening Netflix on your TV? I usually spend at least 30 minutes to find one to watch. Even Netflix found that don’t let user browse all the movies they have increase the change of signing up. When you have a lot of options no one seems that attractive. It was excited but soon I found myself tired watching reviews, comparing specs, reading comments. That’s what they call choices overload.
Android phones are full of innovations, however, they barely become mainstream until Apple implements it too
Multitouch, Appstore, fingerprint unlock, virtual assistant, multiple cameras, notch (oops, maybe not this one)… Apple was not always the first, not even the best. But they own the power that no other rivals can compete: their huge amount of loyal customers. Every new product launch — from hardware to software — has been adopted at scale which made it mainstream overnight. And when it becomes mainstream, the whole industry will support it. Effort of Android phone makers are divers, each of them has its own R&D department working on different things. Apple also works on different things but they are directed by only one CEO. Huawei P9 has dual cameras — no one gave a damn, iPhone 7 Plus release — it was a boom. I recently very interested in Samsung DEX (it allow you to run Linux on Galaxy S10 and above) — the idea of a single mobile device can handle both work and play is tempting but like P9 dual cameras, is the market ready for it yet?
Android phones becoming slower overtime
It’s true, at least for the two phones that I have used. After a year and a half, they started to be less reliable. It’s even worse if the phone use an external memory card. The Android makers always offers their own version of Android OS. And of course, they have plenty of bugs. iOS also does, but in case of Android if my phone has some software issue, I have to rely on both the EOM and Google to solve — and it usually takes forever. To be honest, it’s not a pain in the ass, annoying still. In 2019, I still see a few six-year-old iPhone 5s around, and no sight of any Galaxy S4. Isn’t it shows Apple’s ability to develop a reliable combination of hardware and software over time?
I don’t want to spend money on a smartphone anymore
The high-end smartphone price higher every year and it is Apple’s fault. Every year new smartphones release with few improvements that users don’t really need. Also Apple’s fault. You can blame them. I blame the consumerism.
In Vietnam with the price of the iPhone pro max, you can live for a whole year. The point is, one year of subsistence in exchange for an extra camera (iPhone) or an almost-bezel-less screen (Samsung)? It doesn’t sound good to me. Meanwhiles, Android has plenty of low budget phones that are good enough. But again, consider the problem that Android phone has a shorter lifetime than an iPhone, you can easily replace $300 Android phone after 1.5 years telling yourself “It’s slowing down, I made used of it well anyway”. But did you?
I don’t want to spend attention on a smartphone anymore
Smartphones can get us any information we need, help us get things done like never before. That’s why you start your day looking at it, and it’s as well the last thing you see before bed. Do I need to refer to any research? Look around, don’t you see many people facing their phone right now while waiting for elevator or on a bus, on the street, at a restaurant? May be it’s you reading this on your phone with your left hand, while your right hand continue to have lunch. How many time a day you unintentionally pick up the phone, and 20 minutes later you find yourself still swiping through Facebook stories? Let’s admit it, smartphones are an attention black hole that distracts you from the real world around. Why should I invest in a thing that I know the better it is, the more it consumes me?
All that led me to the purchase of used iPhone SE $130
The story didn’t end here. Soon I realize that there are many other perks of adopting this phone:
As it is a cheap phone, I don’t necessary taking good care of it, while Apple still does.
It still has official software support from Apple, all the newest futures of iOS 13 also available for this tiny device, along with a proper connection to other Apple’s latest products such as AirPods and Apple watch. In the revenue structure of a company like Apple, there’s always a small segment of customers who are willing to pay so much that it can cover the cost to support a large number of customers who don’t. In other words, people who always buy the latest iPhone also pay Apple to keep the same level of satisfaction of all customers who own an iPhone. People say iPhone 11 is the best value for money, for the hardware — maybe, for overall usage — cannot compare to the used iPhone SE or 6 or 7. Not only Apple supports their old phones, but accessories makers too. You can easily find cases, screen protectors even wireless charging adapter for the iPhone SE on AliExpress.
The Apple ecosystem
I also own a Macbook and iPad with Apple pencil. A perfect combo for the Apple ecosystem to thrive. I have been looking for a work machine that adapts the mobile lifestyle. In my expectation, it would be a super light and powerful laptop. The Macbook 12 is not powerful enough, surface go run Windows, Samsung Dex is beta, iPad doesn’t let me work with dozen windows at a time… None of them seems to satisfy me. Then Apple came in with a very different approach — while that device doesn’t exist yet, why don’t make working from a laptop, a tablet and a phone become seamless? I am quickly convinced with that idea behind Hands-off and now Sidecar.
Hands-off is not just a gimmick, copy from your iPhone then paste it on your Mac and vice versa is magic. You should find yourself witching between your laptop and phone more frequent than you think, may be as frequent as every 15 minutes. When stumble across a funny gif on the internet on your iPhone and want to share with your colleagues on Slack which currently open on your Mac? just copy here and paste there, it works! One of my favorite features of Sidecar is the screenshot taken on Mac will immediately appear on iPad for notating using Apple Pencil — and the notation simultaneously render on Mac. I leave my Mac at my desk most of the time and bring an iPad or even just an iPhone for meetings and casual coffee working. In fact, the later haft of this article was typed on my iPhone and the early haft was type on my iPad. The Medium app is available on Android phones as well, but the thing is I cannot confidently leave my Mac at home until iPhone.
Appstore and Apple Arcade
There are opinions say that iOS apps in general better than Android apps. I agree with them. Leave the technology differences aside, I think because Apple commits on delivering high standard products expressing through their price range. They also ask for the commitment from the developers who need to pay an annual fee of $99 in order to maintain their development enrollment compare to the $25 lifetime of Android developers. In the early days of the Appstore, it took a week or two for Apple to review an app in order to be published. It was annoying for submitter but ensure better user experience.
That’s also the reason I subscribe to Apple Arcade, to rely on Apple editor’s picks of games for my six-year-old son. Indeed, their games are stunning yet entertaining.
More importantly, these games are designed for the best gameplay, not for making you buy more of it’s stuffs.
Not to mention one subscription is for up to 4 people with family sharing setup which means I can also play games with him with no additional fee.
Besides, watching the introduction video Meet the Creators — Apple Arcade, making me recall the famous TVC Think Different and the story behind. Embrace creation and people who commit to the process, Apple doesn’t seem loosing Steve’s spirit as some people critic.
This statement — quote from the Think Different video, I found it true for Apple itself:
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
