iPhone 12 or Samsung S21

AshB1989 · 14 Jan 2021 at 21:44

I have just pre-ordered the S21, but feel as though I've made a mistake. I have absolutely no reason for this, so need some guidance.

Do I stick with the S21 or change for iPhone 12?

GMac11 · 14 Jan 2021 at 22:17

It’s not an easy comparison to make. The phones are so similar in terms of size and price point that it’s essentially going to come down to iOS vs Android I believe.
I see from the other thread you currently have the S8? Have you used iPhone before?

Edit: I’ve not watched this yet but it may help...
https://youtu.be/jUTEA3OPLYA

But be warned he’s a big Apple guy so whether or not his opinion is completely objective remains to be seen.

AshB1989 · 14 Jan 2021 at 22:21

I went from iPhone to 6s to S8. It was a welcomed change at the time as iOS felt very restrictive, however, everything was simple and it works. That said, sometimes Android feels like major effort. Typing, for example, was far easier on iOS. I have fat fingers so end up writing things multiple times.

Squink · 14 Jan 2021 at 22:28

If you’ll keep the phone for a few years, get the iPhone.

AshB1989 · 14 Jan 2021 at 22:31

That's the thing... I planned on keeping the 6s for a food few years, but it magically stopped working out of of the blue when a new iPhone came out. Shady Apple practises, I guess.

GMac11 · 14 Jan 2021 at 22:43

My own personal opinion would be iPhone but as I said that’s my opinion, objectively they’re very similar.
My iPhone 12 is my first iPhone after 15 years of Androids and after a very short stint with S20 FE.
Overall I have found iOS a joy to use and I always did like what Apple did with their hardware.

I don’t know what current prices are like (especially for contracts) but I’d have thought the iPhone 12 would be a little cheaper, I may be wrong.

AshB1989 · 14 Jan 2021 at 22:46

My wife has the iPhone 11 and the photos are insane, which is ultimately why I'm upgrading as the S8 is dog.

Yeah, I remember iOS being really smooth to use.

AshB1989 · 15 Jan 2021 at 09:39

Pulled the trigger - cancelled pre order for S21 and going to get an iPhone 12.

tom_e · 15 Jan 2021 at 10:04

I picked up an iPhone 12 to try out as a replacement for my Oneplus 7 Pro and just couldn't get on with it, iOS felt less intuitive to me especially with the mess of every app having different notification options and something that just really niggled me for some reason was how outdated Whatsapp looks in comparison to the Android version.
It reminded me of using some old text based application.

The iPhone went back and I continued on my merry way with Android, my OH on the other hand went back to iPhone after having Android for a couple of years and wouldn't change even if you paid her.

FishLicker · 15 Jan 2021 at 18:06

iOS is the only reason I haven't already got an iPhone. I find Android, for its faults, far more powerful and versatile and in some areas just plain better. I would definitely take an S21 Ultra over a 12 Pro Max personally, even with the usual Samsung flaws.

GMac11 · 15 Jan 2021 at 19:29

tom_e said:
I picked up an iPhone 12 to try out as a replacement for my Oneplus 7 Pro and just couldn't get on with it, iOS felt less intuitive to me especially with the mess of every app having different notification options and something that just really niggled me for some reason was how outdated Whatsapp looks in comparison to the Android version.
It reminded me of using some old text based application.

I actually found WhatsApp to be a much better application to use on iOS than on Android. My general findings have been that apps are much more polished on iOS including Google's own apps!
The notifications settings are a little jarring at first but I find them no more or less difficult to customise than Android if I'm being honest. At least iOS groups its notifications although Android has finally addressed this with Android 11.

FishLicker said:
iOS is the only reason I haven't already got an iPhone. I find Android, for its faults, far more powerful and versatile and in some areas just plain better. I would definitely take an S21 Ultra over a 12 Pro Max personally, even with the usual Samsung flaws.

OS platforms aside I think the argument could be made for S21 Ultra over 12 Pro Max on a hardware level since the Ultra gets all the bells and whistles but the waters muddy somewhat when you compare iPhone 12 to the regular S21 as it's quite a step down in hardware both internally and externally.

AshB1989 · 15 Jan 2021 at 20:59

GMac11 said:
The waters muddy somewhat when you compare iPhone 12 to the regular S21 as it's quite a step down in hardware both internally and externally.

Exactly this. The S21, despite not even being released yet, feels like a step down from my S8 (I know it isn't). The general spec and design feel very budget in my opinion. I mean, a plastic back cover? Are you serious? That'll be like my mum's 100£ device.

biron_w · 16 Jan 2021 at 09:02

Really the question is: iOS or Android?

kakarott · 16 Jan 2021 at 14:16

FishLicker said:
iOS is the only reason I haven't already got an iPhone. I find Android, for its faults, far more powerful and versatile and in some areas just plain better. I would definitely take an S21 Ultra over a 12 Pro Max personally, even with the usual Samsung flaws.

Same.

VortexA1 · 16 Jan 2021 at 16:13

AshB1989 said:
I went from iPhone to 6s to S8. It was a welcomed change at the time as iOS felt very restrictive, however, everything was simple and it works. That said, sometimes Android feels like major effort. Typing, for example, was far easier on iOS. I have fat fingers so end up writing things multiple times.

You can change the keyboard to larger keys as you have fat fingers so that would help , on Swiftkey I have made the keys slightly larger.

VortexA1 · 16 Jan 2021 at 16:15

GMac11 said:
I actually found WhatsApp to be a much better application to use on iOS than on Android. My general findings have been that apps are much more polished on iOS including Google's own apps!
The notifications settings are a little jarring at first but I find them no more or less difficult to customise than Android if I'm being honest. At least iOS groups its notifications although Android has finally addressed this with Android 11.

OS platforms aside I think the argument could be made for S21 Ultra over 12 Pro Max on a hardware level since the Ultra gets all the bells and whistles but the waters muddy somewhat when you compare iPhone 12 to the regular S21 as it's quite a step down in hardware both internally and externally.

In what ways is it much better to use than on Android? I am seriously interested, I haven't used iphones much.

GMac11 · 16 Jan 2021 at 20:01

VortexA1 said:
In what ways is it much better to use than on Android? I am seriously interested, I haven't used iphones much.

It’s just the small details really. It just ‘feels’ more polished although I admit that’s a very subjective criterion. One thing I definitely prefer is the menu bar at the bottom instead of the 3 button effort in the top corner on Android. It just makes those features that little but easier to access.

AshB1989 · 16 Jan 2021 at 20:04

I remember iOS being fool-proof. I'd even go as far as saying my 60 year old mother could figure it out - that's saying something!

Tragically Hip · 16 Jan 2021 at 23:49

biron_w said:
Really the question is: iOS or Android?

This. One is the flagship Android experience, one is iOS. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Choose your ecosystem and I would say the phone chooses itself.

biron_w · 17 Jan 2021 at 10:07

AshB1989 said:
I went from iPhone to 6s to S8. It was a welcomed change at the time as iOS felt very restrictive, however, everything was simple and it works. That said, sometimes Android feels like major effort. Typing, for example, was far easier on iOS. I have fat fingers so end up writing things multiple times.

That's because you went for a Samsung so had to put up with their Android skin and most people assume that's just what Android is like. Going for a phone with Stock or near-stock Android is a much better option.