Apple products like iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches have made a global impact with their sleek design and style, admired even by non-Apple users. However, they may not be the best fit for everyone. As primarily an Android and Windows user, I largely avoid purchasing or dealing with Apple products, and here are the main reasons why.
1. “Apple Tax”: The Price of Premium
I am not anti-Apple. The first computer I used in the ’90s was an Apple Classic, and I also worked with iMacs for college projects. Apple opened my eyes to the world of computers. Even after switching to Windows NT/2000, I longed for the comfortable keys and beautiful pixelation of vintage Apple devices.
However, since the smartphone era began, I’ve noticed that Apple products have become prohibitively expensive. Often referred to as the “Apple tax,” I have been finding iPhones and MacBooks out of reach for the past 15 years. Even today, the cost of a MacBook Pro could get you 3-4 Windows laptops with upgradeable specs. Only iPads feel somewhat affordable.
When it comes to iPhones versus Android phones, the price difference might not be as significant, but why settle for an older iPhone when you can get an Android 15 at a comparable price? The main advantage of Apple products used to be their sleekness and style. And it’s still their biggest selling point. However, times have changed.
The latest models of Samsung Galaxy and OnePlus phones boast smooth grips and stunning designs. They are also better designed for backward compatibility. I saw an Android 15-compatible Samsung Galaxy S23 at a showroom, which was chiefly designed for Galaxy Wearables. But, even my slightly older Samsung Galaxy A12 works fine with the new Galaxy Store app.
Related: Apple products are notoriously difficult to refurbish or trade-in due to the Activation Lock system. However, it serves as a strong deterrent against theft.
2. Geography Restrictions: How They Impact Your iOS Usage
While both Android and iOS devices restrict apps, music, and other content in their respective app stores, the geo-restrictions with Apple products feel more limiting. You can only change your region once every 90 days. So, unless you use a good VPN, accessing content specific to a particular geography might create a few problems. It’s better to avoid Apple products if you’re not getting good features coverage in your country.
Apple also offers less flexibility for international travel. Although you can use local SIMs on iPhones, you must ensure your model is not country-specific or tied to your telecom operator. If it is, your iPhone may not work on the local network in a different country due to different network bands. A common solution to this problem is to use eSIMs, which are becoming increasingly popular.
When buying an iPhone, it’s crucial to do your homework and ensure you purchase it in your country of origin. With Android, however, all above complications are non-existent. As a digital nomad, I’ve successfully purchased an Android phone abroad, used it seamlessly on networks in various countries, swapped SIM cards effortlessly, and switched devices whenever I needed to.
3. Lack of Customization: Where iOS Falls Short
This is perhaps the biggest concern for Windows/Android users switching to the Apple ecosystem. You’ll certainly miss the abundant hardware and software customization options. For example, the RAM and every single component on a MacBook are soldered in place, requiring you to make an expensive initial purchase. With Windows, you can pay to upgrade whenever your budget suits.
The only Apple computing product I’d consider is an iPad. I enjoy watching YouTube and Netflix on it, as the picture quality feels superior to any Android device. However, even here, hardware and software obsolescence is a big problem. For instance, I can’t use the Outlook application for work on an older iPad because it requires iOS 16.0 or later.
Feature-wise, there are many aspects of an Android device that you might initially find unfamiliar on an iPhone. While the iOS user interface is often considered superior, I find it less intuitive in some areas. On an Android, I can simply swipe down from anywhere to access Quick Settings, where icons like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Location, Airplane mode, and Mobile Hotspot are arranged linearly.
iPhones do have a similar Control Center, but you can only swipe from the top-right corner. If you swipe too close to the middle of your screen, it will open Notification Center. I really prefer Quick Access over Control Center when in a hurry, as it’s easier to swipe. What’s more, you can add your own tools and utilities to Quick Access by clicking a plus button all the way in the end.
Android phones have easier access to Developer Options which is a real help in many cases, such as USB debugging. To make a style statement with Android, you can choose from many more phone case varieties as Android models come in different shapes and sizes.
Also read: iOS 18 has a new feature which will show how much time remains while the phone is being charged.
4. Poor App Availability: A Concern for iOS
Almost all app manufacturers strive to cater to both iOS and Android users. However, the apps in these ecosystems aren’t created equal. Although the App Store offers slightly more apps than Google Play, the real picture is different. Google Play has considerably more free apps, providing you with more options.
The difference in apps availability also stems from user habits. iOS users tend to spend substantially on apps and in-app purchases. With Android users, it’s different. Here, developers focus on targeting more app downloads because Android users currently outnumber iPhone users almost three to one (72 percent vs. 27 percent.). On average, Android users make far fewer in-app purchases.
While there are fewer free apps in the iOS ecosystem, they often come with enhanced security features. For instance, the Outlook email app on iOS includes Mail Privacy Protection (MPP), which allows you to hide your IP address and privately load all remote content. This security feature is absent in the Outlook app on Android devices. Overall, iOS apps have robust security measures.
Also read: learn how to lock apps on iPad and iPhone for more privacy.
5. Less Available Accessories: A Constant Problem
Android and Windows devices benefit from numerous manufacturers and a vast ecosystem of third-party suppliers. In contrast, Apple tightly controls its hardware accessories, partnering with only a select few suppliers. It’s only recently that Apple allows third-party screen repair. This results in Apple accessories being harder to find and often more expensive. If you lose your iPhone charger, you better strap yourself for a major expense.
Another big area where this issue is evident is the battery of your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook. When dealing with a dying battery on an Apple device, your first task is to visit an Apple Store to have it replaced by a certified technician, which can be quite costly. Apple does offer a Self-Repair Program that allows you to replace the battery yourself using a replacement kit, but few people opt for this.
For Android devices or Windows laptops, many users can replace the batteries themselves. There are also many proven ways to extend Android battery life. For replacing, you simply need to know your device model and order the battery online. However, with Apple Store services, you are guaranteed genuine spare parts. In contrast, finding a genuine Android battery is more challenging.
Related: if all above Apple product problems do not apply with you, there are many advantages of iPhone over Android which you should check.
Other Reasons Apple Products Can be Problematic
We have explored the biggest reasons to avoid Apple products if you’re not comfortable with its ecosystem. Other minor problems include:
- Poor Google Integration: the biggest draw of Android devices is how the various Google apps, such as Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive, come together. While you can download each one of these apps in the App Store, there is no internal integration. Google Maps is more often used for navigation than Apple Maps.
- Virtual Assistants: many Android users prefer Google Assistant for routine activities. However, Siri has its own charm and I personally find it effective.
- File Management: Android devices have a better folder-based approach for file management compared to Apple devices. Also, a Google account gives you 15 GB of cloud storage versus just 5 GB for iCloud. You can easily have two or more Google accounts on one Android device.
This guide aims to help Android and Windows users considering a switch to the Apple ecosystem. Whether you made the switch already or planning it, there are many unique problems to deal with. There’s only one exception. I will readily go for an Apple smartwatch as I prefer these products. They happen to be waterproof and are of very rugged build.
Image Credit: Pexels. All screenshots and photos by Sayak Boral.
