Android enhances users' creativity more than iOS

The Android operating system can boost creativity with its open source nature, allowing users to customize more, a feat that iOS has been lacking.

Apple has excelled in creating products and an ecosystem that tightly integrates devices. However, I used to be an avid fan of the Android operating system. While I don't plan to return to the Android platform in the near future, if that were to happen, I must admit that Apple's products have limited my imagination and creativity, and perhaps many other users feel the same and will acknowledge this.

Differentiating experiences in the two major operating systems today

Why say so? To explain this, I'll take my own story as an example. Seven years ago, I bought the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 as my first smartphone, and I was very pleased and curious about what Android had to offer. I am confident that I learned more from it than from my current iPhone 14 Pro. That Samsung Galaxy Note 5 ran Android 6 and had only 4GB of RAM.

Despite being much less stable and performant than what we consider obvious in today's smartphones. Back then, I was still a teenager and didn't have a laptop, so all my computing had to be done on its 5.7-inch screen. I also lacked the ability to upgrade the hardware to keep up with the latest features offered through newer Android versions. So, I had to find creative ways to bring those 'top-notch' features to my current Android phone.

This was also the first time I discovered the existence of ROM Cook forums, marking a significant milestone in my journey of exploring and upgrading my Note 5. I delved into the root process, Xposed modules, and flashed ROMs. But that was just a part of my adventurous and creative exploration. I also joined some communities on Google+ (RIP), making the experience with my Note 5 more interesting and expanding my knowledge of how software works on smartphones.

During the exploration, I realized that merely tweaking system structures wasn't enough to satisfy my curiosity. I wanted to delve deeper, learn about what goes on behind the developer's curtain. Despite not having a computer, this didn't deter me. I found every way to achieve this goal.

Finally, I discovered an app supporting reverse translation and recompiling APK files right on my mobile device. This not only allowed me to explore app files and track hidden changes for future enhancements with each new update but also enabled me to edit and reinstall them on the phone to see those changes. Of course, not every Android user indulges in such pleasures, but looking at the booming development of ROM Cook forums over the years somewhat attests to the community's keen interest in customizing their phones to the fullest.

Delving into phone tinkering to the extent of the system is not always smooth. In the initial attempts, the 'newbies' will face risks of turning their devices into bricks at any time due to a lack of understanding of the process as well as a deep understanding of how the software operates. Sweating bullets, asking around because the device is stuck in a boot loop, or the heart pounding due to being 'bricked' are unforgettable experiences for me in the early days of ROM flashing. In return, it helped me learn more, from searching for information, experimenting, and handling issues on my own.

Decision to switch to iOS

Those were the memories in the years of bonding with Android. After experiencing the Galaxy Note 5 and some other Android models, I decided to switch to the iOS operating system. The reason behind this decision is that I wanted to receive official software updates support for a longer period, something simply not available in the Android community at that time.

At that time, receiving major operating system updates for flagships only lasted about two years, while I didn't have the means to frequently upgrade my phone. Therefore, investing in an iPhone would save more money and ensure continuous updates without falling too behind in terms of the latest phones.

Upon switching to iOS, I purchased a Dell laptop for studying. However, I quickly realized that Windows and iOS don't always work seamlessly together. Therefore, I decided to sell the laptop and replace it with a new iPad. With not enough funds for a Mac and running macOS in a virtual machine being inconvenient, I relied on the smooth interaction between iOS and iPadOS (back when it was still iOS).

This allowed me to easily replace the laptop, and as I was studying English at university, reading and typing text became my two main tasks - tasks easily accomplished on an iPad.

However, sometimes I need a Mac for my side job. So, I invested in a MacBook Air. While the iPad has limitations for my specific needs, this has led us to today, using both devices to best meet my personal and work goals.

A secure and comprehensive iOS makes users less inclined to 'tinker'

Reflecting on my time using Apple products, I realize that I didn't gain much technical knowledge and deep insight into the operating system. Their OS doesn't encourage innovation and inspiration. Even though I could jailbreak my iPhone, the modding community wasn't thriving, and the jailbreak process wasn't straightforward on Apple devices.

Furthermore, when iOS updates and fixes issues with old jailbreak versions, modders need time to find new methods. This means I have to stick with an old jailbroken iOS version or upgrade to the latest version and lose root access. Additionally, users often report battery drain and performance issues after jailbreaking their iPhones due to mods breaking Apple's almost perfect optimization.

With Android, we continue satisfying our curiosity by reverse engineering and recompiling apps even when not modifying the system anymore. Even in the device's normal state, I can still be creative by inspecting apps, trying different launchers, and much more. Meanwhile, on iOS, I can't even download an app from sources outside the App Store, let alone reverse engineer and rebuild them.

Although you can download and install apps on iPadOS through Swift Playgrounds, this is not a top priority. I'm not a developer trying to code for personal apps. I'm just curious about how everything works and sometimes want to tweak existing apps. Since iOS 11, Apple's operating system has gradually become more perfect by adding many essential features that they've been lagging behind Android in for a long time, combined with the vast App Store, making the iPhone a great device to use in a simple, purest way.

Explore more: Tips you might not know on iOS

Since then, I've become more content and no longer crave exploiting devices and trying to overcome Apple's constraints. However, this compromise has contributed to completely extinguishing the passion for tinkering that I once pursued during my Android days. For those who own an iPhone as their first mobile device, they've surely 'burned' through this fantastic phase. The downside of a simple-to-use device like iOS is that it makes us dependent and limits opportunities for developing creativity and essential skills for learning and work.

Conclusion

Nevertheless, currently, I opt for using Apple products because I'm no longer someone with much time and patience to explore those things. While I'd like to master fundamental knowledge if possible, I also need my device to operate stably, with minimal errors and issues. Hardware quality and software support across all operating systems are two crucial factors I cannot sacrifice at the moment. If you're a passionate young individual who wants to personalize their device more, then Android remains the most feasible choice for the distinct experiences that iOS cannot provide.

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