compare and contrast essay on iphone vs android

Android vs iPhone: what's the difference, and which is best for you?

Should you buy an iPhone or Android phone?

The iPhone vs Android debate raged hard in the early days of smartphones. We’ve all grown up a bit since then, so let’s leave the term ‘ Apple sheep’ back in 2009, okay?

But there are some huge differences between the best Android phone and the best iPhone , and the question between which software ecosystem you should buy into is a big one.

Top Androids like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra are far more expensive than they were a handful of years ago, and the relative price of entry for Apple hardware is much lower than in the old days.

This is no longer simply a case of ‘iPhones are for rich people’ and Androids are for everyone else.

We’re going to break down everything you need to consider when choosing between an iPhone SE (2022) and OnePlus Nord 2 , or an iPhone 13 Pro Max and Google Pixel 6 . And everything in-between.

Android vs iPhone hardware: Android is still the bargain-hunter’s choice

Android vs iPhone entry-level: $100-350 / £100-350

It’s time for a little backtrack. Yes, iPhones are more accessible than before, and many top Androids are now expensive enough to make your eyes water. However, the cheapest great phones are still Androids.

The best ones to buy get depend on where you live, but our favorite budget manufacturers include Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo and Motorola. Spot the trend? They are all Chinese. Motorola used to be an American brand, but it is now owned by Lenovo , which is - you guessed it - Chinese.

They offer unbeatable value. Xiaomi and Realme are the most aggressively priced, as of early 2021. If these brands aren’t readily available or you’d rather buy from a non-Chinese brand, Nokia and Samsung are your top names. They are from Finland and South Korea respectively.

Android vs iPhone mid-range: $400-650 / £400-650

Apple doesn’t come into the picture until your budget reaches $399 / £419 / AU$749. That nets you Apple’s tiny iPhone SE (2020). It’s cute, it’s pocketable, and it is as powerful as plenty of four-figure Androids.

However, if you play games or stream video a lot then you're probably better off with the larger (if less powerful) iPhone XR , at $499 / £499 / AU$849. Its battery lasts longer too.

Top Android options at around this price include the OnePlus 8T , Xiaomi Mi 10T and - a little lower end -  Google ’s Pixel 4a .

Our advice? Don’t be too put off by the fact the iPhone XR is now a little old. It came out in 2018 but Apple phones are supported for a lot longer than Androids and it still compares well with new mid-range processors.

The big ‘but’ is Apple doesn’t offer any affordable 5G phones yet. Androids offer this faster, more advanced mobile internet for as little as around $299 / £249 / AU$500.

Don’t buy into the idea that Androids offer you stacks more tech in every area, though. There is a pernicious trend of filling Android phones with cameras, usually four on the back and at least one on the front. Unless you’re paying big bucks it’s highly likely only one of the rear cameras is any good.

The Google Pixel 4a is one of our favorite affordable Android cameras, and it has just one rear camera. Apple’s entry-level iPhones take the same approach. Of the two lower-cost iPhones, the iPhone XR has a larger camera sensor, so in theory it should be better. But in practice the iPhone SE (2020) often wins, by a small margin. Its video stabilization is superior, and its flash is more powerful.

Of course, if you take photos for fun rather than to deep dive into the pixels, the ultra-wide cameras most Androids have are great. We love wide and zoom cams.

Apple does offer that extra hit of photography at a reasonable price too, in the iPhone 11 . It costs $599 / £599 / AU$999, and has an ultra-wide camera alongside its main one. This last-gen phone compares well with almost any Android you can get for that amount of money.

There’s one other thing to consider in this Android versus Apple hardware debate. Apple is stingy on storage, and its upgrades are quite expensive. The base iPhone 11 has just 64GB of storage. Xiaomi’s Mi 10T Pro , often available for less cash, has 256GB.

Most people don’t need that much, but we recommend 128GB these days for a comfortably lazy smartphone life. The Xiaomi, and other alternatives like the Pixel 5, also have 5G.

While Apple’s mid-range phones are great in terms of ease of use, power, and camera processing, you do tend to miss out on a couple of the most recent advancements.

Android vs iPhone high-end: $700+ / £700+

Spend big and you can get an iPhone 12 -series mobile, or a top Android. These include models like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, Oppo Find X2 Pro , Sony Xperia 1 II and OnePlus 8 Pro .

In previous years we would also have recommended Huawei’s phones. But we can’t now they don’t have Google apps.

At this level you get expensive features like zoom cameras, night modes that make near-pitch-black scenes look clear, and ultra-high-resolution screens. Apple’s iPhone, finally, gains 5G at this price point too, with all iPhone 12 range models packing the tech.

You may notice Apple’s iPhones don’t tend to look quite as slick as some Androids, though. Samsung, Oppo, and OnePlus all try hard to minimize screen borders, and use curved glass on the front and back to further trim down their appearance.

This design style looks, and feels, great. The iPhone 12 Pro Max still has relatively significantly black bars at each side of the display, and a big notch that holds all the tech to make Apple’s face recognition software work.

Even Apple’s most expensive phone doesn’t have the same camera zoom capability as the Oppo Find X2 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra either. And both Samsung’s and OnePlus’s top ultra-wide cameras are better than Apple’s.

However, iPhone photos are tasteful and consistent, and iPhones are our go-to phones for video capture. Sure, Samsung may have an 8K mode but the quality and stabilization of Apple’s iPhone 12 and 11-series 4K video is superb. Top ‘Pro’ models also have Dolby Vision HDR recording. Which is nice.

A top tip for early 2021 is not to forget the OnePlus 8 Pro if you are shopping towards the lower end of the ‘high-end’ category. We had a chance to compare it directly to the iPhone 12 Pro Max and several of the most expensive Androids recently. It fared remarkably well, and has the sophisticated curved glass front you don’t often get at $799 / £699 (around AU$1,030).

Android vs iPhone apps: we’re all app-rich, but iPhone owners are the super-rich

Look at the statistics alone and you would believe Android’s Google Play offers a better app library than the iPhone’s App Store. There were around 2.87 million apps on Google Play in late 2020 according to Statista , and 1.96 million on the Apple App Store.

However, we find that the App Store has a greater share of top-quality apps and games. There are a few reasons for this.

It is easier and cheaper for developers to get apps on Google Play. But the total revenue made on the App Store is far greater, giving publishers a greater incentive to create ultra-high-quality iPhone apps.

Optimizing for iPhone is also simpler, in one sense at least. There have been 17 iPhone models since 2016, and hundreds of Android phones, all with different hardware and software. That is a development headache.

This, and iPhone fans’ greater willingness to actually pay for apps, means we end up with more high-end productions like XCOM 2, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, and Slay the Spire on iPhone. These may come to Android, but games like this tend to come to iOS first.

Apple also offers a Netflix-like service for games called Apple Arcade . It costs $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$7.99 a month and is intended to let you get away from the endless ‘free to play’ games that eventually ask you to pay to make any meaningful progress. Such apps dominate both app stores.

We see the same effect in apps, in every category. Take music production as an example. iPhones have Apple’s wonderful GarageBand, plus KORG Gadget, Nanostudio 2, 4Pockets Meteor Multitrack Recorder, and others. These apps let you compose songs on your phone.

The selection on Android is far more limited. Steinberg made an Android version of its industry standard Cubasis 3 for Android, so you are not left high and dry. But iPhones have access to more worthwhile, truly deep creative and productivity apps.

Not fussed about composing a symphony on your phone or playing an epic 20-hour adventure? We think you’ll be happy with either platform.

Google’s looser approach to apps comes with benefits too. You won’t find game console emulator apps on the App Store. Apple doesn’t allow them. Emulators mimic the hardware of old consoles to play retro games, and there are many on Google Play.

Android vs iPhone software: iOS continues to borrow from Android

How any new Android phone looks and feels is largely determined by the custom interface it uses. Almost every Android has one, because it’s the way manufacturers make sure their phones don’t seem exactly like those of their competitors.

Some of these interfaces add significant new features too, but all are based on a core version of Android. In 2021 most new phones are likely to use Android 11 .

This 2020 update to the system isn’t going to change your life. But it did tweak some parts under the surface. For example, in some phones you’ll see a panel of smart home controls when you long-press the power button.

Apple’s recent changes are more dramatic. iOS 14 brought widgets to iPhones. These have been in Androids since day one, in 2008. It also adds an App Library section at the end of your home screens, which arranges all your apps into folders. Again, we might compare this to the dedicated app page that has always been present in the majority of Android phones.

However, if you use a MacBook you will likely appreciate Apple’s AirDrop feature, a fast and easy way to share files between your phone and laptop.

Comparing the software experience of Android and iOS is a little like comparing Windows 10 and Mac OS. Android, like Windows, used to be criticized as buggy, flaky, and unreliable. That is not the case anymore.

New versions of iOS are just as likely to have annoying bugs as fresh Android updates. Both are great, neither is perfect. And if you switch from one to the other it will probably take you a week or so to bed in.

