I've just picked up an iPhone 14 Pro, with my last iPhone being an iPhone 4 (2011) - My Thoughts.

Submitted by tomj1991 t3_yibu4l in iphone

I've used a mix of Samsung's and Sony's since the iPhone 4, my last phone being the S21+ which was probably the most underwhelming phone I've used, it was just.... boring?

Anyway, I popped into my local Apple shop yesterday and spoke to the chap at the front of the shop, and he seemed a bit aloof until I mentioned that I'm looking to purchase my first iPhone since the iPhone 4, "SINCE WHEN??" he blurted out, even mentioning to one of his colleagues in shock. Needless to say he got me booked in with an Apple Genius and the rest was history. I walked out with an iPhone 14 Pro in Black, iWatch and pro headphone thingies.

First things first, the "it just works thing" really is true, the watch and the headphones just connected seamlessly and work flawlessly. Another great surprise was that Apple Car Play uses up 100% of my car screen instead of 1/3 being taken up by a black square saying "Android Auto".

My Mrs has been an avid Apple user for years so was keen to run me through all the bits they can do, even the fact that you can make the headphones beep so you can find them, simple, but a feature I really like, I've had to use it twice already. I never liked the look of FaceID, but again after using it it works so well. I thought FaceID might be the make or break as I preferred the fingerprint sensor of the Samsung but I've actually found FaceID more reliable.

The UI in terms of aesthetics is beautiful, the overall device just seems so premium and great to hold but there absolutely some things I don't like, the first being I can put the app widgets where I want, they keep on pinging to the top of the home screen which is frustrating, and the other being there doesn't seem to be a volume mixer for different sounds, my alarm didn't wake me up this morning because the alert/ringer volume was turned down??? Surely the alarm should always be turned up, as you know, it's an alarm.

Enjoying 85% of the experience so far but if anyone if you have any hints or tips for a essentially brand new iPhone user please do let me know.

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Comments

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Adam-1D t1_iuih1iz wrote

What you can do for your ringer volume is decouple from media volume (Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Change With Buttons > off). This prevents them from being changed when you press the volume buttons and keeps them at the volume you set in Settings.

Also regarding alarms, did you set a standard alarm or a wake-up alarm? A wake up alarm is set when you set up a Sleep Schedule and has its own volume controls that are not affected by the one in Settings > Sounds & Haptics. Also if you’re wearing your Watch to bed, it will try to wake you up using your Watch using taps first and then sounds (make sure Silent mode isn’t on in the Watch’s control center)

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tomj1991 OP t1_iujavqv wrote

Ahhhh it was a wake up alarm, thanks so much.

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Dojha420 t1_iujomgb wrote

Trust me iPhones are premium, once you get familiar with the settings you can customize anything to your liking

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jaypeg25 t1_iujxrg4 wrote

Is that so? So I can have links open in specified apps rather than having majority open in safari?

the iPhone is great but there are some serious weaknesses in its user experience that just lead me to wonder what they were thinking.

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Big_Brother_is_here t1_iujza2v wrote

Yes you can have links open in other apps, either other browsers or specific apps (say, a tripit link will open in the tripit app).

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jaypeg25 t1_iujzqqm wrote

That’s not true. I run into the issue all the time. For example if I click a link in the peloton Reddit to a ride it opens up in the browser, and not the Peloton app.

If I click a link to a tweet it opens, at best, to safari which then asks “do I want to open it in my twitter app”. At worst it just opens in safari without giving me an option.

Reddit links work similarly. And there are plenty of other examples. Meanwhile on android you can easily set default apps and to borrow a phrase, it just works.

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berogg t1_iuk9flu wrote

Sometimes it’ll just redirect me to the App Store for download when the app is already installed.

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psyxic t1_iuj0ek0 wrote

Didn’t know about the watch piece - thanks!

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H1Ed1 t1_iuk9wlv wrote

Watch is clutch for those snooze naps that have you skipping alarms and waking up an hour late. Lol. Watch gently vibrates to wake you up.

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Xane256 t1_iuj2v7v wrote

OP also has an apple watch which I think can change alarm behavior but I forget how to change it

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FINDTHESUN t1_iujezh0 wrote

i use the watch as an alarm almost every day it wakes you up so subtly and gently with just little vibration on the wrist, great stuff and very convenient

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pumaedition t1_iujjz48 wrote

I’ve had an iPhone for about 9 years. I had no idea about the ringer/sounds split.

