This is why you switched from Nexus to iPhone 7

Once upon a time I figured few people would switch from Nexus to iPhone. Rather than mainstream phones, Nexus were as pure Android as Google could make them, and that suggested their customers would be the most devoted. Turns out, though, not everyone who tries Nexus likes it, and some who like Nexus didn't like it's replacement, the Pixel. They liked iPhone 7 instead.
No doubt the Pixel looking like an iPhone helps make it feel familiar to casual consumers, but it may also cause many to figure that if they're getting something that looks like iPhone they might as well get the real thing. Others may realize that while Google will be updating Pixel quickly and directly, their record of supporting older phones isn't nearly as good as Apple's, who've proven they can deliver software and security updates to everyone in the world, all at the same time, for years and years to come. It's also never been easier to make the switch.
But what are the reasons that have mattered most to you?
Making the switch
I was on a 5S for about a year before I made the switch to a Nexus 6. At the time I wanted an unlocked, stock Android phone, that worked on Verizon. I also wanted a 5.5"+ screen. I loved the Nexus 6, but unfortunately I shattered the screen about a month ago. I wasn't liking what I was seeing as far as rumors at the time around Pixel phones. 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.
Was using a Nexus 5X and wanted a new phone. Would only ever consider a Google phone as I wanted "Vanilla" android & timely updates. Hoped that the Pixel would be that phone, but could not believe the price! Why pay iPhone prices for a non-iPhone? Very happy with the iPhone 7 plus I bought.
I was just really disappointed with Android. I started with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone and Asus Nexus tablet. I figured both being stock Android would be pretty smooth. It was initially but after 6 months both started slowing down. The tablet I noticed was really bad after they introduced multiple profiles. While that was cool to have, it is my personal tablet so if the cost is that is so slow to the point that I stopped using it then what is the point? I have an iPhone and iPad mini now and they work seamlessly together.. I just need all my friends to get iPhones so I can use iMessage on both my iPhone and iPad to reply to them since whatsapp s only on my iPhone. I have an older plan so I do not have unlimited text.
A few of you left Nexus, tried Samsung, but ended up on iPhone, like xXxMVPete:
I was never an iPhone user until the 6S+ came out and I decided to switch from the Nexus 6 and give the iPhone a spin. At first I liked it, then I started to miss some stuff about Android (namely a universal back button) and bought a Galaxy S7 Edge+. I liked it at first (great camera and display) but the overall software experience was hampered by TouchWiz. The battery life was also worse than my 6S+. I decided to give that a try with iOS 10 and came to really love the latest version. So I sold my S7 Edge+ and picked up an iPhone 7. Could not be happier with the decision.
I'm leaving my beloved Nexus 6P for a number of reasons. For starters, Google killed the brand in favor of an iPhone clone made by HTC, which means that I no longer get updates first.. Google fanboys who poo-poo'd HTC for the last 5 years are going ga-ga for the Pixel, which might actually mean that I drank the koolaid for awhile. Software: can I just make a phone call without the dialer hanging in an emergency? Please?! Keyboard: I don't understand why iOS has such a vastly superior keyboard with all the keyboard options I have, including Swiftkey. Bluetooth; why does my phone have to disconnect so flippin much from my peripherals?Granted, maybe I have a bad device, who knows. The screen is nice, I like the stereo speakers and the fast charge. However, The screen is nice on the iPhone and it now also has stereo speakers and I really don't need fast charge if I don't have fast discharge.
I have used Android devices since the first inception of them, i have gone through a dozen different devices, some include the Motorola droid, nexus s, Samsung galaxy s3, nexus 5, galaxy s6, and many more which I can't remember. The nexus 5 was by far my favorite device, no bloatware timely updates all around great device until I shattered it.... :( The next version of the Nexus devices just didn't seem appealing, so I waited and opted for the Samsung galaxy s6. At this point, I have already owned a MacBook pro for 2 years an iPad for 4 years. The overall built off the galaxy s6 was amazing, and after hiding most of the bloatware I was to the races, the main reason for the switch was bloatware and uncontrolled software by Samsung, late updates, bloatware...not needed Samsung apps with att apps, and the battery life just deteriorated. I can have location services, data, and nothing running and the battery still drains with battery save mode. At best i got 4-5 hours, The worst part about the whole experience is that I wrote a review on samsung.com for the phone and they never posted saying it did not meet their criteria.So now I have a 7 Plus 128 gig, lots of storage, great battery life, no bloatware, and I can sync everything with my iPad and Mac.