Not very helpful? Privacy is one of the best reasons to choose an iPhone. Apple operates rather differently to Google here. For example, data used by voice assistant Siri is anonymized. And Apple plans to make a huge change to how privacy operates in iOS later this year, making it clear to us end users when an app like Facebook is collecting and sharing data about us.

It’s called App Tracking Transparency, and will shine a light on exactly how far, and how quickly, your information is disseminated between apps and services.

Google has improved how it deals with app permissions in the last few years. You’re now asked for permission as and when an app requests, for example, your location, rather than just making you allow access at the point of install.

However, there’s a fairly fundamental difference here. Google makes stacks of cash by collating our user data and using it to power its advertising platform. Apple doesn’t, to the same extent. It does run an ad network, used in the App Store and other Apple services. But it ain’t Google.

This issue is moot, though, if you plan on buying an iPhone and using a bunch of Google services like Gmail and Maps anyway. The privacy policies of your phone can’t fix the privacy problems of the apps you use on your phone, and elsewhere.

Android vs iPhone updates: iPhones are miles ahead

Apple phones are also far better for software updates. Let’s take the last iOS release, iOS 14, as an example.

The oldest devices supported are the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus . These phones were released in 2015, the year of the Samsung Galaxy S6 .

That Samsung phone is one of the best-supported Androids of the year, but it dropped off Samsung’s official support list in 2018.

Two years of software updates and three years of security updates is the best-case scenario for most Androids (though Samsung has now started offering three years of software updates for some phones).

iPhones tend to get five major updates, or five years’ worth from their original launch, plus additional security patches afterwards. Even the iPhone 5S from 2013 received a security update just a week before this piece was written in January 2021.

Tech companies have risen to greatness and crumbled to nothing in the time the iPhone 5S has received support.

Security updates are important because they contain provisions to counteract vulnerabilities cybercriminals and other nasty types can try to exploit. Ever seen the stories about scammers using Bluetooth to hack into your phone to covertly call premium-rate numbers? Updates fix problems like this.

The support of Androids may be even shorter from some lesser manufactures. We have reviewed phones from some little-known Chinese names that never seemed to receive a single update from the day we first opened the box.

There’s another issue. Google releases one major version of Android a year. On day one, Google’s Pixel phones get it. Other manufacturers then usually take several months making the new code work with their own software, before releasing it.

All iPhones (the supported ones anyway) get updates as Apple releases them, as the company makes both the software and hardware. Google has tried to mitigate this over the years, splitting off its apps from the Android part so they can be updated discretely, and coming up with Project Treble . This again splits up system software to minimize the work the manufacturer needs to do.

Has it helped? Not much. Android updates can take an age to arrive.

Android vs iPhone resale value: iPhones in first place, Samsung in second

This update issue and the ultra-long support cycle are two reasons iPhones tend to seem ‘current’ a lot longer than Androids. And it also feeds into their resale value.

Here’s how much you could trade-in the ‘good’ condition flagship phones of 2018 in at MusicMagpie, one of the UK’s most popular tech resale companies:

• iPhone XS - £250 (original cost £999)
• Samsung Galaxy S9 - £125 (original cost £739)
• LG G7 - £70 (original cost £749)
• Sony XZ2 - £90 (original cost £799)
• Huawei P20 Pro - £40 (original cost £799)

The iPhone is worth 25% of its original cost, the Samsung 17%, the LG 9.3%, the Sony 11%, and the Huawei just 5%. You should be able to get more than these figures if you sell privately, but this is a reasonably indication of their relative worth.

And while these prices only apply to the UK, you can expect a similar situation in most countries.

However, while Apple is the clear winner, Samsung phones also do rather well here. And the other brands’ value is not helped by their drop in prominence, particularly Huawei, which makes fantastic phones but has been all but destroyed in the west after the US labeled the company a security risk .

Android vs iPhone: takeaway

The lazy conclusion of the old Android versus Apple debate largely no longer applies. You can’t claim iPhones are overpriced and Androids are great value when the corresponding Samsung models sell at a similar price, or more in some cases. Here are some of the key reasons to buy into each platform.

Buy an Android if you want cheap 5G Android makers adopted 5G much more quickly than Apple, largely because companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek were fast to provide chipsets that support the standard, at a low cost. Forget the behind-the-scenes stuff and it means 5G Androids are available for $300/£300 or less if you know how to shop.

Buy an iPhone if you want to keep a phone for years (and years) No Android manufacturer supports its phones like Apple. You can expect five years of software updates, and important security updates after it’s locked out of new iOS versions. Even from the top Android makers, two years of software updates and three years of security patches is the best you can typically ask for.

Buy an Android for the best hardware value per dollar Apple’s mid-range phones are great. But at $300/£300 or below Android is still the place to be. Buy a phone from a Chinese company like Xiaomi, Realme or Oppo and you can expect near-flagship day-to-day performance, possibly even with 5G and - in some cases - high end touches like glass back panels.

Buy an iPhone for a slightly better games and apps library No smartphones are short of apps. But the App Store has more ‘deep’ creativity and productivity apps, and console-grade games tend to come to iOS first. And may not make it to Android at all in some cases. However, if you want to use retro game emulators, Android is the only option.

Buy an Android for the slickest high-end designs and periscope zoom Want curved glass, zero screen borders and long-throw periscope camera zooms? You can’t get those with any iPhone yet. Through some eyes even the iPhone 12 Pro Max looks a little dated next to the top-end phones from Samsung, Oppo and OnePlus.

Buy an iPhone if you’re into privacy Google loves your data. An iPhone is a much better bedrock for a privacy-aware life. However, you don’t get to pat yourself on the back just for using an iPhone. Don’t forget your use of smart home tech, social networks, and any services you sign into are just as important.

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Andrew is a freelance journalist and has been writing and editing for some of the UK's top tech and lifestyle publications including TrustedReviews, Stuff, T3, TechRadar, Lifehacker and others.

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Iphone Vs Android

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Android vs. iOS

Google's Android and Apple's iOS are operating systems used primarily in mobile technology , such as smartphones and tablets. Android, which is Linux -based and partly open source, is more PC -like than iOS, in that its interface and basic features are generally more customizable from top to bottom. However, iOS' uniform design elements are sometimes seen as being more user-friendly.

You should choose your smartphone and tablet systems carefully, as switching from iOS to Android or vice versa will require you to buy apps again in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Android is now the world’s most commonly used smartphone platform and is used by many different phone manufacturers. iOS is only used on Apple devices, such as the iPhone .

Check out the latest iPhone deals , and deals on Samsung phones and Google Pixel phones on Amazon.

Comparison chart

Contents: android vs ios.

• 1.1 User experience
• 2 Exclusive features
• 3 Software upgrades
• 5 Apps Available on iOS vs. Android
• 6 Stability of Apps and the Operating System
• 7 Device Selection
• 8 Call Features
• 9 Messaging
• 10 Video Chat
• 11 Voice Commands on Android vs. iOS
• 13 Web Browsing
• 14 Facebook integration
• 15 Mobile payments
• 16 Security
• 18.1 UI Design for Android vs. iOS 7
• 19.1 iOS pros and cons
• 19.2 Android pros and cons
• 20 References

iOS and Android both use touch interfaces that have a lot in common - swiping, tapping and pinch-and-zoom. Both operating systems boot to a homescreen, which is similar to a computer desktop. While an iOS home screen only contains rows of app icons, Android allows the use of widgets, which display auto-updating information such as weather and email. The iOS user interface features a dock where users can pin their most frequently used applications.

A status bar runs across the top on both iOS and Android, offering information such the time, WiFi or cell signal, and battery life; on Android the status bar also shows the number of newly received emails, messages and reminders.

A comparison of some of the features of the Android 11 and iOS 14 is here . Android 11 highlights include:

• Priority conversations
• Unified Device controls and payments
• One-time permissions
• Native screen recording
• Improved media controls
• Enhanced support for foldable devices

iOS 14 highlights include:

• Custom Widget Stacks
• Picture in Picture
• Compact Phone Calls
• Third-Party default apps
• Search in apps
• Emoji Search
• Exposure Lock
• QuickTake Video
• Pinned chats in Messages

Many different manufacturers make Android phones and they often include some customization over the vanilla Android experience. e.g. HTC Sense or Samsung TouchWiz. Depending upon your device and carrier, there may be pre-installed apps that are bundled with your Android device.

User experience

This article explains how app design patterns differ in Android and iOS. Android typically has a persistent back button for navigation. While the look and feel are different, many apps -- like TikTok, YouTube and WhatsApp -- will look familiar when you switch from Android to iOS or vice versa.

