Key Takeaways
- iCloud and Continuity provide seamless syncing and copy-paste across devices in the Apple ecosystem.
- Apple Store offers a convenient buying and repair experience with expert advice.
- AppleCare+ helps minimize downtime with help with repairs and fast replacements.
I’m a long-time iPhone user. Not as long as the original iPhone. My first smartphone was the iPhone 4S. I was in middle school at the time, so you can imagine how excited I was to talk to Siri. Hilariously, I’m Canadian, so I didn’t realize at the time that this feature was US-only. Imagine my disappointment when I held down the home button and Siri said, “Sorry, this feature isn’t available in your region yet.” Thanks Tim.
Since the iPhone 4S, I have owned every flagship iPhone from the iPhone 5, 5S, 6, 6 Plus (don’t ask me why I bought a bigger phone after 3 months), 7 Plus, X (pronounced ten, don’t blame me), XS Max, 11 Pro Max, 12 Pro Max, 13 Pro (yes, I downsized), 14 Pro, and finally the current 15 Pro. For me, having the latest iPhone is a luxury, but I plan and budget for it every year. I usually give my current phone to my mom and then sell it or trade it in, or keep her current phone as a test device so that nothing goes to waste.
Yes, I’m an Apple fanboy. Call me what you will. I enjoy using their products and am lucky to be able to pursue that passion for my job. That said, if you look at my past writings, you’ll see that I have no problem criticizing the company where it’s due (e.g. App Store ads). This article is not a sales pitch to “convince” you to switch from Android or upgrade to a new iPhone. I’m jealous of my girlfriend’s Google Pixel and its awesome “Hold for Me” feature, and I’d also like to try a privacy-focused version of Android like GrapheneOS.
Instead, I want to share with you six reasons why I continue to love not only the iPhone but the entire Apple ecosystem, and specifically why I don’t think I’m going anywhere anytime soon.
1 iCloud and Continuity
The convenience of the Apple ecosystem
iCloud and Continuity are perfect examples of how Apple’s ecosystem is unlike anything else on the market. Some call it a “walled garden,” but I think it’s useful. With iCloud, your notes, reminders, calendars, and more are synced almost seamlessly across your other Apple devices. I especially love iCloud Drive, which allows me to start writing an idea on my iPhone, flesh it out on my iPad Pro where I can focus, and finish it on my Mac where it’s easy to publish.
Similarly, Continuity makes copy and paste magical, allowing you to copy something on your iPhone and paste it on your Mac or any combination of devices. AirDrop is another valuable feature that speeds up file sharing between devices. Sure, there are some solutions on the market that try to mimic these features on Windows and Android, but they’re not as seamless as iCloud and Continuity. We’re especially excited to see iPhone screen mirroring coming in iOS 18 and macOS 15, allowing you to access your iPhone wirelessly while respecting privacy.
2 Apple Store
There are over 500 worldwide
Lately, I’ve been finding the Apple Store experience less appealing. So appealing that I want to write about it. Still, as a former Apple Store employee, I can’t help but walk into an Apple Store and feel the heat in the air. I’ll be the first to admit that I get Apple Store PTSD when I walk in and instinctively confront the products. Still, Apple’s 500+ Apple Stores and thousands of reseller and repair partners create an unparalleled network that makes buying and repair easy.
Being able to book an appointment through the app and have your repair completed within two hours is fantastic.
A few months ago, I went on vacation to Montreal. I was in the area where there was an Apple Store, so I decided to have lunch and get the broken glass back of my iPhone fixed. Like any regular Apple Store customer, I made an appointment in advance. The fact that I could schedule an appointment through the app and have the repair completed within 2 hours was very appealing. Plus, the repair progress was tracked and I was covered under AppleCare+.
Similarly, the Apple Store shopping experience, while not what it once was, is still a great place to get expert advice and pick up online orders. Sure, it can be confusing meeting the staff and figuring out where to pay, but Apple employees are some of the most knowledgeable salespeople you’ll ever encounter in an electronics store.
3 AppleCare+
Rapid replacement is important
Some people consider AppleCare+ a scam. Others consider it a must-have when shopping for Apple products. I don’t buy AppleCare+ for all my products. I’ll bet on the Apple TV and HomePod. Still, all my major expensive devices are basically covered by default: iPad Pro, iPhone, MacBook, Apple Watch, and soon Apple Vision Pro. Whether you buy AppleCare+ or an extended warranty depends on your risk tolerance. But in addition to repair cost assistance, one of the reasons I buy AppleCare+ is for the expedited replacement service.
Express Exchange is a service where Apple will send you a replacement device before you return your defective device. To do this, you must call Apple Support to request an exchange and place a hold on your credit card for the cost if you do not return the replacement device. Otherwise, there is no additional charge for this service. Express Exchange is express because the replacement device arrives within a few business days, minimizing downtime. My nearest Apple Store is an hour away, and they don’t always have a replacement cellular iPad or the correct iPhone part in stock. Express Exchange is a convenient way to get a replacement for a defective or damaged device.
4 Video Recording
The iPhone is awesome
I’m not a professional videographer so it’s hard to explain, but the iPhone is great for taking videos. There’s endless debate about which device is better for taking photos, but when it comes to videography, I think there’s very little competition.
Apple has hit the right spot with great video.
The combination of hardware and software makes the iPhone the industry-leading device for videography. Apple has hundreds of engineers working on cameras alone, and the people who work on video are the best at what they do. The simplicity of just picking up your iPhone and recording great video without any hassle with modifications is why the device is so highly rated for videography. Sure, for those who want that level of control, there are a ton of third-party apps in the App Store, and that’s great. But for most users, Apple has set you in the right direction for great videography; no extra setup required.
5 privacy
What happens on your iPhone stays on your iPhone
Privacy and security are areas where Apple is trying to differentiate itself from Android and Windows. Android and Windows are not insecure OSes, but the nature of iOS, a closed-source OS with a focus on privacy and no sideloading of apps, helps the iPhone’s image. Compared to Windows, the iPhone has no ads, and unlike Android, Apple does its best to limit data collection and handle tasks on the device instead of in the cloud. The iPhone is perfect. It does collect data, but this self-imposed limiting approach is one of the reasons why Siri isn’t as good as Google Assistant, but it is much more reliable.
Permission prompts and location sharing are another example of this. Most location apps are shady and either charge a fee or sell user data, or sometimes both. Apple, on the other hand, has a feature called Find My that allows friends and family to share their location without Apple seeing the data. Privacy permission prompts, while annoying, provide a valuable gatekeeping service to prevent malicious apps from getting hold of user data.
Apple also has Advanced Data Protection, which applies end-to-end encryption to your iCloud data, a feature that Google doesn’t offer as far as I know, meaning the search giant can see all of your files. These are just a few of the reasons why the iPhone is a better privacy choice than Android devices.
6 design
Apple remains the king of design
Pocket Lint
Say what you want about Apple, but if there is one thing that is true, it is that this company can design great products. I’m not just talking about hardware, but also software. I’ll admit that the service is a bit shaky. But everything from the unboxing experience to the material of the device, iOS, and the apps running on it is an unparalleled experience.
The company’s design team remains the guiding light and spirit of high-quality design.
Competitors like Google and Samsung continue to try to copy Apple’s design language. You can’t blame them for doing so. But even with better hardware, Samsung’s Android is bloated. And even a clean install of Google’s Android still has bad apps. Apple isn’t perfect. I’ll be the first to admit that. And yet, despite Jony Ive’s departure, the company’s design team remains the beacon and spirit of quality design. The premium feel of holding an iPhone in your hand is something you’ll never forget.
