ARTICLE – Like many of you, I watched yesterday’s live stream of Apple’s Gather Round event and I really have to hand it to Apple. They are masters at reeling me in with their dirty nerd talk of bionic processors, neural engines, advanced algorithms, and sensors. Those terms give me goosebumps. Or maybe Apple is hiding subliminal messages in the new commercials that they demoed during the event. Whatever it is, it works and hooks me every time.
I came away yesterday afternoon excited about the prospect of giving an iPhone another shot at becoming my daily smartphone. Yes, I know you’ve heard this before and if you’ve followed me over the years, you know I say something similar every year only to either change my mind and cancel the order or return the phone within a couple of weeks.
This one time Apple fangirl, turned Android fangirl that you know as The Gadgeteer, just can’t help herself when it comes to trying to switch from one platform to another. I used iPhones for several years from the first one through the iPhone 4 but then I switched to Android and have been using Android smartphones ever since.
Why do I prefer Android? I often ask myself that question. I used to say it was because I like that Android lets me arrange icons and add widgets to the home screen where ever I want. But in reality, I rarely do that these days. Other than changing my wallpaper every so often, I don’t customize the look of my phone like I used to. I also used to say that I prefer Android because I use a lot of Google services and they just work better on Android. I’m not sure that even matters today. It’s simple to set up the iPhone to sync mail and calendars with Gmail and Google Calendar.
For me, it comes down to the hardware and really the camera. That’s why my current phone is the Pixel 2 XL. It has or had the best camera at the time I bought it last October. But all the talk and demos yesterday for the iPhone’s updated camera have me curious and excited for a potential upgrade/switch because my smartphone is my ONLY camera these days. All the product images that you see in my reviews are either taken with my Pixel 2 XL or the Huawei P20.
So I’ll be setting my alarm for 3am EST so I can wake up and pre-order a Space Gray 256GB iPhone Xs MAX for $1249 tomorrow morning. It’s crazy to spend the same amount of money that I could spend to buy a new entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, but then I’m a little crazy when it comes to gadgets. Will I actually Android and stick with the iPhone this time? I have no idea. But I’ll have fun giving it a try. At least until I get sucked back to Android when the new Pixel 3 is announced! Anyone else thinking of switching from an Android phone to one of the new iPhones?
Head over to Apple to check out the details on the new iPhones.
Updates 09/14/18
My alarm went off at 2:50am EST this morning and I popped out of bed, trudged downstairs and loaded up Apple.com on my 12-inch MacBook. I had planned to order using Jeanne’s ancient iPad but it wouldn’t install the Apple Store app without an update to iOS v10.0 first. Remember, I said it was ancient. I didn’t want to deal with doing an update so I decided to go the old-fashioned route and use my MB.
The Apple Store didn’t come back online until about 3:05am EST for me (and after at least 1 billion presses of the refresh button). Although I’m a T-Mobile customer, I bought the SIM free version which I was surprised was available on pre-order day. It usually isn’t available until weeks later if memory serves me.
Anyway, badda bing, badda boom, order placed for a 256GB Space Gray iPhone Xs MAX due to be delivered next Friday.
And since I was already awake, I got in the shower, got dressed and got to work 2 hrs earlier than normal at 4am so I can leave early today. Yay!
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Good luck! Personally, I’m trying to decide whether to upgrade my refurb 1st gen Apple Watch since the next OS won’t be supported. Probably – but unless sellers start reducing their Series 3 pricing significantly it seems to make sense to buy a new Series 4 for the new features.
I had thought to order the new Fitbit Charge 3, since my Charge 2 is coming apart – I prefer the Fitbit app data display and being able to wear the Charge overnight (I tried Apple sleep tracking but forgetting to charge kept biting me).
The new health features on the Series 4 look pretty cool but I know I’d never wear it for any length of time.
$1300 is ridiculous for a phone, especially in a world where nearly identical devices, with more flexibility because…Android…exist in the world.
I just think it’s hilarious that a company so focused on brand image and identity is pushing a device that cost 3-4 times what it should named the “Excess” and will get all bent when people call it that, just like the iWatch.
I agree that the price is insane, but people (me included) line up to pay it. Is it FOMO? Most definitely. But then again, I use my phone as a phone, a test bed for various connected gadgets, AND as a camera to take product shots for my reviews. Is that how I justify to myself that I’m spending this much money on a phone? You betcha. 😉
I will be upgrading to an XS from an iPhone 7 Plus. I can’t decide between an Xs or Xs MAX, since the cameras are identical.
I’m going with the Max because it’s almost the exact size of my Pixel 2 XL so it won’t feel any different.
Julie: admitting that you “know” you’re making up excuses for that unjustified purchase… well…
Just buy the damn thing and don’t pay attention to the people (me included) who think it’s a ridiculous addiction.
Be your own (addicted) girl !
😉 Ha! I don’t pay attention to the haters who will be all mad if I try an iPhone or on the flip side, others who will get bent out of shape when I send it back in a couple weeks for a refund and go back to Android. I like just like trying stuff to see what sticks. 🙂
> I like just like trying stuff…
I think I’m on the same boat. Been on Linux/Mint for several years but decided to give Win10 a try (via a new laptop purchase). I plan to nuke it but it’s giving me a chance to kick the tires.
Also want to do the same with a Chromebook. I want to see what Google has done with Android/Linux integration and overall user experience. I’ll nuke ChromeOS, if possible, when I’m done too. Neither of those two systems respect the end-user.
As for Apple… they generate no excitement for me. Closed, dongles, iTunes, no ports, accessories… But yeah, I agree: they make an expensive camera that takes decent pics;)
Here’s how I see it…your money, your choice. If someone wants to spend x on a product, that is their choice. Me? Nope, nothing against iphones, but I like to buy phones “on the cheap”. I ran the Mate 2, 8, 9 and then when they pretty much bottomed out the Essential, bought one for less than 300 bucks! It’s a great phone and I have had ZERO issues. As for the camera, it’s not the most important thing because if I really want something more than a snapshot, I dig out my expensive d-SLR and bag of lenses, because I’m picky about photography 😉
I sold my Canon 70D and lens last year and switched to phone only photography 🙂
My alarm went off at 2:50am EST this morning and I popped out of bed, trudged downstairs and loaded up Apple.com on my 12-inch MacBook. I had planned to order using Jeanne’s ancient iPad but it wouldn’t install the Apple Store app without an update to iOS v10.0 first. Remember, I said it was ancient. I didn’t want to deal with doing an update so I decided to go the old-fashioned route and use my MB.
The Apple Store didn’t come back online until about 3:05am EST for me (and after at least 1 billion presses of the refresh button). Although I’m a T-Mobile customer, I bought the SIM free version which I was surprised was available on pre-order day. It usually isn’t available until weeks later if memory serves me.
Anyway, badda bing, badda boom, order placed for a 256GB Space Gray iPhone Xs MAX due to be delivered next Friday.
And since I was already awake, I got in the shower, got dressed and got to work 2 hrs earlier than normal at 4am so I can leave early today. Yay!
I ordered a 256GB Space Gray XS Max – as well, plus a G4 Celluar Watch.
I’ll be like a kid on Christmas morning next Friday evening.
Congrats! I was tempted but the watches but I know I won’t wear one with enough consistency to justify the price.
Apple vs. Android. Competition is good ! It keeps prices down. Well, Android prices anyway. 🙂