Exclusive features

Features exclusive to iOS include:

• iMessage: Perhaps the most popular iOS app, iMessage handles both SMS messages (when the other party is on a non-Apple platform) as well as Apple-supported chat (when all participants use iMessage). Its integration with Apple Pay makes sending and receiving money via iMessage extremely easy.
• AirDrop: AirDrop uses Bluetooth to share files, pictures, videos and links from the iPhone to any Apple device. It is very easy to use.
• Share WiFi passwords: Sharing WiFi passwords between two iOS devices is a breeze. Simply hold them close together and a pop-up will appear asking if you'd like to share your password.
• App offloading: iOS automatically identifies apps that you do not use and removes them from the device. Data from the apps is retained and they get reinstalled when you want to use them.
• Breezy setup of new devices: Apple makes it very easy to switch from an old iPhone to a new iPhone. When setting up a new iPhone, importing apps, data, passwords and settings is a breeze.

Features exclusive to Android include:

• Customizing the Home screen: Android offers a lot of flexibility for adding widgets and customizing the layout of the home screen. It also supports other apps taking over the management of the home screen.
• File management: Android allows users to choose a file manager, and also provides access to the file system. Plugging an Android device into a PC exposes the phone's file system as just another drive, allowing drag and drop access for moving files between the phone and the PC.
• Expandable Storage: Most Android phones come with expandable storage. While the phone may only have 32 or 64GB of storage, you can add a microSD card to expand it by up to 1TB more.
• Multiple Users and Guest accounts: While iOS is a single-user operating system, Android has added support for multiple users, and even a guest account. This is especially useful for sharing your phone with kids or with a friend who may need it temporarily.
• Split screen: iOS only supports split screen for iPads. Android supports this feature for phones as well.

Software upgrades

This is one area where iOS users have a massive advantage. iOS upgrades are generally available to all iOS devices. When Apple release iOS 14 in the fall of 2020, it was made available for iPhone models as old as the iPhone 6S, which was released in Sep 2015. Apple cites hardware capability as the reason some older devices may not receive all new features in an upgrade.

Although Google does update Android frequently, some users may find that they do not receive the updates on their phone, or even purchase phones with out-of-date software. Phone manufacturers decide whether and when to offer software upgrades. They may not offer an upgrade to the latest version of Android for all the phones and tablets in their product line. Even when an upgrade is offered, it is usually several months after the new version of Android has been released.

With the A-series chips that Apple designs in-house, the company has a roughly two-year lead over the best Android phones, which typically run Qualcomm's Snapdragon series chips. The iPhone 12 easily beats both Samsung Galaxy 20 and Google's Pixel 5 in Geekbench 5 and 3DMark's Wild Life stress tests.

Apps Available on iOS vs. Android

Android gets apps from Google Play, which currently has over 1 million apps available, most of which will run on tablets . However, some Android devices, such as the Kindle Fire , use separate app stores that have a smaller selection of apps available. Many originally iOS-only apps are now available for Android, including Instagram and Pinterest, and Google’s more open app-store means other exclusive apps are also available, including Adobe Flash Player and BitTorrent. Android also offers access to Google-based apps, such as Youtube and Google Docs.

The Apple app store currently offers over 1 million apps, about 30% of which are available for the iPad. Most developers prefer to develop games for iOS before they develop for Android. A list of iOS-only games is maintained here on Wikipedia .

The bottomline when comparing Google and Apple's app stores is that most popular apps are available for both platforms. But for tablets, there are more apps designed specifically for the iPad while Android tablet apps are often scaled up versions of Android smartphone apps. Developers at startups often focus on one platform (usually iOS) when they first launch their smartphone app because they do not have resources to serve multiple platforms from the get go. For example, Instagram started with iOS and their Android app came much later.

Another consideration is being able to run Android apps on Windows PCs . Android apps distributed via Amazon's app store are compatible with Windows. In some use cases, for paid apps that you want to run both on your tablet and PC, this would give Android an advantage.

Stability of Apps and the Operating System

The Crittercism Mobile Experience Report published in March 2014 ranked Android KitKat as more stable than iOS 7.1. Other findings from the report include:

• Android 2.3 Gingerbread has the highest total crash rate, at 1.7%. Other versions of Android — Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, and KitKat — have a crash rate of 0.7%.
• iOs 7.1 has a crash rate of 1.6%., and the rates for iOS 7.0 and iOS 5 are 2.1% and 2.5% respectively.
• Phone versions of both Android and iOS are more stable than their tablet versions.
• Crash rates for apps vary by category — games are most likely to crash (4.4% crash rate) and e-commerce apps have the lowest crash rate of 0.4%.

Device Selection

A wide variety of Android devices are available at many different price points, sizes and hardware capabilities.

iOS is only available on Apple devices: the iPhone as a phone, the iPad as a tablet, and the iPod Touch as an MP3 player. These tend to be more expensive than equivalent hardware using Android.

Call Features

Android allows the user to send one of a number of self-composed texts as autoreplies when declining a call.

iOS’s phone app has many abilities, including the ability to reply to a phonecall with a canned text message instead of answering, or to set a callback reminder. It also has a Do Not Disturb mode.

Android allows users to log onto GTalk for instant messages. iOS does not offer a native way to chat to non-Apple users. Users can message over Apple users using iMessage or use apps from Google for GTalk and Microsoft for Skype.

Google Hangouts on Android can also be used for video chat, allowing users to chat over either 3G or Wi-Fi . iOS uses Facetime, which can place video calls over both 3G and WiFi. However, it only allows users to communicate with other Apple devices.

Voice Commands on Android vs. iOS

iOS uses Siri, a voice-based virtual assistant, to understand and respond to both dictation as well as spoken commands. Siri includes many features, such as reading sports scores and standings, making reservations at restaurants and finding movie times at the local theater. You can also dictate texts and emails, schedule calendar events, and interface with car audio and navigation.

Android offers a similar assistant, Google Now, which features the above abilities, plus can keep track of your calendar and give verbal reminders when it is time to leave. It allows for voice search and dictation.

The video below gives a quick demo of Google Now vs Siri:

Apps like Google Maps, Waze and Bing are available for both iOS and Android. When Google released its maps app for iOS in December 2012, the iOS version surpassed the version available for Android in terms of features, design and ease of use. The Android version is not expected to stay behind. Apple's own mapping app, which is bundled with every iOS device, was widely panned when it was launched with iOS 6.

Web Browsing

Android uses Google Chrome as its web-browser, while iOS uses Safari. Both Internet browsers are similar in quality and abilities and Google Chrome is also available for iOS. Safari is not available for Android.

Facebook integration

Android is integrated with Facebook , allowing users to update their statuses or upload pictures from many apps, and to pull contact data from their Facebook friends.

iOS is also fully integrated with Facebook, allowing users to update their status and upload images from various apps, sync their contacts with Facebook, and have their Facebook events automatically added to their iOS Calendar. iOS now offers much deeper integration with Facebook and Twitter because of how tightly it is weaved into core apps on iOS.

Mobile payments

Android uses Google Wallet, an app that allows for mobile payments. Some Android phones are equipped with an NFC chip (near-field communication) that is used for making wireless payments simply by tapping the phone at the checkout counter. This service integrates with Google Wallet but is not available on all Android phones or wireless carriers. Mobile payments are supported on devices that have an NFC chip (such as Samsung's Galaxy S4 and S5) as long as they are running a version of Android newer that 4.4 KitKat.

The iOS mobile payment system is called Apple Pay. While Apple Pay was launched over a year after tap-to-pay features on some Android phones, its integration with fingerprint identification arguably makes Apple Pay easier to use. Usage of Apple Pay has certainly been significantly higher. In fact, Apple Pay has kindled interest in mobile payments and prompted Android users to discover the feature on their phones, leading to an increase in use of Google Wallet over NFC. [1] iOS offers Passbook, an app that collects in one place tickets, reward cards, and credit/debit cards.

Android’s applications are isolated from the rest of the system’s resources, unless a user specifically grants an application access to other features. This makes the system less vulnerable to bugs, but developer confusion means that many apps ask for unnecessary permissions. The most widespread malware on Android is one where text messages are sent to premium rate numbers without the knowledge of the user, and the sending of personal information to unauthorized third parties. As it is the more popular smartphone operating system, it is more likely to be the focus of attacks.

Malware writers are less likely to write apps for iOS, due to Apple's review of all the apps and verification of the identity of app publishers. However, if an iOS device is jailbroken and apps installed from outside Apple's store, it can be vulnerable to attacks and malware. Both iOS and Android are also vulnerable to bugs e.g. phones crashing when playing a specific video , which is a type of software bug that has affected both iOS and Android devices.

In the real world, the security of an Android or iOS device is only as good as the software updates that have been applied to it. This is where iOS shines because of the fragmented nature of the Android ecosystem. Apple releases software updates and makes them available to all iOS devices at the same time. On Android, Google releases software updates and security patches to Nexus devices. Devices from other manufacturers lag behind because the manufacturer must take these security updates from Google and apply them to their own devices "in the wild". Virtually all manufacturers do a poor job at this. Most don't release patches to devices older than 12-18 months. Even when they do, these security updates are rolled out months after Nexus devices receive them.

