I haven’t quite really decide if my next phone is gonna be an iPhone or not, and I’m already bingeing all the iPhone accessories recommendation videos on YouTube…
The latest iOS18 updates do somehow gave me little nudge towards the iPhone camp (thanks to the new homescreen customizing features and that default Photos app is closer to what I like to see on my Google Photos app), but my main beef is still how limited the iPhone’s alarm features are, and the camera… I’m not saying iPhone’s camera isn’t good. I just like Pixel’s AI when it comes to photo processing – It’s so user-friendly. I didn’t have to do any sort of post-edit and the photos all looked pretty good after I hit the shutter button. Yes, I do complain that the AI processing can get a bit too over-aggressive at times, to the point where I couldn’t capture the real colours when I wanted to, but overall I was still pretty satisfied with it. I wouldn’t have been able to capture Fuji-san so clearly back in Feb-23 at Shonan-Enoshima station if I hadn’t had my Pixel 7 Pro with me.
This is taken with 12x zoom, if I remembered correctly. Can the iPhone camera do this? I’m pretty sure the answer is no.
So the question to myself: Am I ready to give this up?
I’m not sure, to be honest.
That being said, iPhone does have other pros that are tempting me to make the switch:-
- apps that are optimized for iOS and hardly region-locked (for SG App Store, that is),
- relatively more secure ecosystem (my problem – because I have to sideload APKs on my Android due to some apps being region-locked and only available in Japan Play Store; and some official apps from China couldn’t even be sideloaded, even though I can find their official counterparts in Apple App Store)
- Magsafe (!!!)
- NFC that can be used in Japan (yes I’m quite tired of rummaging for that physical SUICA/ICOCA card when taking trains / making payment in shops and restaurants, and not to mention the daily trips to the ticket machines to top up the card with cash)
- Company seems to prefer staff using iPhones… sigh
The cons with iPhone:
- Limited default alarm features with limited third party alarm apps too
- Abysmal notification system
- Expensive accessories and apps / high chance of getting trapped in the Apple ecosystem (phone, watch, tablet etc… I’m pretty sure I won’t ever switch to MacBook though)
- No ultra zoom for camera
- No fast charging
That said, if iPhone 16 Pro Max is gonna have a zoom of at least 10x, I’ll jump at it, even though the rumoured size of an iPhone 16 Pro Max is bigger than what I would like. I’m sure I can live with the rest of the cons, if need be…
Now onto my to-buy list if I really do get an iPhone:
- iPhone itself (duh)
- Airpods Pro
- Magsafe case (haven’t decide on which yet, though I have a few brands/models in mind)
- Apple Watch
- Aukey MagFusion Qi2 (not a necessity, but I really like the design – just need to clear a space on my PC table for it…)
Now, I’m keeping my eyes peeled for iPhone 16 camera features’ leaks…
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