Transitioning from iPad to Android: My Experience
Written on
Chapter 1: My Shift in Tech Usage
This year has brought significant changes to my tech landscape, which is why my writing has taken a backseat for the past few months. While I plan to delve into new tools or gadgets in this piece, my focus has largely remained on optimizing my personal systems. I've seen improvements in my sleep, diet, journaling, and overall presence at home.
With my son and wife falling ill twice this year, our routines have been disrupted. This situation prompted me to adapt our home tech usage. My iPad Pro, initially mine, has now become my son’s device to help him stay comfortable while he recovers from fevers. Consequently, I found myself without an iPad.
Watching shows in bed has also been a challenge, as we prefer to keep our son close for monitoring. Given past complications he’s had with fevers, we take these situations very seriously. My wife has expressed interest in using the iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil for her summer teaching, making it clear that this device has morphed into a "family" iPad, compelling me to find a tablet of my own.
Another aspect of this transition has been my growing need for a dedicated reading device. I had been leaning on the iPad Pro for my reading needs, but I’ve let go of my Kindle. Although I appreciate the Kindle app and its WhisperSync feature, I currently don't see the necessity for a single-purpose reading device like the Kindle Paperwhite.
Since the iPad Pro has gradually transitioned into a family device, I’ve needed something to read my Kindle or EPUB books on, separate from my iPhone. A conversation with a colleague, who swears by his Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 for reading due to its larger display, sparked my curiosity.
HoneyPad: How to Turn Your iPad Into an Android Tablet - This video offers insights on how to leverage your iPad's capabilities while exploring Android alternatives.
Chapter 2: Exploring Android
Interestingly, my colleague eventually opted for an Onyx Boox Note Air 2 for his reading needs. After our discussion, I began to understand the appeal of an e-ink Android tablet. Not only does e-ink provide a comfortable reading experience, but having a full operating system offers numerous additional benefits. I decided to give it a try and after a month, I returned it for another Android option.
The Onyx Boox Note Air 2 is indeed a remarkable device. Its 10.3-inch display is excellent for reading Kindle Books, and having access to the Play Store for apps like Feedly, Libby, and Medium made it a versatile tool for my reading habits. However, two factors influenced my decision not to keep it: its high price, starting at over $450, and the e-ink display which, while pleasant for reading, posed some limitations in terms of overall tablet functionality.
This experience rekindled my appreciation for Android OS, which I had overlooked as a long-time Apple user. While it lacks the ecosystem benefits of iOS or iPadOS, Android proves to be a robust system that meets my needs for content consumption.
After extensive research on iPads and Android alternatives, I ultimately settled on a Samsung tablet, specifically the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. The value and features offered by Samsung are impressive, and I felt confident choosing a Galaxy Tab after considering various models including the S6, S7, S8, A8, and S6 Lite.
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite was updated in 2022 with a new chip while retaining its sleek design and premium feel, featuring an aluminum casing, slim bezels, and a high-resolution display. At under $250, it was a fantastic deal, especially since I purchased it used and it arrived in excellent condition.
Samsung even includes a stylus with the S6 Lite, which, although not as refined as the Apple Pencil, is a welcome addition at no extra cost. I also got a dark green magnetic case for it, which holds the pen securely, although it can detach if not handled carefully.
Using this tablet for reading and watching content has been a delightful experience. Its widescreen format enhances viewing pleasure in landscape mode, while in portrait mode, I can fit a significant amount of text on the page. The tablet’s portability is another plus, as it easily slips into a bag.
Despite not boasting a high refresh rate or ProMotion features, the S6 Lite meets my needs, especially considering its price point.
Specifications of the S6 Lite:
- Display Size: 10.4 inches
- Resolution: 2000 x 1200
- Battery: 7,040mAh
- Speakers: Stereo with Dolby Atmos
The visual and audio quality for streaming shows is impressive, and the battery lasts several days with regular use. Plus, it supports microSD cards up to 1TB, allowing me to store plenty of books and movies for travel or offline viewing.
I added a matte screen protector to improve visibility in sunlight, which is somewhat less clear than the 2000 x 1200 resolution, but I find it superior to other options I've tried for iPads.
The app ecosystem on Android meets expectations, though I can't download many Apple-exclusive apps, including Ulysses. Nevertheless, I have access to the majority of the apps I need for streaming and music.
S6 Lite Challenges
Before concluding, I must address a few drawbacks of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Primarily, the performance can be sluggish; navigating the interface can sometimes feel slow. I’ve swapped the default launcher for Nova Launcher and adjusted accessibility settings to mitigate this issue, yet the experience can still be frustrating.
Another annoyance is the blurriness of app icons on the home screen, which contrasts sharply with the clarity in apps. Despite trying various launchers, this blurriness remains a persistent issue.
The face unlock feature also disappoints, as it frequently fails to recognize me upon waking the device, requiring me to input my PIN more often than I would like.
Final Thoughts
If I ever switch back to the iPad Pro, having ProMotion will be crucial. However, for my current needs—streaming, reading, and browsing—the S6 Lite has been a solid choice.
I've enjoyed using it for various activities, from watching shows to reading books in the Kindle and Play Books apps. I plan to write more extensively on this topic, but I believe my openness to non-iPad options stems from a shift in my tech consumption habits.
My quest for a tablet focused on reading, streaming, and casual browsing has been fulfilled by the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. While I’m sure an iPad Pro would provide a superior experience, the price difference simply doesn't justify the upgrade for my current usage.
Both Samsung and Android have their imperfections, just as Apple and iPadOS do. Yet, I find that the straightforward tasks and navigation on Apple devices still offer a superior user experience. As a tech enthusiast, I can tolerate the minor frustrations in exchange for the value and features that Android provides. Nevertheless, I still believe that the refinement Apple offers keeps it at the forefront of the tech world.
Easiest Way to Transfer Files Between Android and Apple Devices - This video highlights efficient methods for transferring files across different platforms, simplifying your tech experience.