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Abstract

ing the iPhone, is just how much better the signal receivers are in the S23 Ultra. The iPhone consistently holds inferior WiFi and Cellular signal compared with the S23 Ultra and I’m not the only one that has noticed it, as pointed out by RJey on Twitter.</p><figure id="fbe5"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*syb-qDX4zavyX9UWdu4lWg.png"><figcaption>Twitter.com @RjeyTech</figcaption></figure><p id="9522"><b>Stability</b></p><p id="fd67">Who’d’ve thought it eh? Android is more stable than IOS — well that’s been my experience since owning the 14 Pro Max. And even as recently as June 2023, my iPhone is still misbehaving.</p> <figure id="429a"> <div> <div> <img class="ratio" src="http://placehold.it/16x9"> <iframe class="" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?type=text%2Fhtml&key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&schema=twitter&url=https%3A//twitter.com/lewisjdoyle/status/1668526788039913472%3Fs%3D20&image=https%3A//i.embed.ly/1/image%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fabs.twimg.com%252Ferrors%252Flogo46x38.png%26key%3Da19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" width="500"> </div> </div> </figure></iframe></div></div></figure><p id="ea30">See this video I made detailing a iWobble. This stuff doesn’t happen on Android.</p><p id="0a51"><b>Android</b></p><p id="1ed9">I’m going to lump a few things together under Android that for me delivers a better experience and feels like the evolution of smartphone OS’s — all lacking on IOS and the iPhone</p><ul><li>App Placement — Broken record right. In 2023 we still can’t place an iPhone app wherever the hell we want it. In fact the entire customisation options make the Galaxy much more unique to me and visually, it’s far more appealing to me than an iPhone.</li><li>Gestures — swiping back, closing all, one-handed-mode — all far superior on my Galaxy and going back to iPhone is akin to getting into a car with a manual gearbox when we’ve been used to autos for so long — I’m left thinking — is this for real?</li></ul><h1 id="ceff">Compromises</h1><p id="32b4">BUT — there remain numerous areas of compromise compared to the iPhone and some of these are really rather annoying. I often feel that while my iPhone may feel like it was made a few years ago, the overall experience (other than the iWobbles) is slick and it’s noticeable.</p><p id="99a0"><b>Apple Pay and Wallet</b></p><p id="19fd">Apple Pay works, every time. Wherever NFC payments are accepted, my iPhone will work. Google Pay works like 80% of the time but there are certain merchants I buy from regularly, where it fails. On those occasions I have to switch to Samsung Wallet. It works and I can still pay for my goods with my phone, but there are those few seconds where I feel obliged to inform the teller that I’m not broke, I just need to switch apps as Google has let me down.</p><p id="6245">Never have that issue with Apple Pay.</p><p id="2f81">I also feel that Apple Wallet is overall a better experience. My Google Wallet is actually pretty good now, but what I do like, is how Apple presents transport tickets as on-screen notifications at the relevant time, when they’re in the Wallet. Not something (that I’ve found at least) is replicated on Google. Definitely a win for Apple.</p><figure id="381c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*7bEBlhHOAptaoLzXJzDEiQ.jpeg"><figcaption>The Google Wallet is capable and effective now. But GPay isn’t always. Image courtesy of Author</figcaption></figure><p id="df81"><b>Apps</b></p><p id="4d42">I still, in the main think Apple delivers a better overall app experience. It’s in the detail and consistency. Android apps do work pretty well these days but there are still some missing from the Play Store and as I wrote about here, they tend to just look better on IOS. Though I accept this is subjective.</p><div id="ac99" class="link-block">

