I did something recently that I’ve been thinking of doing for a while now. I made the switch from iPhone to Android. I’d been talking about doing this for a few months, and every time I mentioned it, there were two types of people around, naturally—the Team iPhone people and the Team Android people. I had people telling me not to leave iPhone because it’s compatible with today’s world. But then I had people telling me to leave Apple and make a decision I’d be happier with. In the end, I didn't listen to either of them. I made the decision myself.

I’d been wanting to part ways with Apple for a few months. Every day, it was becoming more and more clear how much they branded me and how short-lived their products are. I was discouraged by the fact that as soon as the new iOS update came out, usually in the footsteps of a new iPhone, the iPhone you currently have starts glitching out because it’s not fully equipped to deal with the updated operating system. In other words, the iPhone didn’t work because even though it’s only a year old, Apple had deemed it “old,” and they don’t care about it as much. If I’m going to sink that kind of money into a phone, I want it to be a lasting device. I only had an iPhone 6, but it wasn’t working anymore because it was “old.” And I was getting tired of this.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I know new devices are constantly coming out on the Android side of things. But what I didn’t know was if what I was experiencing with Apple would happen with Android. And even though it’s still a giant question mark, that was all the more reason for me to try out an Android. The prices were comparable, and I know people who have Androids who say they’re lasting, more convenient devices. I decided to make the investment in the Google Pixel. I know only one other person who has the Pixel who raved about it, and Binghamton uses Google Drive for everything so I figured syncing accounts would be extremely easy. And I was right. I’m already so much more impressed with all that Google as to offer. The phone is sleek, convenient, and as far as I’m concerned, the Google Play store could run circles around the App Store.

None of this is to say the switch has been a smooth transition. Thankfully, everything transferred from my iPhone to my Pixel easily because Google provided the necessary tools. The challenges come with learning a new operating system and figuring out where scything is and how to navigate the phone. I’ve only had the Pixel for a week, so I’m still trying to figure it out, but it’s all in good time. There are already features I’ve found that iPhone doesn’t offer that are really nice. Also, the Android operating system takes up much less space than iOS does, which I ‘m so happy about. The only other frustrating thing is that since getting the Pixel, I’ve realized how much Apple has branded me in the last few years, and it’s not only annoying but disgusting. No company should have that much control over a person. I’m not their property.

So, Apple, it was nice while it lasted up to a certain point. But I can say without a doubt that now that I’ve freed myself from Apple’s grip, I’m never going back. I’m now a proud Android user and a Google partner.