Lifelong iPhone User SWITCHES to S24 Ultra: 6 MONTHS Later

Summary

Tech reviewer Pete shares his 6-month experience switching from a lifelong iPhone to the Android-based s24 Ultra. Highlighting the challenges and benefits, he discusses performance, camera system, and AI features, while also addressing the ecosystem shift, including the use of alternative products like a Garmin watch and the impact on his family. Despite minor issues with Instagram and battery life post-updates, Pete expresses overall satisfaction with the s24 Ultra, appreciating its customization and freedom compared to Apple's ecosystem.

Takeaways

• 📱 The speaker, Pete, has switched from being a lifelong iPhone user to using the Samsung S24 Ultra for six months.
• 🔄 Pete experienced challenges transitioning from the Apple ecosystem, such as syncing iCloud photos and adapting to new apps.
• ⚡ He praises the performance of the S24 Ultra, especially the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, noting that it hasn't experienced slowdowns or lag.
• 📷 Pete appreciates the S24 Ultra's camera system but finds the phone large and square, making it somewhat cumbersome.
• ✍️ He mentions that he has barely used the S Pen and Samsung Dex features but finds them occasionally useful.
• 🤖 Pete discusses the underwhelming nature of AI features on the S24 Ultra and the general trend of AI integration in tech products.
• 🎧 Despite switching to Android, Pete continues to use some Apple products, like a Mac laptop, while also adopting other brands like Garmin for his watch.
• 💬 He has adjusted to alternative messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for communication with friends and family.
• 🔋 The battery life of the S24 Ultra has declined slightly since recent software updates, but charging is fast.
• 🌐 Pete values the freedom to choose different products and services in the Android ecosystem, though it can sometimes feel fragmented.

Q & A

Why did Pete decide to switch from iPhone to the s24 Ultra?

Pete decided to switch from iPhone to the s24 Ultra because he loves reviewing the latest tech and forcing himself out of his comfort zone to try new things.

What challenges did Pete face when switching from iPhone to Android?

Pete faced challenges such as syncing iCloud photos, replacing iOS-specific apps, learning the sweet spot for contactless payments, and dealing with the overwhelming number of choices for services like Google Pay or Samsung Pay.

How did Pete find the performance of the s24 Ultra compared to his iPhone?

Pete found the performance of the s24 Ultra to be incredible, with no slowdowns or lag, and he appreciated the fast access to apps and password entry compared to his iPhone.

What are Pete's thoughts on the Snapdragon 8 gen 3 for Galaxy chip?

Pete thinks highly of the Snapdragon 8 gen 3 for Galaxy chip, stating that it contributes to the s24 Ultra's great performance and efficiency, and he has not come across a phone powered by Snapdragon that performs poorly.

What is Pete's opinion on the design of the s24 Ultra?

Pete finds the s24 Ultra to be quite large and very square, which can feel like a 'weapon' with a case on, but he appreciates the flat back and built-in magnets for easy attachment to metal surfaces.

How does Pete feel about the AI features on the s24 Ultra?

Pete finds the AI features on the s24 Ultra to be underwhelming and not particularly useful to most people, with the exception of some features like Circle to search being useful in specific situations.

What is Pete's experience with the battery life of the s24 Ultra?

Pete initially experienced great battery life with the s24 Ultra, but noticed a decline after some software updates, requiring him to charge the phone more frequently to get through the day.

How does Pete's wife feel about him switching from iPhone to Android?

Pete's wife misses the convenience of easily sharing family photos and the Find My feature from the iPhone, but she has no real complaints and is even considering trying the new foldable phone.

What is Pete's take on the ecosystem outside of the phone after switching to Android?

Pete appreciates the freedom to choose different products for each area, such as a Garmin watch instead of an Apple Watch, and he enjoys the level of automation and customization Android offers.

How does Pete handle the lack of iMessage and Airdrop after switching to Android?

Pete has not faced any issues and has simply switched to using Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger for communication, indicating that the lack of iMessage and Airdrop has not caused any real problems for him.

What is Pete's view on the AI integration within Google Assistant compared to Siri?

Pete believes that Google Assistant is currently better than Siri, but he is interested to see how Google will respond to the recent updates to Siri and Apple's focus on AI integration.