My phone is usually on silent anyway, but will use the setting for sure!!

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tandem_biscuit t1_iuk6lr5 wrote

I love the way my watch wakes me up. On the rare occasion I go to bed and forget my watch on the charger, and waking up to the phone alarm is just horrible in comparison.

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neatgeek83 t1_iuioj5i wrote

Welcome back. But pro tip - there is no iwatch. You’ll get destroyed here if you call it that. Apple Watch it is. This has been your one warning :-)

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tomj1991 OP t1_iuja15u wrote

Haha thank you, rookie error right there.

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cereal-kills-me t1_iuj2nel wrote

Your next iPhone will be the 24

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suspicious_crewmate t1_iujjdyb wrote

24s pro max plus ultra*

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zerbey t1_iuhyang wrote

I went from a 4S to a 13 (with a bunch of Androids in between). The difference between the two is night and day of course. Back when I had the 4S I felt iOS just wasn't ready yet, it's long since caught up to Android and surpassed it.

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markhewitt1978 t1_iuj6and wrote

I started with the iPhone 4. And yes at that point the OS was quite basic compared to now. Coming from a Nokia so of course a lot was better but a fair bit worse too.

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LordofThund3r t1_iujb0nf wrote

Lol surpassed? I use both. And I see Android do much smarter things and do simple QoL stuff in a much better way. Try answering to msgs from ur notifications, try customising app notifications in the way android does it, try not waking up the lockscreen for every notification, (yeah u would say disable it, but if u do, u won't even hear it. android let's u hear it at least) try tapping in the middle of a word to edit somewhere in the middle without having to drag ur finger through the letters, try dialling a name's letters on the dialler to see if that contact pops up, try sharing files seamlessly between various apps on the same device, and just for good measure try typing 2 in the exponent form..

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mankodaisukidesu t1_iujq98o wrote

On iPhone you can reply from the notifications screen by doing a long tap. As for trying to edit the middle of a word, long tap on the space bar and you can precisely move the cursor to any part of the sentence.

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yellowcedar t1_iuk8vp1 wrote

> As for trying to edit the middle of a word, long tap on the space bar and you can precisely move the cursor to any part of the sentence.

How long has this been a thing? This is game changing to me.

Holy moly it works so well.

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robbyking t1_iujfyjo wrote

I was a convert, too. Early on I thought that the Google flagship phones were a lot nicer than the contemporaneous iPhones, but now I think that the opposite is true.

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B7ues t1_iuj86z0 wrote

calm down buddy. definitely hasn’t surpassed it, ive been a long time user of both. they both have different things to offer. remember apple’s updates are limited to there ios

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andrewjjames79 t1_iuiyik4 wrote

I’ve just moved over from android having never owned a iPhone of any sort(shock horror)

Really enjoying the 14 pro max it does so many things better than my old S21 ultra

Things I love

Face unlock thought I’d miss the finger print sensor but nope, feels so much slicker and seems to work no matter what the light or conditions are.

Animations seem really smooth

I might just be me but the apps that I’ve used so far seem to be “just better” take WhatsApp for example I send and receive voice notes and I’m positive the quality of the voices are better on iPhone

BitWarden is amazing on iPhone seems to work all the time now where as I’d find myself constantly having to log into it and copy and paste the passwords username as the android keyboard would never activate it.

The app icons all being the same is a big plus for me

FaceTime (is that’s what its called?) the video quality is Amazing compared to what I’m used to using WhatsApp or Facebook messenger on android.

Things I really dislike or find annoying

Notifications….. I’m sorry but android dumps all over Apple in this regard

Why can you not organise all your apps on the home screen alphabetically!! Just seems silly not being able to ( although it does become second nature quite quickly remembering where all the apps are on which screen etc)

The fact I need to go out and pick up the Apple Watch as my watch 4 won’t work on this phone but to be fair 300 quid for SE watch seems a steal plus it’s covered from me selling my old phone

All in all though so far glad I’ve made the switch !!

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samuelbroombyphotog t1_iuk3nrk wrote

On finding apps quickly, get used to using the search on the Home Screen. Speeds up getting around the phone so much when you just punch in the first couple of letters and you’re there. A quick swipe down on the home screen is how I prefer to pull it up.

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tocard3 t1_iujr7hi wrote

I've had the exact same experience with BitWarden. Used it on my iPhone 12PM seamlessly. Switched to the S22 Ultra and it's been a pain in the rear. I have had this phone since release and I still cannot figure out how to get BitWarden to appear in the keyboard consistently. Most frustrating thing ever!!