Even those of you who haven't quite made the switch told us why they were thinking about it, including bagarwa
I haven't switched, yet, but am tempted to. Primary reason being - inconsistency. On Android, one day I get awesome battery life, another day it is disastrous. Memory management is ****. Doze is hogwash and leads to notifications getting missed. Plus Google now nixed the Nexus line and is selling overpriced Pixel. So, I was very tempted to switch to iPhone this year. But, thought I will give it one last try since "Google is controlling both sw and hw this year". If it turns out to be another crap fest like all previous years, that will break the camel's back.
Why did you switch to iPhone?
Fascinating answers, to say the least. And I'd love to know more!
If you switched from your Nexus — or Pixel! — phone to an iPhone, why'd you make the switch. 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!
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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.
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How many people were actually surveyed here?
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a few...
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Who cares? These aren't meant to represent anything other than the reasons why a few people switched from Android to iPhone.
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Emeroid wants to believe that it's impossible that anyone could possibly fathom switching to an iPhone from a Nexus
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I am thinking about switching from my Nexus 6 to an iPhone 7plus. Mostly because of some apps I use on my MacBook that I can't get an Android version of. Also the 7plus camera is very impressive. I take a lot of pictures. My Nexus still works great except for the laggy, buggy camera. Better screen on the 7 paired up with a new MacBook Pro next year might just being a winning and productive combination.
Nothing against Google or their new Pixel. I just need a way to sync easily between platforms. Chromebooks don't have what I need so Google is out. Windows? Just go to Windows Central and read all the articles on how to fix issues caused by updates and I'm just not that techy. Apple is not without issues from time to time but I've never updated my MacBook and had to reinstall all of my drivers. So after writing this I've seemed to have made a decision. Posted via the iMore App for Android -
I don't think there is such a thing as an "iPhone price". Phones are either high-end or not, which in turn constitutes the price that you pay for the technology. The Pixel just like the S7 and other high-end Android phones are certainly worth the prices that they demand -- if you want quality you will pay for it. Moreover, I switched from a Nexus 6 (prior to that, Nexus 5, Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus) to a iPhone 5S. Now I have an iPhone 6S Plus and am quite satisfied. The reason I switched was primarily due to what I felt like was performance degradation over time. My phone would fly for months on end then it would start to hiccup on small tasks when doing multiple times. All phones hiccup, stutter and drop frames (including the iPhone); however, I feel like the iPhone is simply a more consistent performer across the board by far.
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"the Pixel phones are hideous, and overpriced for stock Android, I got an iPhone 7+ instead."
This made me chuckle. The Pixel looks the same (front) as the iPhone. Not to them the same price. "Why pay iPhone prices for a non-iPhone? Very happy with the iPhone 7 plus I bought."
User didn't want to buy a iPhone priced phone but one an iPhone at that price anyway...............Hmmmm -
"User didn't want to buy a iPhone priced phone but one an iPhone at that price anyway...............Hmmmm" Why the 'Hmmmm'? It's perfectly reasonable for someone to spend X amount for a proven premium device (iPhone) than X amount on an unproven premium device (Pixel).
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Simple, the user's complaint is the price. Who determines or defines "premium devices"? Is it build quality, design quality, specifications (camera/performance)? The Pixel does seems to meet those aspects according its current users and reviewers.
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For me I'll pay iPhone price for a device that I can resell at an iPhone price. The only phones that formula works for is iPhones and the S series or Note series for Samsung.
