The competition involving iPhone vs. Android will hardly have an actual victor. However, in this review, we’ll try to help you choose one that suits your needs.
According to Tom’s Guide, the latest versions of the two operating systems, Android 12 and iOS 15 are all terrific with slight differences. Most of their features coincide, although their designs look very different, apart from the main touchscreen-focused setup. Regardless of the phone, you consider the best today, it’ll run one of those two operating systems.
Pitting iPhone vs. Android, we take a look at the respective resilience of each mobile program, so you can choose the right one for you the next time you acquire a smartphone.
Why iPhone is the best OS
You’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem. This might appear like a simple reason, but Apple obviously manufactures a wide scope of tech products, and in case you already have an Apple watch, a Mac or an iPad buying an iPhone makes a lot of sense.
Apple has designed a lot of continuity features that enable you to transfer work and data from one of its devices to another. And these features can surely save you time. Take Handoff, for instance, where calls on your iPhone and web pages in Safari can move seamlessly between iOS and macOS.Â
Universal Clipboard makes text copied on one platform usable on the other. Another one of our favorites is Continuity Camera, which allows you to take pictures and scan documents using your iPhone’s camera, and then view and edit them on your Mac. You can even complete purchases on your Mac by using biometric authentication features on your iPhone via Apple Pay.
Just a handful of Android phone makers have hardware ecosystems that approach Apple’s, and even for some that come close, like Samsung, you won’t get the depth of integration possible between the iPhone and other Apple-built devices. Microsoft is helping Google close the gap somewhat with its new Your Phone app for Windows, which allows Android users to respond to texts and notifications on their PCs, though the experience is a little clunky and there is still work to be done.
There are many other great examples of continuity across iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS. And the iPhone is a crucial component in that puzzle, especially now that iPhone apps can be seamlessly ported to macOS. Power users already immersed in Apple’s ecosystem can stand to gain a lot by adding an iPhone to their repertoire. And that’s to say nothing of friends and family members who prefer to use iMessage and FaceTime to keep in touch.
The third-party apps are just better. This one is certainly down to personal preference, but as someone who has jumped back and forth between iOS and Android, I’ve always been blown away by the quality of apps built by iOS developers, and mostly disappointed in their Android counterparts.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s great software and developers on Android, but they’re difficult to find, in my experience. One of our favorite Twitter apps, Tweetbot 5 is an iOS exclusive, for instance; by contrast, one of the best third-party Twitter apps we’ve experienced on Android, Fenix 2, strongly pales in comparison. One of our staff members, Henry T. Casey loves using Bear(opens in a new tab) to compose blog posts on his Mac and iPhone, but we’ve struggled to find a note-taking app on Android as comprehensive and slick.
You may even find that apps from established companies, ranging from banks to airlines, are a bit smoother and cleaner on iOS than Android, with better integration with the phone’s core services, like Wallet.Â
There’s a wider selection of accessories. Stroll into any Best Buy or Target, and you’ll get aisles of cases for any iPhone manufactured by Apple. A rare case for the Android contingent not in flagship devices from the largest companies. Once you get past the semi-healthy selection of products made for the current Galaxy S device, you’re out of luck. Don’t bother anticipating an option of accessories for your new Pixel or Motorola handset at any brick-and-mortar retailer. Sure, you could go online and grab a $4 case off of Amazon, but then you’re ensured to get what you pay for.
The selection and presence of iPhone cases, screen protectors, car mounts, and other niceties are simply far better than you’ll get for any other phone, and that’s more valuable than most people recognize. iPhone owners will hardly have an issue with finding a case to their liking.
There are improved privacy controls with app tracking notifications. Among the biggest modern iOS releases inaugurated app tracking notifications, permitting you to opt-out of apps tracking you across your phone. This was a crucial win for privacy advocates and a big blow to many third-party companies, such as Facebook.
Android simply doesn’t have this feature and we doubt it ever will. Don’t get glued to the belief that iOS is naturally more private compared to Android. Since Apple still gathers a lot of data about you, iOS still has a little more resilience regarding third parties. It’s so satisfying to deny an app the ability to track you.
There isn’t bloatware. Regardless of how you buy your iPhone, where you purchase it from or what iPhone you buy, you won’t encounter any bloatware preinstalled when you boot it up for the first time. That means it’s clean from the very beginning, without power- or data-siphoning apps you didn’t ask for undermining things behind the scenes.
That’s a relief if you’ve ever watched the way a new Android phone comes out of the box. Particularly one that you’ve purchased through a carrier. Even paying $1,800 on a Galaxy Z Fold 3 doesn’t spare AT&T customers from the insult of seeing software such as CNN and DirecTV Now cluttering their app drawers. And it can get even terrible if you purchase a budget handset that has been greatly subsidized by a discount carrier.Â
Android buyers who purchase one of the best-unlocked phones without a service agreement will have better luck avoiding bloatware. It also depends on the company. For example, unlocked Pixel phones aren’t mired down by any third-party apps; on the other hand, it’s not unheard of for some unlocked handsets to come with the odd unwelcome sponsored software (or ads).
