The iPhone is the best-selling smartphone on the planet and, within the US particularly, it’s clearly a dominant drive. I’m an Android individual by selection, however every so often, I spend time with the newest iPhone to take a peek inside Apple’s backyard, attempting to not get trapped inside its partitions. Over the previous a number of months, I’ve been utilizing the iPhone 15 Professional on and off and, effectively, I’ve obtained ideas.
The final time I used an iPhone for an prolonged time period was with 2017’s iPhone X, the machine that basically set the stage for Apple’s large evolution of the iPhone. However that was fairly short-lived, because the machine was rapidly relegated to a couple random use circumstances and checking in on new apps and options sometimes. I’ve continued to fortunately use dozens of various Android telephones over time since, often a Pixel or a foldable.
However the iPhone 15 Professional lastly piqued my curiosity sufficient to fork over $1,000 and provides Apple one other shot at convincing me.
What the iPhone will get proper
Digicam, {hardware}, battery life, and eventually, USB-C
Earlier than we get to the complaints, let’s speak concerning the good issues concerning the iPhone, and that begins with the {hardware}. Apple is aware of find out how to design a cellphone, and fairly effectively too. The iPhone 15 Professional’s titanium construct is massively overhyped by Apple in promoting, but it surely’s fairly good. The cellphone feels unexpectedly mild, however nonetheless very sturdy and premium. I’ve spent most of my time utilizing the machine with a Nomad leather-based case, however any time it’s not in that case remains to be a delight.
The {hardware} additionally has two large highlights to me. For one, I like the colour. The blue shade Apple is utilizing right here seems to be nice, although I do very a lot want the “Bay” blue coloration of the Pixel 8 Professional, however Apple’s darker coloration has its enchantment.
The opposite large spotlight is the dimensions. Android telephones of smaller sizes are sometimes sacrificing lots for his or her measurement. The Pixel 8 is a reasonably robust providing, but it surely’s additionally not fairly as small because the iPhone. And, whereas I’m all for large telephones, I’ve actually come to understand utilizing a smaller machine. Now, that often comes with the asterisk of that important show unfolding to disclose a pill – the Pixel Fold is very good on this facet – but it surely’s been a delight having fun with a completely powered small smartphone with out additionally throwing away battery life.
And, on that notice.
The battery life may be one of many strongest features of the iPhone 15 Professional. For its measurement, it’s spectacular. I’ve principally used this machine as a secondary carry, however on the various days I’ve run it as my solely smartphone, it has finished fairly effectively, simply lasting a full day with none battery anxiousness, one thing that my Pixel 8 Professional, regardless of its greater measurement and battery, struggles with. Now, that may be partially as a result of I don’t have a loopy variety of apps put in but, however I’ve nonetheless been very happy.
Plus, that is the iPhone that lastly has USB-C!
I stated a number of years in the past that USB-C is what would get me to provide the iPhone one other strive, and I feel this got here on the excellent time. Apple might have been pressured into it, however the firm’s implementation is simply what I hoped for – fully impartial. There’s no trickery happening. USB-C, for lack of a greater time period, simply works. My chargers, my equipment, all the things works as I anticipate to. Apple ought to have finished this ages in the past, however I’m glad it’s lastly right here.
After which there’s the digital camera. Issues have come a good distance because the iPhone X I final used.
The iPhone 15 Professional’s triple digital camera array is constant and predictable, which is precisely what I would like from a smartphone digital camera. I feel, for stills, Apple and Google actually hit up towards the identical wall relating to digital camera high quality. For probably the most half, the “higher” picture actually simply comes down to non-public desire. I feel I nonetheless want the Pixel’s contrast-y look general, however the iPhone’s tackle pictures remains to be nice. It additionally works extra persistently throughout apps, someplace Android actually struggles.
Listed here are a number of pictures taken on the iPhone 15 Professional over the previous few months.
Video is the place Apple’s digital camera expertise undoubtedly pulls forward. While Video Boost on the Pixel 8 Pro gives Apple’s results a run for their money, Apple’s digital camera information at roughly that high quality with out hours of cloud processing, and Apple’s help for LOG recording simply opens up a world of prospects. The typical buyer received’t profit from that, however the digital camera right here is simply nice.
That stated, let’s get to the enjoyable stuff. The various complaints and complications.
Let’s discuss iOS
I at all times knew that my expertise with iOS can be filled with complications, however seemingly round each nook was one more reason I simply dislike the platform. There’s lots to speak about, however let’s begin with the homescreen.
