Ah, the everlasting query – iPhone vs. Android: which is best? That is not at all a straightforward struggle to find out a transparent winner. Each supply many advantages for sure folks, whereas there are drawbacks to each, too. So, we’re right here to interrupt down every part that can assist you make the correct resolution to your subsequent smartphone, whether or not it’s top-end software program options or gaming providers to make any cellular recreation a breeze.
Right here at Pocket Techniques, now we have years of expertise testing each Android and iOS units, from the costliest flagships from Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple, to the price range contenders from Redmi and Tecno. We even have expertise with area of interest gaming-focused smartphones from the likes of Asus. We’ve actually tried all of them.
So, we’re effectively ready that can assist you uncover one of the best handset for you. When you’ve chosen your working system, you possibly can take a peek at one of the best gaming telephones, figuring out extra about what the differing types supply. When you’re set on Android, one of the best Samsung cellphone could also be for you, whereas any Apple die-hards will wish to take a look at one of the best gaming iPhone to make the correct alternative.
iPhone vs. Android: which is best?
There are lots of completely different classes wherein we will evaluate iPhone vs. Android, so if there’s a particular facet you’re concerned with, yow will discover it under.
{Hardware}
{Hardware} is a elementary a part of making a buying resolution with regards to a brand new smartphone. For all of the completely different apps and OS variations, if the {hardware} isn’t ok, you received’t be capable to do every part you want to. Whereas Apple and Android telephones are sometimes carefully matched in {hardware}, there are some key variations in particular areas.
Flagships
In relation to the highest-end smartphones in the marketplace, Apple and Android compete carefully. The costliest iPhone has wonderful efficiency, a aggressive digital camera, and a stunning display screen, one thing one of the best from Samsung and Xiaomi even have. Selecting between the 2 on the $1,000+ finish is hard.
From Apple, there are solely two handsets to select from; the iPhone 14 Professional and the iPhone 14 Professional Max (although the iPhone 15 launch date is true across the nook, so preserve that in thoughts). There’s no distinction between the Professional and the Professional Max apart from the scale of the handset, which might make all of the distinction for you.
From Android, Samsung is the clear chief, although there are extra choices than Apple. There’s the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, one of the best flagship Android in our opinion. Nonetheless, in the event you fancy one thing completely different, there’s the vivo X90 Professional+ and the Xiaomi 13 Professional, too. Take a look at our Xiaomi 13 Professional assessment to study much more in regards to the considerably hard-to-find handset.
The professional vary of iPhones gives Apple’s A16 Bionic chip, probably the most highly effective chip in its smartphones. When it comes to efficiency, it beats the top-end Android chip in most benchmarks, although that’s not a very powerful factor – the top-end iPhones have greater than sufficient energy for probably the most demanding customers, and that’s all that issues.
This additionally applies to Android, nonetheless, with the Samsung S23 Extremely providing wonderful energy for all of your wants, in addition to aggressive energy effectivity, too. Whereas one could also be higher than the opposite on paper, the distinction between the top-end Android and iPhone chips is nominal. In on a regular basis use, neither misses a beat.
When it comes to display screen expertise, the Asus ROG Cellphone 7 Final is one of the best in the marketplace, although that’s a gaming-specific Android, not an all-around flagship. Take a look at our Asus ROG Cellphone 7 Final assessment in the event you’re , although, for all different flagships, the display screen tech is once more very comparable. Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi all supply 120Hz OLED screens with comparable brightness and pixel density. There are slight variations, however once more they’re nominal.
Lastly, on the high-end, it’s all about cameras. And that is the place issues get a bit of trickier. The Samsung S23 Extremely arguably has one of the best cameras you will get in a smartphone, although the upper-mid-range Google Pixel 7 Professional may be thought of finest – and it’s a whole lot of {dollars} cheaper. In the meantime, the iPhone 14 Professional is one of the best cellphone for video, and the Xiaomi 13 Professional’s digital camera is not any slouch both. If all you need is a good digital camera, it is perhaps price our Google Pixel 7 Professional assessment and saving your self some cash, although the flagships are additionally wonderful snappers.