You get quicker software updates. Android phones get fewer updates than iPhones, and when they do, they happen less frequently and are often delayed except for Google’s Pixels.
The number of updates an Android phone sees throughout its life depends largely on how expensive it is, what carrier you buy it from (or if it’s even purchased from a carrier at all), and what the phone maker’s software support policy is.
That’s a far cry from iPhones, which are supported with major software updates for many years, no matter what. Take the iPhone 6S, for example, which received iOS 15, even though it originally launched with iOS 9 back in 2015. For comparison, consider Samsung’s Galaxy S6, which launched the same year and started with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Not only does it lack the latest Android software, but it stopped getting updates years ago. It only made it as far as 7.0 Nougat when Samsung pulled the plug on support. And when the S6 did buy Nougat, it arrived in March 2017, eight months after Google disclosed the update.
What’s more, when a new iOS version is released, it is available to everyone on the same day, at the same time, and can be installed on all models that support it instantaneously. By contrast, Android releases are rolled out in waves to individual phones, not just by model.
You’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem. This might seem like a shallow reason, but Apple obviously makes a wide breadth of tech products, and if you already own a Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch, getting an iPhone makes a lot of sense.
Apple has designed a multitude of continuity features that allow you to carry over work and data from one of its devices to another, and these features can certainly save you time. Take Handoff, for example, where calls on your iPhone and web pages in Safari can move seamlessly between iOS and macOS. Universal Clipboard makes text copied on one platform usable on the other. Another one of our favorites is Continuity Camera, which allows you to take pictures and scan documents using your iPhone’s camera, and then view and edit them on your Mac. You can even complete purchases on your Mac by using biometric authentication features on your iPhone via Apple Pay.
Only a handful of Android phone makers have hardware ecosystems that approach Apple’s, and even for some that come close, like Samsung, you won’t get the depth of integration possible between the iPhone and other Apple-built devices. Microsoft is helping Google close the gap somewhat with its new Your Phone app for Windows, which allows Android users to respond to texts and notifications on their PCs, though the experience is a little clunky and there is still work to be done.
There are many other great examples of continuity across iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS and the iPhone is a critical component in that puzzle. Especially now that iPhone apps can be seamlessly ported to macOS. Power users already immersed in Apple’s ecosystem can stand to gain a lot by adding an iPhone to their repertoire. And that’s to say nothing of friends and family members who prefer to use iMessage and FaceTime to keep in touch.
The third-party apps are just better. This one is definitely down to personal preference, but as someone who has jumped back and forth between iOS and Android, I’ve been consistently blown away by the quality of apps built by iOS developers, and mostly disappointed in their Android counterparts.Â
You may even find that apps from established companies, ranging from banks to airlines, are a bit smoother and cleaner on iOS than Android, with better integration with the phone’s core services, like Wallet.Â
There’s a bigger selection of accessories. Walk into any Best Buy or Target, and you’ll find aisles of cases for every iPhone that Apple makes. Something that certainly cannot be said for the Android contingent outside of flagship devices from the biggest companies. Once you get past the semi-healthy selection of products made for the latest Galaxy S device, you’re out of luck. Don’t bother expecting a choice of accessories for your new Pixel or Motorola handset at any brick-and-mortar retailer. Sure, you could go online and snag a $4 case off of Amazon, but then you’re guaranteed to get what you pay for.
The selection and availability of iPhone cases, screen protectors, car mounts, and other goodies is simply far greater than you’ll find for any other phone, and that’s more important than most people realize. iPhone owners will never have the problem of not finding a case to their liking.
There are enhanced privacy controls with app tracking notifications. One of the biggest recent iOS releases introduced app tracking notifications, allowing you to opt-out of apps tracking you across your phone. This was a major win for privacy advocates and a huge blow to many third-party companies, like Facebook.
Android simply doesn’t have this feature and we doubt it ever will. Don’t get stuck in the belief that iOS is inherently more private than Android since Apple still collects a ton of data about you, but iOS still has a bit more resilience when it comes to third parties. It’s so satisfying to deny an app the ability to track you.
There’s no bloatware. No matter how you buy your iPhone, where you buy it from or what iPhone you buy, you won’t see any bloatware preinstalled when you boot it up for the first time. That means it’s clean from the very start, with no power- or data-siphoning apps you didn’t ask for sabotaging things behind the scenes.
Android buyers who purchase one of the best-unlocked phones without a service agreement will have better luck avoiding bloatware. It also depends on the company. For example, unlocked Pixel phones aren’t mired down by any third-party apps; on the other hand, it’s not unheard of for some unlocked handsets to come with the odd unwelcome sponsored software (or ads).