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Just commenting on "the Pixel phones are hideous..." comment. Lol The front may look similar to the iPhone, but the biggest turn off for me was that glass section for the antennas and whatnot. Just looks rather funky to me. I think they could have integrated it a bit better than just slapping a glass panel on the back. Just my two cents.
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100% agree on the glass section. The design is not impressive and very boring.
There are other phones which have impressive design qualities (screen ratio, audio, material build/design) this year. Both budget and premium. Google went safe on the design.
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Since you're referencing my comment I'll chime in. 1. There are two sides to every phone. Did I really need to specify that the BACK of the Pixel is the hideous portion?
2. IMO, stock Android is not worth a premium price, and iOS is. Have a wonderful day. -
1. Yes that usually helps, but its hard to read minds since more people have been complaining about the screen ratio and the boring front.
2. Good to hear. iOS is a premium OS, so is stock Android running on the Pixel. I previously mentioned, users and reviewers have agreed the design is boring and safe. The experience is what makes the Pixel worth the price. No one has complained about that. -
Next time I'll be sure to specify front and back. You're doing the Lord's work here.
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Sorry, I'll try to be vague on my opinions.
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"...more people have been complaining..."
No numbers to support this? "...users and reviewers have agreed..."
Which users and reviewers? "No one has complained about that."
Ever? See how easy this is, Pedro? -
Just stop it already. We know you are **** hurt about the Pixel's design so much you jumped ship. End of story.
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I fit this article's target demographic perfectly... OK, I've been on Android since 2008, and have owned several Android flagships per year since then. My most recent device was a Nexus 6P, and the combination of features with the really low price (comparatively) made it the best phone I had owned up to that point. Then I started looking into the Pixel as my next logical upgrade... To make a long story short, I was offended With the release of the Pixel XL and the death of the Nexus line as the Pixel is priced as a premium flagship, yet I KNOW it will still succumb to the lag and fragmented OS issues that have always plagued Android. I don't want to pay $800+ for an Android phone THAT I KNOW won't be able to live up to that price and promise. Shame on Google for charging a current generation iPhone price for s first generation Pixel with lacking features. I was so ticked off that I quit Android cold turkey and picked up a 256GB iPhone 7 Plus. I'm blown away every time I use this thing.... I'm here to stay!!!!
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"yet I KNOW it will still succumb to the lag and fragmented OS issues that have always plagued Android" Did you try a Pixel phone in real life? It's far from laggy... I can agree with you on other points tho
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They all start out good and then over time goes down. Even the nexus line is not immune to this. Hopefully one day Google can fix this because it seems to happen regardless of the device being used.
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That's garbage, and downright ignorant. Nexus phones dating back to the nexus 5 are generally still blazing fast. The year old Nexus 6P i have is still just as fast, smooth, and consistent as it was the day I got it. Probably faster since it's running 7.1.1. And the iPhone has been far from immune to lag over time after receiving iOS updates. Countless people have complained about that the last few years.
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Same. Posted from my Nexus 6P
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The iOS lag issues were mainly down to iOS 7. iOS 8+ seems to run fine on older phones. My friend is using an iPhone 5 with iOS 10, the last version of iOS it will be able to support, and yet it still runs silky smooth
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Well I quite agree with the others... I have a Nexus-6p, and it's still buttery smooth. Furthermore iOS 10 and Android Nougat 7.0 are still pretty young. Give them a bit of time and we will see what happens. You may be right, you may be wrong...
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Consistency through the UI on both phone, tablet and computer was my reason to switch. It's just pure and I feel at home on all of my devices.
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Look at that, a reasonable motivation for a switch, rather than comparing the performance of the brand new, $750 7+ to that of the 1yo, $500 6P.