The final key distinction on the excessive finish is the truth that there are foldable telephones that run Android. Apple doesn’t make a foldable cellphone, and it doesn’t look probably that the Cupertino firm will make one anytime quickly. In order for you a foldable cellphone, it’s a must to go for Android, and Samsung is at present your finest wager (although the competitors is getting fiercer for positive).
Mid-range
The mid-range market is a bit of muddy, and it spans fairly a large worth vary. On the higher fringe of the value vary (round $800), there’s the Google Pixel 7 Professional, iPhone 14, and Samsung S23 (the latter two are available in plus sizes as effectively). These aren’t fairly flagships, although they’re pushing the definition of mid-range.
At this greater worth level, the Google Pixel 7 Professional gives one of the best cameras, the Samsung S23 is a good all-rounder, and the iPhone 14 gives nice integration into Apple’s ecosystem and a stellar chipset, too. All in all, there aren’t many key variations between the bunch, so selecting between them is all the way down to the additional comparisons under.
The right mid-range telephones in the marketplace are the place issues get a bit extra fascinating. Right here, telephones value between $350 and $600, and there are some actual bargains accessible from all kinds of producers. The OnePlus Nord 2T is our choose of the bunch, with wonderful options for its low worth, whereas Samsung’s A54 and the Redmi Notice 12 Professional supply nice worth from dependable manufacturers. You possibly can take a look at our Redmi Notice 12 Professional 5G assessment to study extra.
From Apple, there’s just one mid-range handset: the iPhone SE. It nonetheless has the identical previous design because the iPhone 8 (a cellphone from 2017), although its innards are up to date to maintain its efficiency aggressive. It has a very good digital camera and wonderful efficiency, although its previous design and lack of a 120Hz refresh price imply it’s not the best suggestion – except you completely must go for Apple, then you don’t have any different alternative. It’s nonetheless an incredible handset, although different telephones supply extra to your cash in our opinion.
Funds
Apple doesn’t supply a really price range handset, that means that in the event you don’t have a lot cash to spend, you can not go for an Apple cellphone. That makes your resolution fairly a bit simpler, in fact, although there are fairly a number of telephones to select from within the price range market. You would purchase an previous iPhone from a unique retailer, however the most cost-effective on supply from Apple itself continues to be the iPhone SE.
When it comes to Android, there are many nice price range choices to select from. Xiaomi has two price range subbrands, with the Redmi Notice 11 providing wonderful all-around efficiency for its low worth. In the meantime, as you possibly can see in our Poco X5 assessment, Xiaomi’s gaming subbrand positive gives bang to your buck.
In the meantime, Tecno – a very talked-about model in rising markets – gives some very spectacular price range handsets. Our Tecno CAMON 20 Premier 5G assessment will not be a full-on love story, however the cellphone is a stable all-rounder. In the meantime, our Tecno POVA 5 Free Fireplace Particular Version assessment has all the main points for anybody trying to find a price range gaming cellphone.
In fact, there are wonderful price range choices from the larger manufacturers too, and these could supply higher safety updates and longer-term assist, as we go into extra element about under. The Galaxy A collection gives a variety of telephones at completely different worth factors to suit your price range, with that Samsung trustworthiness tied in, whereas the Pixel 6a continues to be accessible from Google at a reduced worth that makes it a extremely tempting alternative.
So, there’s clearly a really big selection of telephones to select from, whether or not you wish to spend $100 or $1,000. Whereas the {hardware} is commonly the main target for any potential consumers, there are some key variations between iPhone and Android past what’s on the floor. So, let’s get caught in.
Working system
Selecting between Android and iOS is the most important distinction between the 2 opponents, although it’s not as grand a divide as you might suppose. There are some key variations, however essentially, each iPhone and Android can do most of what you want, they may simply do it in several methods.
iOS
What’s iOS? Effectively, it’s Apple’s working system for iPhone, which implies it’s the way in which you work together with the machine and the completely different options it gives therein. Similar to Android, it gives all kinds of built-in apps, an enormous App Retailer to search out extra, and a slick interface to get issues completed merely.
