iPhone Vs Android: Which One Is Better And Why
When its time to upgrade your phone, its always a smart idea to consider all your available options. If youve had your current phone for a couple of years, a lot can change with technology in that time. Read on to take a closer look at iPhones and Androids and see what makes one better than the other.
You Have Two Choices In Smartphone Operating Systems We Compare Them
by Marc Saltzman, AARP, Updated August 1, 2022
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En español | Just as computer shoppers must decide from among Windows PCs, Macs and Chromebooks, you’ve got alternatives when looking for a new smartphone.
Essentially it boils down to this: iPhone or Android.
“Most of the core functionality, though, will be the same regardless of the phone you choose, says Dan Ackerman, editorial director for computers and gaming at CNET, one of the most popular online tech resources. Most phones make calls, browse the web, take photos and so on, but some phones have specialized features like folding screens or extra camera lenses.
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Although the two camps have many similarities in hardware and software, the two operating systems Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android have different looks, feels and feature sets. Price, screen size and weight also can vary greatly.
Choice is good, but it can also be overwhelming. So how do you know which phone will best suit your needs?
Putting your hands on a device is always a great idea. Go to your mobile phone providers store or kiosk or a big-box store to play around with something.
Gps Navigation: Free Wins For Everyone
As long as you have internet access and a smartphone, you never have to get lost again, thanks to the built-in GPS and maps apps on iPhone and Android.
Both platforms support third-party GPS apps that can give drivers turn-by-turn directions. Apple Maps is exclusive to iOS, and while that app had some famous problems when it debuted, it’s getting steadily better all the time. It’s a solid alternative to for many users.
Even if you don’t want to try Apple Maps, Google Maps is available on both platforms , so the experience is roughly identical.
Winner: Tie
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Pure Experience: Avoid Junk Apps
The last item mentioned that Android’s openness means that sometimes manufacturers install their apps in place of higher-quality standard apps.
This issue is compounded by phone companies also installing apps. As a result, it can be hard to know what apps will come on your Android device and whether they’ll be any good.
You don’t have to worry about that with the iPhone. Apple is the only company that pre-installs apps on the iPhone, so every phone comes with the same, primarily high-quality apps.
Winner: iPhone
Freedom From Apple Ecosystem
Another major point for Android devices is that they dont rely on Apples device and software ecosystem. Users can mix and match hardware accessories and software to their liking. Rogers writes, The only reason why people stay with an iPhone is because they are locked into the FaceTime and AirDrop ecosystem.
With that freedom, you often pay less. Being forced into Apples ecosystem means that they can charge a premium for their devices, as their competition isnt as much as an issue.
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Phones At Every Price
You get more flexibility on price too. Just like the diverse range of Android phones in terms of hardware features, there are Android phones at every price point to choose from. Premium-priced Android phones are about as good as iPhones. The high-end Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra will set you back nearly $1299. But you can pay far less and still opt for a perfectly serviceable Android phone.
On the other hand, iPhones are expensive. The most expensive iPhone currently is the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which would cost you around $1599.
Updates To Patch Vulnerabilities
Winner: iPhone
Apple updates are easier to control across devices, promising consistent security.
Android and iOS software updates and security updates are some of the main ways that Apple and Google can keep their devices secure. Because Apple strictly controls the devices in its ecosystem, updates are easier to create and distribute. This also means that Apple can usually keep iOS devices updated for longer, generally withdrawing official support after 5 years.
The number of Android devices Google has to serve makes it virtually impossible to keep all of them updated to the same level of security and for the same amount of time and frequency.
It also makes it harder to roll those updates out, as they have to be distributed across multiple manufacturers and devices. Updates come out less frequently and mobile devices are supported for less time.
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iPhones Offer More Security And Privacy
iPhones are famous for their privacy and security systems. They offer security features like facial or fingerprint authentication to protect your personal information. The iPhone even stops apps from tracking your activity online because of a limited OS and platform. Its iMessages and FaceTime video calls are also end-to-end encrypted. In fact, last year Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Google’s Android mobile OS has 47 time more malware than Apple iOS operating system.
Ios Is Super Simple To Use
Sometimes, what we love about Android makes it a less enticing platform to the general consumer. While Google and its partnered manufacturers have been getting better at making Android more intuitive, especially after Android 12, the truth is it can still be a bit confusing. Dealing with random icon placements, endless settings, and full customization isnt for everyone. Furthermore, inconsistency between phone makers creates a learning curve, as most Android phones look and feel different from one another.