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I would like to see in the future how many current Pixel owners will switch to an iPhone. My guess is not too many because the Pixel almost fixes all of the shortcomings of the Nexus line. I would also like to see how many people ditched their iPhone for a Pixel. If there is one thing the Pixel did, it got a good chunk of my friends who used an iPhone talking about how good the phone looks and performs. Posted with the Nexus 6, Nexus 5, or Surface Pro 3
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Talking, but I'm guessing not acting much. I love the Pixel, but can't see a great reason to switch back to it now that I'm on an iPhone 7. It doesn't offer anything additional, and costs essentially the same. Great overall phone, though...
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For me the reason was/is iMessage. If iMessage were on Android I would have been significantly more likely to have gone Pixel instead of iPhone 7. Both ecosystems are relatively close these days when it comes to ecosystems and honestly I'm growing a bit weary of the grid of icons interface we've had for the last decade on the iPhone. But in the end, iMessage is such a strong lock-in that it's iPhone where I landed.
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Same here. iMessage is one of the main reasons I stay iPhone.
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What makes iMessage so appealing, compared to any other messaging app? I've had both OSes, and I do not prefer iMessage to Messenger, or vice versa. I'm not criticizing your opinion, just genuinely curious.
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Works well and built into the same app. Will automatically SMS on failure, as well. You almost never have to think about it. Another reason is Call and SMS/MMS relay to Mac's and iPads. It give you a lot of freedom and flexibility to communicate on whichever device you're using without hassle. Android doesn't have that, and this regression in usage is jarring after you've been using Apple devices. I also like Apples philosophy of Off/Disabled by default. It's a lot easier to avoid data leakage and tracking on iOS, though Android is catching up there.
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Simple, imessage is pre installed. Thats it.. Majority of people will not download an app just to message you.
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i believe android is in everything better but i like my iPhone 7 plus because of the community and fun to work on my mac and receive calls and text
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It's definitely not better in everything (think version fragmentation, memory management), but it does have a lot of benefits over the iPhone, especially with filesystem access + customizability
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Will be a cold day in **** before I leave my 6P for an iPhone. Posted from my Nexus 6P
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Pixel is just another Nexus. They just changed the name to cover up why they left the manufacturer name off the back. With Nexus, the brand name (Huawei for 6P, LG for 4, 5, and 5X, Motorola for 6) was always included. But with Pixel, HTC is nowhere to be seen. Why, you ask? The HTC 10 was a piece of junk. I have a friend who rolled through six. SIX. Verizon could not find him one that did not boot loop. Now he's using an old Xperia phone until his iPhone 7 Plus gets here. He used to be an iPhone hater, but after I switched (I was one, too) and his third or fourth HTC 10 took a dive on him, he called me up and asked if Apple was really okay and if I thought he could be happy with it. He was going between the iPhone 7 Plus and a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. I always shoot straight, so I told him he would probably be happier with the Samsung since it doesn't have an Apple logo, but the iPhone will be more dependable. He took some time to think about it — and ordered the iPhone. It doesn't ship until Friday, though. I hope he doesn't change his mind. But if he can get past the initial shock of learning a new system — an OS that is behind Android by a few years, at that — I think he'll love how dependable it is.
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Actually, Google took the HTC name off the back because the Pixel was entirely engineered by Google, and assembled by HTC, in the same way the iPhone is entirely engineered by Apple, but assembled by Foxconn.
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I had the Nexus 5 for two years but wanted a new vanilla Android phone the same size. Google only released a bigger phone Nexus 6P at that time. So I switched to the iPhone 6 two years ago. (still kept my Nexus 5 though)
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My first smartphone was the Palm Pre & I loved it. When there wasn't going to be a new version & Palm got traded around like a piece of meat, I decided to go with Android. My first Android was an HTC EVO, then I had the EVO 2, then the EVO 3D... then my last Android phone was the LGG4. Everyone in my family was using IPhones except me. So I decided I wanted to try a new OS, so I made the switch to a 6S Plus. Haven't regretted yet, but the whole reason I switched was just to try something new.
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And how many people switched from iPhone (7) to Pixel? Was it the camera?
