Fed up with Apple, can anybody recommend a phone? Did you manage to switch from iOS to Android okay?

[citiesofbismuth]

I've had iPhones since 2012, but the latest X ones are way too expensive and I have nothing to upgrade to.

Can anybody recommend a decent quality phone? Also, did you manage to make the switch from iOS to android okay?

I need something with a largish screen, but not a huge handset as I have small hands. I have an iPhone 6 Plus, but it's too big really.

Same here.

I have a Google Phone and will never move back. I adore it.

It's sleek, well built, premium material, the operating system is beautiful and light and EVERYTHING is easy to costumise.

The screen is pretty big, but the handset is not unwieldy.

My daughter has been with Samsung for years but is moving to an iPhone as the current Samsung all seem to have curved edge screens, which she finds vulnerable to damage. I have both and much prefer the Samsung, although mine is an older model with sides and everything 😊

Yes, the Samsung curved sides are vulnerable. Ds1 has an older Samsung that he likes.

Which Google phone do you have pumpkin?

The Google Pixel 3 is out on 9 October, so might be worth waiting a couple of weeks, the 2s will drop in prices (currently around £450)

I have the Nexus 6P.

It's actually my second - they don't even sell it anymore, but I bought it brand new from Hong Kong on Ebay. I love it that much.

Having said that, I might upgrade to the Pixel XL when my Nexus dies.

We were Apple early adopters and even travelled from Sydney to San Fran to get the very first Iphone model (we were childless and free at the time), but I just find them overpriced and not that innovative anymore.

00100001 makes a great point, the Pixels might come down in price now, so worth waiting.

Yes, I saw that there was a new pixel due out.

Will I be able to swap my stuff over to android? There's an app apparently. Is security okay?

I'm the opposite, I prefer the apps on my iPad to the android ones and am thinking of switching to and iPhone after the Samsung edge.

Pre iPod I was perfectly happy with the Samsung, this is only a recent thing for me. I'm also not finding the kids tracking/safety apps as easy to use as my friends who have iPhones (and who's kids have iPhones).

My kids are adult and teen, so I'm not too worried about the tracking thing. I'm still using it for ds2 as he has aspergers, but he's 14 now.

I switched from iPhone to Android ages ago. It was perfectly easy and I think would be easier now.

I have a Pixel 2 and absolutely love it. If you buy from the Google Play Store, the customer service is outstanding in the event of a problem.

I've been thinking about the Huawei phones, they get good reviews on John Lewis.

Do you “need” the latest model of whatever phone you get? If the 6 plus is too big but otherwise does what you need it too what would be wrong with a 6 or 7.

I admit I don’t like Android. I like iOS a lot and find it much sleeker and that it more effectively hides the mess of itself as an operating system from the user than android, plus I never found an icon set I liked for android and I think the App Store is faaaaar better curated than the google store - on android I’m never sure if I can trust an app I’m downloading. Some apps have slipped through the net on iOS but much fewer.

I have a 7 and I don’t plan to upgrade for at least a couple of years. Apple are working hard on making sure iOS updates can roll out to older phones for as long as possible and improve performance on them. The x’s are ridic but they’re not the only option for an iOS phone. Nothing wrong at all with my phone, I can’t really see why on Earth I’d upgrade it.

I very recently made the switch from apple to android and within 2 weeks I switched back. I find apple phones almost instantaneously responsive, tidy, more user friendly and intuitive. I had the newest Samsung and I just found it clunky, glitchy, messy and just couldn't get on with it!

Just get an older iPhone I reckon!

I’ve also fallen in love with iCal, I have hated all online calendar apps before this one. Until I get an iPhone I’m figuring out how to get iCal for Android!

I don't need the newest phone, but the 6plus is too big and the 8 is too small. I want something with a largish screen, but not a large phone ifyswim. I'm looking at the Samsung galaxy s9.

I don't use many apps, just mumsnet, tripadvisor, reddit and a calendar app.

iOS is the only reason I've stayed with Apple as I do like it. I am worried I switch to android and can't get on with it. I feel that Apple are screwing money out of people for not that much in return. The X phones are getting slated on social media because they're a letdown and aren't offering anything very innovative. They've even discontinued the X which is a cheek considering it's only been out a year.

My phone is my only gadget and I like spending time on it. I guess I want novelty value as well.

OP I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination (though DH is and he has strong views about it).

But I'd add that Goggle phones are nothing like other android phones, because they're "pure android". They don't come loaded with lots of proprietary rubbish apps you can't get rid of and are (obviously) built for their own operating system.

They're also the first to get updates and are lightening fast. They also use Google authenticator for lots of things as a two factor authentication safety (which is great).

Finally, they can be costumised to the minute degree. This was important to me because I love minimalist aesthetics and am particular about that.

It would be nice if you could play around with one before making a decision.

I'll try to get a screenshot of my home screen tonight and post it.

Apologies for lack of paragraphs; it would appear MN still hasn't solved the enter-key problem!

Look at the Moto G6 phones. Mid range, but fabulous value. And no problem changing to Android. The whole family have done it & would never change back, the cost of iPhones is ridiculous. Pixel phones are v good too, and maybe slightly more "premium"?

Take a look at huawie. They are great phones and the cameras are brilliant. And they are much cheaper than iphones.

You can just get a regular 7 orb8. Smaller than the 6plus.

I've got the Huawei p20 pro. Camera quality is amazing. It's super fast and I find it really easy to use. It's also so pretty

I hate my android. The only reason I still use the bastard is that it has dual sim. I only use it when I leave the house and working, otherwise, it stays on the shelf. Dear honor can go and shove herself up her own arse. Hated the kids' phones as well, they've had various androids over the years from the Pixi to the Samsungs and the Huwai. Glitchy, clunky, unresponsive, apps crashed a lot, Bluetooth works when it can be bothered which isn't that great when you need this to work.

I also have the Huaweii P20 pro.... it’s amazing.

Camera is fantastic
Battery life awesome
Screen clarity amazing.

Intuitive, easy to use. And really really pretty.

Thanks for all these suggestions, I'm investigating each one.

Pixel phones really are lovely. The camera on the Pixel 2 is the best rated of any phone camera, if that matters to you. Battery life excellent. I use my phone a lot and it lasts about a day and a half easily. It is a good time to get a Pixel 2 as Pixel 3 is about to arrive on, I think October 4th. I have a Pixel 2 and DD has a Pixel and we both love them.

One thing to take account of is that you don't have genius bar or anything like that, if you use it. However, when I have had a problem (twice over several years) the customer service is amazing. If you buy from the Google store, you enter your phone number and the issue on a form and Google rings you back within a minute or so and talks you through troubleshooting. If this doesn't work, they send a courier to your house with a new phone and collect the old one.

Never had any issues with crashing, bluetooth, glitches or anything else. The problem I had with my Nexus 6 was that it would occasionally randomly switch itself off. They just sent me a new phone. One other time previously, the troubleshooting on the phone worked for the same issue. I've not had any problems at all with my Pixel 2. DH has had just as many problems with his iPhone as I've had with my Androids and spends several days each year getting stuff sorted at the shop.

I would agree that Google phones are way better than other Android options, though they do carry the consequent price tag if bought when still a new model. The best thing is absolutely no bloatware. You can uninstall anything at all you don't want. DH seems to have a ton of stuff on his iPhone that he never uses but can't get rid of.

I did have a Samsung Note ages ago but having switched to stock Android I would never go back to the Samsung version.