For the reason that final time I hung out with an iPhone, the homescreen has advanced fairly a bit. There are widgets, and the “App Library” too, issues I at all times missed in my previous bouts with the platform. Widgets are fairly effectively finished, although to be trustworthy, it’s a function I’ve moved away from over time. I barely apply it to Android, and I didn’t actually discover myself utilizing it a lot on iOS. However on the very least it’s a well-implemented function and has tons of developer help.
The App Library, although, is only a mess.
The iOS homescreen has at all times felt messy and unorganized to me simply because each single app in your machine is pressured to be in view. The App Library technically fixes that by providing you with the choice to take away these apps from the homescreen and dump them some place else. However by some means, it simply feels worse. iOS mechanically organizes your apps within the Library primarily based on classes, however you actually don’t have any management, which makes it more durable to make use of. There’s a search operate, which is de facto the one means this has felt helpful to me. And it actually looks like the one cause this function is like it is because Apple couldn’t admit it was mistaken. The app drawer on Android is an excellent merely, alphabetical listing of your apps obtainable at a fast swipe. It’s intuitive. It’s simple. The App Library is neither of these issues. It’s dangerous.
Since we’re speaking about dangerous issues, let’s get round to what was clearly coming.
iOS notifications.
Over the previous few months, I’ve come all the way down to the opinon that Apple is purposefully designing iOS to make you overlook about notifications, as a result of in any other case, I can’t see how issues have come to the purpose they’re right now. Once you pull all the way down to entry Notification Middle, iOS solely exhibits you one or two notifications. You must swipe via to entry extra, and it usually looks like they’re no rhyme or cause to how they present up. The plain objective is to point out issues chronologically, however that falls aside in the event you get a variety of notifications over the course of a day.
The way in which by which iOS teams notifications is my largest problem general. When you sustain with notifications as they arrive, it’s comparatively constant and simple, however usually occasions I’ll discover that if I’ve had my cellphone in my pocket for some time, I’ll have a number of teams of emails, a number of teams of messages for numerous apps, and a number of teams of social notifications which can be simply all combined between one another. For instance, if I get Telegram notifications from a number of group chats, a number of Twitter/X notifications, and some emails over the course of an hour, they may be cut up into 7 or 8 teams. The chronological method to notifications is sensible in the event you’re glued to your cellphone, however I’m firmly of the opinion that isn’t the way it ought to work. Personally, I’ve discovered myself continuously lacking notifications because of simply not with the ability to see them rapidly. And, till I actually dig in, I do not know what number of notifications I’ve. Whether or not I’ve a few messages and an e-mail, or a dozen apps sending me notices, all of it seems to be the identical. And a few notifications simply by no means go away till you clear them, even when they’ve been addressed ages in the past. Once more, that is an space I actually really feel Android does it higher. You possibly can see a handful of notification icons on the high of the display screen to rapidly get an concept of what’s happening, and the grouping methodology is way, much better.
I feel iOS notifications have little to no redeeming qualities, however not each facet of iOS was so polarizing to me, just like the keyboard expertise.
I believed smartphone keyboards had been one thing we found out a very long time in the past, however each time I transfer away from Google’s Gboard (on Android), I’m reminded simply how loopy issues can get.
The inventory keyboard on iOS is high-quality, however I feel it will get just a little an excessive amount of reward. The keyboard is nice for two-handed typing particularly. I feel the spacing is de facto good, and it’s simple to select up the muscle reminiscence too. Swipe typing, an Android authentic, can also be very effectively carried out.
However Apple’s autocorrect is means past aggressive, and genuinely a ache to cope with.
Autocorrect is one thing everybody wants, however there’s a line you must stroll. With autocorrect in Apple’s default keyboard, the entire system simply feels prefer it received’t admit when it’s mistaken (very similar to Apple itself). You can also make the identical correction three or 4 occasions, and it’s not going to get the purpose and simply preserve making the identical correction. Past that, and my largest gripe, is that autocorrect will kick in even after you’ve hit ship. When you’re a completed message and hit the ship button, if the keyboard feels there’s a correction to be made on that final phrase, it is going to do it as you hit ship. This results in irritating edits after the very fact (if that’s an choice) far too usually.
Voice-to-text is equally annoying. Generally it could work splendidly, and virtually match the Pixel, which is the present gold normal for voice-to-text right now. However, different occasions, it simply goes off the rails, although not almost as a lot as Samsung’s truly awful voice-to-text.