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I think some of them gave bad reasons and yet iMore chose them. For example, some wrote that the Pixel is overpriced so they chose the 7+ instead... isn't the iPhone 7+ expensive as well? And someone wrote "an iPhone clone made by HTC, which means that I no longer get updates first." Why would the 6P not get updates the same as the Pixel and even if it doesn't, does it really hurt to wait just a few more days for the update? These are not logical reasons.
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"For example, some wrote that the Pixel is overpriced so they chose the 7+ instead... isn't the iPhone 7+ expensive as well?" Welcome to the race to the bottom. People think the Pixel is overpriced because people are not really comparing its price to the iPhone, they're comparing it to other, significantly cheaper, Android phones. Yes, maybe they have less bells, whistles, and shiny stuff, but it has the same OS and runs the same Apps. It's the same reason that the market for premium, high margin Windows machines is so small and PC makers' margins are so thin.
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I haven't switch, I have returned back to the iPhone.
My first smartphone was the iPhone 4, bought it in 2011. In late 2013 I simply had to have a bigger screen so I bought the biggest and best - Note 3. Android felt very different but I liked the new software especially when I started to get into various launchers, heavy costumizing, using Google's services etc. I was happy with it until the HTC One M8 came out. I pre-ordered it and it was a beast. Brutally fast and durable. By the end of 2014 Apple announced bigger phones, and it took me til April 2015 when I bought a space grey iPhone 6. iOS 8 felt mature but still limited, but I find it much more natural than android.
Bigger screen and familiarity are the main reasons why I returned. I still believe that Android is a better OS for techy users. But iOS is for us who appreciate simplicity. I'm writing this on the iPhone 6 and I have no interest in the newer iPhones, because it's the same design and feel. I know it's early but I can't wait for the new (hopefully redesigned) iPhone 7S or however they gon call it. -
I think it's great to try different mobile OS platforms because when you do, you can find which works better for you. I've had iPhones, android phones(loved my Galaxy Nexus) the palm Pre and Windows phones. I believe windows phone was the best phone software out there, taking the reliability with software updates and smoothness in UI (WP8) of iOS, and the widget and info like flexibility of Android (somewhat)
Unfortunately that was not to be and I switched to the iPhone 5, 6Plus, SE, now 7 Plus. I've gone back to android in between with the Nextbit Robin being the last but with every attempt I'm surprised and dismayed to see the same lagginess, crashes and unreliability that iOS hasn't been plagued with so I'm sticking with iOS and the apple platform for that reason and the way the whole ecosystem works so well with one another in a way no one else comes close to being able to duplicate. Sent from the iMore App -
You cannot base the performance of Android on a cheap phone like the Nextbit Robin, Nexus, or anything else. Apple ONLY makes flagship, high performance smartphones, so the only comparisons you should make with Android are with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S7 line, HTC 10, LG V20, or Pixel, phones with 4GB of RAM and a SD820 or 821 SoC. Your comparison is like saying, I had a string of 6-cylinder BMWs, and when I switched to a Nissan Sentra, it was so slow I couldn't stand it, so I switched back.
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"For starters, Google killed the brand in favor of an iPhone clone made by HTC, which means that I no longer get updates first.." What? The Pixel will still get updates prior to any other Android phone. And of course the iPhone's performance is better than a 6P; the iPhone is more expensive and is made to be a top performer. Any flagship Android would also perform better than a 6P. I like and respect the iPhone, though I choose to use Android, and love my GS7, but if you're going to switch to the iPhone, at least do it for the right reasons.
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I'd been stuck with an old Sony Xperia and definitely wanted a change, so after having owned an iPad for a long time, I decided to get an iPhone, and I must say that I'll never make the switch back to Android phones. Would you?
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Yep. Just as soon as the next Note comes out.
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I switched from htc one x to iPhone 6 and now update it to iPhone 7. The ios system is the reason that let me switch to iPhone. And now iPad, imac. Love apple.
