Shocking Truth: iPhone’s Software Support Reign is Over, Meet the New Android Champion
The iPhone’s Reign is Over: Why I’m Swapping to Pixel for Better Software Support
For years, iPhone users have boasted about the best software support in the smartphone world. And rightfully so. It was a key selling point that made buying and recommending iPhones easier for tech enthusiasts like me. But, things have changed in 2024, particularly with the release of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Google’s Surprising Advantage
Seven years of software updates? That’s unheard of in the Android world! Samsung flagships aside, two or three years of updates were the norm until recently. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s promise of seven years of software support, on the other hand, raises the bar. To put it into perspective, iPhones typically get "at least five years of OS updates," but it’s not just about the length of support.
Meet Feature Drops: A New Standard in Software Updates
Google’s "Feature Drops" are quarterly updates focused on bringing new features to new and old Pixel phones until it’s time for the next major Android version. This is in stark contrast to Apple’s stingy approach to updates, which rarely brings surprising upgrades to old devices. It shows that Google’s approach to updates isn’t just about maintenance, but about making users feel like they’re getting more for their money.
Forget Apple’s Update Strategy
Apple’s "innovations" are often held back for major yearly updates, designed to sell more new iPhones. Classic Apple. But, the contrast is more striking than you think, and this is where Google and Samsung really pull ahead. It’s hard to believe, given the way things used to be.
A Tale of Two Updates: iOS 17, iOS 18, and Android 14/15
In my experience, iOS 17 and iOS 18 are buggier than Android 14 and 15. It’s not just about the quality of updates, but about the lack of new features on a $1,000 phone only a year old. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series, for example, seem to have been snubbed. I’ve talked about this before, but my iPhone 15 got zero AI features with iOS 18, and my iPhone 15 Pro was left out of the "Visual Intelligence" party, simply because it doesn’t have the same hardware.
A New Era for Software Support?
Google’s progress in software support is undeniable. They’ve turned their reputation around, making me feel confident in the long-term stability of my super-premium phone. Android 14/15 on my Pixel 9 Pro Fold has been a game-changer, with no major bugs or hiccups. Meanwhile, my iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 Pro have been frustratingly inconsistent. iOS 17/18 might be the first time I’ve experienced consistent lag on an iPhone, particularly with my iPhone 13 mini.
What Apple Needs to Change
On the other hand, my main phone is still an iPhone (13 mini), and it begs the question: where does this leave me, the iPhone, and the millions of iPhone users out there?! Apple’s laziness and frugality in software support is becoming a real problem. If Apple wants to reclaim its crown as the king of software support, Tim Cook & Co. must deliver:
- Delivering bug-free updates: iOS needs to return to its roots of being reliable and polished, not feature-packed and buggy.
- Treating older iPhones better: iOS updates shouldn’t make my iPhone run slower, while giving me a couple of new features.
- Feature Drops: Why not give iPhone users regular, meaningful updates instead of saving everything for the annual iOS release?
- Fixing Apple Intelligence: ASAP. Please.
Don’t Try Me, Apple! I’m Already Tempted to Switch
The iPhone has long been the benchmark for software support, but those days are over. If you care about long-term value and meaningful updates, it’s time to look beyond the Apple logo. If things continue to go this way, I might just make the switch.