That Android devices are less secure is also evidenced by this bounty program ; a company that obtains security exploits from hackers and sells them to governments has a bounty on 0-day (i.e., previously unknown) exploits for iOS ($1.5 million), Android ($200,000) and Flash ($80,000). The amounts of the bounties are a rough proxy for how easy it is to exploit these platforms in practice.

So a security-conscious individual or company should use either iOS or Nexus devices.

Both iOS and Android are "vulnerable" to a certain kind of privacy leak: an app installed on either platform can get a list of all other apps installed on the same device. This means your calculator app can find out that you use Tinder and relay that information back to its publisher, who is then free to use this info in whatever way they choose. In November 2014, Twitter announced that it is now tracking the list of apps its users have installed on their phones. Twitter is far from being the only company doing this.

Beyond the list of apps, when it comes to protecting users' private information, iOS wins. Until Android Marshmallow was released in 2015, when installing apps on Android, the user was presented with all the permissions that the app is requesting. This was an all-or-nothing proposition. The user could choose to accept the app's request for permissions or not install the app at all. App developers take advantage of this "feature" and request a lot of user information. For example, Pandora's mobile app on Android requests permissions for your Google identity, contacts, calendar, photos, media, files and even call information.

Pandora's app on iOS gets no such permissions. After it is installed and opened by the user, an iOS app may request additional permissions like location and access to Contacts. But the user can reject these permission requests. Even after approving the permission requests, iOS users can quickly glance at which apps have access to their Contacts and location data, and turn off access for apps with which they no longer want to share this data.

Android M (or Marshmallow) allowed a new permissions regime where apps could request permissions as needed. However, a majority of Android apps still take the approach of requesting permissions upfront. While it is possible to manage app permissions on Android at a more granular level, this option is buried deep in the settings.

Building and Publishing Apps for iOS vs. Android

Android apps are programmed using C, C++ and Java . It is an "open" platform; anyone can download the Android source code and Android SDK for free. Anyone can create and distribute Android apps for free; users are free to download apps from outside the official Google Play store. There is, however, a one-time $25 registration fee for developers who want to publish their apps (whether free or paid apps) on the official Google Play store. Apps published on Google Play undergo a review by Google. The Android SDK is available for all platforms - Mac, PC and Linux .

iOS apps are programmed using Objective-C. Developers must pay $99 every year for access to the iOS SDK and the right to publish in Apple's app store. The iOS SDK is only available for the Mac platform.

Some app development platforms - such as Titanium Appcelerator and PhoneGap - offer a way to code once (say in Javascript and/or HTML ) and have the platform convert it into "native" code for both Android and iOS platforms.

UI Design for Android vs. iOS 7

In Beyond Flat , SeatGeek founder Jack Groetzinger outlines a lot of the differences in how Android and iOS approach their design aesthetic and what it means for app developers. For example,

• Buttons :Android buttons are usually monochromatic, with a tendency towards using iconography when possible. The standard iOS 7 button is plain monochromatic text with no background or border. When iOS 7 does use button borders, they tend to be quite simple.
• The Action Bar of Navigation Bar : The nav bar in iOS is usually just a Back button linking to the previous screen. In Android, the navigation bar usually has several action buttons.
• Intents : Intents on Android allows applications to flexibly interoperate with each other. For example, apps can "register" themselves as capable of sharing which allows the user to share using this app from any other app.

The article outlines several other differences and is a great read .

The Bottomline: Choosing between iOS and Android

To summarize the key pros and cons of Android and iOS:

iOS pros and cons

• Massive app ecosystem : distinct advantage for tablet apps while on smartphones popular apps are usually available for both platforms
• Deeper integration with Facebook and Twitter : it is easier to post updates and share on social networks using iOS than Android because of how deeply integrated these platforms are with iOS.
• iOS-only apps like Passbook, FaceTime, and mobile payments app Square (available on iOS 3GS,4,4S,5 and up, nut only for a limited Android phones)
• Interface is locked down : Limited customization options for the home screens; only rows of app icons are allowed. No third-party apps are pre-installed by the wireless carrier. Users can only install apps from the App Store
• Software upgrades : Apple offers software upgrades to all devices that have the hardware capable of handling the new software. This means devices stay current with software features for at least two to three years.
• Better privacy controls : iOS offers better control over the access apps have to users' private information such as contacts and location.

Android pros and cons

• Massive hardware selection : A large number of Android devices are available at various price points, with varying hardware capabilities, screen sizes and features.
• Highly customizable user experience : The home screen can be customized with not just app icons but widgets that allow the user to stay connected or informed. Other examples include SwiftKey, which modifies your Android smartphone’s keyboard, and apps that emulate older gaming consoles. Google has fewer restrictions than Apple on what kinds of apps it allows in its Play store. Moreover, you can choose to install Android apps from places other than the Google Play store.

Several prominent people have shifted from iPhone to Android. Android's connection to the Google ecosystem of services is strong and arguably more useful compared with Apple's cloud services suite.

• iOS 14 - Apple.com
• iOS 14 Review - Engadget
• Android phones not getting upgrades - Apple Insider
• Apps available on Android but not iOS - AppStorm
• Android is Better - PaulStamatiou.com
• Why buy an Android tablet over Apple’s iPad? - Consumer Reports
• Wikipedia:Android (operating system)
• Wikipedia:iOS
• Android is edging out iOS in the global tablet market - Digital Trends
• Smartphone OS Market Share, Q4 2014 - IDC
• iPhone crashing ‘prank’ video bug and our uncertain security future - Computer World

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Comments: Android vs iOS

Anonymous comments (5).

October 1, 2013, 3:47pm apple products are way to expensive — 173.✗.✗.60

February 15, 2013, 8:39pm Excellent, unbiased comparison. Best I've seen in a while. — 108.✗.✗.139

June 11, 2014, 12:28pm I have been searching for an unbiased comparison and not found one still now. Thank you for your professional and educated take on this issue. — 124.✗.✗.29

March 28, 2014, 5:48pm I have an HTC One phone, an older Asus pad, and an ipad mini. I agree that android os is greatly preferable to iOS (just this stupid iOS keyboard that cannot predictive in my two languages is an argument). I would never buy an iPhone, knowing what I now know about iOS. Apple is tyrrannical and restrictive, whereas android is a free market. I enjoy customizing my phone, and i get frustrated at ios's luck of a file manager and back button, as well as the user-unfriendliness of iCloud and the disastrous safari. My praise for Apple is: excellent device, works well for the games and media I use the tablet for. Good hardware, dodgy software. Can we have Apple devices running on android please? Not gonna happen, I know:-) — 87.✗.✗.130

January 24, 2014, 4:27am I've tried windows and blackberry smartphones before android came out. Got my first android phone in 2011 and my second one in 2012 on a phablet (I don't like to carry tablets). Loved the look of Iphone 5s space gray so finally got one. I love how the touch ID works when unlocking the device and making app or music purchases. App selections are better too. Games have better graphics and they run smoothly. I find the IOS more user friendly and secure than android. What I really don't like is that you need iTunes to transfer or sync files to your computer. My overall user is definitely better with IOS 7 than android. Apple products have the premium look and feel so it's definitely worth it. — 112.✗.✗.66

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iPhone vs. Android

Looking for a new cell phone compare our top 4 rated cell phones.

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Table of Contents

Buying a new phone is a big decision, especially when you’re considering switching brands. Phone manufacturers and carriers expect most people to keep their phone for between two and three years, which is also the typical length of a phone contract.

Most buyers consider a wide range of variables, including their budget, the phone’s performance and speed, the display and cameras, the look and feel of the device, and its ability to connect with other devices in the household.

There are two primary types of touchscreen cell phones based on their operating systems. All iPhones use Apple’s proprietary iPhone Operating System, or iOS. Android uses a different operating system based on the open-source Linux, an earlier operating system model. Android has been owned by Google since 2005 and is used by a large variety of smartphone manufacturers, but not by Apple. We offer our comparison of these two types of cell phones below.

Visit our guide to the Best Cell Phones of 2024 to see our full list of the top-rated cell phones.

iPhone vs. Android Smartphones: Cost

A new phone is a relatively expensive purchase, and users can find both budget and high-end options on the iPhone and Android platforms. For all phone models, the amount of storage that comes with the phone will affect its price. The lowest-priced iPhone that made our Best Cell Phones of 2024 rating was the iPhone SE, which costs $429.00 for 64 GB of storage. Comparatively, the Google Pixel 5a costs around $20 more ($449.00) and comes with 128 GB of storage and an additional camera on the rear. Samsung makes some of the priciest Android phones currently available: The most expensive Samsung phone in our rating, the 2024 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 , starts at $1,799.99 and comes with 256 GB of storage, while Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro Max starts at $1,099.00 for 128 GB of storage. The cameras and screen on both phones are comparable, although the Fold3 screen is bigger. Both iPhone and Android offer phones for a range of budgets, depending on the user’s needs.

iPhone vs. Android Smartphones: Hardware

Here are some key differences between hardware options for iPhone and Android smartphones:

Design: Most top-rated phones in 2024 feature a full-face touchscreen and no accessories, although there is some variation among and between iPhones and Androids. For instance, the iPhone SE (2022) includes a “home” button, while the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with a built-in stylus. Some iPhone generations and models offer fewer color options than others. There are five color options for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max , for instance, compared with seven for a Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra.