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Furimbus t1_iui1b76 wrote

Here’s a way you can deal with your widget placement issue:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/transparent-widget-twid/id1533516754

(I haven’t used this particular one - there are many similar options and this is just the first that came up in a quick search)

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Turboolant t1_iuj2cwq wrote

I find it funny that Apple allows these types of apps but won’t properly implement this.

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tomj1991 OP t1_iuja3kb wrote

I will give that a shot thank you.

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kailron t1_iuhwglz wrote

I went from s21 to 14 pro, here are some issues i’ve experienced: 1)many animations on iOS aren’t configured for 120hz and run at about 90hz, which makes smoothness worse compared to android’s 120hz. 2)I prefer Samsungs/androids implementation of notification+control center 3) can’t map flashlight to double/triple clicking power button(I know many people love to bind camera to it as well). 4) no longpress number row in default keyboard

Wonder if these things are also part of your experience, don’t view me as a hater tho, there are reasons why I switched and they satisfy me, but I would give a lot to get features that I mentioned, especially given how easy they are to implement from the coding standpoint

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tomj1991 OP t1_iuja9st wrote

I think the biggest thing I miss is being able to double press the power button for the camera. Apart from that and what I already mentioned Im not finding anything else.

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StillChillBuster t1_iujq8x2 wrote

I miss this from my android as well

You have two options. One, add a camera widget to your control center (control center is the menu you get when swiping down from the top right of the phone). You can add it by going to settings > control center and adding camera

The other option is to make a shortcut that opens the camera app, and then use the back tap feature (settings > accessibility > touch > scroll down to back tap) and set a double or triple tap to run that shortcut

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Venilix t1_iui0yuv wrote

Would you have an example where this is visible? I haven’t even seem the general difference, having used iphone since iphone 2G to now iphone 13 pro. I more experience it as an overall improvement of speed by the cpu. Wondering where I can see it in the display Hz

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kailron t1_iuimkah wrote

The scroll is primarily the issue here, almost all other animations are solid smoothness. General scroll in every first party app, such as settings, iMessage, photos, mail, safari, etc jumps to about 80-90hz. Pretty much all 3rd party apps that use the same default scroll api also don’t reach 120hz. Lastly, switching between home screen pages isn’t 120hz. Here are some apps that do, somehow, use 120hz scroll: telegram, Amazon, chrome. If you wanna see comparison to how it should be in 1st party apps, turn on screen recording and try scrolling while the screen is being recorded, that forces 120hz everywhere. See if you can spot a difference. Also, without turning on screen recording, see if you can spot a difference scrolling through a google search in safari vs chrome

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djbuu t1_iuiupi0 wrote

I followed this test and noticed absolutely no difference whatsoever. Tried a few times over a few apps.

Curious, how are you arriving at this hz conclusion?

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roastpork123 t1_iujdj96 wrote

Here’s a comparison between iPad and iPhone 120Hz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFvS883E9GY

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djbuu t1_iuji8i0 wrote

Thank you. Very helpful. That said, I still don’t know if I’d ever notice this or feel strongly about it unless I was side by side scrolling with an iPad Pro. I stand by my other statements that most people won’t notice this or even care if they did.

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roastpork123 t1_iujinnn wrote

True. Most people won’t notice it. And they’ll notice if they go back to 60Hz that their screen is better. But for me, I notice that the 120Hz is not really peaking at 120Hz and mostly capped at around 90Hz. Again, not too much of a big deal but it’s good to know. And it’s unfortunate considering this was iPhone 13 Pro’s main selling point.

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kailron t1_iujbohw wrote

People who use high refresh a lot develop an eye for it, refresh rate is directly correlated with the perception of smoothness, you can tell when the animation feels half way between classic age old 60hz iPhone and what a true 120hz should feel, that’s where the number 80-90hz comes from. These findings are confirmed by a ton of other people mentioning 80-90hz since that’s what it feels like to people who can actually tell. Apparently, many people can’t tell the difference and that’s primarily what lets apple get away with it

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djbuu t1_iujbum9 wrote

So this isn’t science. This is your eye. And it’s something 99% of users will never notice or care about. Good to know

