Where is the fury now?
In my five to seven years as a tech reporter, I’ve seen that when phones aren’t “correct,” individuals on the Android side of the debate tend to be considerably louder.
Consider the Pixel 6, which has been plagued with issues for months despite being the first true “Google phone.” Several of these solutions were fast fixes, while some Pixel fans were forced to switch OEMs entirely due to the long list of issues Google had to address.
I’ve also observed that it happens less frequently for Apple to announce a new iPhone that also needs an upgrade on day one in order to function. I recently purchased an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and sure enough, as soon as I opened the package, there was an offer to install iOS 16.0.1. The eSIM fiasco, which occurred when Apple opted to completely do away with the traditional SIM, is another factor to consider.
Other than strange launch difficulties and Apple’s sluggish transition into becoming its own MVNO (not really plausible), the iPhone 14 is having issues as well. More recently, it appears that the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max have a hardware and software flaw that results in the primary 48MP camera vibrating violently. This was once claimed to be restricted to only a few third-party apps, like Snapchat and Instagram. However, in one instance, even while utilising the built-in iOS Camera app, the iPhone 14 Pro’s camera was unable to focus. (Apple later released iOS 16.0.2 to address this problem.)
What would transpire, though, if Samsung attempted the same sort of pranks? Not only launching an eSIM-only phone, but also encountering the same sort of unfavourable reaction that we have. Some consumers, whose tweets I’ve seen, are still unable to stick with the carrier or MVNO that they have been using for years. eSIM support is not as extensively used as you might imagine, which is why.
Or consider what would happen if Motorola or even Nothing introduced a new, expensive phone only to have the same problems as Apple’s most recent iPhone. Many editorials would question whether “this was the end,” filled with memes and jokes about how Samsung will continue to gain market share, and comparisons to LG would be made.
When Samsung introduced the $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 3, it did it in a wise manner since it was fully aware of this. For more than a year, Samsung delayed offering out-of-the-box eSIM functionality on some carriers. For a while that year, it would have been difficult to use eSIM particularly, but it didn’t really matter because you still had the regular SIM as a backup plan.
Does Apple actually get a pass?
It might help to explain why we don’t hear about these issues as much as they ought to be heard, coming from someone who constantly bangs the “environment” drum. No, the argument is not that you are holding it incorrectly. It’s because Apple Stores can handle diagnostics and an exchange if you have a problem with your iPhone. You don’t live near an Apple Store. You may have a Best Buy nearby that participates in the Apple Authorized Repair Program.
It is not even close to being the same on the Android side of things. There aren’t many physical Samsung outlets. Only two actual Google Store locations exist. Instead, these businesses make you rely on their own support, which can be hit or miss in and of itself, or you can cross your fingers that there is a certified repair facility, like UBreakiFix, nearby. However, you might not even be aware that you have that choice; I’m not referring especially to you, but rather to the broader public.
I agree that Apple should be given a pass for delivering a new phone with software and maybe hardware flaws. Just from a technical viewpoint, it is also completely absurd that one of the richest firms in the world seems unable to keep its word. As Stage Manager is a confusing mess that should have never been revealed and probably shouldn’t be delivered until next year, if at all, this is sort of a tribute to the delayed release of iPadOS 16.
Outrage or a passive attitude?
Even if my byline is for Android Central, if there’s one thing you’ve learned about me throughout my time here, it’s that I tend to err on the side of caution more than ever. I still lean heavily toward Apple, primarily due to the ecosystem. The cameras or the iMessage lock-in are not the problem. It’s just that the tools I depend on to make a living perform better for me on iOS and macOS.
Android and iOS are still smartphones that (basically) accomplish the same thing, but they fulfil different functions and tasks. I’m able to do things with the greatest Android phones that I wouldn’t want my iPhone to do. It never ceases to amaze me how having a phone with a foldable screen lets me carry an emulation station wherever I go. I can open my phone and start working if something happens and I need to assist our fantastic news team but I’m not at my desk.
It’s a little surprise to see how people are reacting generally to the developing problems with the iPhone 14 series of phones. Despite the fact that I haven’t personally encountered any of the issues others have, my position is unchanged.
Apple is ruining its reputation, and it won’t be long until Tim Cook has a hastily called press conference to lecture everyone on how they should use their phones. That won’t likely occur because the press release will have had over 100 edits before being posted to the Apple Newsroom.
Bottom line: If it’s not acceptable for the Pixel 6 to experience troubles for the entirety of the first year after launch, why does the fury over the iPhone 14 feel more like a rumble than a full-on crusade? The unknown.