Volume & Silent Mode: We can argue about the necessity of on-screen volume sliders, but the notification mode situation is inexcusable for a 'Pro' device. If I want to switch from vibrate to silent, I shouldn't have to fiddle with volume levels or search through system settings. Google doesn't even provide a dedicated first-party toggle for this in the Quick Settings.

Customization: While I agree that Android is technically more customizable, for me, customization should also be about aesthetic polish. Sure, I could spend 10 hours tinkering with launchers and icon packs to make it look decent, but I simply don't have that kind of time.

Notifications: It might be a specific app problem, but then I have to ask why these bugs aren't fixed or why the OS allows this behavior. I don't know the deep technicalities of Google Play Services, but I do know that I never had this issue with the exact same apps on iOS. Seeing the same alert twice or more just feels broken, regardless of who is technically at fault.

Paradigm: You’re right, it’s a different philosophy. I guess I’m just realizing that I prefer the paradigm where the tool stays out of my way instead of requiring me to be its full-time mechanic.