There are some key variations, nonetheless. First off, iOS is identical throughout all iPhones. Irrespective of which handset you choose up, you’ve got the identical model of iOS (assuming it’s new sufficient to obtain the most recent updates). That is useful in the event you’re used to iOS, otherwise you need a constant OS as you improve telephones over time.
iOS additionally doesn’t include any random stuff pre-installed, a.okay.a. bloatware. Not all Android telephones do that – a lot of the large manufacturers ask first earlier than including any junk – however iPhone by no means does something like this which is sweet. That is once more a bonus for simplicity, that means you solely have precisely what you want.
Android
Android is the working system utilized by Samsung, Google, and numerous different cellphone producers. Whereas the working system can differ between completely different firms – the completely different variations are known as “skins”, kind of like an overlay on high of the bottom Android OS – there are nonetheless numerous similarities throughout Android telephones.
The first good thing about Android is customizability. Android isn’t a walled backyard, that means you should utilize completely different app shops, obtain stuff like ROMs and emulators, and entry all kinds of third-party methods to get issues completed. This can be a profit for the extra tech literate on the market; the individuals who know how one can benefit from it. When you don’t know how one can do it, it’s probably not a profit.
In the meantime, Android additionally helps you to cater the working system to your wants extra minutely. For some folks, this alternative may be overwhelming, whereas others like to have the ability to customise their expertise. Apple gives some customization, however solely a small quantity – in the event you’re a little bit of a tinkerer, Android is probably going for you.
However, whereas the working methods supply various kinds of customization and accessibility, one other key space to give attention to is the options these methods have. That is the place issues get a bit extra variable throughout completely different manufacturers, so the choice may change into a tad simpler.
Key options
There are numerous options supplied throughout iPhone and Android, a lot of which can be found on each. Right here, we break down key options distinctive to particular smartphones, so you possibly can see what can solely be completed and the place to do it.
Apple
iOS gives many options you could get nowhere else. iMessage, the blue-bubbled messaging service solely works between iOS units, whereas FaceTime solely just lately allowed non-Apple units to affix a name, although it’s not built-in as easily as on Apple units, in fact. Then there are options like SharePlay, which helps you to watch a movie or hearken to music with a buddy whereas on a name, that, whereas area of interest, are additionally solely accessible on Apple units.
In the meantime, the ecosystem integration with Apple is unmatched on the time of writing. You possibly can copy one thing in your cellphone and paste it onto a Mac or iPad seamlessly, use your iPhone as a webcam or microphone, and arrange new units out of your previous units simply. There are a bunch of different options like this, all of which make utilizing an Apple Watch, Mac, or HomePod far simpler. In order for you any of these units or already personal them, we extremely suggest going for iPhone.
Android
Android additionally gives options that Apple doesn’t. You possibly can arrange a number of customers on a tool in the event you’re sharing it with household or have completely different wants for work and leisure, which is tremendous useful (particularly on a pill!). Then there’s the added customizability as we talked about earlier, letting you modify all method of settings for a bespoke expertise.
The opposite large good thing about Android is that it’s open – you possibly can obtain particular ROMs or APKs, that are principally set up recordsdata, moderately than going via an app retailer. This comes with its personal dangers, positive, however if you would like the most recent software program for a cellphone left behind by the producer, an previous PS1 recreation, or all method of different distinctive apps, Android is one of the best ways to go (assuming you’re techy sufficient to do it safely; by no means obtain from unknown sources except you already know they’re secure).
Gaming
Gaming is an enormous a part of the cellular area, and each Apple and Android supply completely different advantages that come from two fairly completely different angles. In fact, the broad {hardware} within the Android market means there are many gaming-focused telephones, however Apple’s cross-device integration and rising providers push assistance on the opposite facet of the battle.
Apple
The principle bonus to getting an iPhone for gaming is Apple Arcade, the corporate’s subscription service with a pile of fantastic cellular video games. There’s Google’s Play Move on Android, however when it comes to the standard of the video games on the service, it could’t actually match Apple.
