Ah, the everlasting query – iPhone vs. Android: which is healthier? That is on no account a straightforward struggle to find out a transparent winner. Each provide many advantages for sure individuals, whereas there are drawbacks to each, too. So, we’re right here to interrupt down every little thing that will help you make the suitable resolution in your subsequent smartphone, whether or not it’s top-end software program options or gaming companies to make any cellular sport a breeze.
Right here at Pocket Ways, we have now years of expertise testing each Android and iOS units, from the costliest flagships from Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple, to the finances 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 nicely ready that will help you uncover the very best handset for you. When you’ve chosen your working system, you possibly can take a peek at the very best gaming telephones, understanding extra about what the differing types provide. When you’re set on Android, the very best Samsung telephone could also be for you, whereas any Apple die-hards will need to try the very best gaming iPhone to make the suitable alternative.
iPhone vs. Android: which is healthier?
There are lots of totally different classes by which we will examine iPhone vs. Android, so if there’s a particular facet you’re all in favour of, yow will discover it beneath.
{Hardware}
{Hardware} is a elementary a part of making a buying resolution in the case of a brand new smartphone. For all of the totally different apps and OS variations, if the {hardware} isn’t ok, you gained’t be capable to do every little thing 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 most costly iPhone has glorious efficiency, a aggressive digicam, and a stunning display, one thing the very 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 correct across the nook, so preserve that in thoughts). There’s no distinction between the Professional and the Professional Max aside 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, the very best flagship Android in our opinion. Nonetheless, for those who fancy one thing totally different, there’s the vivo X90 Professional+ and the Xiaomi 13 Professional, too. Take a look at our Xiaomi 13 Professional evaluation 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. By way of 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 glorious 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.
By way of display know-how, the Asus ROG Telephone 7 Final is the very best in the marketplace, although that’s a gaming-specific Android, not an all-around flagship. Take a look at our Asus ROG Telephone 7 Final evaluation for those who’re , although, for all different flagships, the display tech is once more very comparable. Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi all provide 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 somewhat trickier. The Samsung S23 Extremely arguably has the very best cameras you may get in a smartphone, although the upper-mid-range Google Pixel 7 Professional may be thought of finest – and it’s a whole bunch of {dollars} cheaper. In the meantime, the iPhone 14 Professional is the very best telephone for video, and the Xiaomi 13 Professional’s digicam isn’t any slouch both. If all you need is a superb digicam, it is likely to be value our Google Pixel 7 Professional evaluation and saving your self some cash, although the flagships are additionally glorious 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 telephone, and it doesn’t look probably that the Cupertino firm will make one anytime quickly. If you’d like a foldable telephone, you must go for Android, and Samsung is at present your finest guess (although the competitors is getting fiercer for positive).
Mid-range
The mid-range market is somewhat muddy, and it spans fairly a large value vary. On the higher fringe of the worth vary (round $800), there’s the Google Pixel 7 Professional, iPhone 14, and Samsung S23 (the latter two are available plus sizes as nicely). These aren’t fairly flagships, although they’re pushing the definition of mid-range.
At this greater value level, the Google Pixel 7 Professional gives the very best cameras, the Samsung S23 is a superb 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 beneath.
The correct mid-range telephones in the marketplace are the place issues get a bit extra attention-grabbing. 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 glorious options for its low value, whereas Samsung’s A54 and the Redmi Notice 12 Professional provide nice worth from dependable manufacturers. You may try our Redmi Notice 12 Professional 5G evaluation to study extra.
From Apple, there’s just one mid-range handset: the iPhone SE. It nonetheless has the identical outdated design because the iPhone 8 (a telephone from 2017), although its innards are up to date to maintain its efficiency aggressive. It has an excellent digicam and glorious efficiency, although its outdated design and lack of a 120Hz refresh charge imply it’s not the simplest suggestion – until you completely need to go for Apple, then you haven’t any different alternative. It’s nonetheless a terrific handset, although different telephones provide extra in your cash in our opinion.
Funds
Apple doesn’t provide a really finances handset, that means that for those who don’t have a lot cash to spend, you can not go for an Apple telephone. That makes your resolution fairly a bit simpler, in fact, although there are fairly a couple of telephones to select from within the finances market. You may purchase an outdated iPhone from a unique retailer, however the most cost-effective on provide from Apple itself continues to be the iPhone SE.
By way of Android, there are many nice finances choices to select from. Xiaomi has two finances subbrands, with the Redmi Notice 11 providing glorious all-around efficiency for its low value. In the meantime, as you possibly can see in our Poco X5 evaluation, Xiaomi’s gaming subbrand positive gives bang in your buck.
In the meantime, Tecno – a very fashionable model in rising markets – gives some very spectacular finances handsets. Our Tecno CAMON 20 Premier 5G evaluation is probably not a full-on love story, however the telephone is a stable all-rounder. In the meantime, our Tecno POVA 5 Free Fireplace Particular Version evaluation has all the main points for anybody trying to find a finances gaming telephone.
In fact, there are glorious finances choices from the larger manufacturers too, and these might provide higher safety updates and longer-term assist, as we go into extra element about beneath. The Galaxy A collection gives a variety of telephones at totally different value factors to suit your finances, with that Samsung trustworthiness tied in, whereas the Pixel 6a continues to be accessible from Google at a reduced value that makes it a very tempting alternative.
