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lazylen

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 4, 2021
2
0
Amsterdam
Good day everyone!

I'm tempted to switch from my old Android to an iPhone. But I'm not sure yet. Perhaps someone has been in a similar situation and could explain some pros and cons for me?

The main reason I want to switch is that my boss will get me the newest MBP 16'' (yeah!). I can get the current Intel one or wait for the new M1X, I've decided to wait for the M1X. However, my current phone (OnePlus 5) is just barely hanging on... No wonder since I've used it extensively for 4 years and dropped it a lot(!). Since I have to upgrade my phone I thought it might be better if I switch entirely to the apple eco system. If I'm gonna buy an iPhone it will probably be the 13. But before that I have some questions:
  1. Regarding size, I really hate that all those phones are getting bigger and bigger... I just want to have a nifty device that can easily fit in my pockets (I'm 1.82cm / 5'11''). Luckily iPhone has high-end devices in reasonable shapes. I was thinking about the 12 mini / normal or pro and not the max. It seems that only the camera is different in the normal/pro versions... but is it worth it the extra € 200 ? Good photo's are always a plus but any upgrade from my current phone is bound to impress me....
  2. I've got a Garmin Fenix 6 sport watch, I'm guessing they work fine together but can anyone confirm?
  3. How is the security / privacy?
  4. I've been organising my pictures in Google photos for years. I could in theory export them all and import them on iCloud... but should I? I really like google photos, especially with the automatic suggestions like stitching pano's or making random short videos. It gives a nice little extra. But besides that, I'm also reading a lot about the new Child Porn safety features and I'm not sure yet how I feel about that. I get why they should be doing something but it just feels like a slippery slope to me. Of course I can just not use iCloud but if I switch to a new ecosystem I might as well go all in...?
  5. These new phones should easily work for 4 to 5 years right?
  6. I'm a huge klutz and drop my phone regularly... Obviously not on purpose but I guess some part of my brains just did not develop properly and now I just accept my failures and try to prevent it with good phone-cases and insurance... My current phone has a case that is just a little higher than my screen. Which means that if I drop the phone with its screen flat on the floor, it falls on its case, and not on the screen. Which just works perfectly for me. After some google shenanigans I found a case from Mouse that might be the one I'm looking for!! The reviews are promising but I was curious what you all think of this brand/case?
I've had an iPhone 4 when it was new but changed to android because I really enjoyed the rooting, custom roms and tweaking. However, nowadays I couldn't be bothered anymore and would just like something that works for a long time without any hiccups.

I'm aware that most of my questions could be googled but I'm just looking for some confirmation and insights :]

Thanks for taking the time reading this!
 

maerz001

macrumors 68020
Nov 2, 2010
2,425
2,316
Good day everyone!

I'm tempted to switch from my old Android to an iPhone. But I'm not sure yet. Perhaps someone has been in a similar situation and could explain some pros and cons for me?