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We're Sent from the iMore App
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I've shared this on iMore before, but my reason for trading in my Nexus 6 that I had only bought the week before on a trade-in from a Galaxy Note 3 for the iPhone6+ that I'm holding in my hands right this minute was actually NOT motivated by a desire to abandon the Android platform in favor of Apple. As such, while technically true that I did, in at least an ideological / intent perspective, there is a sense in which I really didn't (and probably even still haven't) "switched to Apple". Allow me to explain. Also, during this explanation I'll go from sounding almost anti-Apple to sounding almost anti-Android, to finally meeting somewhere in the middle. A certain company out of Redmond enters into the equation a bit as well. So you know, stay tuned and all of that. So, while what I did when I traded the Nexus for the iPhone, it certainly can't rightly be called "anti-Apple", nor can it really be called "pro-Android". But I will wager that of all the answers given, of all the people who switched, my motivations will come the closest to being just so: At the time, I was wanting to be multi-platform, have two phones, three really, with Windows, and just keep switching which one was active on my line. And the reason I switched to the iPhone6+ was because I felt that the difference between the 6+ and 6s+ would be much more minor than the difference between the 6 and the 6p (and history confirmed that suspicion). So, my decision wasn't motivated by whether I'd have rather had the Nexus 6 or the iPhone 6+ (being given that choice, I probably would've stayed with the Nexus), but rather, whether I would rather have a 6p at tax time or a 6s+, and the answer to that question was a resounding, overwhelmingly, glass-shatteringly loud 6p. So, operating under the assumption that I'd have a 6p at tax time, I basically "sacrificed my 6 on the alter of the 6p" early, sacrificing instant gratification for delayed gratification, and traded for the iPhone. See? Is that not the closest thing you'll ever find to "Pro-Android / anti-Apple" sentiment in the willful act of trading in a Nexus for an iPhone? I told you so! :-) Anyway, tax time came, and as providence would dictate, I did not get a Nexus 6p. Instead, the 2009 17" MacBook Pro I had been limping along with (hooked to an external monitor/speaker/KBM serving as a "de facto desktop) finally would limp along no further. And in the tough choice between going for that 6p anyway (which if we use the "heart / head" distinction was still my "heart first" choice, but was my "head last" choice), getting a Mac mini ("heart last" / "head first"), or saying screw it all and getting a Surface Pro (middle option both sides), I went head first and got the Mac mini. So now I had a Mac that would support handoff and continuity, and an iPad, and an iPhone. Even though I did still have Android and Windows devices (and still do), I was suddenly almost entirely immersed in the Apple ecosystem. All I needed really was a Watch and an Apple TV, and I was basically set. So, where are we now, then? Am I still Android first, or have I since been converted? Both, neither, other. I don't know. I STILL like Android OS/UI better than iOS. And a I still like most of he major Android-powered handsets better than the iPhone handset. I also don't like how locked down the Apples are by comparison and having so many of my decisions made for me by "the black turtleneck committee". I am also growing less sympathetic with Apple's ecosystem ploy than either of the other big names. That's all true. -BUT- in using an iPhone daily, and using a couple Android devices around he house, the app scene is so much better on iPhone. The play store is a wild Wild West compared to the App Store (even if FWIW, I prefer the aesthetic of it), while there may be a rogue exception here or there, apps are essentially always either equal or superior to their Android counterparts, and almost always get updated first. While not exactly an impregnable fortress, Apples are safer than their Android counterparts, get updates much more quickly and uniformly, and that makes all the difference in the world when it comes to security patches and the like. Plus, my iPhone will remain supported much much longer than any Android I could get (though maybe that'll change with Pixel now, I don't know.) I've found iPhones and Androids to both frustrate me with bugginess, so I guess I'll call it a wash there. In any case, the practical merits of the iPhone have become quite compelling for me. Though I will never say I'll never leave Apple to go back to Android (or to Windows), both of which I find far more exhilarating than my "frumpy house Frau" iPhone, I can say that it will not be likely anytime soon. And if the future iPhone 8 are going to be anything even remotely like what the rumors are suggesting, this tired old "marriage" may just get some well needed zest! :-) Cheers!