Performance: A phone’s performance is dictated by its processor. Apple’s most recent processor is an A15 Bionic microchip, which is in the latest iPhone models. The processor driving most of the top Android phones in our rating is a Qualcomm Snapdragon, though specifications vary. The most powerful Snapdragon chip that Qualcomm currently makes is the 8+ Gen 1, which is in both the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Both the A15 Bionic and the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chips provide smooth, fast performance.

Display: The iPhone 13 Pro Max features an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen and a 120 Hz refresh rate. This means the screen’s pixels are individually lit, and professional reviewers consider the overall visual experience to be smooth. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus, the Galaxy Z Flip3 , and the Galaxy Z Fold3 all offer variations on an AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen, as well as 120 Hz refresh rates, which pro reviewers point out allows light to pass across the screen quickly and seamlessly.

Cameras and video: Many recent smartphones now include at least two cameras on the rear, a wide-angle camera and a main camera. Some of the latest models, including the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the OnePlus 10 Pro , offer a third telephoto or “macro” camera for close-up, detailed shots. Phones with a single rear camera, such as the iPhone SE (2022), don’t take photos that are as clear in low lighting as phones with two or more rear cameras. The phone in our Best Cell Phones of 2024 rating with the widest field of view is the OnePlus 10 Pro, at 150 degrees.

All of the phones in our rating take at least 4K-resolution video. The OnePlus 10 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra also shoot 8K-resolution video, which translates to more pixels and a better-quality picture. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the only iPhone in our rating to offer both pro-mode video and video editing, while all four Samsungs on our list ( the Galaxy S22 Plus, S22 Ultra, Z Flip3, and Z Fold3 ) have those features.

Battery: The iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2022), and the Google Pixel 6 Pro all reach a 50% charge in 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra reaches a 50% charge in 20 minutes. OnePlus reports that its 10 Pro phone can reach a full day’s charge in 15 minutes. The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has the highest battery life in our rating, with up to 28 hours of video playback.

Authentication: Apple still offers one iPhone from our rating that uses a fingerprint-unlock button, which is the iPhone SE (2022). The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max use facial recognition to unlock the phone and for authentication activity. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Fold3, Galaxy S22 Ultra, and Galaxy S22 Plus, as well as Google’s Pixel 5a and Pixel 6 Pro, all provide either in-display or hardware button fingerprint-unlock technology. There is a function in iPhone Settings that allows users to unlock phones using facial recognition while wearing a mask.

Connectivity: Apple’s latest iPhones are still using the company’s proprietary Lightning connecting ports and cables to charge and sync phones, although users can also use Bluetooth to connect audio and other devices to their iPhone. Androids might be a better option for users who prioritize more interchangeable and universal connectivity, because they use USB-C cables for charging and to connect wired USB-C headphones.

iPhone vs. Android Smartphones: Software

Operating system: An “open” operating system has source code that is public and available for anybody to use. Operating systems that are “closed” do not make the source code publicly available. Android devices run on open operating systems, while Apple devices run on closed systems. If it’s important to you to be able to make changes to your phone’s software, then you might prefer an Android phone.

Security: To keep a phone running well, companies will often release system updates that are downloaded directly to the device. These updates can include new features as well as security patches. Phone manufacturers provide updates semi-regularly. An iPhone user will be able to receive and download updates for their phone as long as they are using a supported hardware device. Android phone manufacturers support security updates for a certain number of years and a limited number of software “generations” after buying the phone.

Customization: Android has traditionally provided more customization options in terms of how to organize phone apps and widgets, as well as the phone’s overall interface. Apple has made advances in this area with new widget and phone arrangement options that have been introduced with iOS 14.

Apps: Both Android and Apple’s app stores provide a seemingly infinite number of apps, and major app developers have made a point to offer flagship apps for both iOS and Android systems. That said, Apple’s closed-source system and rigorous procedures for submitting apps to the iOS App Store result in a greater number of high-performing apps. Android’s open-source system invites a wider variety of quality and more independently minded app options, including those on the Google Play Store.

File storage and transfer: Of all of the phones in our rating, the highest-rated 2024 iPhones offer both the least amount of storage (64 GB in the iPhone SE 2022) and the most (1 TB, or terabyte, in the iPhone 13 Pro Max). The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra also has a 1 TB storage option. Both Androids and iPhones allow users to transfer files between devices via Bluetooth or cables. Apple provides iCloud storage for iPhone users, while Google and Microsoft (and other Android developers) offer Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and other cloud-based storage apps.

iPhone Cell Phones

Apple iphone se (2022)  ».

Apple iPhone 13  »

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max  »

Closed-source software equals high security and app quality

Speedy processors and efficient performance

Interoperability with other Apple devices

Not as customizable as Android phones

Proprietary Lightning port versus USB-C port

Less crisp screen and display on iPhone SE (2022) and iPhone 13

Apple’s iPhone was launched in 2007 and was the first successful mobile phone with a screen-only interface, as opposed to a keyboard. One big difference between iPhones and Androids is that iPhones run on a closed-source operating system, iOS, while Android operating systems are open-source. There are both benefits and drawbacks to each type of operating system, and a buyer’s preference will likely depend on how they want to use the phone and how comfortable they feel with customizing it.

The closed-source iOS provides relatively good security, as Apple releases patches regularly. The apps in the App Store are of an overall higher quality than Android, also due to Apple’s stricter submission process. By contrast, the closed-source iOS means that iPhones are less customizable than Androids, especially when it comes to variables such as interface and widget organization. However, recent iOS updates are allowing more widget and app arrangement customization for iPhones.

All three iPhones on our top-rated list run on Apple’s A15 Bionic processor, which provides speed and performance for users. For buyers who already have a household full of Apple devices, the interoperability between them allows users to ping misplaced devices and seamlessly “hand off” phone calls from a phone to devices such as an iPad, Macbook, or Apple watch (and vice versa), among other features. However, the continued inclusion of the proprietary Lightning port instead of a USB-C port to charge the phone might be a drawback for some buyers.

For users who want to use phones for games or other activities that will require ultra-crisp screens and high refresh rates, the iPhone 13 Pro Max (starting at $1,099.00 for 128 GB) is the best bet. It’s the only iPhone on our list that has an OLED screen and 120 Hz refresh rate. The iPhone SE (2022) and iPhone 13 have 60 Hz refresh rates and either a Retina HD (SE) or HDR (13) display type, both less crisp and smooth than an OLED screen.

Read more in our iPhones review .

Android Cell Phones

Samsung galaxy z flip3  ».

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3  »

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra  »

Google Pixel 5a  »

OnePlus 10 Pro  »

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus  »

Google Pixel 6 Pro  »

Price reflects discount

More customizable phones with wider variations

High-quality screens and displays on more devices

Universal USB-C port

Less interoperability between devices

Updates dependent on manufacturer

App quality more variable on Android devices

Android, an open-source operating system, was acquired by Google in 2005 and is found on a range of devices manufactured by several different companies. As a result, there is more variety and there are more customization possibilities on Android devices than for iPhone users. Android phones come in a wider variety of colors and design types, including foldable phones, flip phones, and phones that come with a stylus. Due to their open-source systems, Android phones offer more varied interfaces and app arrangements for users.

Five of the Android phones in our ratings of the Best Cell Phones of 2024 and Best Android Phones of 2024 offer some variation of an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. This means each individual pixel on the screen generates its own light, which also moves quickly across the screen, providing a seamless user experience. By contrast, only one iPhone on our list, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, offers an OLED screen and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The screens on the highest-quality Android devices are ideal for gamers or anyone who prioritizes the visual experience. The Android phones in our rating all use a USB-C port, a more universal connecting port and cable system than Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector system, which is currently in use on all iPhones.

Users who have other types of devices, such as a laptop or tablet , will find that Android systems do not necessarily interact with each other as seamlessly as Apple’s computers, phones, and wearable devices do. While the easier application process and access to Android’s app store means a wider variety of apps are available to users, that can be a drawback if you prioritize app operation and quality. The app store on iOS is more strictly curated. Although Android’s open-source system allows for more customization and variety, it also means updates can be delayed. This is because they are typically managed by the phone’s manufacturer and released only after Google releases a general Android update. The number of major updates or years of security updates covered will depend on the manufacturer.

Read more in our Best Android Phones of 2024 .