The main reason I want to switch is that my boss will get me the newest MBP 16'' (yeah!). I can get the current Intel one or wait for the new M1X, I've decided to wait for the M1X. However, my current phone (OnePlus 5) is just barely hanging on... No wonder since I've used it extensively for 4 years and dropped it a lot(!). Since I have to upgrade my phone I thought it might be better if I switch entirely to the apple eco system. If I'm gonna buy an iPhone it will probably be the 13. But before that I have some questions:
  1. Regarding size, I really hate that all those phones are getting bigger and bigger... I just want to have a nifty device that can easily fit in my pockets (I'm 1.82cm / 5'11''). Luckily iPhone has high-end devices in reasonable shapes. I was thinking about the 12 mini / normal or pro and not the max. It seems that only the camera is different in the normal/pro versions... but is it worth it the extra € 200 ? Good photo's are always a plus but any upgrade from my current phone is bound to impress me....
  2. I've got a Garmin Fenix 6 sport watch, I'm guessing they work fine together but can anyone confirm?
  3. How is the security / privacy?
  4. I've been organising my pictures in Google photos for years. I could in theory export them all and import them on iCloud... but should I? I really like google photos, especially with the automatic suggestions like stitching pano's or making random short videos. It gives a nice little extra. But besides that, I'm also reading a lot about the new Child Porn safety features and I'm not sure yet how I feel about that. I get why they should be doing something but it just feels like a slippery slope to me. Of course I can just not use iCloud but if I switch to a new ecosystem I might as well go all in...?
  5. These new phones should easily work for 4 to 5 years right?
  6. I'm a huge klutz and drop my phone regularly... Obviously not on purpose but I guess some part of my brains just did not develop properly and now I just accept my failures and try to prevent it with good phone-cases and insurance... My current phone has a case that is just a little higher than my screen. Which means that if I drop the phone with its screen flat on the floor, it falls on its case, and not on the screen. Which just works perfectly for me. After some google shenanigans I found a case from Mouse that might be the one I'm looking for!! The reviews are promising but I was curious what you all think of this brand/case?
I've had an iPhone 4 when it was new but changed to android because I really enjoyed the rooting, custom roms and tweaking. However, nowadays I couldn't be bothered anymore and would just like something that works for a long time without any hiccups.

I'm aware that most of my questions could be googled but I'm just looking for some confirmation and insights :]

Thanks for taking the time reading this!
1. There is more than the tele-lens. bigger Size, battery life, ram and stainless steel frame

2. yes it works with the garmin app

3. better than on android as there is no sideloading

4. you can also use google photos app on iphone

5. correct. The pro a bit longer as they have more ram and battery size

6. no idea as i use mine without case for years.

7. wait a month for the 13 series
 

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
15,709
11,011
I'm 1.82cm
That’s shorter than an iPhone ?
(Yeah I know you meant 1.82m but just thought funny)
How is the security / privacy
Average. Security through obscurity no longer works, and there’s been high profile hacking into latest iOS like Pegasus software. Privacy yes, also average. Maybe a tad better than other companies.
These new phones should easily work for 4 to 5 years right?
This one is a yes, assuming you take good care of it.
 
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now i see it

macrumors G4
Jan 2, 2002
10,694
22,445
Why not buy a decent older used iPhone and try it out for a while? If you like iOS, then you can sell it for almost no loss (or maybe even a small profit) and buy a newer iphone if you want - or sell it and get another Android unit. Or just keep it.
 

LFC2020

macrumors P6
Apr 4, 2020
16,874
38,036
Buy the iPhone 13 pro max, you won’t regret it, it’s going to be that good, you should buy 2 of them. ?
 

eyoungren

macrumors Penryn
Aug 31, 2011
28,832
26,946
4. I've been organising my pictures in Google photos for years. I could in theory export them all and import them on iCloud... but should I? I really like google photos, especially with the automatic suggestions like stitching pano's or making random short videos. It gives a nice little extra. But besides that, I'm also reading a lot about the new Child Porn safety features and I'm not sure yet how I feel about that. I get why they should be doing something but it just feels like a slippery slope to me. Of course I can just not use iCloud but if I switch to a new ecosystem I might as well go all in...?
As already suggested by @maerz001, just use Google Photos. I'm covering the already covered point to mention that any other Google Services you have will transfer. Google has the same apps on iPhone. And iPhone will also integrate your Gmail, contacts and calendars. It's all pretty easy. You don't have to convert to iCloud if you don't want to. I haven't.

You can even continue to use Google One as Google has the same app in the App Store.

5. These new phones should easily work for 4 to 5 years right?
Easily. I have an iPhone 3GS, a 4, a 4s, a 5, a 6s and a 6s+. The 6s+ is my secondary phone, my 11 Pro Max being my primary. All these phones work. My son has a 2016 iPhone SE and he's using it as a secondary phone (he has the SE2 as his primary phone).
 
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