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Mixed Apple/Android household - does it matter?

26 replies

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 04/10/2019 13:02

For its several annoying shortcomings, we've always been happy on balance with Windows Phone. Internet Explorer is rubbish and crashy, but we've always liked the UI and most of the features.

However, we can't manage our lives without WhatsApp (first world problem) and it's dumping Windows Phone from the beginning of next year, so we've concluded that it's time to jump ship.

Between us, we want:
One very compact (4.5 - 4.8") phone, not bothered about headphone socket;
One very large 'phablet' - bigger the better - must have actual 3.5mm headphone socket (i.e. not shared with the charging port).
Both must have good rear cameras (we don't do selfies) and plenty of storage for photos and videos etc;

It looks like the solution is to get an iPhone 6S, 7 or 8 and one of the massive mid-range Samsungs. We're very happy with our service provider and will likely need to go for a phone that they offer on a contract (have always previously gone SIM-only with used Windows phones from CEX or eBay), which does limit us somewhat.

However, so many people seem to insist that you can't have a mixed-ecosystem household. Is it really a problem? We all only use Windows computers, not Macs. Our DS has an old iPad Mini, which we got for him because of the greater availability of games and compatibility with what he uses at school, if that makes any difference. He's 7, so too young for an actual phone (with communication abilities) now, but might we be storing up troubles for when he is old enough and forcing him to pick a side?!!

Are we utter fools for considering it or is it a big fuss about nothing? Are they easy to sync photos etc (can always transfer manually, I know)? Is it difficult to switch between them if we wanted to at a later date?

Also, does anybody know of any tiny Android phones that aren't rubbish and aren't too expensive, as that might possibly be achievable. I looked online for compact Android phones and it appears that anything under 5.9" is officially considered compact these days!!

Any input, suggestions or experiences would be very welcomed by us non-WP novices! TIA.

OP posts:
KarenWithTheHair · 04/10/2019 13:08

We’ve got two android users and two iPhone users. It’s a bit annoying sometimes but mostly fine. There’s a huge amount of faux rivalry though Grin

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 04/10/2019 13:55

Thanks a lot, Karen - sounds like much of it is just snobbery and silly competitiveness, then!

OP posts:
Keeoe · 04/10/2019 14:58

I'd go for Android every time. Never, ever got on with Apple devices. I currently have an S10+ which I adore, but is huge so you may find one of these www.androidauthority.com/best-small-android-phones-782746/ more to your liking. Swapping between 'droid phones is a dream (or has been every time I've done it) and all settings, apps, photos etc. carry over if you use the back up and transfer facilities. We are very firmly an Android only household here Grin

RavenLG · 04/10/2019 16:27

I could write Keeoe's post but from an iPhone user perspective. Never got on with android, every time I've changed phones it's worked fine etc. I have a mac and ipad so fully integrated, but DP has an andriod (and the thing has been crashing for the past year). We don't have a techy house though, the only thing we use the phone with is speakers but they are bluetooth so not a problem for either. I think it would depend what you want to sync and join up.

RedElephants · 04/10/2019 16:38

The only thing I find, is that I can't (different platforms or something) send pictures, screenshots or the like to my sons who both have android phones, I have to screen shot then send as a email.. I have a iPhone.

camflower · 05/10/2019 07:04

why not take the pic and share via WhatsApp? I do that all the time since losing iChat. i defected to android with a OnePlus 6 about 15 months ago cos the fruit phones 😁 have got sooo expensive and I am unlikely to go back. my other half is dyed in the wool apple and would never consider anything else! the one thing I miss is the find my friends thing which worked liked a dream. but now we both share the Google version which is laggy and nowhere near as good (and it means g knowing your every movement 🙄 )

DreamingofSunshine · 05/10/2019 07:12

I came on to say OnePlus was a great android phone, I've got a Huawei at the moment but it shares a charging port with the headphones.

We are a complete mix of android and apple as a household and its fine.

Trewser · 05/10/2019 07:14

We are a mix of apple and android. Works fine. Communicate via Facebook messenger.

circleorsquare · 05/10/2019 07:19

We're a mix and it's no issue at all! I prefer iPads to android tablets but prefer android phones to Apple.

Both children have iPhones which they've had for Christmas/birthday presents. DH has a Samsung, I'm currently using and iPhone but only because my Samsung broke and we had an old one kicking about. I'll go back to android once this one is no more!

