I switched from Android to iPhone — here's what happened

a photo of the iPhone 13 Pro, Oppo Find X3 Pro and Google Pixel 6 Pro

(Image credit: Future)

I've never really nailed my colors to the mast of whatever platform; I've ever had an iOS or Android device around me, tin see the perks of macOS and Windows, and wouldn't exist able to cull between the PS5 vs Xbox Series X. Just despite this, I've been an Android smartphone user for the past five years.

That's non from any particular choice, just that I tend to test a lot of Android phones and and then I have gravitated more towards that platform. But as my kickoff smartphone was the iPhone 4s, I've always been curious what it would be like to fully become back to iOS after years with a bouquet of the best Android phones.

I had turned my nose up at the iPhone 13 — I felt information technology didn't go far enough to mix upward the iPhone formula and claimed I'd wait for an iPhone 14 — but I've had the opportunity to pop my SIM card into an iPhone 13 Pro, moving from the Google Pixel 6 Pro, to run into if I can be tempted to fully commit to sticking with iOS. And I have some thoughts.

Going iPhone xiii Pro

a photo of the iPhone 13 Pro — (Image credit: Hereafter)

While I had an iPhone 12 for a while, ane of the reasons I never moved to it was that Apple saddled it with a 60Hz display. Having been spoiled by the Samsung Milky way S21 and Oppo Discover X3 Pro for a good part of the twelvemonth, I at present find 60Hz screens to exist jarring. Heck, even 90Hz feels slow.

So Apple'south move to finally get 120Hz with an LTPO console caught my attention. And it'due south great.

I've long enjoyed Apple'south Retina display, but non only is the iPhone 13 Pro's OLED display lovely to look at, with buckets of colour and contrast, that 120Hz refresh rare is wonderfully smooth. Add in the fine timing of iOS and the iPhone'due south performance, and everything simply feel right to the touch on. The snappy responses means the iPhone 13 Pro feels like information technology's in sync with what I want to interact with, never lagging or going too fast.

Not anybody volition intendance about fast refresh rates, only for me information technology'south the essential characteristic to pull me back to iPhone afterwards Android life in the 120Hz fast lane. I'm disappointed Apple stuck with 60Hz for the regular iPhone 13 though.

The Pro appeal of the $999 iPhone also extends to its trio of rear cameras. While there'south no extra macro lens, microscope or super telephoto zoom, the principal, ultra-broad and telephoto suite of snappers remains the best camera combination for what I want from a smartphone. Sure, the pair of rear cameras on the standard iPhone 13 are great, just having that telephoto zoom just makes for more comprehensive photography options.

And the photography results are brilliant, backing up the iPhone 13 Pro's spot on our best camera phones list. Shots are colorful, full of item and dissimilarity, and just excellent across all three cameras.

The only fly in the ointment is I really like the contrast-y photos the Pixel 6 Pro delivers, making it very tricky to decide which is the best for me. I reckon the Pixel 6 Pro delivers the best main camera shots, simply the iPhone 13 Pro feels more consistent beyond all of it cameras and never once delivered a lackluster photo.

In terms of a point and shoot photography experience, I reckon the iPhone xiii Pro just nearly edges out the competition, even though the Pixel 6 Pro is likewise bright at this. Apple tree'south flagship certainly has the edge over the Galaxy S21, though that phone also takes bully photos.

On the video front, the iPhone 13 Pro proves yet again that iPhones are the king of video recording. I already constitute this to exist the case with the iPhone 12, so in that location were no surprises; non sure I'd get much use out of the Cinematic mode.

Could I recommend the iPhone 13 Pro'south cameras over the Pixel 6 Pro? Well, I'm non sure, as both are superb. Tin I recommend the iPhone thirteen Pro's cameras over those of any other phone? Yes, absolutely.

That former familiar feeling

As I've used an iPhone 12 for various tasks this year, such as explaining how to connect a PS5 DualSense controller to your iPhone, the pattern and feel of the iPhone 13 Pro felt wasn't annihilation new. Simply using it every bit my master phone, I was struck by but how familiar the phone felt, even coming from years of Android use.

The rounded rectangular design of iPhone 13 Pro took me back to the iPhone 4s, with the render of the flat edges feeling comfortable, nevertheless not slippery like the curved side on an OnePlus 9 Pro for case. Sure, they pick up fingerprints but they scream high-end industrial design.

As does the rest of the phone; nada seems out of place, nor are there whatsoever sharp edges. I love the design of the Pixel 6 Pro, and the Oppo Find X3 Pro feels lovely to hold, but neither quite convey a sense of impeccable build quality every bit the iPhone 13 Pro does. Then again Apple products have always had a high-level of build quality, Butterfly keyboard mechanism not withstanding.

I had thought the display notch would annoy me, as I'chiliad at present very used to punch-hole camera cutouts rather than notches of whatever shape or size. And yep, it'south not ideal and something I experience Apple really should change with the iPhone 14. Just information technology's smaller than before and when using nighttime mode on iOS information technology becomes a lot less intrusive.

And overall the 6.ane-inch brandish feels like the perfect size for me, leading to a phone that'south however usable in i paw simply has enough screen space to exist productive on the motility.

On to the software, it's the same story. iOS has evolved a lot since the iPhone 4s, but the menus, settings and apps still maintain a graphical pattern and finesse that I feel few native Android apps or skins can match. The weather app for example remains one of my favorites, with the background showing off the weather conditions outside in a wonderful flake of graphic design.