Bottom Line

Whether an iPhone or an Android phone is the better choice comes down to a number of variables based on the wants and needs of the user. Those who like variety, who prefer to try out different phone types and styles (such as phones with a foldable screen, as opposed to being limited to a bar-style phone), and those who don’t necessarily want to be loyal to one brand might decide that Android phones are a better choice. Android phones are made by more manufacturers, come in a wider range of colors, and are generally more customizable than iPhones.

Users who are less concerned about those options and who care more about a phone’s speed and performance, interoperability with computers and other similar devices, and an overall high quality of apps in the store might prefer an iPhone over an Android. The relative dependability of iOS updates, speedy processors, and high performance of the top iPhones in our rating make them suitable for anyone who wants an efficiently powered and easy-to-use phone with optimal security.

• Best Cell Phones of 2024
• Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
• Apple iPhone 13
• Apple iPhone SE (2022)
• Apple iPhone 14
• Google Pixel 5a
• Google Pixel 6 Pro
• OnePlus 10 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
• Best Android Phones of 2024
• Best Samsung Phones of 2024
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• Samsung Cell Phone Review and Prices
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• Google Cell Phone Review and Prices
• OnePlus Cell Phone Review and Prices
• iPhone vs. Android Smartphones
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iPhone vs. Android: Which is better for you?

iPhone vs. Android is the smartphone debate for the ages

iPhone vs. Android — the most intense argument in the phone world. We don't play favorites here at TG though, so we want to instead explain some of the key differences between the two operating systems so you can best figure out which suits you best.

iOS 17 and Android 14 - the latest version of the two operating systems, both offer smooth and user-friendly experiences, and several similar or identical features. But there are still important differences to be aware of.

Pitting iPhone vs. Android, we take a look at the respective strengths of each mobile platform, so you can pick the right one for you the next time you buy a smartphone. If you want to see the current flagships for Android and iOS, be sure to check out our Pixel 8 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max for an overall impression of how these phones compare. And if you're convinced you want to leave your iPhone, read more about how to set up an Android phone to make the move over as easy as possible.

iPhone vs Android: Why iPhone is better 

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.

Don't get me wrong — there's great software and developers on Android, but they're harder to find, in my experience. One of our favorite Twitter apps, Tweetbot 5 , is an iOS exclusive , for example; by contrast, one of the best third-party Twitter apps we've encountered on Android, Fenix 2 , strongly pales in comparison. (RIP third-party Twitter clients.) One of our staff members, Henry T. Casey, loves using Bear 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. 

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.

That's a relief if you've ever seen the way a new Android phone arrives out of the box — particularly one that you've bought through a carrier. Even spending $1,800 on a Galaxy Z Fold 5 doesn't spare AT&T customers from the affront of seeing software like CNN and DirecTV Now cluttering their app drawers. And it can be even worse if you buy a budget handset that has been heavily subsidized by a discount carrier. 

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 totally unheard of for some unlocked handsets to come with the odd unwelcome sponsored software (or ads). OnePlus is a recent example of this, and Samsung's ads on its smartphones have become notoriously annoying.

You get quicker software updates. Android phones get fewer updates than iPhones, and when they do, they happen less frequently and are often delayed with the exception of Google's Pixels.

The number of updates an Android phone sees over the course of its lifetime 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. Update policies from Android phone makers have been improving in recent years but Apple is still offering more. Take the iPhone XR, for example, which received iOS 17, even though it originally launched five years ago. 

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. 

It has better retail support. Let's say something goes horribly 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. 

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 for Pixel phones.

iPhone vs Android: Why Android is better 

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 7a , as well as some of the best small phones and best big phones , and phablets and foldables 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. 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 — like 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, offering extra features and, often, the ability to create themes for your experience from top to bottom. Some Android fans prefer Google's "stock" interpretation of Android. However, but lots of users like phone makers' custom software, like Samsung's One UI or OnePlus' OxygenOS, because of their extra capabilities, such as the ability to take 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 feel, offering more personalization. There's a pseudo-theming system which adapts to the colors in your wallpapers and applies that shade system-wide. 

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 (that you're not even sure you'll need) 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.

USB-C is universal. Android phones largely rely on USB-C ports for charging and data transfer these days, which is super convenient if you're one of those people who really likes to pack light and carry only one cable. USB-C is also on many PCs these days, as well as on the Nintendo Switch . It's a beautiful thing.

Whereas Apple's Lightning cable is a relic of the days when every tech company felt compelled to develop its own proprietary connector, USB-C represents the ideal single-port solution the industry is working toward. It also opens doors to faster charging technologies.

The iPhone 15 series has now moved to USB-C, matching Apple's other mobile devices. But it's going to take a long time before every iPhone user has moved on from a device with a Lightning port.

There's an actual file system (with drag-and-drop support on PC). Most people don't need to get their hands dirty with their smartphone's file system. Still, it's good to know that Android gives you that option, if you desire it. Even better, when you plug an Android handset into a Windows PC, you can very easily drag and drop files into folders, as if the device were just another drive.

That means your media libraries and documents are a snap to carry over and store locally, and you don't have to subscribe to a monthly cloud service if you have an especially large library. iPhones obscure the file system from the user for everything except photos, which can be very frustrating for dealing with music, documents and other forms of media.

Some Android phones, like the Galaxy S24 series, even have special PC or display projection features, that let you use view and use your device in a desktop capacity. Samsung's DeX interface is one such example of this. With such versatility, a high-end Android phone could legitimately function as a replacement for one of the best Chromebooks or similarly ultraportable laptops.

Innovative features usually land on Android phones first. Sure, Apple's coffers are pretty stacked. However, it is just one company, with one philosophy. As a result, iOS can be slow — or at least slower than the Android community — to adapt to emerging technologies.

With so many companies building Android phones, it's little surprise that Android partners tend to beat Apple to the market with innovations in the mobile space. Wireless charging, fast charging, NFC, 4G LTE, 5G, OLED displays, in-screen fingerprint sensors, water resistance and multi-lens cameras all landed on Android devices before iPhones, as well as software breakthroughs like true multitasking, copy and paste and multiwindow support.

Of course, this isn't to say Apple hasn't delivered breakthroughs of its own. The iPhone X wasn't the first phone with face recognition, but it was the first with one that worked reliably and securely. However, far more Android phones are released from a variety of vendors every year, so it's just a matter of scale that hardware running Google's platform is swifter to adapt.

Which should you choose?

So then, iPhone or Android: Which should you choose? Both platforms have pros and cons, and, as with many purchase decisions, your choice will depend on what you value most.

Owning an iPhone is a simpler, more convenient experience. There's less to think about, and because Apple's iPhone represents the single most popular brand of smartphone, there's an abundance of support everywhere you go — whether you need your battery replaced or you're just trying to pick up a new case. There's also the iMessage draw, at least in the U.S.

Android-device ownership is a bit harder in those respects. Yet it's simultaneously more freeing, because it offers more choice — choice of how much you want to spend, choice of hardware and software features, and choice in how you organize and personalize your experience. If you're extremely particular about the technology you use, you might find Android more liberating — dare I say, fun — though you'll also likely lament the relative lack of high-quality apps (e.g. Twitter) and accessories.

If you're wondering which particular device you should switch to, there's no better place to start than our lists of the best iPhones and best Android phones . Whichever device you pick, just make sure it fits with your operating system preferences.

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Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He's written about phones for over six years and plans to continue for a long while to come. He loves nothing more than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Outside of work, you can find him poring over open-source software and his studies.

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admin said: Our iPhone vs Android face-off will help you figure out which kind of phone is right for you. iPhone vs. Android: Which is better for you? : Read more

