Why I prefer an Android

My first phone was a Nokia 3310. My first smartphone was an Apple 3GS. I also had the first, second, and third generation iPods. At one point, I even bought an iPad and a MacBook. In addition to the i-devices from the then-great Steve Jobs, I also had a few versions of the Blackberry. But I have settled into a rhythm with my Android phones over the last few years. It is not that I think that Apple is bad or their design is slipping — although some experts believe that it is. Neither am I of radical opinions surrounding the unjustified margins Apple makes from their premium on a smartphone, which is quite a commodity these days; honestly, what's great about an iPhone anymore? I am from a South Asian country, so I am not very touched by Child Labor arguments one way or the other vis-a-vis a phone, although child labor is wrong across almost all levels of intellectual or industry discourse.

But I have switched to Android. And here is why!

1. I am not sure why everyone is so concerned about Data Privacy. Most of my purchases over the last two years have been based on targeted advertising based on my browsing patterns. If sharing my location and preference data makes my life easier, I should be all for it. I am pretty okay with Google knowing me because I am not that sharp and intelligent; having someone keep me on course helps. Let's face it; even Apple has access to all our data! Just because they made it difficult for Facebook and Google to access it does not make them saints.
2. All smartphones have battery life issues, and over time, devices slow down. But with Apple devices, it presents a particular nuisance. I believe Apple practices a sneaky version of planned obsolescence that no one else does. Hell, even the big bad Microsofts waits for a few iterations before forcing change.
3. Top-of-the-line devices, Apple or Android, don't have that much difference in experience for the average user. Think about it. Most everyone uses their electronic devices with a relatively narrow range of activities. Apple advertises and leverages PR to work its superior value into our minds, and they do a better job than most Android phone companies. OnePlus, when an independent company, was pretty good at it! So is Samsung, I think. The prestige value is just that, prestige value — an emotional slotting rather than anything real.
4. I like free stuff. Android has more creative people making more apps leaking to free or low-cost apps. Apple is expensive but maintaining the equivalent level of fun on an Apple device is costly too.
5. Lastly, when my android phone goes bonkers for some reason, the local cell phone repair shop can fix it no matter how old the phone's make and model. I even got an ancient Motorola, with one of the initial Android versions, fixed for less than $10. In addition to living in a low cost geography, I think it's convenient to have a repair option at hand that will not cost my entire month's pay.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against those using Apple. But statistically, I have not seen any correlation of success, intellectual depth, or savvy between Apple users and Android users. At the end of the day, we (at least most of us) all need a good browser, some good messaging apps, and a few office productivity apps.