There are additionally simply options and choices lacking. It blows my thoughts that Apple’s default keyboard doesn’t help GIF insertion, there’s no approach to present a quantity row, and I hate that there’s no approach to decrease the keyboard with out tapping within the app above it.
iOS does, fortunately, help switching out the keyboard, however I’ve not discovered any that I really like. Gboard, my go-to on Android, looks like a shell of its true self on iOS, with a structure that’s not nearly as good and GIF insertion that’s nowhere close to as seamless (which, in fact, is iOS’ fault). If there’s one factor the keyboard actually will get proper, it’s autofill. The place Android’s autofill choice is messy and inconsistent (a rant I intend to have one other day), iOS autofill is quick and dependable, even with third-party apps like 1Password.
Simply probably the most annoying a part of utilizing iOS after years on Android is the shortage of a again button. This logical a part of the working system feels so essential, until you’re Apple apparently.
iOS has been designed round not having a system-wide again button for years, so apps are well-stocked with built-in again buttons. Usually, there’s additionally a again gesture once you swipe (solely) from the left facet of the display screen. Typically talking, the shortage of a again button isn’t a drawback, but it surely’s an inconvenience.
So many occasions I’ve been in apps that don’t have a again button in sure UIs, leaving me caught in that display screen until I transfer ahead. Generally, loopy sufficient, individuals change their minds. However Apple leaves the duty on builders to construct this backtracking into their apps, and it’s simply not at all times there. One instance of that is the app UDisc, for monitoring disc golf rounds. Once I’m in a scorecard, there’s no means for me to return to the remainder of the app with out closing the app or “ending” my card. On Android, all I’ve to do is hit the again button, however since that’s not an choice on iOS, I’m simply caught till the spherical is over. Now, I’m positive the response to this can be “the developer ought to have added a again button,” and technically, you’re proper. However why is the duty on them?
Why can’t iOS have a again button? I’ve by no means actually understood arguments towards it. To me, it simply looks as if a logical, helpful operate, and it’s loopy that in 2024 it’s nonetheless not a factor.
Android and iOS are each extremely mature working techniques that know what they do, and don’t wish to be. As such, when new options arrive in both, they’re fairly often impressed by the opposite.
By way of my use of the iPhone 15 Professional, I’ve come throughout issues I would like Android to have, however there’s a ton I would like from Android to be obtainable over on iOS. And, in the end, it simply looks like Apple doesn’t wish to admit Android did one thing higher. When that does occur, Apple simply comes up with probably the most convoluted approach to do the factor simply to keep away from admitting Android was proper. The perfect instance of that is the App Library which, as talked about, is only a mess, however this simply looks like an overarching theme of a variety of Apple’s latest, overdue function additions.
In fact, there’s lots to be stated about Android copying iOS options too. Samsung and others have been fairly shameless about this over time, however in a means, that’s a very good factor. These Android manufacturers aren’t actually afraid to take a look at a function Apple has launched and say “hey, that’s a good suggestion.”
And, sure, there are numerous these good concepts within the software program too.
One factor I’ve fairly favored has been the power to rotate via lockscreens rapidly. The presets are helpful and intensely well-implemented. I additionally love having lockscreen widgets, one thing that Android by no means ought to have thrown away.
Apps are, in fact, additionally an enormous spotlight of iOS. The general bar for high quality appears a minimum of a pair notches larger on iOS than it does on Android, however provided that you determine to dive into apps which can be iOS-only. When you stay a cross-platform life, like I do, apps on iOS feels equal to their Android counterparts for the big majority. Satirically, it’s Google apps that really feel probably the most behind on iOS. One thing that I did very a lot get pleasure from was the App Retailer, if just for the impossibly quick app installs that really feel prompt in comparison with Android’s usually sluggish course of.
StandBy is one other standout for me. Mixed with MagSafe docks, it supercharges the always-on show with large clocks, climate notifications, and extra. It’s been tremendous helpful at my desk. My Pixel does one thing comparable with the Pixel Stand, however Apple’s implementation is best for my part, as I don’t at all times wish to use this. Having the ability to have it available by merely rotating the machine is sensible!
Then, in fact, we’ve additionally obtained to speak concerning the “ecosystem.”
It is a pitch that’s by no means actually appealed to me, as a result of I attempt to stay my tech life as “platform-agnostic” as potential. Apps that don’t work throughout gadgets simply don’t earn their place in my workflow. That’s why Apple’s method to apps and companies simply doesn’t enchantment to me, and why Google’s do.
However even I’ve obtained to confess there are some pleasant little touches all through the ecosystem.
As an example, I simply picked up a MacBook Air after years of being fed up with terrible battery life on Home windows laptops (fingers are crossed onerous for Snapdragon X Elite), and the pace at which the MacBook can set off a hotspot on my iPhone is fantastic. It’s actually helpful for on-the-go work, and made the change from my LTE-connected HP Dragonfly Chromebook means much less painful. This isn’t some outlandish concept, and you are able to do the identical between Android telephones and ChromeOS, and even some Home windows laptops, but it surely works actually effectively right here.
