Originally Posted by
Ricebucket
I
Android phones are going to be a mess because of the Google situation. With an Android phone, in the *best* case, you're going to be without Google Play store and can't download official apps. But your problems are likely to be more numerous. For example, you might not be able to connect to wifi because the captive portal check directs to a blocked Google page. I've heard worse stories too, for example, that the Pixel 3 will have extra high battery consumption due to it trying to Google repeatedly.
Note that the above applies only if you're on phone purchased overseas using a Chinese SIM. If you're roaming then you're not behind the GFW so this won't apply. Likewise, Android phones purchased in China have all Google references removed/fixed.
Are you talking about the same Android that has a 90% -- and rising-- market share? The Android that is open source? If a billion people are able to use them without a hitch, I'm not sure what your gripe is. Inability to connect to Wifi? That's that's a first for me. I have had iPhones in the past, but I simply love my Huawei (bought in China). I currently have a Chinese SIM in slot 1 and a Fi SIM in slot 2. Of course I use a VPN, but the vast majority of Android users in China do not, and the world continues to turn.
Apple Maps defaults to English on an iPhone with English UI, so use that. The data provider is AutoNavi, which is a pretty competitor to Baidu in the maps space. Both AutoNavi and Baidu are better than maps.me (OpenStreetMap) and Google Maps (Google no longer has an active team working on China mapping).
I advise people to use whatever map service they are most comfortable with. I prefer Baidu because of its high level of detail, while others prefer Google, Gaode (AutonNavi), Maps.me, or even Bing. They all perform the same basic function.
Mobike works, but probably easier just to take subway. I'm seeing less shared bikes nowadays compared to a few years back. The industry has been shrinking.
Yeah, some people are predicting doomsday for the entire business model, and I've seen anecdotal evidence supporting this (e.g. people like to hide/hoard the nicest bikes in their own lobbies or behind bushes, which drives up capital costs). I do take the subway as long as I don't need to transfer, and there are some transfers I can deal with; where Mobike comes in handy (for me) is getting to/from subway stations that are 500-1500 meters away.