Options

      <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-real-difference-between-iphone-and-android-apps-f8352372480b">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>The real difference between iPhone and Android apps.</h2>
            <div><h3>The year is 2023.</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*LrdLnf_QueITdSGp7s_lpg.png)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><p id="3ab9"><b>iMessage</b></p><p id="0efb">Not a problem for me. Most of my friends, and the UK for that matter, prefer WhatsApp, but it’s still annoying that I can’t enjoy the benefits of iMessage for those of my mates that do use iPhone. Functionally Google Messages is fine but when I have to say to a group ‘can we switch to WhatsApp’ which genuinely happened a couple months ago when I had arranged to meet a group of suppliers at a Premier League Football Match, I did feel a bit of a nob.</p><p id="76c4"><b>Updates</b></p><p id="03f4">Samsung is pretty good these days at getting updates out, but there remains a hierarchy based delivery schedule and unfortunately, it’s generally an elitist one. For us S23 Ultra users, we tend to get them first but for those with mid range phones, well, you’re in the queue.</p><p id="3b73">We also have to wait for Samsung to update OneUI following Stock Android updates which, while understandable, is annoying. With Apple, when they update IOS, it’s coming to your iPhone at launch.</p><p id="4bb7"><b>AirDrop</b></p><p id="c7d3">Samsung has truly leveled the playing field within their ecosystem. Quick share is as capable and effective as AirDrop, so when I’m using my S23 Ultra and Galaxy Book Ultra, I have a file sharing solution. Problem is, the vast majority of people I interact with use an iPhone meaning I can’t AirDrop to them when using my Galaxy.</p><p id="b5d9">It’s one of those things that doesn’t happen that frequently, but it’s noticeable.</p><p id="f80d">I lead a large sales team and when I take on new staff, which usually happens at a rate of one or two a month, I typically AirDrop them their system log-in credentials. That can’t be done when I’m using Android. And I’d add that for every 20 staff I have, probably 17 of them use an iPhone.</p><p id="f263"><b>Notifications</b></p><p id="c411">I think that generally Android does a really good job with notifications and the presentation of icons in the top-tray is really helpful. However, as I Tweeted in May, I think I prefer notifications on IOS. While I don’t like the grouping of them on iPhone, I do find they grab my attention more, and that is the purpose of a notification.</p><figure id="5eb7"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*XuHwS0QSjCoXTJyPixlbaw.jpeg"><figcaption>Notifications — Image courtesy of author</figcaption></figure><p id="53d1"><b>Apple FoMo</b></p><p id="4e23">The last one is clearly not applicable to everyone, but I’m certain I wont be the only person that falls within this category. While I choose my Samsung as my default device these days, there is no doubting the fact that I feel a sense of separation when I walk by an Apple Store with Galaxy rather than iPhone in hand.</p><p id="45dd"><b>Conclusion</b></p><p id="f641">Ultimately there will be compromises whichever device you use. If your preference is a Foldable, then the compromise might be battery or a bulky device. If your preference is Huawei hardware, your compromise is lack of Google Services.</p><p id="c7aa">But specifically after five months almost exclusively with an Android, these are the compromises I feel I have to live with daily. But overall, I still prefer the Galaxy for the innovations. If however Apple level the playing-field with improved hardware, then the balance may shift.</p><p id="a85a">Thanks for reading. If you made it this far, leave me a Phone 📱emoji in the comments 😊</p></article></body>

S23 Ultra : Long Term Review — Innovation at the expense of Compromise

I’d been a long term iPhone user, devoting my pocket-space to the iPhones 7, X, 11 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13 Pro Max and even 14 Pro Max. I still love the iPhone to this day, but when a dreadfully buggy 14 Pro Max was coupled with iPhone fatigue, I was desperate to try something different.

I ordered the Samsung S23 Ultra at launch back in February this year, taking advantage of Samsung’s always generous launch offers and have used the device solidly since then — it’s almost July as I write this.

TL;DR

Generally I’ve been really pleased with the device but if I had to summarise my experience over those almost five months it would be this: Samsung push the boundaries of innovation, delivering numerous class leading hardware features, but at the expense of certain compromises that you’d experience with an iPhone. It then comes down to the user as to which of those tips the balance the most for you.

Let’s dive in.

Innovations

Display

For me, the S23 Ultra’s display remains superior to the 14 Pro Max. Unlike some tech reviewers that seem to have a cupboard full of all sorts of technical measuring equipment, my opinion is experiential and anecdotal.

The combination of nearly borderless bezels, vibrancy, pixel density, and lack of Intrusive Island, the S23 Ultra just delivers a better viewing experience time and time again.

When I put my physical sim (yes I’m UK based) in my iPhone and watch content, I’m always struck by just how intrusive the Island is. Anyone that claims the thing is unnoticeable is simply wrong and in denial. Stick the same thing in your car windshield, or monitor, or TV and your family will be in mutinous mood as to why the hell you have a floating black hole in the display.

Battery

iPhones have dominated Samsung when it comes to battery life, until 2022/2023 iterations that is. Maybe the iPhone 15 will reinstate Apple’s dominance, but right now, the only time I have battery anxiety is when the iPhone is in my pocket and my charger isn’t.

S Pen

This doesn’t get much use but it does get some use. It’s a bit like my Apple Pencil on my iPad — most of the time it remains docked while I use the Magic Keyboard cover, but when I need it — it’s great. Just like the S Pen. If I need to do a screen capture, or object erase (yet another benefit over iPhone), it comes in really handy. I don’t take notes per se with it, but it serves a purpose. And therefore it is a value add.

Ergonomics

This often gets overlooked by reviewers the but S23 Ultra feels so good in the hand. It’s taller and wider than the iPhone but it has less girth and, at least in my hand, it just feels a better size. It’s a really well designed phone that I just love to hold. I’ve even taken to carrying it naked now (the phone that is, not me, you weirdos) because it feels criminal to put a case on something this good.

Camera

I know this divides opinion, but when we’re talking about the most dexterous camera for most situations, the S23 Ultra just outdoes the iPhone. If you’re like me, I always seem to want / need to take a zoom shot when I have the iPhone on me and it’s really noticeable that I can’t get close enough.

Yes there is shutter lag which is absent on the iPhone, but it’s rare that its a problem for me. I want sharp, detailed photos and the S23 Ultra does that time and time again for me.

