Pixel 4 to iPhone 15 Pro

In general, I have enjoyed using the Pixel 4 over the past four years as it just right to my daily needs.

I’ve been an Android user for over a decade, starting with the 2012 Sony Xperia S (a device that surprised my friends who didn’t know Sony made mobile phones) and upgrading to the 2019 Google Pixel 4. However, after two years of general use, the battery of my Pixel 4 began to swell. Despite the warranty having expired, Google kindly provided me with a refurbished Pixel 4 as a replacement. Now, another 1.5 years have passed, and I’ve encountered new issues with the device. Initially, the audio input malfunctioned, making it difficult for the receiver to pick up my voice during calls. Over time, this problem worsened, and the device began restarting repeatedly whenever I attempted to answer or make calls.

Initially, I was content with using the Pixel 4 for several years, and I had no intention of replacing it until it started malfunctioning frequently, making it incapable of meeting my daily needs. Yeah, I know, It’s a bit absurd to have a mobile device that can’t even handle basic communication for about six months.

My Thoughts for Pixel 8

At first, I considered upgrading to the Pixel 8. However, after researching several articles and videos comparing the two devices, I ultimately decided to switch to the iPhone 15 Pro.

Regarding the Pixel 8, I have several thoughts:

• The AI.
• The chip.
• The hardware.

Firstly, while the AI features for photo editing are impressive, I find them somewhat redundant as similar results can be achieved using other tools, such as Photoshop. Although the ability to process photos quickly with just a few steps sounds convenient, my past experience suggests that these functions may be slow or unreliable at times, especially since they rely on cloud-based processing and Google’s servers, which are dependent on internet connectivity.

Secondly, I’ve observed that the chip used in the Pixel 8, the Tensor G3, appears to be an improvement over the Samsung Exynos 2300, which has been criticized for its poor performance.

Thirdly, I resonate with a comment I came across in a forum, where someone mentioned that purchasing the Pixel 8 feels more like acquiring the right to use Google’s AI applications rather than buying the hardware itself. Therefore, I have doubts about the sincerity of the 7-year software update guarantee for the Pixel 8, considering my experience with the Pixel 4, whose hardware began to deteriorate after only two years. Perhaps the Pixel 8 will prove to be more durable, but only time will tell.

There are rumors suggesting that the upcoming Google Tensor G5, expected to be released in 2025, may feature a custom chip developed by TSMC. I am excited about the potential collaboration between Google and TSMC, but in the meantime, I plan to explore using an iPhone to compare the experience with Android from my personal perspective.

First Week with iPhone 15 Pro

I’ve watched many contents about explaining different functions of the iPhone 15 pro, as well as watched creators share their minimalist setups for the iPhone’s main screen, utilizing Shortcuts and the latest iOS 17 widget feature. I must admit, the Shortcuts feature is quite intriguing and has kept me experimenting with it for a while. In addition to this enjoyable aspect, while I am not entirely new to the iOS system, as I already own a MacBook and an iPad, I have found that adjusting settings to align with my preferences requires some effort.

During the first week of using the iPhone 15 Pro, I encountered several inconveniences:

• The ‘Android to iOS’ failed.
• Default apps.
• Focus Mode.
• Return to previous step.

Firstly, I attempted to use the app ‘Android to iOS’ to transfer data from my Pixel 4 to the iPhone 15 Pro, but encountered difficulties. It’s unclear whether this issue stemmed from my Pixel 4 or if the app itself has bugs. Nonetheless, I didn’t expect the transition from Android to iOS to be seamless. Fortunately, much of my data is stored in the cloud, as I am signed into my Google account. Therefore, I only needed to manually download essential apps from the App Store.

Another aspect I explored during this period was whether to continue using Google’s default apps or switch to Apple’s default alternatives, such as Calendar, Maps, Reminders, and Safari. I discovered that both sets of apps are user-friendly and capable of meeting my needs. It’s likely that adjusting to these new apps merely requires breaking old habits.

Additionally, I found the Focus Mode feature challenging. I used to place my phone far away to maintain concentration on tasks. However, with the different Focus Mode settings, I now have the ability to prevent notifications from disrupting me and adjust the screen to fulfill task requirements. Nevertheless, this function does not restrict app usage. While I understand the intention behind this design—to allow users to access necessary apps in certain modes—several studies still suggest that the mere presence of a phone nearby can cause distraction. I still need time to experiment with and customize the feature to derive its benefits.

Furthermore, one gesture I consistently struggle with is the method of ‘returning’ to the previous step in iOS, which requires swiping from the leftmost edge of the screen at a specific speed. In contrast, on the Pixel 4 and other Android systems, returning to the previous step simply requires swiping from either side of the screen to the left. I believe the return method in iOS has its pros and cons. On one hand, it prevents users from accidentally triggering the return action, ensuring intentional navigation. On the other hand, it poses challenges for users with smaller hands who find it difficult to manipulate the device with just one hand. The workaround I currently tried: swiping down from the 1/8 bottom of the screen, which moves the top of the screen down to roughly the middle, making it easier to tap on the left top of the screen.

Final Thoughts

I used to consider Apple’s products as the most user-friendly due to their minimal need for customization, and I was biased to believe that Android tended to be the most customizable. Now, I have found that the iPhone 15 Pro with iOS 17 exceeds my expectations. There are numerous settings and features I can explore to tailor to my needs. Although it was initially a bit overwhelming, fortunately, there are many useful resources available on the internet that I can access. The progress of Apple’s default applications is incredible, including Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and Photos. They are powerful enough to complete daily tasks and even capable of performing more complex functions.

Finally, I highly recommend the informative YouTube channel Proper Honest Tech, where the creator, Tom, provides clear explanations to help you maximize the potential of your devices.