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.

Outlines

00:00

📱 Transition from iPhone to Android: A Tech Enthusiast's Journey

Pete, a former lifelong iPhone user, shares his experience of switching to the S24 Ultra Android phone after six months. He discusses the challenges of leaving the Apple ecosystem, including syncing iCloud photos, finding replacement apps, and adjusting to new payment and health apps. Despite initial concerns about performance, Pete praises the S24 Ultra's smooth operation, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 gen 3 for Galaxy chip. He also expresses his desire to attend the Snapdragon Summit, highlighting the importance of this chip in the tech industry.

05:02

🤖 AI Features and Their Practicality in the S24 Ultra

The script delves into the AI features of the S24 Ultra, such as the S Pen and Galaxy AI, which Pete finds underwhelming in practical use. He mentions the utility of features like Circle to search and summarizing long meetings but notes that AI's implementation in messaging and photo editing has been less impactful. Pete also critiques Samsung's insistence on Bixby and the lack of integration with Google Assistant, expressing hope for more contextually aware AI in future updates.

10:05

🔄 Life After Leaving the Apple Ecosystem: Personal and Family Perspectives

Pete reflects on the broader implications of his switch from iPhone, including the impact on his wife, who misses easy photo sharing and the convenience of Find My. Despite these minor issues, Pete's wife shows interest in Samsung's new foldable phones. Pete himself doesn't miss much from Apple, except for the TV wallpaper feature. He also discusses the benefits of Android's flexibility, allowing him to choose from a variety of products that best fit his needs, such as a Garmin watch and various headphones.

15:06

🏋️‍♂️ Fitness Tracking and the Fragmented Ecosystem of Android

The script touches on Pete's experience with fitness tracking, where he encounters an issue with syncing data from a OnePlus watch to his health insurance's app, Vitality. This highlights the potential fragmentation in the Android ecosystem, where compatibility between devices and services isn't always seamless. Pete also mentions the benefits of using a password manager like 1Password to navigate the transition between different devices and platforms.

📲 Social Implications of Switching Phones and Future Considerations

Pete addresses the social aspect of switching from iPhone to Android, noting that despite using different messaging platforms, he hasn't faced any significant issues with friends and family. He also contemplates his future with the S24 Ultra, expressing satisfaction with its camera, video quality, and performance, while acknowledging minor bugs and battery life concerns post-software updates.

Keywords

💡Switching to Android

Switching to Android refers to the transition from using an Apple iPhone to an Android-based device. In the video's context, it signifies Pete's personal journey from being a lifelong iPhone user to adopting the s24 Ultra, an Android phone. This change is central to the video's theme, as it explores the challenges and experiences of adapting to a new operating system and ecosystem.

💡iCloud

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage and cloud computing service, allowing users to store photos, documents, and other data. In the script, Pete mentions the challenge of syncing his iCloud photos when switching to Android, highlighting the integration of Apple services and the hurdles faced when moving to a different platform.

💡Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy is a high-performance chip designed for mobile devices, known for its efficiency and speed. Pete praises this chip for the s24 Ultra's performance, indicating that it plays a crucial role in the phone's capabilities and his positive experience with Android.

💡AI Features

AI Features in the context of the video refer to artificial intelligence capabilities integrated into the s24 Ultra, such as smart replies and object erasure in photos. Pete discusses the underwhelming implementation of these features, suggesting that while AI is a growing trend, its practical application in current devices is still developing.

💡Google Assistant

Google Assistant is a virtual assistant developed by Google, designed to help users with information, tasks, and device control. The video mentions Google Assistant as a preferred choice over Siri and Bixby, reflecting Pete's personal preference and the broader trend of AI integration in daily life.

💡Bixby

Bixby is Samsung's own voice assistant, competing with Google Assistant and Apple's Siri. Pete expresses confusion over Samsung's insistence on promoting Bixby despite his and others' preference for Google Assistant, indicating a common sentiment among Android users.