Equally, connecting the iPhone to a MacBook webcam might be borderline magical (if barely tedious with out equipment), and higher than what Android currently offers. And, on the same MacBook notice, I actually like getting notifications on the iPhone once I depart the Mac behind via the Discover My app.
On that notice, I’ve additionally actually loved AirTags. That is one thing that I’ll lastly be getting on Android quickly now that the Discover My Machine community is stay, however I’ll be impressed if it matches the identical seamless degree of integration because the AirTag has thus far. One factor Android will certainly be lacking is UWB, as AirTag helps it, however not one of the Android trackers do. I additionally applaud Apple for placing the identical UWB {hardware} on this smaller iPhone 15 Professional because it does in bigger fashions, whereas most Android producers skip UWB on something however their top-tier flagships. That’s a short-sighted transfer.
There’s additionally Apple Pockets, which is superior to Google Pockets. Admittedly, I didn’t use this lots because the iPhone spent most of its time as my secondary machine, but it surely integrates higher with playing cards – it’s tremendous handy to see my full AMEX transaction historical past versus simply what occurred with Apple Pay – and works with way more passes. Swapping playing cards through a double faucet of the ability button can also be tremendous helpful (although I’d quite have a digital camera shortcut there).
Siri Shortcuts are one other factor that impressed me. I didn’t dive into this performance too far, however I feel it’s loopy simply how a lot you are able to do with Shortcuts, and loopy that Android doesn’t have something remotely comparable. My colleague Damien Wilde loves this options particularly.
Then, there’s iMessage.
iMessage is severely overrated.
It’s a very good messaging app, but it surely’s no higher than every other trendy messaging app, and all of these don’t require individuals to purchase a selected smartphone simply to make use of it. I’ve said my piece on iMessage before, and 6 months on an iPhone hasn’t modified something.
Use other messaging apps people, please.
In the long run, I feel iOS is a very high-quality and really well-built working system. It has the entire options you want, a variety of useful tips, and an interface that’s pretty simple to grasp, even when I feel some issues (like notifications) are unintuitive.
I simply don’t prefer it.
I like with the ability to have my homescreen simply the way in which I would like it. I like being able to manually sideload app updates. However greater than something, I simply want the way in which Android, particularly on a Pixel, works. And that’s okay. Everyone seems to be allowed to have their opinions. When you like iOS, that’s nice!
The Motion Button was wasted
One of many new issues to iOS on the iPhone 15 Professional is the “Motion Button.” It’s a reasonably wild new concept for the world of iOS. A customizable button that you would be able to select what it does. It replaces the mute change, and as such defaults to changing that performance.
It in all probability ought to have stayed that means.
The Motion Button is a good suggestion inherently, but it surely has some key flaws. At the start is the requirement to press and maintain the button to do something. My first thought for this button was to assign it to open the digital camera, as iPhone lacks the double-tab gesture for accessing the digital camera rapidly through the ability button. However the press-and-hold gesture takes too lengthy and simply finally ends up feeling extra cumbersome.
The place Apple actually might have made this function shine was in giving customers three actions. One with a single faucet, one with a double-tap, and a 3rd with the present press-and-hold. Even when simply the latter two had been obtainable, it’d be considerably extra helpful than it’s right now.
Proper now, the most effective operate for the Motion Button is to make use of a Siri Shortcut menu. This allows you to choose and select from a number of features. I feel it’s nonetheless just a little cumbersome due to the time required for the button to be pressed, and due to the button’s excessive placement, but it surely’s nonetheless helpful performance.
The iPhone isn’t for me, but it surely’s nonetheless the smartphone to beat
Simply because the iPhone isn’t for me, although, doesn’t imply there aren’t good causes for thousands and thousands upon thousands and thousands of individuals to purchase it. Apple has an inherently incredible product right here, and it’s completely the gold normal of the smartphone trade right now.
On the finish of the day, it’s onerous to beat the iPhone’s worth proposition. The $999 iPhone 15 Professional I’m utilizing has cutting-edge processing energy below the hood that may “future-proof” it for years to come back. It has extra digital camera performance than most Android telephones. It has steady software program that can be up to date for a number of years. And it has unique options that Android doesn’t.
Apple has constructed a very good product that individuals ought to love. Each Android flagship will get measured as much as the iPhone, and for good cause.
The iPhone may be very, superb, so long as you really like utilizing it. It’s simply not for me.
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