When it comes to shopping for the best smartphone, the first choice can be the most difficult: iPhone vs. Android. We review their differences to help you make the best choice.
Closed hardware and software ecosystem.
Manufacturer: Apple.
Built-in assistant: Siri.
Also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Fewer versions are available at one time.
Features are limited to those implemented by Apple.
Easily download apps from official and unofficial sources.
Manufacturer: Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, etc.
Built-in assistant: Google Assistant.
Also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Samsung Bixby.
Comes in a variety of features and prices.
When you decide to buy your first smartphone, your first decision is which one to buy. iPhone and Android are the two main options. Both offer many great features, but iPhones and Android phones are very different.
iPhoneOnly a few models can be offered at a time.
There are multiple manufacturers offering them, some better than others.
Hardware is where the differences between iPhone and Android are most obvious.
Only Apple makes the iPhone, so it has extremely tight control over how the software and hardware work together. Google, on the other hand, provides Android software to many phone manufacturers, including Samsung, HTC and Motorola. As a result, Android phones vary in size, weight, features, and quality.
High-priced Android phones offer about the same performance as an iPhone, but you may just want a cheaper Android device with fewer features.
If you want to buy an iPhone, you need to choose a model. Since many companies manufacture Android devices, you have to choose the brand and model. Some may prefer this option, but others appreciate Apple's simplicity and higher quality.
iPhoneRuns on Apple's iOS system.
New versions are released every year.
Running on Android, some manufacturers use slightly different versions.
Android updates may be reduced.
Android phones run Google's Android operating system, while iPhones use Apple's iOS. Generally speaking, they work the same way: you'll have a home screen with the most popular apps, including games and utilities, a Phone app for making calls, a Camera app for taking photos, and Messaging app for sending texts. They also use touch interfaces, including hardware like accelerometers or gyroscopes, for more functionality.
Apple releases a new version of iOS approximately every fall, with additional updates throughout the year. In the early days of Android, updates were infrequent and regular (Android 2.0 was released in 2009, while 3 and 4 were both released in 2011). Lately, however, Android has become more stuck in an annual update cycle. Some Android device manufacturers, such as Samsung, use slightly modified versions of the operating system.
Some Android manufacturers are slow to update their phones to the latest versions of the Android operating system, and sometimes don't even update their phones at all. Apple typically supports its phones for five to six years, Samsung supports its phones for about four years, and Google supports its latest Pixel for seven years.
iPhoneAvailable only through Apple's App Store (additional apps are supported in the EU).
Approximately 2 million applications.
Available on Google Play Store and third-party sources.
Approximately 3 million applications.
The Apple App Store offers fewer apps than Google Play, but we're still talking about millions of apps, and selection isn't the most critical factor.
Apple is very strict about the apps it allows, while Google's standards for Android are more relaxed. Apple's tighter controls are part of the reason its App Store has fewer products than Google's, which means you're less likely to download malware.
Another benefit of Apple's centralized storefront is that the company is confident that everything in the store is compatible with available devices. The multiple manufacturers of Android phones and less filtering in the Google Play store means you may not be sure whether the app you want is available for your particular phone.
Beyond that, more options and the ability to download Android apps outside of the official Google Play Store may appeal to some users.
iPhoneTypical range: $500 - $1,500+
General range: $100-$1,700+
Apple positions the iPhone as a high-end device, and its price reflects that. You won't find anything new for less than $500. Meanwhile, Android-compatible phones range in price from $100 to 20 times that much.
While you can buy an Android phone cheaper, you'll likely get what you pay for. If you want a new Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, high-end Samsung devices can cost as much or more than an iPhone. At this end of the spectrum, there's almost no difference in quality between Android and iPhone. If you don't need a high-tech camera or other features, the cheaper Android might be fine.
However, payment plans from Apple, Google and retailers are widely available, meaning you can get a high-end phone quickly with monthly payments rather than a one-time payment. These options make price less of an issue.
iPhoneEnd-to-end encryption.
The App Store is designed to prevent malware.
End-to-end encryption.
Wider availability of third-party apps could leave devices vulnerable to malware.