💡Ecosystem

Ecosystem in this context refers to the interconnected system of devices and services that work seamlessly together, such as Apple's suite of products. Pete contrasts the Apple ecosystem with the freedom of choice in the Android ecosystem, where he can mix and match devices like watches, tablets, and headphones without being locked into a single brand's offerings.

💡One Password

One Password is a password manager that securely stores and organizes login credentials. Pete mentions using One Password to facilitate his switch between iPhone and Android, emphasizing its utility in managing passwords across different devices and platforms.

💡Android Auto

Android Auto is a mobile app that extends the Android platform to cars. Pete discusses his growing fondness for Android Auto, appreciating its ability to remember places and suggest navigation without prior manual input, illustrating the convenience and personalization offered by Android features.

💡Garmin Watch

A Garmin Watch is a smartwatch known for its health tracking and fitness features. Pete replaces his Apple Watch with a Garmin watch, valuing its longer battery life and superior health tracking capabilities, which aligns with his preference for practicality and functionality over brand loyalty.

💡Vitality Health Insurance

Vitality Health Insurance is a program that rewards policyholders for healthy activities. Pete mentions it in the context of earning points for activities, which can be redeemed for various benefits. This mention highlights the integration of health tech with lifestyle rewards, showing a personal aspect of Pete's life that intersects with tech usage.

Highlights

Pete, a former lifelong iPhone user, shares his experience after switching to the S24 Ultra for 6 months.

Pete finds the S24 Ultra's performance impressive, particularly due to the Snapdragon 8 gen 3 for Galaxy chip.

Pete misses the convenience of Apple's ecosystem but appreciates Android's freedom to choose from a variety of products.

The S24 Ultra's camera system is a significant factor in Pete's decision to stick with the Ultra despite its size.

Pete's wife finds sharing photos and using Find My to be less convenient without an iPhone.

Pete's experience with the S24 Ultra's battery life has been mixed, with recent software updates affecting performance.

Pete has successfully replaced his Apple Watch with a Garmin watch, appreciating its longer battery life and health tracking.

Pete's transition from iPhone to Android has been eased by using OnePassword for seamless password management.

The S24 Ultra's AI features, while present, have not been as useful or well-implemented as Pete had hoped.

Pete is intrigued by the potential of AI integration within Google Assistant and anticipates future developments.

Despite the lack of iMessage and Airdrop, Pete has not faced significant social or professional challenges after switching.

Pete's experience with the OnePlus watch highlights the potential fragmentation in the Android ecosystem due to compatibility issues.

Pete enjoys the customization and automation features of Android, such as modes and routines for different activities.

The S24 Ultra's charging speed is a significant improvement over iPhones, according to Pete.

Pete's switch to Android has not negatively impacted his social life or professional relationships.

Pete's family is considering trying Samsung's new Flip6 due to its appealing design.

Pete's experience with Instagram on the S24 Ultra has a minor bug that requires a quick swipe to resolve.

Pete's switch from Apple to Android has been largely positive, with the S24 Ultra emerging as his favorite phone of 2024.

Transcripts

it's been a long

day without you my

friend and I'll tell you all about it

when I see you again we've come a long

way from where we

began oh I'll tell you all about it when

I see you again when I see you

again it has been 6 months months Since

switching to the s24 ultra hey my name

is Pete and I used to be a lifelong

iPhone user now I love reviewing the

latest tech I love forcing myself out of

my comfort zone to try new things you

know I've been tiing my videos lifelong

iPhone user switches to you Android

phone for quite some time now but for

the first time in a very long time I

actually want to stick with this phone

you know usually something always draws

me back to Apple for some reason and

with so many good phone launches just

around the corner I want to sit down and

just talk to you about how great the

last 6 months have have been with you

because you know coming for an iPhone

well you know I don't need to tell you

of course because everything has

[Music]