You get quicker software updates. Android phones get fewer updates than iPhones, and when they do, they happen less frequently and are often delayed except for Google’s Pixels.
The number of updates an Android phone sees throughout its life depends largely on how expensive it is, what carrier you buy it from (or if it’s even purchased from a carrier at all), and what the phone maker’s software support policy is.
That’s a far cry from iPhones, which are supported with major software updates for many years, no matter what. Take the iPhone 6S, for example, which received iOS 15, even though it originally launched with iOS 9 back in 2015. For comparison, consider Samsung’s Galaxy S6, which launched the same year and started with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Not only does it lack the latest Android software, but it stopped getting updates years ago. It only made it as far as 7.0 Nougat when Samsung pulled the plug on support. And when the S6 did get Nougat, it arrived in March 2017, eight months after Google unveiled the update.
What’s more, when a new iOS version is released, it is available to everyone on the same day, at the same time, and can be installed on all models that support it instantaneously. By contrast, Android releases are rolled out in waves to individual phones, not just by model.Â
It has better retail support. Let’s say something goes wrong with your iPhone, and you need to get it serviced. Or perhaps you want a screen protector installed on it, and you’d rather have it handled by a professional, who will slap that film on with nary a bubble or speck of dust. Whatever your issue is, it’s nice to have a place to go, and what better place for iPhone users than the Apple Store. Yes, Covid restrictions can make this difficult, but at least you have the option.
Owners of Android phones don’t necessarily enjoy that luxury. If you need a new battery or a screen replacement and you didn’t purchase a protection plan from the retailer you bought it from, you’ll probably have to ship it back to the manufacturer. That’s quite a time-consuming hassle, given how much we all depend on our phones day in and day out. Some reputable repair shops like uBreakiFix help bridge the gap a bit, like Pixel phones.
Why Android is the best OS
There are phones at every price. The vast majority of the world’s smartphones run Android, and because so many companies build Android handsets, they’re available at every price range. There are cheap phones under the $500 mark like the Pixel 5a, as well as some of the best small phones and best big phones, and phablets and foldable far exceeding $1,000. No matter how much you can spend, chances are you can find an Android device that fits your budget or offers exclusive features.
The same cannot be said for iPhones, which historically have been expensive at launch, only to come down in price after successive generations. One of the most affordable new Apple handsets is the iPhone 13 mini for $699, but that comes with a small 5.4-inch display. The Galaxy S21 FE has the same price but comes with a bigger and smoother 120Hz 6.4-inch screen, a telephoto lens, and a much larger battery. And then there’s the fantastic $599 Pixel 6 if you can find one in stock.
The least-expensive iPhone that Apple offers is the iPhone SE (2022), which is a fantastic device with phenomenal performance for just $429, though its design is dated, and its screen will be too small for some.
It’s more customizable. Though both iOS and Android have evolved over the years, Android has always had a reputation for being the platform for users who like to tinker and personalize their devices. That starts with the home screen launcher, which offers dynamic widgets and the ability to place apps anywhere on a page or in a drawer, out of sight. Something the iPhone has only recently caught up to with iOS 14. You can even swap out your Android phone’s launcher with an alternative downloaded from the Google Play store.
Android also lets you download third-party replacements for core services such as web browsers, keyboards, and media players. And set them as the default versions if you prefer a third-party app to one that was preinstalled on your phone. iOS has improved in this regard over the years, though the implementation is still somewhat clunky.
Finally, we have to talk about manufacturer skins, bespoke user interfaces, and Android system software that are customized by certain phone makers. providing extra features and, often, the capacity to develop themes for your experience from top to bottom. Some Android lovers prefer Google’s “stock” interpretation of Android. However, most users like phone makers’ custom software, such as Samsung’s One UI or OnePlus’ OxygenOS. Because of their additional capacities, like the ability to capture scrolling screenshots and hide photos and videos in password-protected folders.
But Google changed things up with Android 12, which brings with it the new Material You design language. This direction builds upon the last several years of Android’s look and feels, offering more personalization. There’s a pseudo-theming system that adapts to the colors in your wallpapers and applies that shade system-wide. How the likes of Samsung and OnePlus tweak things in their skins remains to be seen.
You can (sometimes) expand the storage. Although expandable storage is somewhat less popular these days, some Android phones still offer it. This allows you to use a microSD card to keep photos, apps, and other media that won’t fit on your device’s internal memory.
That’s an amazing benefit, given the exorbitant prices that Apple and other phone makers charge to double or quadruple storage when you buy your handset. Why tack on another $100 to $150 to the price of a new phone just for an extra 128GB or 256GB of storage when you can just drop $70 on a 512GB card later?
Additionally, while it’s certainly becoming more of a rarity on high-end phones these days, some Android devices still come with headphone jacks, a hotly requested feature Apple retired from its phones in 2016. That’s a big deal to people who still love to use their trusty old wired headphones.
