This is why you switched from Samsung Galaxy to iPhone

When I first asked why peoples switched from Android phones for iPhones, I figured man who replied would come from having a Samsung. Samsung is popular and there are so many on the market, that the numbers just felt like they would be there. Also, given the recall on Galaxy Note 7, many people were scrambling to find replacement phones — and some of those would have to go iPhone 7.

There are other reasons too, of course. Apple has proven they can deliver iPhone software and security updates to everyone in the world, all at the same time, which is increasingly important to people. Apple also continues to focus on lifelike photography, which is what some people prefer. It's also never been easier to make the switch.

But what are the reasons that have mattered most to you?

Kendall Seabury:

Came from an explosive note 7 and I'm using a temporary 6s plus and I have a 7 plus backordered.What made me switch was consistentsy. Apple owns the hardware and the software. Since they can do that they can perfect it. I work at a place that gets spotty wifi and terrible cell coverage. On the note 7 I'd finish a 8.5 hour shift with 20% battery. On the iPhone I leave work and I have 60% or maybe even more.I also have an iPad so continuity is amazing. It's now making me consider a MacBook Pro.

cctpitts01:

Went from the 6s Plus to the Note7 and as you already know the issue with the battery forced me to make move and seeing that the Note7 was the only device I wanted that ran Android I went and ordered (2) 256GB iPhone 7+ because even before the issues with the battery started they were already behind with the updates and it rubbed me the wrong way that Verizon altered the Note7 and had removed features that are present on the the ATT, Sprint and T-Mobile variants. I'm done with Verizon altering devices on Android and glad they can't tinker with the iPhone.

beenzy:

I switched from a Note 7. I've always wanted to give iOS a shot, so I got an iPhone 7 and a first gen Apple watch for the price of my Note 7 refund. It's been a few weeks now, and I'm enjoying the iOS experience so far. I like the smaller former factor, and I think the watch/phone integration is much better.

Aaron Moore:

This whole Note 7 fiasco really turned me off of Samsung. I went to a Iphone 7 Plus when I finally returned my second Note 7. Iphone has always had a superior OS, it's the lack of customization and other features that Androids allow that has kept me from buying an Iphone in the past few year. I am liking the speed and the battery life on the new 7 plus, and the low light camera is superior to the Note 7.

City00:

If I was going to stick with Android, it was either going to be a Google imagined phone, or I was going to get the Note 7. Well since the Note 7 became a non-factor, and, IMO, the Pixel phones are hideous, and overpriced for stock Android, I got an iPhone 7+ instead.

Devhux:

I switched from the Note 7 to an iPhone 6S Plus once the first recall happened. It took a bit of negotiating with my carrier as I had received an extra credit for trading in a previous Samsung device to get the Note.I've had several issues with Android devices in the past and felt that I needed a change. A month in, and so far I'm very happy with my decision.

Xented:

I had an Note 7, Pixel C, and Huawei Watch. Sold on Ebay as soon as the explosive stuff with the note 7 happened.I now have an iPhone 6S Plus (waiting on my preorder 7 Plus) , iPad Pro (9.7), and Apple Watch. The explosion incident with android was just the tipping point for me. Android is great, but so is iOS. With iOS and iPhones i know i have a quality piece of hardware that i don't have to worry about. They all work together seamlessly and I don't have to worry about support.

Pluka471:

I switched from a Note 5 and 7 to an iPhone 7 plus for a couple of reasons.

  1. OS and security updates
  2. Better and more predictable battery life. No more mystery battery drains that leave me with an almost dead phone.
  3. More polished OS and Apps with important features that work better. (granted Android is more flexible and customizable, but I believe it comes at the expense of polish).
  4. Better support from Apple. A broken screen on a Note 5 costs $250 and takes weeks to turnaround, iPhone is $129 and takes hours (many Apple stores in my area).

I hope that Google's Pixel phone matures in a couple of iterations to equalize these issues - I'm an Android fan, but for now, iPhones are more stable - even if a little restrictive and boring.

It wasn't just the Galaxy Note, though. The Galaxy S line also had people switching to iPhone.

djrakowski:

Security updates. My Galaxy S7 edge and my wife's Galaxy S7 (both on T-Mobile) didn't receive September security updates until the 1st or 2nd week of October.

ThaiBoy02:

I've been with Android since the OG Droid days. I finally decided to give the iPhone a try as I was sick and tired of hearing people say how great iOS was in general and wanted to see for myself what the deal was. I was rocking a Samsung Galaxy S6 (non edge) and was completely over the horrible battery life and late software updates so I decided to buy a iPhone 6s outright and give iOS a go. The switch was a little rough at first as I never used an iOS device before that. I have to say its nice to actually get software updates when its actually released and Google still has no answer for iMessage... Anyways I ended up recently purchasing the iPhone 7 Plus over the Pixel XL. My main reason for going with the 7 Plus is Apple supports their devices for a longer period of time.

Steve H Gotha:

I went from a Galaxy S7 Edge to 7 Plus primarily because of the water resistance, ever since I lost a phone having to jump into a pool to save my daughter I require water resistance for my phone. I can honestly say I truly appreciate both iOS and Android but as my wife and daughter have iOS devices it makes it easier for us to share stuff, and my daughter loves that she can FaceTime me now.

Bob McClenahan:

I switched back to iOS (iPhone 7 Plus) after about six months with a Galaxy S7. The camera was horrible, and I really missed iOS Messages.

ronin_cse:

I switched from a Galaxy S7 Edge. Wasn't really for any of the above mentioned reasons, I just ended up getting too annoyed by lots of little things on Android that aren't really on iOS and I didn't really need any of the pros that Android offers vs iOS.Things like better battery life, better updates, better response, less lag, less bugs, better apps, etc...

Why did you switch to iPhone?

I find all of these answers, and the many more I received, really interesting. Now that I've seen the wide array of responses, however, it makes me want to find out even more.

So, if you switched from your Samsung Galaxy phone for an iPhone, I'd love to know why. Was it one specific reason, like the camera or privacy? Or was it a combination of reasons, from hardware to software, quality to feature set? If you haven't switched yet but are considering it, is it because of the changes made to iOS 10 or iPhone 7?

Leave your answer in the comments and we'll use some of the most interesting and insightful in future columns!

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.