Apple fans love their operating systems simplicity, and it is arguably one of the things iOS does better than Android. There isnt much to iOS, and thats part of the allure. Many iPhone lovers dont want a phone to mess around with and customize. They want a device that works well, is easy to use, and can take them to their content with the least amount of effort. This is what the it just works expression is all about.
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With iOS, you get home pages with rows and columns of icons, which you can organize as you wish, but theres no app drawer to hide things its all laid out in front of you. The settings are straightforward, and the experience is always the same, no matter which Apple mobile device youre using.
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Usage Considerations For Ios Vs Android
How you intend to use your smartphone may factor into your device choice. For example, if youre a freelance videographer who purchased a high-end iMac to render videos, an iPhone would be an excellent addition to your tech tools.
However, if you work with a Chromebook and need an affordable device that facilitates your constant multitasking, youll likely be pleased with an Android phone.
Did you know?: As of April 2022, iPhones made up nearly 58% of U.S. smartphones, compared with 42% for Android devices. However, Android dominates the worldwide market, with almost 72% of the global market share, compared with iOS 28%.
Is Android Better Than Ios
This question continues to be the biggest unsettled tech debate to date.
For some, answering it would be as easy as saying iOS, of course! However, Android users would have their own valid reasons to support the device.
Not too long ago, the debate was valid. iPhones and Android phones used to differ greatly in terms of their design, performance, camera quality, and so forth. Back in the early days of smartphones, iPhones typically stood out .
However, today, it seems foolish to argue about the tangible features of the two. Both iPhones and Android offer comparably excellent designs and features and it all boils down to subjective preference.
The debate has now moved beyond the tangible features of the phones and onto the real differentiator how well and for how long a company supports a phone model with software updates, protects it against security threats, and so forth.
There are numerous things that Android does better than iOS, but what iOS does better is a bit more significant: quality over quantity.
But it would be unfair not to mention where Android stands out. Lets take a look at the areas where Android takes the lead.
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Factors To Consider Before You Buy A Smartphone
When buying the best smartphone, the first choice can be the hardest: iPhone vs. Android. Both offer a lot of great features, but iPhones and Android phones are very different. Read on to learn more about these differences to help you decide whether an iPhone or Android smartphone is best for you.
Hardware is the first place where the differences between the iPhone and Android become clear.
Only Apple makes iPhones, so it has extremely tight control over how the software and hardware work together. On the other hand, Google offers Android software to many phone makers, including Samsung, HTC, and Motorola. Because of that, Android phones vary in size, weight, features, and quality.
Premium-priced Android phones are about as good as the iPhone, but cheaper Androids are more prone to problems. Of course, iPhones can have hardware issues, too, but they’re overall higher quality.
If you’re buying an iPhone, you need to pick a model. Because many companies make Android devices, you have to choose both a brand and a model. Some may prefer the choice Android offers, but others appreciate Apple’s greater simplicity and higher quality.
Winner: Tie
Tech Ecosystem Factors To Consider When Choosing Ios Or Android
Comparing iOS and Android devices is similar to comparing Macs and PCs. Unless you must perform a specific task that only one operating system can accomplish, your current tech ecosystem may be a deciding factor.
In addition to iPhones and Android phones, respectively, Apple and Google control a broad range of online resources and tools. If youre already enmeshed in one companys products, it makes sense to stick with that operating system for your smartphone, since they tend to integrate seamlessly.
For example, if you have a Mac and an Apple Watch and use Apples iCloud to store documents and images, an iPhone may be the right business smartphone choice. On the other hand, if you sync your calendars on , use an Android-based business smartwatch, and rely on Google Play Music to get your tunes, an Android phone may suit you best.
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Integration With Other Devices: Continuity Guaranteed
Many people use a tablet, computer, or wearable in addition to their smartphone. For them, Apple offers a better-integrated experience.
Because Apple makes computers, tablets, watches, and the iPhone, it offers things that Android can’t.
Apple’s Continuity features let you:
- Unlock your Mac using an Apple Watch
- Start writing an email on your iPhone and finish it on your Mac with Apple Handoff
- Have all of your devices receive any call coming into your iPhone
Google’s services like Gmail, Maps, Google Now, etc., work across all Android devices. But unless your watch, tablet, phone, and computer are all made by the same companyand there aren’t too many companies other than Samsung that make products in all of those categoriesAndroid has no unified cross-device experience.
Winner: iPhone
You Can Change Your Default Browser
On either mobile platform, browsers use the underlying engine supplied by the operating system. The main reason for using an alternate browser is to save and sync shortcuts, tabs, passwords, and history across devices.