Pure Android 12, as well as the Pixel's take on it, shows how far Googles' mobile operating system has come up since my early days of using information technology with Android Jelly Bean and KitKat; it "just works" equally applies to Android as it does for iOS when it comes to ease of use.

But I nonetheless feel iOS has the edge in terms of overall design — the issue of tapping on an apps binder to accept a translucent box pop up showing the apps within it while blurring those in the groundwork is a pocket-sized but very pleasing touch.

Granted, it'southward taken me a piddling while to get reacquainted with iOS given my daily Android utilise. But once upwardly and running, I tin't deny that Apple's take on mobile software is simply bright.

Apple'south walled garden

Things are far from perfect with iOS though. The common complaint with iPhones is that Apple keeps them fairly locked down and restricts much customization below the surface. And I found that to be the case.

Just moving apps effectually to get the home screen set up up what way I wanted was deeply frustrating. You tin't simply drag and drop an app where you lot want it; move i and the residual motility equally well.

While the addition of widgets to iOS are appreciated, they lack the flexibility and variation of those found in Android. At the moment, iOS widgets all feel a little get-go generation, albeit very usable.

And while you tin can add in things like third-party keyboards, the process isn't very clear. Nor are there whatever options to really dig into iOS settings; there'southward no way to tweak the Retina display'south colors for example.

A lack of apps drawer, no always-on display, and the awkward treatment of lock screen notifications — you need a long printing to access them, which isn't made that clear from the starting time — take some of the shine off iOS.

I'one thousand no Android ability user, but I do similar the option to take options. Having said that, at that place's a benefit to Apple'southward locked down approach.

Controlling everything from the flake at the centre of the iPhone 13 Pro to the apps that make it into the App Store, has meant that both the phone and iOS experience honed to a fine point. Every app I've downloaded works perfectly with a consequent feel in design and performance; heck even Google apps like Docs and Drive are a joy to apply on iOS. And games, but on the App Store or provided through Apple Arcade, all run brilliantly, no doubt cheers to optimization and the sheer power of the A15 Bionic chip.

Sure, the walled garden arroyo Apple takes means some apps and games on Android aren't allowed on iOS; I really wish the iOS Xbox Game Laissez passer app had native game streaming enabled.

But there's a very comforting feeling being inside this restricted ecosystem. I'd liken it to being wrapped tightly in a duvet on a cold nighttime: you can't move much, simply y'all feel snug and content where you are.

iPhone: Boringly brilliant

The overall combination of slick pattern, brilliant cameras, carefully curated features and slick (if inflexible) software, is more than than plenty for most people. And the tightly tuned interplay betwixt iPhone, Apple tree Watch and MacBooks, all makes it clear to me why people choose iPhones and stick with them.

But I'm left wanting more. I feel the iPhone 13 Pro lacks the smarts of the Pixel 6 phones with the Tensor fleck and the features it enables. And there'due south nothing extra with Apple's phones, similar in that location is with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with its secondary telephoto camera and the ability to become a pseudo desktop computer with DeX.

a photo of the iPhone 13 Pro and the Google Pixel 6 — (Image credit: Futurity)

As such, the iPhone 13 Pro is brilliant but rather dull at the aforementioned fourth dimension. I'thou hoping that changes with the iPhone 14, with the adoption of USB-C connectivity, an nether-display have on Touch ID, improve widgets, and smart features for Siri that really offering something new and heady.

After all at that place's only then much incremental iteration Apple tin can do with the iPhone in its current tried-and-tested formula before information technology needs to get back to the cartoon board.

No piece of cake respond

iPhone 13 Pro on top of some Android phones — (Paradigm credit: Future)

The eye of this article isn't to appraise whether iOS is better or worse than Android. Both are excellent and accessible to all, with Android offer more than flexibility and options, while iOS offers a slick, consistent feel.

Rather I wanted to see if I, as a long-time Android user, could easily make the switch to iOS, as well every bit appraise if the dice-hard fandom toward Apple's phones is relevant at a fourth dimension when we're flush with excellent Android phones. And I had thought I'd end up coming hard on the side of Android or iOS as my platform of choice.

Just truth be told, I'm torn on my conclusion. That's mostly due to the Google Pixel 6 Pro being the Android phone I've been waiting for with its exciting mix of specs, smarts and stellar photography. Yet the iOS feel has got its claws in me, and the iPhone 13 Pro's size, design, and camera performance is undeniably appealing.

For work purposes, I've been conveying effectually both the iPhone 13 Pro and Pixel six Pro, and that won't change, but that my SIM is now in the Apple phone.

But, for the time existence, after a busy day of tech news and views, it'll be the iPhone 13 Pro that I reach for.

That's downward to three reasons: the lengthy battery life, the speedy mobile net connection, and AirPlay being fantabulous at piping music to my Sonos smart speaker when my home Wi-Fi is existence temperamental.

How long this volition remain the instance, I'thousand not and so certain. With the Samsung Galaxy S22 on the horizon, I'g sure the lure of a new Android phone will hook me. And my Pixel 6 Pro will also be kept within easy reach. Yet for amend or worse, the iPhone xiii Pro is now my everyday telephone; well done Apple, very well done.

Roland Moore-Colyer is U.1000. Editor at Tom'south Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He ofttimes writes nigh gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he'south also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can exist constitute wandering around London, often with a look of marvel on his face.