Signal

Another advantage that I really notice when carrying the iPhone, is just how much better the signal receivers are in the S23 Ultra. The iPhone consistently holds inferior WiFi and Cellular signal compared with the S23 Ultra and I’m not the only one that has noticed it, as pointed out by RJey on Twitter.

Stability

Who’d’ve thought it eh? Android is more stable than IOS — well that’s been my experience since owning the 14 Pro Max. And even as recently as June 2023, my iPhone is still misbehaving.

See this video I made detailing a iWobble. This stuff doesn’t happen on Android.

Android

I’m going to lump a few things together under Android that for me delivers a better experience and feels like the evolution of smartphone OS’s — all lacking on IOS and the iPhone

App Placement — Broken record right. In 2023 we still can’t place an iPhone app wherever the hell we want it. In fact the entire customisation options make the Galaxy much more unique to me and visually, it’s far more appealing to me than an iPhone.
Gestures — swiping back, closing all, one-handed-mode — all far superior on my Galaxy and going back to iPhone is akin to getting into a car with a manual gearbox when we’ve been used to autos for so long — I’m left thinking — is this for real?

Compromises

BUT — there remain numerous areas of compromise compared to the iPhone and some of these are really rather annoying. I often feel that while my iPhone may feel like it was made a few years ago, the overall experience (other than the iWobbles) is slick and it’s noticeable.

Apple Pay and Wallet

Apple Pay works, every time. Wherever NFC payments are accepted, my iPhone will work. Google Pay works like 80% of the time but there are certain merchants I buy from regularly, where it fails. On those occasions I have to switch to Samsung Wallet. It works and I can still pay for my goods with my phone, but there are those few seconds where I feel obliged to inform the teller that I’m not broke, I just need to switch apps as Google has let me down.

Never have that issue with Apple Pay.

I also feel that Apple Wallet is overall a better experience. My Google Wallet is actually pretty good now, but what I do like, is how Apple presents transport tickets as on-screen notifications at the relevant time, when they’re in the Wallet. Not something (that I’ve found at least) is replicated on Google. Definitely a win for Apple.

The Google Wallet is capable and effective now. But GPay isn’t always. Image courtesy of Author

Apps

I still, in the main think Apple delivers a better overall app experience. It’s in the detail and consistency. Android apps do work pretty well these days but there are still some missing from the Play Store and as I wrote about here, they tend to just look better on IOS. Though I accept this is subjective.

The real difference between iPhone and Android apps.

The year is 2023.

medium.com

iMessage

Not a problem for me. Most of my friends, and the UK for that matter, prefer WhatsApp, but it’s still annoying that I can’t enjoy the benefits of iMessage for those of my mates that do use iPhone. Functionally Google Messages is fine but when I have to say to a group ‘can we switch to WhatsApp’ which genuinely happened a couple months ago when I had arranged to meet a group of suppliers at a Premier League Football Match, I did feel a bit of a nob.

Updates

Samsung is pretty good these days at getting updates out, but there remains a hierarchy based delivery schedule and unfortunately, it’s generally an elitist one. For us S23 Ultra users, we tend to get them first but for those with mid range phones, well, you’re in the queue.

We also have to wait for Samsung to update OneUI following Stock Android updates which, while understandable, is annoying. With Apple, when they update IOS, it’s coming to your iPhone at launch.

AirDrop

Samsung has truly leveled the playing field within their ecosystem. Quick share is as capable and effective as AirDrop, so when I’m using my S23 Ultra and Galaxy Book Ultra, I have a file sharing solution. Problem is, the vast majority of people I interact with use an iPhone meaning I can’t AirDrop to them when using my Galaxy.

It’s one of those things that doesn’t happen that frequently, but it’s noticeable.

I lead a large sales team and when I take on new staff, which usually happens at a rate of one or two a month, I typically AirDrop them their system log-in credentials. That can’t be done when I’m using Android. And I’d add that for every 20 staff I have, probably 17 of them use an iPhone.

Notifications

I think that generally Android does a really good job with notifications and the presentation of icons in the top-tray is really helpful. However, as I Tweeted in May, I think I prefer notifications on IOS. While I don’t like the grouping of them on iPhone, I do find they grab my attention more, and that is the purpose of a notification.

Apple FoMo

The last one is clearly not applicable to everyone, but I’m certain I wont be the only person that falls within this category. While I choose my Samsung as my default device these days, there is no doubting the fact that I feel a sense of separation when I walk by an Apple Store with Galaxy rather than iPhone in hand.

Conclusion

Ultimately there will be compromises whichever device you use. If your preference is a Foldable, then the compromise might be battery or a bulky device. If your preference is Huawei hardware, your compromise is lack of Google Services.

But specifically after five months almost exclusively with an Android, these are the compromises I feel I have to live with daily. But overall, I still prefer the Galaxy for the innovations. If however Apple level the playing-field with improved hardware, then the balance may shift.

Thanks for reading. If you made it this far, leave me a Phone 📱emoji in the comments 😊