Switching keyboards on my Android phone was always something I resisted. I have been a loyal Gboard user for years, convinced it was the best – or at least good enough.
The thought of moving to an OEM keyboard (like Samsung) or something else, especially SwiftKey, seemed pointless. But after frequent suggestions from the keyboard community, I decided to give Microsoft’s AI keyboard a shot.
Although the switch started as a temporary experiment, it has now become a permanent change. To my surprise, the overall experience has been positive.
The default theme is basic
Fluent Dynamic theme comes to the rescue
One of the things I love about Gboard is its seamless integration with Material You. The way the keyboard’s colors dynamically adapt to my phone’s wallpaper and overall theme is excellent.
When I switched to SwiftKey, the default theme was average. It’s clean, sure, but it felt a bit basic and uninspired, especially after getting used to Gboard’s fluid design.
For a moment, I thought I would have to sacrifice the aesthetic appeal. But then I headed to the SwiftKey gallery, and that’s where I found the Fluent Dynamic theme.
It immediately solved my problem by offering a visual experience that rivals Gboard’s Material You.
The colors shift to match my phone’s theme, and it makes the entire experience feel polished and modern. Most of the themes in the gallery are strictly average, but this one theme was all I needed to feel right at home.
Copilot integration is spot on
Ok Google, where is Gemini in Gboard?
Out of all Google’s products, I’m surprised that Gboard still lacks Gemini integration. After Google’s strong push with Gemini, I kept waiting for them to fully integrate Gemini, but it hasn’t happened yet.
In comparison, SwiftKey feels straight from the future. The Copilot assistant is right there, accessible via a single tap. At first, I thought it was a fancy gimmick, but it’s useful in specific scenarios.
I can fix grammar and spelling with a single tap, which has saved me from sending more than a few embarrassing typos. But my favorite add-on is the tone-tweaking feature.
Whether I need to sound more professional for a work email or in a Slack thread, more casual for a friend, or even add a touch of humor or politeness, SwiftKey handles it all.
SwiftKey also integrates the Bing search engine directly, so I can look up unfamiliar words without ever leaving the app.
I prefer Google as my go-to search engine, but it’s good to have Bing right at my fingertips. It’s a feature I have come to rely on daily.
The typing experience is right up there with Gboard
A major relief during the switch
All the fancy features and themes don’t matter if the core typing experience isn’t up to par. I’m glad to report that SwiftKey has a fantastic typing experience – right on par with Gboard, if not better.
As someone who frequently switches between languages, the multilingual support is a lifesaver. I mainly type in English and Hinglish, and SwiftKey handles both without breaking a sweat.
It understands my mixed-language sentences without missing a beat. The swiping is another area where SwiftKey shines.
I have found it to be just as accurate and fluid as Gboard. The next-word suggestions are usually astute as well. I rarely find myself manually deleting and retyping a word.
Overall, SwiftKey feels familiar and intuitive, yet it’s packed with smart, modern features.
SwiftKey has covered the basics
And more!
A modern keyboard like SwiftKey needs to do more than type words. That’s where the extras come in. Here, SwiftKey has all the bases covered. It’s a fully functional and well-equipped tool.
I have my emojis, GIFs, and stickers on the toolbar. There is even an AI sticker created that’s powered by Microsoft Designer. The search function is quick and gets me what I need without a fuss.
And with the built-in clipboard, I can copy multiple pieces of text and even images, and they stay stored for me to access later.
SwiftKey also includes a built-in translator, which is handy for those quick, on-the-fly translations without having to switch apps.
Overall, I don’t miss Gboard a bit.
The truth about ditching Gboard for SwiftKey
Having started this journey as a loyal Gboard user, I’m surprised by where I ended up.
My initial skepticism about SwiftKey was based on the belief that Gboard had already perfected the mobile typing experience. The superior word prediction and customization features of SwiftKey have made my daily communication more fluid and efficient.
While Gboard remains a solid and reliable option, I’m not typing faster. I’m typing smarter, and I don’t see myself going back.
I can’t wait to see how Microsoft improves it with future updates.