• bluesun03 I have been a top-tier programmer for 47 years, so I'm experienced on dozens of machines, O/S's & languages. The one platform I absolutely refuse to use is Apple's. Why? 1. Steve Jobs started the policy of charging 100% markup on all Apple products (50% for an iPhone or iMac, 50% for profit). All profit goes to a tax haven in Ireland so Apple pays NO federal corporate taxes in the United States. 2. In my 47 years working for banks & investment houses on Wall St.; digital video TV (I was part of the team that developed the original DVI digital video for PC's with Intel in the late '80s, early '90s, IPTV in mid 2000s (making fiber obsolete in much of the world), 1K HDTV, 4K & 8K UHDTV & other systems), hospitals like the Mayo Clinic (COVID sequencing), Mass General, & others; numerous AT&T/Bell Labs projects, & other corporate clients, I've seen just about every computer since the IBM/360 - yet the only computer I've NEVER seen used to develop professional commercial production systems is the MacIntosh (except sometimes in the art department). It was designed for people who wanted to use computers, but not have to understand how they worked. 3. I went to school with Andy Hertzfeld, leader of the original Mac/Lisa desktop design team. He told me horror stories about Jobs and his contempt for just about everybody, including his own most enthusiastic customers, in '91 when our Intel DVI video beat the first Mac Laptop & first Word for Windows for Best In Show. For example, at a design meeting to discuss how many buttons to have on the mouse, there were 2 camps, the 2-button camp & the 3-button camp (like the Sun early computers). At one point, Jobs jumped up & slammed his fist on the table & angrily blurted out, "You don't understand who we are designing this computer for. They are the sort of people who will have trouble telling left from right - we go with 1 button." 4. Jobs routinely lied about the capabilities of his products. Example, he claimed (truthfully) that the iPhone 4S had a full 1Ghz clock speed like its Android competitors. He also claimed (also truthfully) that the 4S got better battery life - like the older iPhone 4. He lied by omission by not telling customers that, before the phones left the factory, they were underclocked to run at 800 MHz. It's like paying more for an 8-cylinder pickup that claimed it got the same gas mileage as the 6-cylinder model, only to find out the manufacturer disconnected 2 cylinders at the factory. 5. Google makes all of the Android O/S source public through the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) so programmers can take the code as a guide and write scores of custom Android operating systems, both simpler and far more complicated than the official versions. Apple keeps its code confidential & nobody can make their Apple far more powerful & versatile than a "rooted" Android with a custom version of Android, a custom kernel, & hundreds of custom programs that require administrative (SU or SuperUser) access to the kernel). Apple's can only be jailbroken, letting you run apps you don't get from the Apple Store (and they made that illegal until the courts struck it down). 6. Rooting: Android phones are actually running on Linux kernels & you can "root" almost any Android phone to get superuser access to the kernel level, including the directory levels that are not accessible on any store-bought phone of any kind. You can run hundreds of powerful apps (go to Google Play & enter "rooted" to see lists of them). You can also delete or disable ANY application installed on the phone, including the spyware & bloatware all companies & SPs put on their phones. You can then recover that storage to fit more of your own apps. You can even bring up a Linux command box and (with all the Linux commands provided by the BusyBox rooted app) have access to command-line Linux, making your phone a Linux computer. You can back up not only your user apps/data, but also your system apps/data & the kernel - say to your PC so you can restore a bricked phone (try Titanium Pro). Another example is RCB (Root Call Blocker). When you block spam or scam numbers, both iPhone and Android blockers do a pickup/hangup process. This still lets the caller know this is a live, in-use line, which is the objective of maybe a third of all spam calls. Then they still put your number on "active number" lists to sell to third-parties as "verified" numbers. On my rooted phone, I use RCB, which is able to intercept the call before it gets to the phone circuitry and return the "out of service" signal of a dead line. This has cut my spam by at least 75%. 7. If all you want is texting, a camera, email & access to social media (which harvests all of your personal information for advertisers & political interference), ANY phone is fine, including 15-year-old flip-phones which are coming back into demand by Gen Z'ers for their simplicity. 8. Do you really need 20 megapixel cameras if all you are doing is posting to social media or sending .jpgs to friends? The sheer size of these files is vastly greater than 95% (make that 99%) want to deal with. They just eat up storage, take forever to upload & download to clouds & put a major strain on sms & email (most email clients limit the size of attachments anyway). Anything from 600x400 to 1K HD is perfectly adequate & far more practical. 8. Jobs decided at the start to sell Macs via the evangelical methodology with Jobs (who couldn't write a single line of code if he had to) as the original evangelist, creating what my associates call the iCult. Long-time chief evangelist, Apple's Guy Kawasaki, was quoted as saying "Don't worry. Be Crappy. Revolutionary means you ship and then test ... Lots of things made the first Mac in 1984 a piece of crap - but it was a revolutionary piece of crap." Reply
• Anirudh Amudhan Hello Jordan Palmer, I am a big tech enthusiast and I would like to share my views on Apple vs. Android with you. As I was reading through your magazine I would agree with you for many of your statements. The iPhone ecosystem is a big feature to consider when choosing software. The Apple ecosystem allows users to fluidly use Apple devices together with not many stated bugs. The ecosystem allows sending files to other Apple devices in full quality which I think is a big plus and removes the hassle of email. Also with the new IOS feature iPhone users can share contacts with a tap, which makes life so much easier. Another feature I admire about IOS is transitions between devices, when I am viewing media on one device I can easily transition to another device with a couple of clicks a most. On the other hand, Andriod OS is not something to ignore. Especially with the new Android 14 many Android phones have released AI to their software making many tasks for users much easier. With AI, users can translate calls in many languages, edit photos with ease and less experience, and tie in with the real world by using image search on unknown objects. Though iPhones focus on simplicity, android allows for customization and to show personality. In the Google world, many apps can replace the stock Android apps, and customization options such as personal icons, fonts, live wallpapers, and animations are just better than what Apple has to offer for its users. Thanks for reading. Reply
• kiniku TLDR: if you are a Windows PC user Android is really your only choice. (Windows Phone Link for the iPhone is a joke.) As I type this my iPhone 15 Pro Max is to my left and a new OnePlus 12 is inbound as its replacement. There is a lot to like about the iPhone: app polish and simplicity. But in my personal experience, its voice dictation is awful. Which I use as a lifeblood. Its notification options are paltry. Its keyboard, even 3rd party, suck compared to Android's options. I call the iPhone trained rats in an easy maze. But if simplicity and a "feeling" of "it always works" is vitally important to you, the iPhone is your phone. Reply
• View All 4 Comments

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Compare and Contrast Essay: Androids vs. iPhones

Androids and iPhones have been competing for many years to see which is the best, but they are better in their ways. Androids and iPhones are both very advanced devices, but the iPhone has just been the best for me. iPhones and Androids change every year, getting better and better every year to stay just advanced as their competitors. 

One of the big debates for which is better is the cost of the device. The android is made as a cheap and affordable phone that costs much less than the newest iPhones, but this is because iPhones are made to be the best. iPhones can make their phones better and better every year because they can add the newest and best technology to their phones. Since they have all the newest technology in the phones it makes them a lot more expensive than most other kinds of phones. The android on the other hand is made so that most will be able to afford a device with decent technology. The androids are going to be much cheaper, but you aren’t able to get some of the same features as the iPhones. 

The basic features of the phones are very similar, which can make the choice easy for some people who want to save money. Both phones can make calls, send texts, and both can access the web. All phones are similar in most ways, except the phones that cost more can do a few more things than the cheaper phones. Both phones can play games on them, but the iPhone will have better graphics and make the game experience much better. It comes down to what the person who buys the phone is looking for. If they want their phone to be a little faster, then they’re going to have to spend a little extra money so they can buy the iPhone. If the person wants to save money and can handle having a little slower phone, then they can buy the android.

Another issue to think about when purchasing a new phone is the camera. Some people like to take a lot of pictures with their phones, and when they take these photos they want to have the best quality. While the android has a very good camera, the iPhone's camera is just a little bit better and can get higher quality pictures. If you don’t like to take a lot of pictures then you can buy a phone that doesn’t have a very good camera. Most of the newer Android and iPhones have 4k cameras which have the best quality and can show all the details in every picture. Although Android has a very good camera, iPhone has been working especially on its camera to make it the best camera possible on a cell phone. A lot of people will pick the iPhone over the Android just because of the camera, only because they want to get the best pictures possible wherever and whenever

Another big issue is the battery life that the phones will have. Even though the iPhone costs more than the android, the android has better battery life. Since the android doesn’t have all the technology running in the background killing the phone's battery, it can last longer than the iPhone and that helps people decide what phone they want to get. While the iPhone can do a lot more than the Androids, it kills the battery very quickly which can turn away a lot of customers. While it seems like android would be the better choice when it comes to getting a phone because it has better battery life, iPhone has a lot more to bring to the table and that gets the attraction of a lot of people. 

While both phones are good in their ways, there is no true better phone, it's just preference. It just matters how much you are willing to spend on the phone that helps you decide what you want to get, but also there are a lot of factors that contribute to the kind of phone that you get. When deciding what phone to get, take into consideration all the things both phones can do and decide what’s best for you.

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Apple and Android Phones Comparison

Introduction.

Both Android and Apple phones are predominant mobile devices in the current market of smartphones, which possess several key characteristics and features. Although there are many points of similarities between them, it is evident that a potential consumer needs to be able to distinguish the overall advantages and disadvantages when considering purchasing either iPhones or Android alternatives. However, one of the most distinctive features of Apple products is its increased safety measures, whereas Android provides more efficient battery usage.

Today, the most common operating system for mobile devices is Android. The first version of the operating system was released in 2008, after which there were several system updates, which are used by most manufacturers of smartphones and tablets. Android OS is based on the Linux kernel. In addition to smartphones and tablets running Android devices, such as e-books, netbooks, watches, and TVs. It is important to consider the fact that most people never face the problem of viruses because they do not go beyond the Play Store to install applications. Specific manufacturers, such as Samsung, have taken additional measures to improve security in the enterprise market.

