So, I wanted to try something different, and I was allowed to use an iPhone 6 Plus for a period of time, to see what the competition has to offer. I gave it a good try, and after two weeks of use, I am switching back to my Nexus 6.
Here is why:
1. Notifications - Google has really hit the nail on the head with its notifications screen. On Apple, they are an unorganized mess. I cannot delete emails from the notification screen. I cannot add YouTube videos to my Watch Later list from the notification. Most of this has to do with Google apps - they just have more options from the notification shade than on iOS.
2. Fingerprint sensor - sure, the Nexus 6 doesn't have one. But the fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 6 Plus is slow. And without Android's fantastic Smart Lock feature, it just takes longer to unlock an iPhone. And this leads me to my next point.
3. Android Wear - I got a Moto 360 Sport for Christmas, and it works so well with my Nexus 6. It barely functions with iOS. Smart Unlock, notifications, actions, all of it works so well on Android's platform, but Apple, being closed-sourced, barely allows me to connect my watch.
4. Open Source - this one is obvious. When I switched to Android from an iPhone back in 2012, it was because the Samsung Galaxy S3 had that big screen (big being relative to 2012). Today, it is about customization. Yes, iOS has a HUGE advantage over Android with updates and longevity of support for devices, but you are locked into only the features Apple will bestow upon you. With Android, you can do it all.
5. The Form Factor - I just love the Nexus 6. Dual front facing speakers. Small bezels. Round back. The dimple. The iPhone 6 Plus is a sleek looking piece of metal, but I just always go back to that N6 design. I think maybe only the Nexus 5 beats it in terms of simplicity, but the features I mentioned above puts the N6 in a special category.
There are lots of other little things about using iOS for two weeks that I came to both appreciate and be bothered about, but I wanted to keep the list to 5 major issues.
And there have been several phones since the Nexus 6 came out that have a design that I have liked, such as the HTC 10 and Moto G5 Plus, but they are missing key features, especially those front facing speakers.
Long live the Nexus 6!
Here is why:
1. Notifications - Google has really hit the nail on the head with its notifications screen. On Apple, they are an unorganized mess. I cannot delete emails from the notification screen. I cannot add YouTube videos to my Watch Later list from the notification. Most of this has to do with Google apps - they just have more options from the notification shade than on iOS.
2. Fingerprint sensor - sure, the Nexus 6 doesn't have one. But the fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 6 Plus is slow. And without Android's fantastic Smart Lock feature, it just takes longer to unlock an iPhone. And this leads me to my next point.
3. Android Wear - I got a Moto 360 Sport for Christmas, and it works so well with my Nexus 6. It barely functions with iOS. Smart Unlock, notifications, actions, all of it works so well on Android's platform, but Apple, being closed-sourced, barely allows me to connect my watch.
4. Open Source - this one is obvious. When I switched to Android from an iPhone back in 2012, it was because the Samsung Galaxy S3 had that big screen (big being relative to 2012). Today, it is about customization. Yes, iOS has a HUGE advantage over Android with updates and longevity of support for devices, but you are locked into only the features Apple will bestow upon you. With Android, you can do it all.
5. The Form Factor - I just love the Nexus 6. Dual front facing speakers. Small bezels. Round back. The dimple. The iPhone 6 Plus is a sleek looking piece of metal, but I just always go back to that N6 design. I think maybe only the Nexus 5 beats it in terms of simplicity, but the features I mentioned above puts the N6 in a special category.
There are lots of other little things about using iOS for two weeks that I came to both appreciate and be bothered about, but I wanted to keep the list to 5 major issues.
And there have been several phones since the Nexus 6 came out that have a design that I have liked, such as the HTC 10 and Moto G5 Plus, but they are missing key features, especially those front facing speakers.
Long live the Nexus 6!