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kailron t1_iujdbm5 wrote

Blaming it on “my” eye is just a cope argument. We will never know the true statistic but I would argue it’s not 99%, and the percent would be even lower if people we let to experience what it should actually feel like. There are various videos online with people using external cameras to compare hz on iphone vs android, one of them even has an approximate calculated value of a scroll of 80hz. And most importantly, a ton of people keep repeating the words “it feels like a 80-90hz screen” over and over

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djbuu t1_iujdn8j wrote

Not blaming it on your eye. Just saying this isn’t science. Either way again 99% of people will never notice this. This is the nittiest pick I’ve seen in awhile

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kailron t1_iujffob wrote

You have no idea how much of a serious issue this is, this is a universe away from being nit picky, you just can’t see it, not everyone can. Also, “this isn’t science” is a crappy argument in this case, science doesn’t just magically contradict observation. The only thing that’s not science here is your 99% number. There are people claiming iOS default scroll currently tops off at 80hz max since Xcode has 1, 10, 60, 80, 120hz as defined accessible options for iPhone animations, and apple chose 80 for default scroll api on iPhone. Contrast this to an iPad pro, which only has 10, 60, 120, so apple just gives 120. So far this reasoning is the most likely theory, the only reason why I’m using the word theory is because I’m not an iOS dev and I can’t confirm these findings myself

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djbuu t1_iujhogj wrote

It not being science is a great argument. Why? Because any semblance of a scientific method here would prove a problem. Instead? I only have your eye to trust on a problem so “serious” that this is the first time I’ve ever heard of it and your own “test” can’t even show an average user (me) a demonstrable difference. Honestly I was all ready to thank you for pointing it out and then be constantly ever so slightly irked that I wasn’t getting premium smoothness. Instead here I am, pointing out your unproven “eye” is severely lacking in concrete repeatable demonstration.

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kailron t1_iujix68 wrote

Well, sorry mate, you’re just gonna have to trust my “eye” then. If you actually followed my tests and still can’t see it, then you just can’t see it. From my online observations there are plenty of people who can see it and are disappointed, but there are also plenty of people who can’t see it just Iike you.

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aleksevv t1_iuiql4r wrote

Probably, you can use accebility features to map the flashlight.

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kailron t1_iuiqwxp wrote

I tried double/triple back tap and rage-turned it off after a couple of days due to how it works like every third time, it astonishes me how you can’t map triple power button click to it instead

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aleksevv t1_iuirz9i wrote

Never used accessibility, but sucks to hear it works this way.

Sthg so simple should be possible.

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kailron t1_iuisonm wrote

“Something so simple should be possible” is the general state of mind when u swap android to iphone

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Flex973 t1_iujcsvs wrote

Download Google keyboard for iOS

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kailron t1_iujdv0o wrote

I tried gboard and couple others, their aestetics suck compared to default iOS keyboard, also I dislike how I can’t reduce the activation time for number row

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_nocontest t1_iuk2kwi wrote

For the flashlight use this- Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap > Double Tap : Torch

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kailron t1_iuk4nr2 wrote

Already replied to another guy suggesting back tap, I used it for 2 days and rage-disabled it after experiencing that it’s dogshit and works like every third time, it’s also prone to accidental activation

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Bleuenoser t1_iuix87t wrote

The biggest challenge for me was figuring out swipe to back space on the calculator. Also turn the calculator to landscape for scientific mode.

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StillChillBuster t1_iujph3z wrote

The iPhone calculator is so so so awful… I would recommend downloading PhotoMath, and if you don’t want to use the camera feature, there is a typing feature.

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Fuspo t1_iujbnxf wrote

So I used to be a manager for sprint.

I’ve gone through so many phones in that with my last being the Galaxy S6 when I switched careers.

Between androids and iPhones there came a point where they all became boring and I started to look for something that did everything that I need it to do well enough.

After more back and forth between flagship iPhones and Androids I finally landed on the iPhone X when it released and I think screen, operating system and usability finally landed to a place where I was content knowing that my phone could do what I needed it to.

So many people are so hyper focused on well my phone has this awesome feature, yours doesn’t back and forth from both sides and I have to admit I was like that as well.

So when you finally dig down into, what do I really care about and what do I really need? Then for me iPhone hits all the boxes.

Reliably great quality camera, easy to use interface, cross device app support (watch, tablet, MacBook Pro), Handoff support and mostly an actual company owned store front that I can go to with issues for any of my mention devices and not have to deal with the service provider.

I by no mean claim that iPhone is the master race phone or best or what ever. However, it is to me the perfect phone for my specific needs.

With that said I do sometimes miss my old pixel phone.