Nonetheless, the slow manner of updates on many Android devices can adversely affect important security fixes. Fast updates are more important now than ever because security breaches are becoming more serious. Android lags behind in terms of updates and is, therefore, less secure. Since millions of Android phones are still running software that has been around for several years, they could be vulnerable to such serious hacks.

Moreover, the gadgets on the iOS platform are difficult to infect with a virus or disable out of ignorance. Cloud data storage, automatic backup saving is major aspect of iPhones, where the first option allows file sharing on all Apple devices, and the second will protect against the loss of all user data in case of breakage or theft of the gadget. Apple is already firmly rooted in America’s corporate world, working to improve security for ordinary consumers, in particular by implementing Touch ID and FaceID in the iPhone X and later smartphones. Apple’s close monitoring of applications and the ability to send updates to more devices more quickly gives it a definite edge over Android. The company also encrypts data in iMessage and other applications. Apple gives priority to user privacy, so the client may feel secure, knowing that his or her personal data is not stored or gathered by Apple.

Meanwhile, Android only encrypts some data, and user privacy is less secure. Google collects customer data for information that it can use to deliver better ads to the client. This data is also stored and read in order to develop artificial intelligence. In addition, Google obliges to fully protect user privacy and continue to provide artificial intelligence services. Still, it is evident that Google, where the overall business model is based on collecting data, presents a false choice between AI and privacy.

Battery life is the most important factor for smartphone owners. Comparing both operating systems is difficult since they work on different hardware. It is important to state that iOS is optimized to squeeze the maximum out of one mAh charge, but one can also purchase such a device on Android with a more powerful battery that can easily outlast the iPhone. In both Android and iOS, the user can view battery usage statistics for each application, but only Android will show how much longer your battery will last. Both operating systems offer an energy-saving mode that can increase the battery life cycle, but it’s all much easier to set up on Android.

Moreover, as for charging devices, Android devices have long been leaders, as many have been equipped with a quick and wireless charge feature. However, the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X have also implemented these features, and now they are in all new generation iPhones. It is worth noting that the adapter for a quick charge for the iPhone needs to be bought separately, while for Android, it is usually provided upon purchase. This category is far from ambiguous, but if one compares the Android and iPhone for the same price, the former often differ in more durable batteries and adapters for a quick charge when buying, so Android is better in this regard.

In conclusion, it is important to point out that both Android and Apple phones possess a number of similarities regarding the basic smartphone features, and their choice is solely dependent on a consumer’s personal needs and taste. However, there are key similarities that need to be factored in when considering Android and Apple phones. The critical characteristic of Apple devices is their overall safety from any form of malware and data leakage due to the effective measures undertaken by the company. In the case of Android devices, one needs to acknowledge the fact that the battery life of such phones is more reliable regarding the length of active use.

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Switching From iPhone to Android Is Easy. It’s the Aftermath That Stings.

Even if you manage to ditch your iPhone, Apple’s hooks are still there.

By Brian X. Chen

Brian X. Chen is The Times’s lead consumer technology writer and the author of Tech Fix , a column about the social implications of the tech we use.

When I temporarily switched from an iPhone to an Android phone last week, I was bracing for a world of hurt. I’ve owned only Apple phones ever since buying the first-generation iPhone in 2007. And, like many, I’ve bought other Apple products that pair nicely, including AirPods, an Apple Watch and an iPad.

That type of loyalty is the basis of an antitrust case against Apple brought by the Justice Department, which has accused the company of using monopolistic control over the iPhone to harm competitors and deter customers from switching to other phones. To test that theory, I decided to briefly break up with my iPhone.

I was initially surprised by how simple it was to shift my iPhone data to an Android smartphone made by Google. Just by installing an app on my iPhone that Google made to help people switch, I was able to copy my contacts list, photo album and calendar into my Google account. Then, presto — all that data appeared on the Android.

I was almost done. After I called my carrier, Verizon, to transfer my phone number to the Android device, my mission was accomplished: I had become an Android convert.

At first, I was happy with my choice — I had upgraded to a fancy Google Pixel phone. But by Day 6, I was ready to switch back.

A bunch of annoyances added up. Even though I could still use most of my Apple products, I started missing my Apple Watch, which requires an iPhone to fully work. For software, I was able to find Android alternatives for all my favorite apps — except for Notes. While switching phones wasn’t technically hard, Apple’s hooks were still in me.

How Apple keeps customers loyal to the iPhone — and whether its practices harm competition — is at the heart of the government’s antitrust suit against the Cupertino giant.

Apple and the Justice Department declined to comment.

In its 88-page complaint, the department said a number of Apple products protected the company’s competitive advantage with the iPhone, including iMessage, Apple’s Wallet app and the Apple Watch. How hard do those perks really make it to ditch your iPhone? Here’s what I found.

Losing iMessage

For the most part, iPhone users and Android users can communicate with each other easily through email, phone calls and apps like Slack, but when it comes to text messaging, there is still an obvious split known as the “green bubble versus blue bubble” disparity .

When iPhone users send texts to other iPhones, the messages appear blue and can tap into exclusive perks like an animation of birthday confetti. But if an iPhone user texts an Android user, the bubble turns green, many features break, and photos and videos deteriorate in quality.

Before transferring my phone number to the Pixel phone, I used my iPhone to send iMessages to my blue bubble comrades warning them that our conversations would soon turn green. “Ew!” a friend replied. But after many remarks made in jest, no one protested, and I soldiered on.

Next, I had to detach my phone number from iMessage on Apple’s website to ensure that my text messages would stop going through Apple’s servers and arrive on my phone. Unless I did this, I would not receive texts from other iPhones. Eventually, the conversations turned green. I prepared myself for humiliation.

But no one gave me a hard time or excluded me. I did notice, however, that many friends had suddenly stopped texting me photos, perhaps because they knew the images would no longer look as good.

For years, some of my closest friends have texted me only through Signal, the third-party messaging app with strong privacy protections and many of the same features as iMessage. Signal is also available on Android, preserving that tradition.

Apple has announced that later this year, it will improve texts between iPhone and Android users by adopting rich communication services, a standard that Google and others integrated into their messaging apps years ago. Texts sent between iPhones and Androids will remain green, but images and videos will be higher quality.

Losing Apple Wallet

For iPhones, the go-to app for making mobile payments in stores is Apple Wallet, and for Android users, the equivalent app is Google Wallet. The experience of using each wallet app was identical: I loaded up my credit cards and Clipper card for the Bay Area’s rapid transit service.

The Justice Department’s criticism of Apple Wallet centers on how Apple gives only its app access to the iPhone’s payment chip, preventing competing wallet services from using that chip to make payments. But the way Apple designed its Wallet app had no impact on my ability to switch to an Android.

Losing the Apple Watch and other products

For an iPhone owner, a main incentive to buy more Apple products is that they work seamlessly together. A Mac laptop, for instance, uses many of the same apps for messaging, note taking and reminders as the iPhone, and the data is synchronized among the devices with Apple’s iCloud. In theory, the more invested you are in Apple’s ecosystem — and the more that Apple restricts its products from working with competing devices, the Justice Department says — the tougher it is to switch from an iPhone.

After I switched to an Android phone, my feelings about using other Apple products ranged from moderate annoyance to deep frustration:

The iPad worked independently from the iPhone, but I could no longer see my text messages on the tablet anymore. This was minor because I don’t do much texting on my iPad.

My AirPods Pro were OK — they connected quickly with the Pixel for playing music. But the downside is that the AirPods use Adaptive EQ, a technology that tunes sound quality to the shape of your ear, and it works only with software on the iPhone. So audio doesn’t sound as good.

I could not use my Android phone to locate my AirTags, the tiny Apple trackers I use to find my wallet and keys, on a map. But when my AirTags were in my pocket, the Android phone showed an alert that an “unknown tracker” was moving around with me, a safety feature for combating stalkers.

The Apple Watch requires an iPhone to set up, but its fitness tracking can work independently. Because I had already set up my watch, I could continue to use it at the gym alongside my Android phone. But I could no longer see my detailed workout data.

I ran into other annoyances not specifically called out in the lawsuit and finally reached peak frustration when I tried to find a replacement for Apple’s Notes, which I use regularly on my Mac, iPad and phone for work and personal errands. I used alternatives but didn’t like them, and combined with the aforementioned issues, it was all too much.

The upshot: Switching is easy, until it’s not

My experience isn’t universal. Some people would care more than others about how certain Apple products would change if they switched phones. Younger people would probably care a lot about lacking iMessage in schools, where a green bubble has been known to be an invitation for mockery and exclusion, according to education experts . Parents who use AirTags to track their children would view losing access to those as a deal breaker.

The upshot from this experiment is that while it’s not technically hard to switch to a different phone, there are plenty of things that could make you regret it.

Brian X. Chen is the lead consumer technology writer for The Times. He reviews products and writes Tech Fix , a column about the social implications of the tech we use. More about Brian X. Chen

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