Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#1

Post by r4v3n » Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 8:55 PM UTC

Today it seems more impossible than ever to decide. As a lifelong Android user, I'm wondering whether I should switch to iOS. But why? Because I'm fed up with changing smartphone for the sole reason that there are no more software updates!

You'll tell me to get a Google Pixel and get 7 years of updates. Agreed, but the price isn't as good and it seems a little less quality than an iPhone.

I'm a daily user of free and opensource software, with Linux on all my PCs. My emails, calendar, contacts, photos, files... are not hosted by GAFAM and I want to keep it that way. My main use for my smartphone: photos, GPS, web reading, RSS reading, chatting. That's about it.

In terms of smartphones, you always have to choose between the plague and the colera, between Google or Apple.

So what's the best choice in 2024 for a user like me, iOS or Android?

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#2

Post by Kelteseth » Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 8:59 PM UTC

I use an S24 Ultra. Best camera I have ever had and also 7 years of software updates.

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#3

Post by r4v3n » Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 9:28 PM UTC

Kelteseth wrote: post #2

I use an S24 Ultra. Best camera I have ever had and also 7 years of software updates.

Samsung has an Android "overlay" that's pretty redhibitory for me. And privacy-wise, it's pretty bad too from what I've read. But thanks for your comment, the photo part is important to me :)

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#4

Post by sky2224 » Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 9:45 PM UTC

It's not out yet, but the light phone 3 might fit what you're looking for.

Although, it uses an e-ink display, so things like texting and gps may be a bit weird to use. Not sure if you'll get guaranteed updates for an extended period of time like 7 years though.

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#5

Post by r4v3n » Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 9:56 PM UTC

sky2224 wrote: post #4

It's not out yet, but the light phone 3 might fit what you're looking for. Although, it uses an e-ink display, so things like texting and gps may be a bit weird to use. Not sure if you'll get guaranteed updates for an extended period of time like 7 years though.

I don't know at all, I'll have a look, thanks :)

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#6

Post by talldayo » Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 10:14 PM UTC

> But why? Because I'm fed up with changing smartphone for the sole reason that there are no more software updates!

All phones reach a point where people don't support them anymore, on both Android and iOS. However, Android does 2 things right that make it much better in my opinion:

1. Provide the AOSP so the community can provide support for outdated devices via LineageOS/CalyxOS style forked ROMs

2. Give all phones the ability to directly install software packages (even over ADB) so that they can still be used when they lose Play Store support or even once the TLS is outdated.

You're welcome to check if the grass is any greener on iOS, but there hasn't ever been an iPhone with an unlockable bootloader. Once Apple cuts support for your device it's over, which is a possibility that can at least be precluded on some Android devices.

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#7

Post by h4ck_th3_pl4n3t » Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 11:26 PM UTC

If software updates are your major concern, then maybe get a device that's compatible with LineageOS and postmarketOS and flash either OS on your device?

LineageOS has support for at least a decade until the devices aren't supported anymore. And even then, usually the project just needs people that build the images for them. [1]

[1] https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#8

Post by nextos » Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 11:52 PM UTC

I think for a FOSS user 2 options are worth considering. Option 1, get a Pixel, wipe it up and install GrapheneOS. Then try to live on applications from the F-Droid ecosystem. If a Pixel is too expensive, look into ROMs that support other devices, like CalyxOS. Option 2, get a Sony or any other device supported by Sailfish OS. Use native applications, but whenever needed you can always fall back to F-Droid or Google Play given the Android compatibility layer provided by Jolla.

Sailfish is actual Linux. Not just a Linux kernel with an alien userland. The OS is beautiful. Some parts of the system are excellent, like offline maps. There are lots of indie applications. But other things have less or no support unless you fall back to using Android via the compatibility layer. Both OSes should provide long-term support.

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#9

Post by brudgers » Sun, Aug 18, 2024, 2:47 AM UTC

Both are good enough and it might not be worth spending time imagining you are optimizing. Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: Android or iOS for a Linux and FOSS user in 2024?

#10

Post by vednig » Sun, Aug 18, 2024, 11:26 AM UTC

I would suggest see nothing.tech, I have been using it since last 6 months, no problem whatsoever nice updates, and reasonable pricing. Even the camera quality is good. Plus, if you ever are required to move to apple ecosystem they have experimental Airpod support.