Pinkyyy · 05/10/2019 07:19

What problems are you expecting to arise from having different phones? This is a genuine question as I don't see what difference it makes. We're a mix of apple/android and I can honestly say it's never even occurred to me that it could be an issue.

Trewser · 05/10/2019 07:20

Yes I'm not sure what the issue is either Confused

Trewser · 05/10/2019 07:21

RedElephants we use Facebook messenger for that but WhatsApp is also good.

swapsicles · 05/10/2019 07:24

Sony compact are great for small phones,
I have small hands and pockets so the xz1 I have currently fits easily in one hand and I can reach all of the screen without dropping it!

implantsandaDyson · 05/10/2019 08:27

I have a Samsung and my husband and two of the kids have Apples. Never noticed any problems- we share stuff via WhatsApp.

Adversecamber22 · 05/10/2019 08:33

Mixed house here. DH bought an i phone when they were first out and way ahead of any other product on the market and has stuck with them. I prefer my Samsung by far. It’s not caused any issues though I think Apple is over priced and it’s hardly unique anymore. I can’t see how any issue would arise either.

coconuttelegraph · 05/10/2019 08:33

This is a genuine question as I don't see what difference it makes

I think I must go through life unaware of so many things that I should worry about ☺. Surely family members choose which ever device they personally prefer, I had no idea that all having the same was a thing. What am I missing out on?

donquixotedelamancha · 05/10/2019 08:41

However, we can't manage our lives without WhatsApp (first world problem) and it's dumping Windows Phone from the beginning of next year

You really do mean windows phone then? How? Why? The last WP OS was in 2014 wasn't it? I had no clue any were still in use.

Any Android phone will work with well with anything. I think the Moto E and Moto G are excellent budget and mid-range choices (though not small). They will seem like Sci-fi compared to what you are used to.

If you go with Apple you may find some annoying things it doesn't do. For example, you can't just plug into a computer and drop files across. You will also pay a lot more for the experience.

BentNeckLady · 05/10/2019 08:42

We’re entirely apple and it works perfectly. All our diaries, photos, calendars, location services are all sync. I can control my children’s internet’s access and lining the amount of screen time they have - on all advices - from my phone.

You could probably do some of that my mixed devices if the people that had the iPhones used google bit that would be annoying for them as it isn’t as good as they system they’ve already got built built in to their phone.

I wouldn’t do it but I’m sure it can be done.

donquixotedelamancha · 05/10/2019 08:44

I had no idea that all having the same was a thing.

I know someone who bought an Apple phone for a child, then could not set up a child's account without another Apple device. It's not an issue with windows or Android devices.

tinkerprints · 05/10/2019 09:55

I've got an iPad Pro, a Samsung Galaxy Note10, and a MacBook Pro. Never had a problem with cross-device synchronisation, and I must say, I definitely feel like I have the best of both worlds with this setup!

Just pick a device you like, OP, and don't worry too much if it's running Android or iOS. Either way, it'll be fine.

CallarMorvern · 05/10/2019 11:43

I'm the sole Android fan in an Apple household. It's fine. We all share a Netflix and Apple music account, they work fine on all the phones. WhatsApp and FB messenger for messages, I play Words with Friends with DD, the app works on both operating systems.

I also went from Windows10 phone to Android. There are launchers you can use to make your start screen look like W10 with live tiles etc, if you want. I also use all my MS apps - Outlook for email, OneNote for notes and my phone auto backs up to OneDrive as I have a cloud account.

Honestly it's fine, you'll wonder why you didn't make the move sooner.

Gingaaarghpussy · 05/10/2019 12:42

I have a Samsung phone and tablet my son has an iPhone. I chose android because the phones are cheaper and I like the idea of os systems being named after sweets. I frequently have disagreements with my son about his "fruit" phone, mainly because it winds him up and we eventually agree to disagree Grin
Really I should be everything fruit, in solidarity to my aunt, who worked for them in their infancy. I think personally that there are more choices for android, plus you don't have to spend hundreds of pounds on a set of earphones cuz there's no jack.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 05/10/2019 13:13

Huawei abandoned the 3.5mm jack, but an adaptor is a fiver and I can play 3 hours on pubg before it needs charging. It has a beast mode if you use a high current cable, recharges in 20 minutes.

Trewser · 05/10/2019 13:31

Love my Samsung s9 and the 3.5 jack is essential for me. Can't be fannying around with an adaptor 1

Gingaaarghpussy · 05/10/2019 16:50

I also seem to remember my son saying something about generic bluetooth headphones not working with the fruit either.
I had a Huawei once it did my head in.