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mind_on_crypto t1_iuk268o wrote

When I started reading your post I thought you were going to tell us that you had used the same iPhone 4 for 11 years (an impressive feat!). Going directly from that to a 14 Pro would have been pretty disorienting. 😀

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tigerinhouston t1_iuiy3nv wrote

The watch has a control panel feature that makes your phone sound a locator beacon. Even in silent mode. Brilliant.

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dcdttu t1_iuj1am0 wrote

If you’re able to go back within an application’s UI, you can usually swipe from far left to right on the screen instead of tapping the back button at the top left.

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Much__Maligned t1_iuiy4gz wrote

I loved reading this post. Really enjoyable and interesting take. Hope you enjoy your new Apple stuff man! Let us know if you have any questions about your new stuff

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nix80908 t1_iujggzn wrote

Honestly. I feel the same as you. I too had the iphone 4 ... Tiny little guy. Been Sammy And Google since then. Picked up the 14 Pro this weekend.

I miss thr swipe gestures to go back. And they keyboard is a bit janky (they dropped support for Swiftkey 🥲).

Buuuuuuut iMessage is amazing. And the apps and ecosystem for music production is way better than Android's offerings. The "It just works" thing is so true... It does.

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NRRW1996 t1_iuk52re wrote

I'm slowly being sucked into the apple ecosystem! I just bought my first ipad ever! I already have the iphone 11, beats pro, and apple watch 5😆

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wsp182 t1_iuj4tmr wrote

Actually, I find it very useful to adjust the alarm volume. If you have very thin walls, the alarm could wake up the person in the next room.

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mrmarkolo t1_iujq4fw wrote

One feature I always find myself using with the Apple Watch is to find my phone with the ring your phone feature. Just quickly swipe up from the bottom of your watch and click the icon with the little phone with lines on each side of it. Has saved me so much time looking for where I left my phone in the house. Sometimes finding it between the cushions on the couch which would have taken me ages otherwise.

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Sodapaup t1_iujx8wa wrote

Man I can't imagine thinking any smart phone in this day and age is "boring". Idk, maybe I'm just not what everyone would call an "enthusiast". A smart phone is a smart phone, and I definitely weighed the pros and cons. But idk, maybe I'm just being petty but I just personally wouldn't get rid of a phone because it was "boring".

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Alik013 t1_iuk653t wrote

I just moved from android to iphone and got the 14 pro max ..overall I’m enjoying the new experience but some things bother me ..like the notifications and the keyboard , also the calculator looks like something that was designed 20 years ago

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mccoy299 t1_iujmove wrote

Welcome back to the dark side we missed you

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DLiltsadwj t1_iujjlv9 wrote

I admire you for getting your money’s worth out of your phone. Apple probably does not admire you as much.

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Soaddk t1_iujpix2 wrote

OP hasn’t used an iPhone 4 until now. He/she has been on Android since he/she stopped using the iPhone 4.

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cDawgMcGrew t1_iujp1c8 wrote

Admirable. Guys/gals- if this person took the money they would have spent on iPhones 5-13… and invested it in just average mutual funds- they could probably by a nice vehicle, possibly home.

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nbpf-_- t1_iuiouhs wrote

iOS does not allow users to place their apps (icons, shortcuts, etc.) on a home screen page in the way that fits their needs.

There are workarounds (like for example https://apps.apple.com/de/app/transparent-app-icons/id1533210346) but they are awkward.

The other thing that I find unacceptable are the glossy backs (iPhone 14) and the glossy stainless steel frames (iPhone 14 Pro). These elements completely spoil an otherwise great design. They also make it virtually impossible to use an iPhone without a case.

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PeanutButterChicken t1_iuhz6jf wrote

FaceID is terrible, especially on the 14 Pro Maxbut at least unlock with Apple Watch usually works. Most of the phone is fine, but the second you try doing something that is outside of the lines Apple draws, you’re usually fucked.

Try making a shared album then changing the dates it shares from. You can’t. You need to delete it and start all over.

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markhewitt1978 t1_iuj6lcy wrote

How is FaceID not working for you. I've used it with the XSMax from when it came out and now iPhone 14. It's so seamless that 99% of the time I don't even notice it's happening.

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mankodaisukidesu t1_iujtcku wrote

Yeah same, I was even impressed that it works when wearing sunnies too

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golf1415 t1_iuk48oc wrote

Same. I’m moving back to android, but I will surely miss FaceID.

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