So, you need a new telephone. The place do you begin?
For most individuals, it ought to software program. And on fashionable smartphones, there are actually solely two choices: Android or iOS, which runs on the iPhone.
The talk on which is healthier has raged ever since each platforms grew to become standard. In the end, which can higher swimsuit you relies on a spread of various elements, which we’ll run via on this article.
By the tip of it, you’ll have a transparent thought of what are the strengths and weaknesses of each platforms, which can make your resolution simpler. After all, for those who’re already set on one or the opposite, or already personal an iPad, Android pill or different ecosystem product, there’s most likely no want to change.
However for those who’re in any respect not sure, right here’s what every brings to the desk.
What’s Android?
Android is an open-source working system developed by Google. It powers an unlimited array of Android telephones and tablets from numerous producers, providing customers a excessive stage of customisation and suppleness.
Android boasts a thriving ecosystem of apps, video games, and companies accessible via the Google Play Retailer.
The most recent model of this method is Android 15.
What’s the iPhone?
The iPhone, alternatively, is not only software program however a line of telephones designed and developed by Apple.
Working on Apple’s iOS working system, iPhones are identified for his or her glossy design, seamless integration with different Apple units and companies, and unique App Retailer.
The most recent model of this method is iOS 17.
How are Android and iPhone totally different?
The first distinction lies of their nature: Android is an working system utilized by a number of producers, whereas the iPhone is a particular line of telephones produced solely by Apple.
This distinction impacts numerous facets, together with {hardware} decisions, software program updates, and ecosystem integration.
Which telephones run Android?
Quite a few producers produce units working on the Android working system, together with Samsung, Google, Apple, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Honor, Motorola, Nothing, HMD, Realme, Asus, Huawei, Vivo and Sony. If you happen to embody those who don’t launch units in Europe or North America, there are numerous extra.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
For instance, a number of the greatest Android telephones on the time of writing are:
A whole lot of Android telephones are launched each single 12 months, together with a number of handsets from nearly each producer. It couldn’t be extra totally different to the iPhone.
Which iPhone fashions are there?
Apple is the one firm that makes iPhones, and it solely are likely to launch new fashions annually.
These vary from the flagship iPhone collection, comparable to the most recent iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max, to extra budget-friendly choices just like the iPhone SE.
Nevertheless, Apple doesn’t instantly withdraw older fashions from sale when the brand new one arrives. Listed here are all of the iPhone fashions which might be presently available for purchase:
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
As well as, many older fashions are nonetheless supported with updates, even when they’re not accessible from official distribution. Right here’s a listing of iPhone fashions which have obtained an replace to the newest model of iOS 17:
Though each the newest and older fashions can run the identical software program,
What’s Android higher than iPhone for?
Every platform affords distinctive options and experiences, catering to totally different preferences and wishes.
Listed here are a number of the key Android benefits that stand out in opposition to iPhones:
- Customisation: Android affords better flexibility and customisation choices, permitting customers to personalise their units extensively
- Variety: There’s a variety of Android units accessible from numerous producers, providing totally different options and value factors. It’s additionally the one software program accessible on a folding telephone
- Open ecosystem: Android has an open ecosystem, permitting customers to put in apps from third-party sources and customise their machine far past what’s doable on iOS
- Google integration: Android seamlessly integrates with Google companies like Gmail, Google Drive and Google Pictures, offering a cohesive expertise for customers closely invested within the Google ecosystem
- Value vary: Android units cater to varied price range ranges, providing choices for each budget-conscious customers and people in search of premium options
Simon Chandler / Foundry
Simon Chandler / Foundry
Simon Chandler / Foundry
What’s iPhone higher than Android for?
Listed here are a number of the key options of iPhones which might be arduous for Android telephones to match
- Person expertise: iOS affords a cultured and intuitive consumer expertise with a constant interface throughout all units, making it straightforward to make use of for freshmen and skilled customers alike
- Well timed updates: iPhones obtain well timed software program updates immediately from Apple, guaranteeing customers have entry to the newest options, bug fixes, and safety patches. The gradual rollout of a brand new Android model typically takes a number of months
- App high quality: iOS tends to have higher-quality apps, as builders typically prioritise iOS resulting from its profitability and standardised improvement atmosphere
- Safety: iPhones are identified for his or her sturdy security measures, together with common safety updates and encryption, making them much less inclined to malware and different safety threats
- Integration with Apple’s ecosystem: iPhones seamlessly combine with different Apple units and companies like iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime, offering a cohesive ecosystem for customers with a number of Apple merchandise
Apple
Apple
Apple
Which options are unique to Android?
