Has any Android users bought an iPhone JUST to use Apple CarPlay ?

Apple CarPlay FAQ: Everything You Need to Know | Tom's Guide

...."CarPlay will work with every iPhone from the iPhone 5 on. That includes older models such as the iPhone 5c and iPhone SE up to the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, as well as the iPhone X."

 

I hear you. I just can not justify spending upward of $1K on a phone every year. On top of that, most people are spending $30 or more per month for the service. Many people no longer have the landline phone in the house. Mobile is the only phone. So, I understand the importance of having functional mobile phone. But with me, my need for using phone outside of work desk and at home is so small, my current go-to mobile phone is 6 years old Lumia phone with now defunct Windows Phone OS paired with $3.33/month pay as you go SIM. Phone was less than $100 when new. The total cost for the last 6 years is about $340.

Oh, I do have several Android phones as well, but they have no phone capability. I use them as mobile computer. Used Pixel phones I picked up at eBay were less than $50 almost two years ago.

 

That's true but it's hard to stick a laptop in your pocket.
Besides....as stated above you can get a $200 Droid that's 90-percent as good as an $1,100 iPhone.
Last year I would (and did) say that Droids are 80-percent as good but that's simply not true any more.

I know this because I have both.

I'm underwhelmed by the 11's photo capabilities but if you have a CFO whose passions include photography, and you want those passions to include YOU then one could make an argument as to whether the $900 Droid or the $1,100 has the best camera, but if your spouse is already in the walled garden - or you're tired of playing tech support for an eco system that you're no longer a part of......then you get the over-priced phone with the fidget spinner on the back......
....and loathe the company that makes you pay $600 for the third lens because they bundle it with it with an over-priced OLED screen.

For those with Apple juice flowing in their veins that don't HAVE to have the latest - or normal people who want a pretty darn good phone at near 'droid prices......the market place is clogged with year-before-last phones that are in mint condition and are.....90-percent as good as the current stuff.
This is because Apple fans truly love their phones, and they wrap their wafer-thin works of art in ballistic armour vests that are spec'd to stop a .50-cal BMG round (really big bullet) and rated for submergence to full ocean depths.

 

I bought my iPhone 5 well over 5 years ago now. At the Apple Store, unlocked, out-the-door for about $700 CDN, which seemed very extravagant.

Had it assessed a while back, mainly battery life, and they said yeah battery should be replaced. But then he confided: their algorithms made that decision purely on age; the battery was still performing fine.

I'm guessing it can go another 5 years, unless it becomes obsolete/incompatible for some unavoidable technical reason.

 

I have a 5s on my desk (abandoned by a retired co-worker) that's in near-showroom condition and It's still a very functional phone...and it probably WILL be for some time to come.
BUT...it doesn't run IOS-13, it only has 16GB of on-board memory, and the 4" screen is not geezer-friendly.

I'll probably find something to do with it (game camera, grandchild chew toy, etc....) but it IS a testament to the company that I love to hate/hate to love....that one COULD use it as a phone without security issues.
It even has finger-print unlock and a useful (sorta) battery life....and you can still buy one in mint condition for less than $100.

HOWEVER (comma!)
The iPhone SE uses the same form factor, has more memory options, a very good camera, and will run the latest IOS - and they're available for about the same price.
The SE has something of a cult following (much to Apple's chagrin!!) because of it's robust construction, near-peer capabilities, and price point.

They're the LS-400 of iPhones.

 

I've always been myopic as heck, which actually became an asset in older age: where my brethren are struggling with fine print and needle threading, I'm ok, hehe.

Good food for thought, maybe I should upgrade to the SE. Sometime...

Chew toy... ...

 

When my Lumia windows phone stops working, not because of the phone but because of the defunct OS, I am going to look for a cheap feature phone to replace it. Not a smartphone.

 

They don't call them smart phones for no reason. They ARE smart.

It really hit home that I just "splash around in the shallow end of the kiddies pool", when I was out and about with my son yesterday. While driving, his phone was running low, so he grabbed mine, and pretty soon it was up on the car's screen, and he's talking to it, saying stuff like "take me to Best Buy".

A little thing I twigged on recently (and I've had my iPhone for 5 years lol): I'm in google maps app, and I thought "you know, maybe it can access my contact list, let's try this": in the search field I start typing my son's first name, and bam: it's showing the whole address, as in "would you like me to give you directions to get there?".

Yeah I know I should know where he lives. But we were in a new, unfamiliar area, wanted to get from there to his place.

 

The Apple SE is amazing. From my point of view they haven't ever done better.

 

I'm facing the same dilemma after purchase of a 2920 Prime. I have a Galaxy s9 which cost a lot when purchased but my wife and family have Apples. Since we also were talked in to getting an iMac last year the car was the last straw for me to switch. We ended up switching to Sprint and their offer before Christmas for 2 iPhone 11 upgrades to try. We ended up returning the phones and going back to TMOBILE and our old phones since Sprint coverage was so bad.I can tell you that auto play was worth it and now back to Toyota entunes on my Galaxy has me shopping for a used Apple phone. I was seriously spoiled for the month we had the iPhone 11s and I was putting 1000s of miles on the new car during this time. We also have the lower trim package with the smaller screen and no built in navigation but with the autoplay didn't feel I was missing anything and we preferred the smaller screen. That's our experience. Hope its helpful.

 

Apparently news articles have come out in just the last week about Apple improvements to auto play vs android that praise it as the superior version. Not sure how long it will be before Toyota comes out with android version but I'm planning on finally switching to iPhone once I can get my hands on a reasonable priced phone.

 

My girlfriend and daughter have Iphones and their interface is a better with easier use of maps music etc. I think I will switch soon from Android to Apple. Seeing it in person is convincing and I have been a happy Android user. The 2021 Prius Primes now have Android auto FYI.

 

FYI, 2021 Prius PRIME with Android Auto is for only LE trims. XLE and Limited trims will not have the Android Auto, at least at the time of initial roll out.