On an iPhone, you can define Open With settings on a per-app basis, so the Gmail app opens links in Chrome or Outlook opens links in Edge. But you can’t define that browser preference systemwide, so if you open a link from another app, it will almost certainly open in Safari.
That’s not a problem in Android, thanks to the Default Apps setting, where you can specify which browser you want to use for links. While there, you can also choose alternate apps to use for phone calls, SMS messages, voice assist, and tap-to-pay functions, too.
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Features That iPhones Do Better Than Android Devices
Whatever smartphone you buy, youll get a lot of the same features, but there are some that iPhones do much better than Android devices.
Choosing a specific smartphone brand or operating system is often a personal decision based on your preferences or past experience. But if youve been with one brand for a long time, you might not realize how it compares to others. For example, how do iPhones compare to Android devices these days?
Well, we think they compare favorably. So heres a list of all the features that iPhones handle better than Android devices.
Making A Logical Choice Between iPhone And Android Smartphones Requires Knowing What Features And Specs Are Most Important To You Here’s What You Need To Know To Make A Smart Decision
I don’t care that your favorite tech expert says only an idiot would buy an iPhone. Or that your friend in IT swears the other guy is a dolt and her Android phone is the best of the best. Thats not choosing a piece of technology, its choosing a tribe. If you want to make a logical choice between an iPhone and an Android phone based on the technical specs I have to start by saying there is no one right answer.
The simple truth tribe allegiance and marketing genius aside is that iPhones running iOS and smartphones running the Android OS both have good and bad points. And to make matters more complicated, comparing operating systems alone doesn’t tell you much.
Apple’s iPhone 13.
With iPhones, the operating system and hardware are tied at the hip. With Android phones, it’s a different story. There is such an enormous difference between Android smartphone models that comparing the iPhone 13 with, say, an excellent budget Android smartphone, such as 2020’s Moto G Power, is like comparing apples and oranges. A better current comparison would be the brand new Samsung Galaxy S22 or the .
So, when I weigh this choice, I consider the operating system while accounting for the differences between phone models. You can’t compare these two phone systems without recognizing the hardware differences.
That said, heres how Apple and Android phones match up on 14 key aspects of the smartphone experience.
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Ai And Voice Assistants
When it comes to vs. Siri, theres no question of the winner: Google Assistant by a country mile.
Google Assistant is more than an excellent voice interface for Google search. If you use Google applications, such as Google Calendar and Google Maps, Google Assistant can make life simpler. Say youre meeting someone for lunch downtown and traffic is awful. Google Assistant will work out that you need to leave early to make your appointment, and it will notify you beforehand. That is cool.
Siri may have been first to market, but its still pretty basic. Its fine for answering questions, but its not really that much of an artificially intelligent assistant.
if you’re looking for a clear reason to choose one OS over another, though, Google Assistant isnt it. Because its also available for iPhones.
Ios Is Always Updating
Because Apple makes both the iPhone device and iOS, you can confidently upgrade your phone as soon as a new operating system version is available. On the other hand, because there are so many different makes and models of Android phones, you typically have to wait until a version of the new operating system is supported to work on your specific device.
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Sean Riley Laptop Mags Assistant Managing Editor
I regularly pick Laptop Mags Assistant Managing Editor Sean Rileys brains because hes like a smartphone encyclopedia, offering useful historical context to the many questions I have about mobile devices. Naturally, I felt compelled to ask Riley about his personal stance in the Android vs. iPhone debate.
From an academic perspective, I think there is no clear winner between the two, but when it comes to which mobile platform captures my heart, there is no question that it is Android, Riley said. Why? Theres much more to choose from in the Android world as opposed to the iOS portfolio. Need a stylus? You got it! Want a foldable? Its yours! What about a gaming phone? Your wish is Androids command!
If you think for one second that you can get that same breadth of hardware options in the iOS sphere, youd be dead wrong. Riley added that this sense of flexibility carries over to the software side, too. While iOS offers users a greater degree of freedom than it once did, its still a much more locked down experience than what you get on Android. From the ability to install apps from outside of Google Play to organizing every home screen exactly as you like it, Android gives you that freedom.
Is iPhones Better Than Androids Know Here
No one doubts that Apples iPhones are the best smartphones you can get on the market. Although android has around 70 percent market share around the world, this stat does not tell you the whole story. This massive market share is not because of androids performance or convenience. Androids are dominating the market just because they are cheap and are universal in some sense. If it was not so, apple would have captured the whole smartphone market of the world.
Apple Vs Android
But why is it, that Apple produces so good of a smartphone that even Android users cannot deny that iPhones are way better than Android phones?
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