New iPhone Owner - Why not better than old Samsung

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JamesM64 Author

Level 1

4 points

New iPhone Owner - Why not better than old Samsung

Hi team/forum users

Decided to get a new iPhone 16 plus. Didn't do research. I can't believe that Apple would not be better in these areas

Camera

Voice active ie "smile"
Hand gesture active

I work in engineering and take photos with arm's length happens a lot. Pushing buttons moves the phone

Alarm

If you wake up before the alarm, Samsung asks you if you wish to disable it for today. Apple - have to wait for the alarm and then hit X. Surely Apple can be smarter?

Contacts

If i have a contact say Alex T and then I add a new contact say just Alex, the phone auto adds (merges) the second to the former!! How do I disable this, it should ask before merging

Having paid four times more for the iPhone than the old Samsung, Id expect it to be better in these areas

Don't care for AI, face time etc.

Let me know what I should do to get these features, otherwise, next unit will not be same brand

Many thanks

James M

Posted on Dec 22, 2024 7:44 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Community+ 2026

Level 9

68,894 points

Dec 22, 2024 8:18 PM in response to JamesM64

Camera

Voice Activate with the default "Say Cheese" shortcut and create your own phrase using Shortcuts. To find the Say Cheese shortcut, go to the Shortcuts app and tap the Gallery tab on the bottom of the screen and search for Say Cheese. Shortcuts is a powerful app that allows you to create many customizations and would recommend becoming familiar with the app.

Shortcuts User Guide - Apple Suppor

Hand Gestures - There are many apps in the App Store that will do just that. PeaceCam is one that takes a picture when the Peace sign is detected.

Alarm

Go to the Clock app on your iPhone.
Tap Alarms, then tap Change.
Scroll down to Alarm Options, then turn off Alarm.
Tap Done, then tap Change Next Alarm Only.

Of Course you can create a Shortcut to automate this action and also assign any Siri response to perform the action or provide a popup notification on the screen when it is opened.

Contacts

When you add a contact it will automatically provide a Suggestion for you, but you do not have to accept it. If you do not want to have the suggestion automatically pop up, then turn off Contact Suggestions by going to Settings > Apps > Contacts > Siri > Show Contact Suggestions.

Of course the iPhone is not a Samsung phone and you will have a learning curve just as an iPhone user would have with an Samsung phone. I would recommend reading the User Guide for the iPhone to take advantage of the many features.

iPhone User Guide - Apple Support

I also agree with MrHoffman and if you feel like you have made a mistake and it is within the return period, then return the device and get one that you would prefer. That would especially be true if you do not care for the iPhone features that are not found on a Samsung phone.

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Answer 2

MrHoffman

Level 10

151,149 points

Dec 22, 2024 7:53 PM in response to JamesM64

As an Android device better meets your needs, and at a lower price, I would encourage you to return your iPhone within the refund period, and acquire a device that better meets your needs and expectations.

If you wish to let Apple know about these omissions / issues / enhancements, you can send your feedback to them via: Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 3

JamesM64 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 22, 2024 8:35 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Thanks

I will check them out. From what I found Siri will open the camera app but not take a photo. Should be built in and not another app

Alarm - other phone is more intuitive, single tap

Contacts - I added a same first name only (no second name) contact - no prompt, let me do it and then merged. Happened twice now and I have called the wrong person. Fix is to add the second name as it assumes to add it to an existing contact, don't know why but got caught

I have had the phone 2 months now and prefer the old phone ways of taking a pic. Updated as old (4 yo) phone was getting slow with Outlook app. Can't return, so I will keep until it gets slow. Have sent Apple my feedback thanks to last poster comments. Open to any ither suggestions to make this phone better for me. First time poster here, looking for help.

Cheers and thanks

James M

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Answer 4

JamesM64 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 22, 2024 8:14 PM in response to MrHoffman

Ha thanks

14 days refund period is gone

Surely second fiddle is not the best place to be is it? Maybe the Apple community is not aware.

I cant even get my iPhone backed up with the absolute minimum data without a subscription to more than 5GB. Like hey?

Cheers

James M

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Answer 5

MrHoffman

Level 10

151,149 points

Dec 22, 2024 8:37 PM in response to JamesM64

For refunds, “Eligible products at the Apple Store Online that are received between November 8, 2024 and December 25, 2024, may be returned through January 8, 2025.”

You can back up to a local Mac or Windows PC, or to iCloud with sufficiently storage available.

Yes, the free 5 GB allocation is small, useful for contacts and calendars and photos and some app usage, and is woefully inadequate for backing up most devices.

You clearly know and understand Android, and I would again encourage you to use what best meets your needs.

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Answer 6

JamesM64 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 22, 2024 8:44 PM in response to MrHoffman

Yes, I looked up refunds upon reading your message

Am seeking support for the unit I have now

If not, then I have to wait for the lifecycle to run its course

I have tried the shortcuts as per other reply - say Cheese for photos and it only opens the camera app and not take a pic. I will poke around further

Cheers and thanks

James M

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Answer 7

JamesM64 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 22, 2024 8:52 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Got the "take photo" shortcut to work, had to have 2 commands and not one

Happy with that.

Now I will check the rest

Cheers

James M

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New iPhone Owner - Why not better than old Samsung

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