The truth about me as a casual tech writer is that I am not as enthusiastic as other tech reviewers when it comes to switching gadgets for personal uses. It is a hassle. I like to ensure that I use my phone for a few years before I venture out to find a new one.
I had plans to use my old iPhone 7 Plus for at least 4 years (from 2018). In 2021, I am pretty much using it still for the seamlessness and reliability of the iOS system. Obviously, its outdated technological advances are behind that of many devices today. But I didn't think much about it as my needs were simple.
This was all until Samsung made headlines for the release of their foldable smartphones. From its first generation, I could not help but be fascinated by their foldable devices.
Fast forward to the third generation; Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip3 was one of the only Android phones in the market to actually sway me into researching deeply about Android devices ever since I switched to an iPhone. Of course, I do know for a fact that Android has made huge interesting technological leaps over the last few years. But nothing as interesting as these foldable devices has made me look back at Android.
Since I know Samsung's ecosystem is just as established and well-thought after as Apple's, I thought I would delve in to experience the Android system once more.
So, here's my honest experience going into an Android smartphone after using an iPhone for 4 years now. To be fair, I will be using the latest iPhone 13 model as my point of reference rather than my old iPhone 7 Plus against the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3.
Disclaimer: This article is not written based on in-depth analysis that compares both the iOS and Android operating systems. Instead, it is merely an opinionated piece based on our time spent with both the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and iPhone 13 with the intention to give insights on what users can expect on a surface level.
What I like about using Android phones:
1. Customisation
When I first used my iPhone (switched from a mid-range Android), I instantly noticed how everything was simplified in terms of design and UI. I could no longer change the font typeface, its colours, customise the transparency of the status bar and so forth. Even the colours and themes of my UI customisation were limited.
Coming back to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, it was a warm welcome that I could once again fully personalise everything from head to toe. I especially like the fact that I can even customise the Flip3's 1.9 inches Super AMOLED cover display for my own amusement.
2. Exploring more apps and content
This was tough to talk about. First and foremost; I am a huge fan of Apple's own App Store selection. Everything is neat and well-maintained. If I got charged accidentally by an unethical app (true story), Apple made it easy to refund me, no questions asked.
But, there were times when I really craved to explore more apps. Games like Animal Crossing Mobile aren't on App Store! My set of camera apps from Android before were also not available on the App Store. And I really don't want to Jailbreak my phone.
For that, I was pretty glad that Google PlayStore once again let me have a huge variety of apps to go for.
While this isn't recommended; it was fun to download APK files (when I really can't find the app) and try new content that was not available to Google PlayStore Malaysia.
A bonus is that Samsung also has a dedicated apps store (mainly customisation) that I could access easily. Themes and visuals specifically for the Galaxy Z Flip3 were easily available.
3. User Interface - It's just as clean as Apple's
People often say that Android phones don't get to enjoy the best phone system and interface due to the open-source nature of Android. But Samsung is definitely one of the phone brands out there that carefully deploy this part of a smartphone. I hardly found any bloatware and unnecessary files installed into the Galaxy Z Flip3.
4. Samsung's build is just more solid
Here's the most embarrassing part about owning an Apple iPhone; their built quality is on the weaker side. While I've dropped my encased iPhone numerous times, it's almost always a guarantee that my iPhone feels really fragile if it doesn't wear a case. I am also wary about it even if my naked phone will be safely kept in my bag for the whole day.
But for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3? Sure, the hinge is a worry but in my experience, it felt way more solid than the iPhone in my hands even without a case! This is a phone I don't need to worry too much about (but of course, just don't drop it).
5. The battery is slightly better managed on the Samsung
Embarrassingly, both phones aren't the strongest in the battery life department.
For your reference; the iPhone 13 has a 3,240 mAh battery pack whereas the Galaxy Z Flip3 has a 3,300 mAh battery life.
Even if there's little difference in battery size, the Galaxy Z Flip3 offers many more ways to preserve your battery such as changing the adaptive refresh rate (between 60Hz and 120Hz). Additionally, Samsung historically just has better-managed batteries in its previous phone generations.