Android units provide a plethora of options not discovered on iPhones, making them interesting to customers who worth customization and flexibility. Some unique options of Android embody:
- In depth widget help: Android’s residence display screen widgets enable customers to entry info and carry out actions with out opening apps, enhancing productiveness and comfort
- Deeper system customisation: Android customers have the liberty to customize their machine’s interface extensively via third-party launchers, icon packs and themes, offering a singular and personalised consumer expertise
- Multi-user help: Many Android units provide multi-user help, permitting a number of customers to have separate profiles and personalised experiences on a single machine, which is right for households or shared units
- Expandable storage: A major benefit of many Android telephones is the presence of a Micro-SD card slot, enabling customers to broaden storage capability inexpensively, offering extra room for media, apps, and recordsdata
- Google Pay: Google’s cellular fee service permits any Android telephone with Google companies (all bought in Europe and North America) and NFC to make funds on-line, in shops and inside apps. On Samsung units, Samsung Pay can be accessible as a substitute
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Which options are unique to iPhone?
Whereas Android excels in customisation and flexibility, iPhones provide a special set of unique options that cater to customers deeply built-in into the Apple ecosystem and those that prioritise simplicity and ease of use.
Some unique options on iPhones embody:
- iMessage: iMessage is Apple’s messaging platform that provides end-to-end encryption, seamless integration with different Apple units, and options comparable to learn receipts, typing indicators, and high-quality media sharing, enhancing the messaging expertise for iPhone customers
- Apple Pay: Apple’s cellular fee service permits iPhone customers to make safe funds in shops, apps, and on-line utilizing their machine’s built-in NFC chip and Contact ID or Face ID authentication, providing a handy and safe fee answer
- Face ID: A safe 3D authentication system which lets you unlock units, affirm funds and log in to some apps. It additionally works at midnight, in contrast to most face unlock options on Android
- Tightly built-in ecosystem: iPhones seamlessly combine with different Apple services comparable to iCloud, Apple Music, AirDrop, and Handoff, offering a cohesive ecosystem expertise and easy synchronisation throughout units
- Unique optimisation: iPhones profit from Apple’s tight management over each {hardware} and software program, leading to optimised efficiency, environment friendly battery life, and well timed software program updates for a easy and dependable consumer expertise
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Will an Android telephone or iPhone last more?
In the case of software program help, iPhones normally obtain updates for an extended time period in comparison with most Android units, however not at all times.
Apple doesn’t state an official size of software program help however is well-known for offering a few years of OS updates to iPhones. Usually, every iPhone will see six variations of iOS in its lifetime so the most recent iPhone 15 collection ought to make it to a possible iOS 23 in 2029.
However, the help of a specific Android telephone relies on its producer, in addition to its value level and function.
For instance, each Samsung’s and Google’s newest flagships collection, the Galaxy S24 vary and the Pixel 8 lineup, promise as much as seven years of replace help. In distinction, their mid-range telephones, such because the Galaxy A55 or the Pixel 7a, provide solely 5 years and three years of system updates, respectively.
And a few price range telephones solely provide 1-2 years. If you happen to’re not sure, it’s price checking on a device-by-device foundation. The data is at all times included in our opinions.
After all, whether or not a telephone lasts a very long time can be depending on how effectively the {hardware} holds up. Apple and plenty of Android telephone makers provide restore companies, however solely a handful of Android units, together with the Nokia G22, and Fairphone 5, will be simply repaired at residence.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
How straightforward is it to change between Android and iPhone?
Switching between Android and iPhone has turn out to be more and more easy due to instruments like Apple’s Transfer to iOS app and Google’s suite of companies for iOS customers.
Nevertheless, some variations in ecosystems, app availability and consumer interfaces might require a interval of adjustment for customers transitioning between the 2 platforms.
If you wish to know how one can transfer from iPhone to Android or how one can transfer from Android to iPhone, we’ve obtained you coated.