I've been using a Pixel 8 for a while now and I'm really satisfied with it. The user interface is clean, the camera is great, and everything runs super smoothly. However, my brother just got the new iPhone 17 and offered to give me his old iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is in excellent condition with 87% battery health. I'm tempted by the iPhone because it still looks and feels premium, but I'm curious if it's actually an upgrade from the Pixel or just a lateral move. I've never been a big fan of iOS, but I'm intrigued by the iPhone's camera, display, and battery life. Has anyone switched between these two phones? Is it worth trading the Pixel experience for the iPhone ecosystem, or should I just stick with what I have?
5 Answers
I switched back to Apple after a long time and couldn’t be happier! The integration with my iPad and MacBook is amazing. If you’re looking to use multiple Apple devices, it’s worth it. But if you’re not into the Apple ecosystem fully, you might miss some of the Pixel perks.
I think of iPhones as more like toys. A good phone needs a file manager, and I enjoy using an ad blocker on my browser. But there is a file manager on the iPhone now, and I haven’t found that I need an ad blocker as much as I do on my laptop.
I've been on iPhone most of my life but switched from a 16 Pro Max to a Pixel 9 Pro, and I gotta say, I really miss my Pixel. The 13 Pro Max feels kinda dated to me, especially with the battery potentially degraded. If it were a newer iPhone, I’d say go for it—but for a 13, I'd hesitate. You’ll definitely notice a difference in photography going back from any Pixel to an older iPhone.
Switching from Android to iOS was a struggle for me. They operate quite differently; while Android is all about customization, you really have to adjust to how the iPhone works—there's not much room for personal tweaks.
I have the Pixel 8 and also use an iPhone 23 for work. No way I’d trade my Pixel for an iPhone; it feels like a downgrade honestly.
Yeah, it does have a file manager now! I just don’t find it as essential on my iPhone as I did on my Android.