changed so if you followed my story

closely I have posted regular videos

throughout my journey of switching from

an iPhone to the s24 ultra and it hasn't

been easy like not to begin with there's

an awful lot to unwind when you are as

deep in the Apple system as I was from

figuring out syncing all of my iCloud

photos to replacing apps which can only

be found on iOS even down to something

as silly as learning The Sweet Spot for

the contactless payments on the phone

and then you've got the almost

overwhelming number of choices to make

Google pay or Samsung pay Google fits or

Samsung health or or Garmin Health which

launcher to use which keyboard and so I

have purposely shared these challenges

throughout the last six months to

hopefully paint an honest and a genuine

picture of what it is like for most

people who are making the switch now one

of the biggest things I was worried

about was when I first switched was the

overall performance like since iOS is a

very smooth operating system with really

slick animations and just attention to

detail that most people probably don't

even notice I just came back from Italy

and decided to take my iPhone with me

because we made a video about the iPad

and well first thing the battery died

before like 5:00 p.m. on the first day

so there's that and second performance

actually felt slow I mean I have tweaked

the animation speed settings under

developer mode on the s24 but however

convenient face ID is on the iPhone it

feels like I can get into Apps and enter

passwords from my password manager much

faster on the s24 ultra the performance

of this phone has been just incredible

now I've not once experienced any

slowdowns or lag in performance at all

whilst using this phone and I think

that's down mostly to the Snapdragon 8

gen 3 for Galaxy chip that honestly

these Snapdragon chips are like the best

of the best when it comes to Performance

and efficiency now I'm yet to actually

come across a phone that's powered by

Snapdragon that performs poorly and so

anytime I see Snapdragon powering

something it's usually a sign that it

will actually be a pretty good device

you know being invited to Apple's WWDC

iPhone launch is one of those like

bucket list events that every Tech

reviewer dreams of but right now at the

top of my bucket list of you know events

this year is actually the Snapdragon

Summit it just looks like such a cool

and just fun event to be part of so um

if everyone could just go and spam @

Snapdragon in the comments down below

this video please maybe share this video

on Twitter and tag

Snapdragon maybe I'll get an invite to

Snapdragon Summit and um if I do of

course you know I will share what the

whole experience has been like so um

yeah anyway back to the

[Music]