So, there’s clearly a really wide selection of telephones to select from, whether or not you need to spend $100 or $1,000. Whereas the {hardware} is usually the main target for any potential patrons, 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 largest distinction between the 2 opponents, although it’s not as grand a divide as you could assume. There are some key variations, however basically, each iPhone and Android can do most of what you want, they may simply do it in numerous methods.
iOS
What’s iOS? Nicely, it’s Apple’s working system for iPhone, which suggests it’s the way in which you work together with the gadget and the totally different options it gives therein. Identical to Android, it gives all kinds of built-in apps, an enormous App Retailer to seek 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 gotten the identical model of iOS (assuming it’s new sufficient to obtain the newest updates). That is useful for those who’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.ok.a. bloatware. Not all Android telephones do that – many of the massive 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 telephone producers. Whereas the working system can differ between totally different corporations – the totally different variations are known as “skins”, kind of like an overlay on prime of the bottom Android OS – there are nonetheless a lot of similarities throughout Android telephones.
The first advantage of Android is customizability. Android isn’t a walled backyard, that means you need to use totally different app shops, obtain stuff like ROMs and emulators, and entry all kinds of third-party programs to get issues completed. It is a profit for the extra tech literate on the market; the individuals who know how you can take advantage of it. When you don’t know how you can do it, it’s probably not a profit.
In the meantime, Android additionally allows you to cater the working system to your wants extra minutely. For some individuals, 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 – for those who’re a little bit of a tinkerer, Android is probably going for you.
However, whereas the working programs provide several types of customization and accessibility, one other key space to give attention to is the options these programs have. That is the place issues get a bit extra variable throughout totally different manufacturers, so the choice would possibly change into a tad simpler.
Key options
There are numerous options provided 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 can get nowhere else. iMessage, the blue-bubbled messaging service solely works between iOS units, whereas FaceTime solely not too long ago 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 take heed to music with a pal 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 may copy one thing in your telephone and paste it onto a Mac or iPad seamlessly, use your iPhone as a webcam or microphone, and arrange new units out of your outdated units simply. There are a bunch of different options like this, all of which make utilizing an Apple Watch, Mac, or HomePod far simpler. If you’d like any of these units or already personal them, we extremely advocate going for iPhone.
Android
Android additionally gives options that Apple doesn’t. You may arrange a number of customers on a tool for those who’re sharing it with household or have totally 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 alter all method of settings for a bespoke expertise.
The opposite massive advantage of Android is that it’s open – you possibly can obtain particular ROMs or APKs, that are principally set up recordsdata, reasonably than going by way of an app retailer. This comes with its personal dangers, positive, however if you’d like the newest software program for a telephone left behind by the producer, an outdated PS1 sport, 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 until you recognize they’re secure).
Gaming
Gaming is an enormous a part of the cellular house, and each Apple and Android provide totally different advantages that come from two fairly totally 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 companies push assistance on the opposite aspect 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 an inventory of the very best Apple Arcade video games so you possibly can see what’s on the service, however for our cash, it’s the very best cellular gaming service accessible in the intervening time.
Apple additionally has nice integration throughout all its units. You can begin enjoying 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 be way more variable. It’s good, however try an inventory of video games accessible on the service to ensure you’re pleased with the choice.
The place Android is the clear winner, nonetheless, is with gaming-specific {hardware}. Whether or not it’s the very best gaming telephones from Asus or Redmagic, Android is the one place you may get telephones particularly designed to be glorious at enjoying cellular video games. If you’d like a telephone like that, you recognize the place to go.
Safety
Safety varies from model to model, and whereas Android has built-in security measures, totally different producers have totally different safeguards on prime of it, making the Android aspect fairly onerous to parse. Corporations like Samsung and Google have top-notch options to help safety, and lots of promise at the very least three years of software program and safety updates to maintain you safe as your gadget will get outdated.
There are different corporations, nonetheless, that don’t provide such prolonged assist, so it’s vital to verify how lengthy the corporate guarantees to maintain you safe. Being conscious of safety dangers is extremely vital, so be sure you analysis a person handset and its producer earlier than diving in.
On the Apple aspect, nonetheless, issues are a bit much less fiddly. The corporate places privateness and safety at prime billing in its advertising and marketing, but it surely’s not only a promoting level – the walled backyard of iOS means it’s simpler to maintain safe. iOS additionally allows you to ask apps to not observe you, that means you possibly can preserve every little thing personal even when downloading a brand new app.
Apple has not too long ago began pushing speedy safety response updates, too, that are fast fixes to minor points. Whereas we might by no means say you’re 100% safe utilizing any gadget, 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 or battery, you most likely might, although it’s somewhat fiddly and irritating, so it is likely to be 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 frontrunner on this regard, with glorious instruments that will help you preserve your telephone operating for longer with your individual two palms, serving to you keep inexperienced and preserve your prices down whereas staying within the smartphone market. As at all times, repairability differs significantly throughout the Android market, so be sure you look into a person handset earlier than buying if repairability issues rather a lot to you.
iPhone vs. Android: which one must you select?
Selecting between iPhone and Android is hard, although it turns into rather a lot simpler as soon as you recognize precisely what you want. If you wish to preserve issues easy whereas utilizing your telephone 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 telephone by including distinctive software program and customizing the expertise, that’s what Android can do for you.
Any informal person can anticipate a wonderful expertise from each side of the tech coin – for those who’re not going to delve deep into both, you’ll probably not see the numerous advantages and downsides that lie beneath. So, for those who simply want a telephone for fundamental telephone issues, discover a handset that appears good at an excellent value and try to be pleased with both Android or iOS.
For a straightforward metaphor, Apple’s iOS is like probably the most luxurious kindergarten you’ve ever been to – every little thing is tremendous easy, simple, and actually fairly pretty, although there’s padding on all of the desk corners so that you don’t damage your self; your freedom is restricted. In the meantime, Android is like going to school for the primary time; it’s someplace you can also make dozens of various errors as you try to work your means by way of 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?