Apple Arcade additionally has unique video games, so if there’s one thing that’s caught your eye, ensure it’s not an iOS unique. We’ve bought a listing of one of the best Apple Arcade video games so you possibly can see what’s on the service, however for our cash, it’s one of the best cellular gaming service accessible for the time being.
Apple additionally has nice integration throughout all its units. You can begin taking part in one thing in your iPhone, choose again up on Mac, hop on the couch and play it in your Apple TV, or lounge round with it in your iPad, with all of your saves transferred over. What’s extra, you are able to do this all with a Nintendo, Xbox, or PlayStation controller with none trouble connecting them up. Pretty.
Android
As above, Android does have a subscription service within the type of Google Play Move, and whereas it has way more apps included, the standard can also be way more variable. It’s good, however take a look at a listing of video games accessible on the service to be sure you’re proud of the choice.
The place Android is the clear winner, nonetheless, is with gaming-specific {hardware}. Whether or not it’s one of the best gaming telephones from Asus or Redmagic, Android is the one place you will get telephones particularly designed to be wonderful at taking part in cellular video games. In order for you a cellphone like that, you already know the place to go.
Safety
Safety varies from model to model, and whereas Android has built-in security measures, completely different producers have completely different safeguards on high of it, making the Android facet fairly onerous to parse. Firms like Samsung and Google have top-notch options to assist safety, and lots of promise not less than three years of software program and safety updates to maintain you safe as your machine will get previous.
There are different firms, nonetheless, that don’t supply such prolonged assist, so it’s vital to test how lengthy the corporate guarantees to maintain you safe. Being conscious of safety dangers is extremely vital, so you’ll want to analysis a person handset and its producer earlier than diving in.
On the Apple facet, nonetheless, issues are a bit much less fiddly. The corporate places privateness and safety at high billing in its advertising, nevertheless it’s not only a promoting level – the walled backyard of iOS means it’s simpler to maintain safe. iOS additionally helps you to ask apps to not monitor you, that means you possibly can preserve every part personal even when downloading a brand new app.
Apple has just lately began pushing fast safety response updates, too, that are fast fixes to minor points. Whereas we might by no means say you’re 100% safe utilizing any machine, Apple is our go-to – although Samsung additionally has a give attention to safety that shouldn’t be ignored, too.
Repairability
iPhone repairability is minimal. If you wish to exchange your display screen or battery, you most likely might, although it’s a bit of fiddly and irritating, so it is perhaps simpler to go to an Apple Retailer or an expert to get it sorted for you. That is unlikely to vary, too.
In the meantime, many Android producers delight themselves on their repairability. Nokia is a pacesetter on this regard, with wonderful instruments that can assist you preserve your cellphone operating for longer with your personal two arms, serving to you keep inexperienced and preserve your prices down whereas staying within the smartphone market. As all the time, repairability differs drastically throughout the Android market, so you’ll want to look into a person handset earlier than buying if repairability issues quite a bit to you.
iPhone vs. Android: which one do you have to select?
Selecting between iPhone and Android is hard, although it turns into quite a bit simpler as soon as you already know precisely what you want. If you wish to preserve issues easy whereas utilizing your cellphone and don’t want a super-budget handset, Apple is probably going one of the best ways to go. In the meantime, in case you have particular {hardware} wants not catered to by Apple, or fancy tinkering a bit along with your cellphone by including distinctive software program and customizing the expertise, that’s what Android can do for you.
Any informal person can anticipate a superb expertise from either side of the tech coin – in the event you’re not going to delve deep into both, you’ll probably not see the various advantages and disadvantages that lie beneath. So, in the event you simply want a cellphone for primary cellphone issues, discover a handset that appears good at a very good worth and you have to be proud of both Android or iOS.
For a straightforward metaphor, Apple’s iOS is like probably the most luxurious kindergarten you’ve ever been to – every part is tremendous easy, simple, and actually fairly beautiful, although there’s padding on all of the desk corners so that you don’t harm your self; your freedom is proscribed. In the meantime, Android is like going to college for the primary time; it’s someplace you can also make dozens of various errors as you attempt to work your method via all of it. However there’s additionally energy in that independence. For me, I’m sticking to pre-school security in iOS, however that’s not precisely adventurous, is it?