video so after using the s24 ultra for a

while now the only real issue I have

with the design is that it is quite

large and very square and then when you

add a case on top of it it does make it

feel like a a bit of a weapon now I did

switch to the regular size s24 for a

while to test and I actually really

enjoyed the size of it even though it

was the exos version we get here in the

UK but I like having the s24 Ultras

camera system so I've stuck with the

ultra even though it is a large phone

but on the flip side my case of choice

that I've stuck with pretty much

exclusively for well literally the last

few years or so I love that on the s24

ultra it gives it a totally flatback and

with a built-in magnets means I can

literally stick this thing to anywhere

uh anywhere that's metal at least and it

just sticks unlike on the iPhone which

has this like gigantic camera bump on it

and particularly on the pro Max usually

means some uh careful placement is

required to avoid it slipping so this

year there are some exclusive features

to the s24 series of phones now you've

got the S Pen honestly I've Barely Used

it but my kids absolutely love drawing

on it so it's kind of been useful in a

handful of situations where the kids

need you know some entertainment to uh

save our sanity Samsung Dex literally

not once on my phone on a tablet yes not

on my phone and Galaxy AI let's talk

about Galaxy AI because this year it is

a huge thing for Samsung as we've seen

with Galaxy unpacked and the foldables

events there's even Galaxy AI in their

earbuds now but as far as the a for

Ultra goes and the AI features really I

barely use them like yes features like

Circle to search have been really useful

in a handful of situations like being

able to zoom in and find the pair of

shoes the singer was wearing at a gig

and summarizing long meetings now for

context I do use my phone like a lot if

you saw my recent video I spend hours

per day on this thing duo lingo is

really great at grabbing my attention

but not once when I'm replying to

messages between friends do I think I

need to tweak the wording and use AI to

rewrite my message messages although I

did use chat GPT to write a like

complaint email recently I guess I could

have used Galaxy AI to do that and not

once have I needed to move a person or

erase objects in my photos now I think

the feature I would most likely use

would have been the smart replies like

within Android auto but the smart

replies it generates for me are pretty

much just basic yes and okay type of

responses but after seeing the latest

Galaxy unpa Event it does sound like

Samsung are developing this feature to

be further like contextually aware to

the conversation and give you actual

genuinely useful replies so we'll see if

that actually plays out into anything or

not but none of this is to say that the

s24 ultra is a bad phone like I love

this phone and it is by far my favorite

phone of 2024 so far but I definitely

think the implementation of these AI

features so far is kind of underwhelming

and not useful to most people and to be

fair that is not even exclusive to

Samsung like practically every phone

company is adding AI into their products

this year I think it's just been a case

of let's just put AI everywhere and just

see which features people use and then

we go from there it also baffles me why

Samsung is still trying to force people

to use Bixby when I genuinely don't know

anybody who actually uses Bixby like

Bixby users if you are out there please

comment down below to say you're a Bixby

user with your experience and they won't

even let you change the default behavior

of the Sid key on your phone to launch

Google Assistant unless you download

good luck and register star like third

party tools which is one of the things I

do love about Android like if you want

to do something with your phone and

stealing a line from Apple there's

probably an app for that now the thing I

am waiting for is getting AI integrated

within Google Assistant which I will say

is much better than Siri overall now

I've started using Google Gemini

recently which is also again much better

but it's still very limited in what it

can do and what it has access to like

when on Android auto it still triggers

the basic Google assistant and not

Gemini and after seeing the recent

updates to Siri or apple intelligence as

they're calling it I am very interested

to see how quickly Google respond with

similar features but as a happily

married man with two kids we know it's

not about what I think how is switching

from iPhone changed things like what

frustrates my wife and would my wife

ever consider switching to Android no

now as much as I tried she wouldn't come

on camera to talk about this she's a

little bit shy but what she did say was

she misses me easily being able to share

photos with her especially family ones

with the kids since it's a bit of a pain

to open them on Google photos and

download them to her phone and then

upload into Apple photos find my was

another one being able to conveniently

see where I was but outside of that no

real complaints at all and she even said

that the fold six or the the flip six

that's just launched looked very very

nice and she might actually be giving

that a go so we'll see how that goes now

as far as what I miss from Apple really

the only thing is being able to easily

add photos again to the TV wallpaper we

have we have Apple TVs all around the

house and we're often adding photos into

an album that then like randomly brings

up old memories which it's always quite

fun but again outside of that really I'm

not missing anything at all so am I

happy with the s24 ultra 1,000% yes I

love the photos this camera takes video

quality is great performance is

[Music]