6. I forgot how great Google Assistant is
This topic has been tested several times; Google Assistant (GA) is just way better at giving you more accurate results. With the Galaxy Z Flip3's clear microphone, GA picks up my voice and questions relatively fast compared to blur Siri that may even suddenly appear out of the blue when I am away from my phone.
Ask a question and Google can suggest a better result as well as alternatives whereas Apple's Siri might not understand your question.
It might not be fair to pit them against each seeing as Google has much more data collection capabilities and better algorithms in detecting what users want, versus Apple with a smaller pool of users using their services. But hey, Apple does a lot in their research and development department too for their phones. So if anything, Siri has a big potential but just isn't tapped into.
7. Storage and Integration for cloud system
There's no denying the superiority of storage here between the two. iPhones are notorious for their expensive storage upgrades. Their minimum storage on the latest iPhones is now 64GB, whereas Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 has a minimum of 128GB. Tell me, which system do you feel safer with? And don't get me started on storage cloud systems.
For work, I just use Google a lot more. Even my preferred browser for my own personal use is Google Chrome, so it was easy for me to store and get my files with the seamless Google Drive integration on the Galaxy Z Flip3. Did a photoshoot with the Flip3? I'll just upload everything onto Google Drive safely.
And there you have it; my list of things that I liked about using the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 as my first Android phone ever since I started using an iPhone.
You may think that this serves as a guide to whether you should go for an Android or an iPhone. And so far the Androids seem like they are taking the lead.
BUT, I will stop you there as there are some important things I deem crucial when it comes to choosing between the two.
What I didn't like about using Android phones:
- Bluetooth is still not fast (compared to AirDrop)
The AirDrop feature on Apple products is a Godsend. They are lightning-fast at sending visuals and even megabytes of videos almost in an instant.
So while I enjoyed spamming my Galaxy Z Flip3 with tons of photos and videos, I certainly procrastinate and do not enjoy transferring them out to another device. Even if I choose to be idle when I upload the content using Google Drive, it felt like I am waiting too long for the uploads to be completed.
- Samsung's complicated UI (iPhone's interface is just too simple)
Remember what I said about the iPhone's interface that is too simple? It's also a good thing, depending on how you look at it. Since Android phones like the Galaxy Z Flip3 offer a greater choice in how you can customise your phone, the chances of finding and discovering specific features can also be just as complicated.
I remembered how I only knew about Samsung's own Spatial Audio feature (which tweaks your audio preferences according to your age) after reading blogs and videos about it. And to access it, I had to go through multiple pages of settings before I reached it.
- Androids are still not as smooth in terms of processing power
Sure, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 is equipped with a capable Snapdragon 888 5G and 8GB RAM which aren't a slouch at performance. But it just can't beat Apple's own Bionic chipset and alleged 4GB RAM.
For the record, I did not come across any difficulties with the Galaxy Z Flip3's Snapdragon chipset (it's smooth) but the difference in performance on the iPhone 13 is a tad smoother when you're using the phone for gaming.
- OS Updates & Security
I think many of you know this was coming; Android's open-source nature just doesn't allow for a very secured operating system nor is an OS update guaranteed, at least compared to Apple.
Especially for the former; from head to toe, iPhones will always ask you for permission on every single little thing, even to the point of whether you want to allow app tracking after a major update. Whereas, Android apps and phones can track you without being too meticulous on your preferences.
I was taken aback when I started using an app that requires satellite signals on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, and it did not ask me about my tracking preferences whereas the same app on the iPhone will ask me if I want to allow app tracking indefinitely or only while using the app.
And on the latter; because Apple solely controls everything for each iPhone, it is just naturally easier for them to focus on the nitty-gritty when it comes to OS updates for every iPhone generation.
Conclusion
All in all, my verdict is that both systems still hold a candle to each other. They have their own strengths, and I do not favour one over the other.
If anything, I think the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 is a perfect lifestyle and productive phone for most. iPhone 13s too excel at what the Z Flip3 can offer, but its price and exclusivity in connectivity with other devices can be too limiting for many users.
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