I just spent a week forcing myself to use the Pixel 10 Pro and honestly, I couldn’t wait to get my new iPhone 17 Pro.
Tech reviewers hype up Android flagships every year, but they gloss over the little quality-of-life annoyances that, day-to-day, really add up. After a week on “pure” Android, I now get why all the ‘small’ iOS optimizations matter so much.
I even tested the much-hyped 100x “Pro Res” zoom (spoiler: not worth it for most real-world use, especially with people or detailed subjects.) I wrote up what I found here if you’re curious:
The bigger issue? It’s not just one thing, it’s death by a thousand cuts with Android. Here are just some of the dealbreakers I ran into vs iPhone:
– Pixel needs well lit area for Face ID to work; iPhone works even in pitch dark.
– Sunglasses or a mask? Pixel has major issues while iOS handles both fine.
– Pixel has fingerprint unlock, which feels like a dated workaround compared to Apple’s Face ID.
– Scrolling on Android isn’t smooth or natural like iOS.
– No “tap status bar to scroll to top” on Pixel, something I use all the time on iPhone.
– The keyboard trackpad experience is clunky compared to iOS’s fluid text navigation.
– No auto-paste of 2FA codes on Pixel; typing or pasting authentication codes is a chore.
– Google Play Store is an obnoxious ad farm compared to the cleaner App Store.
– Siri app suggestions are way more useful than Android.
– Had repeated issues getting Pixel to call contacts via voice, even favorites.
– Copy and paste requires long-press gestures, much less nimble than iOS.
– No native equivalent of Apple’s Shortcuts for automation.
– Third-party apps (Overcast, Apple News, Ivory, etc.) are just better on iOS.
– Pixel’s AI integrations felt gimmicky. (To be fair, Apple’s “AI” isn’t much better, but at least it stays out of the way.)
– Finding frequent apps was quicker and more intuitive on iPhone.
– Can’t multi-select apps on the homescreen to bulk delete or move
– Can’t completely remove the built-in “At a Glance” widget from a Pixel phone’s Home Screen
– Can’t remove the google search bar
Here’s a quick video showing off iPhones ease of use: https://youtube.com/shorts/m0SNHvT6ybQ?si=KThBzTyDJF2qZq4h
And again, that 100x Pro Res Zoom? Flashy demo feature, not actually practical.
After a week, I can confidently say Android may offer more ‘freedom’ but with it a lot more complexity, while the iPhone nails all the stuff that matters. It’s not about specs, it’s about polish, consistency, and the small details that make using your phone feel effortless instead of frustrating.
Bottom line: I’m about 10 X more productive with an iOS device that I am with Android. Remember the old adage: If you want to work on your computer, get Windows; If you want to get work done, get a Mac. Same goes for Android versus iOS.
If you’re stuck deciding between the Android and iOS , take it from someone who tried both back-to-back: the iPhone wins hard in the everyday, lived-in user productivity experience.
Dr Bob, Brain Mechanic 