If you care about smartphone security, iPhone is more secure than Android. The main reason is the design of the operating system.
Apple controls downloads. One of the most common ways to compromise digital security is by downloading malware - software designed to steal information or affect the way a device works.
Apple is committed to preventing malware from appearing in its App Store, which is the primary way to get iPhone apps and the only way you can do so when you're outside the EU. In this way, Android's openness and flexibility become a liability.
However, it's worth noting that iPhones are not immune to security threats. It is less likely to be targeted than Android-based phones.
Default platform: Siri.
iPhone can use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa through apps.
Default platform: Google Assistant or Samsung Bixby.
Siri is not available for Android users.
Artificial intelligence and voice interfaces will drive the next frontier of smartphone functionality. Android has a clear lead here.
Google Assistant, the most famous smart assistant, is very powerful. It uses everything Google knows about you and the world to make life easier. For example, if your Google Calendar knows you're meeting someone at 5:30 and traffic is really bad, AssistantAssistant will notify you to leave early.
Siri is Apple's answer to the artificial intelligence Google Assistant. It continues to improve with every new iOS version released. That said, it's still limited to relatively simple tasks and doesn't offer the advanced intelligence of Google Assistant.
iPhone users who don't like Siri can also use Google Assistant, while Android users can't access Siri without an Apple product.
Interact seamlessly with Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and other devices.
There is less interactivity between Android devices, especially devices from different manufacturers.
In addition to smartphones, many people use tablets, computers, or wearable devices. For them, Apple offers a better integrated experience. Since Apple makes computers, tablets, watches, and iPhones, it offers features that Android may not.
For example, you can use your iPhone as a remote control for your Apple TV. You can also use your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone or MacBook. AirDrop lets you instantly transfer files and links between iPhone, Mac, or iPad without having to create an email.
Additional continuity features let you start a YouTube video on Apple TV and resume where you left off on iPhone. AirPlay lets you share your Mac screen with an Apple TV, or use your iPad as a second display.
Google services such as Gmail and Maps run on all Android devices. But unless your watch, tablet, phone, and computer are all made by the same company (and there aren't many companies outside of Samsung that make products in all of those categories), Android doesn't have a unified cross-device experience.
Self-healing is difficult, if not impossible.
You need to take your device to your service provider or Apple Store.
Many manufacturers make their equipment user-serviceable.
Apple emphasizes elegance and simplicity in the iPhone. This is a big reason why users can't upgrade iPhone storage or replace the battery (iPhone batteries can be replaced, but they must be installed by a trained repairman).
On the other hand, Android manufacturers often let users replace their phone's battery and expand its storage capacity.
The trade-off is that Android is a bit more complicated and less elegant, but compared to using up storage space or avoiding paying for expensive battery replacements, it's probably worth it.
Both iPhone and Android provide solutions for people with different needs. If you already own an Apple product such as a Mac, iPad, or Apple TV, buying an iPhone is an easy choice. If flexibility or applications are important, choose Android.
Different categories are more important to some people. Some people will be more concerned about hardware options, while others will be more concerned about battery life or mobile gaming. Both platforms offer great options for different people. You need to decide which factors are most important and choose the phone that best meets your needs.
The iPhone 15 is Apple’s latest flagship product.
Pixel 8 is the latest Google smartphone.
The Galaxy S24 is the latest Samsung smartphone.
FAQAndroid and iPhone users combined own 99% of all active phones; however, there are far more Android users than iPhone users due to the huge price difference. As of 2024, global statistics show that there are approximately 1 billion active iPhones and 3 billion active Android devices.
Android allows you to do some things that iPhone security doesn't allow, such as setting up a guest mode account to share your Android phone with other users. You can also add storage using an SD card and transfer documents directly from your PC to your phone using Android File Manager. iPhone only allows you to transfer pictures this way.
You can place your old phone next to your new phone and use the Quick Start feature to transfer data to your new iPhone. iPhone also allows you to send and receive money through the built-in iPhone Messages app. Another top feature is FaceTime, where you can video chat with other iPhone users without installing a third-party app.