great I've only just about now figured

out the sweet spot where the NFC is on

the back of the phone so I can scan

myself into the gym on the first try

almost every time I've even come to love

Android auto which has its limitations

of course with home automation and

browsing content but I love how Google

Maps just remembers places you visited

and automatically suggests to navigate

there without you having to like be

navigated there before now I've not had

any issues with finding apps including

some very random products like my new uh

robotic lawn mower smart barbecue like

all of those have apps that work just

great on Android and I really love using

modes and routines like similar to focus

modes on iPhone when I'm at the gym it

will have uh you know it would change my

wallpaper give me direct access to my

gym tracking app on the screen and then

have a routine at nighttime where it

will turn on the air conditioning in our

bedroom set the temperature turn off the

others kind of things around the house

and other things like switching off the

always on display muting my phone all

that kind of stuff I just love that

level of automation now the only bug

that has still stuck around since like

literally day one of s24 ownership for

me has been in Instagram where I will

open the app and it just doesn't respond

to anything unless I swipe across or

swipe down and then the app like unlocks

it's really minor since I can literally

solve it in a split of seconds and I

would say that battery life is really

the only other thing like this phone

started off with incredibly good battery

life and then since a couple of recent

software updates it's been getting

really like noticeably worse and that's

even when I've set the phone into the

light performance profile and the screen

set to full HD and not the higher Quad

HD setting I've had to charge to get it

through the rest of the day quite a few

times now but at least T is positive

with the s24 ultra charging is like way

faster than charging an iPhone you can

like throw this on the charger quickly

before heading out for the evening and

know that you'll still have enough

battery to get you through to like the

early hours of the morning but what

about the rest of the experience outside

of the phone because as anyone de into

the Apple ecosystem knows it's not just

the phone it's everything else the watch

the headphones and I've actually settled

on a few key products that I've stuck

with throughout my whole switching

experience the Apple watch Ultra that's

gone that has been replaced by this

Garmin watch now yes I don't get some of

the you know smart features to wearing a

you know a literal computer on your

wrist gets you but I've been loving the

longer battery life and Better Health

tracking features of the Gin now I've

been logging my workouts to straa Via

the heavy app 2 both both of those work

on both iOS and Androids headphones I've

stuck with either my Beats fit pro at

the gym and more recently Sonos Ace when

traveling and then weirdly I've also

stuck with my Mac laptop at least for

now although I did try the latest

Snapdragon laptop recently and you can

watch a video of that on the channel

soon and one password has also made this

whole process just so much easier

switching between iPhone and Android and

mac and windows now I know you can use

built-in passle managers like Samsung

nox and Apple keychain and Google Chrome

passwords but if you use one of those to

store everything then the moment you

pick up a different device it just

becomes impossible to you know

seamlessly store and share your

passwords we even store and share other

information like our passports between

me and my team here so that when we need

to book flights we can just copy and

paste all of that data without having to

keep asking each other for you know

what's your passport number and your

expiry date and all those kind of things

and so as a longtime sponsor of the

channel there is a link down below where

you can either get the personal or

family subscription of one password for

the lowest possible price and genuinely

as a happy user of one password for like

a decade they are always an easy

recommendation to make to anyone but the

whole point here is that with Android

you have way more freedom to find like

your best fit product for each area now

the only issues that this can cause at

times is an ecosystem that can be kind

of quite fragmented depending on the

decisions you make and this means you

can choose whichever watch or tablet or

laptop or desktop that you want like you

are free to choose and you're not locked

into the you know the small square one

the bigger Square One or the biggest

square one now I've had this thing

called Vitality health insurance for

like literally years now and to the

Americans watching I'm about to blow

your mind by saying that I pay less than

00 per month for health insurance and to

anyone in the UK watching there is a

link down below that gets you and me

both £100 when you sign up and by

exercising or walking or you know

whatever it is I earn points which in

turn give me things like free cinema

tickets free coffees you can get cheap

Apple watches uh 40% discount on Garmin

40% discount on food 15% off at Samsung

it is just like it is well worth it and

with apple that's fine it you know it

just works with Android it is fine as

long as you're careful like Samsung

watch all good Garmin watch all good but

I tried using a OnePlus watch last week

and I actually really really like that

watch it it works well it's fast it

looks good I just like having the smart

features back again but it talks to its

own app which is I think it's called o

health and that then syncs to Google fit

but Vitality refuses to accept any

workout data from the OnePlus watch like

saying they need to have some agreement

with OnePlus directly before they can

use their data I don't really get it but

it is really annoying because that's

that thing that one thing prevents me

from exploring as many other products as

I'd like to friends are he take it

slow wait for them to ask you who you

know okay but what about my Apple

friends and family no more airdrop no

more iMessage no more sharing

workouts yeah now I've not had a single

issue single complaint from anybody like

literally anybody now for context I am a

married guy with two kids so there is

that I'm not some you know hip and young

trendy youngster whose social life

seemingly depends on what phone you're

using which seems to happen a lot in

States now my family all use iPhones my

friends use a mixture of iPhones Samsung

Google pixels and it has not caused any

real problems for me whatsoever like we

simply switched to Whatsapp or Facebook

messenger and life goes on now of course

the big question after 6 months of

switching to the s24 ultra is what's

next it's been a long long

day without you my friend and I'll tell

you all about it when I see you again

we've come a long

way from where we

began oh I'll tell you all about it when

I see you again when I see you again

[Music]

yeah

see

see uh-huh

[Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

know