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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 are the latest versions of the two competing 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 that could sway you to one more over the other.

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's also all the 3-in-1 MagSafe chargers that accessory makers clearly give priority to iPhones, which transforms compatible iPhones into digital picture frames and smart home hubs when they're used in conjunction with StandBy Mode .

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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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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Android Vs. IPhone

This essay will compare Android and iPhone mobile platforms. It will discuss differences in operating systems, user interfaces, customization, app availability, and hardware diversity. The piece will explore the pros and cons of each platform, considering factors like user experience, security, and brand loyalty. On PapersOwl, there’s also a selection of free essay templates associated with Computers.

How it works

Today’s modern day debate: Android or Iphone? It is very rare to meet someone without a phone or an opinion on this subject. Its argumentative due to most favoring one over the other. Both phones are similar but also have pro and cons.

Hardware is the first place where the differences are made clear. Only Apple makes iPhones, so it has tight control over how the software and hardware work together. On the other hand, Google offers the Android software to many phone makers.

Android offers multiple makes of phones each phone varies. Size, weight, features, and quality are something to consider in each phone that Android makes. When you’re purchasing an iPhone, you just need to pick which model you want. Downside of choosing an android is that many companies make Android devices. You’ll have to pick both a brand and a model, which can be confusing. Some people may prefer the the options that android offers, but others can appreciate Apple’s simplicity and quality.

Applications are something to consider with each phone. While android has more of a selection of apps, Iphone has more control. But it has been proven selection isn’t always the most important. Iphone does not offer as many apps as android, but the apps they do offer and compatible for iphone and ensure safety to your phone. Android has a compatibility problem, an app may be available for android phones, but since there are so many phone options they might not always work accurately. Also, there may be a security breach within the app. Android devices are at risk for getting malware which can make the phone inoperable.

In addition to using your phone most people also have tablets, watches, and computers. For people who use multiple systems Apple offers a more consistent and combined experience. Because Apple makes computers, ipads, and watches along with the iphone, it offers things that Android can’t. Apple allows you to start writing an email on one device and continue it on another. It is connected through all devices. Also, when you get a call all devices will ring. Each device is connected. Google’s offers multiple services too, such as gmail and google maps. But unless your watch, tablet, phone, and computer are all made by the same it is hard for all of your android devices to be compatible.

How long can each phone go without charging? Ultimately that depends on which android phone you have each screen varies in size and which operating system it is running on. Android does have an external battery, so you are able to switch it out as needed. Some android also offer high capacity batteries.

Older models of iphone used to not even last one day with having to be charged while newer iphones have proven to last days with minimum use. Depending on the setting of an iphone will depend on the battery life. With new operating systems the battery life has improved, but iphone still does not have as many options that android have.

Customization is something that android has down. You are able to customize just about every but of any android device. With the more options android offers, it can be confusing to use. Apple is extremely limited when it comes to customizing, but again, its simplicity is something that draws people in. With apple you aren’t able to change the default applications. While apple lacks in the customization department, its makes up for it with its quality.

The price difference between iphone and android is steep. Iphones can be hundreds of more dollars then any android device. But in the end iphones hold their value while androids do not. Iphone quality shows in its resale value. Iphones are considered a luxury item, and the longevity of the phone, means you can sell it to get the latest model.

The decision of whether to buy an iPhone or Android phone just isn’t as simple as tallying up the winners from the details I’ve provided and choosing the phone that won more categories. Different options have different values, it just depends on the user. Some people will value device compatibility, while others will care more about battery life. Both Android and Apple are good choices. You just need to decide what factors are most important to you and then choose the phone that works best for you.

Cite this page

Android vs. IPhone. (2019, Jun 30). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/android-vs-iphone/

"Android vs. IPhone." PapersOwl.com , 30 Jun 2019, https://papersowl.com/examples/android-vs-iphone/

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Android vs. IPhone . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/android-vs-iphone/ [Accessed: 15 Aug. 2024]

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iPhone vs. Android: How to choose the best smartphone for you

Making a logical choice between iphone and android smartphones requires knowing what features and specs are most important to you. here's what you need to know to make a smart decision..

I don’t care that your favorite tech expert says only an idiot would buy an iPhone . Or that your friend in IT swears the other guy is a dolt and her Android phone is the best of the best. That’s not choosing a piece of technology, it’s choosing a tribe. If you want to make a logical choice between an iPhone and an Android phone — based on the technical specs — I have to start by saying there is no one right answer.

The simple truth — tribe allegiance and marketing genius aside — is that iPhones running iOS and smartphones running the Android OS both have good and bad points. And to make matters more complicated, comparing operating systems alone doesn’t tell you much.

Apple’s iPhone 13.

With iPhones, the operating system and hardware are tied at the hip. With Android phones, it’s a different story. There is such an enormous difference between Android smartphone models that comparing the iPhone 13 with, say, an excellent budget Android smartphone, such as 2020’s Moto G Power , is like comparing apples (ahem) and oranges. A better current comparison would be the brand new Samsung Galaxy S22 or the Google Pixel 6 line .

So, when I weigh this choice, I consider the operating system while accounting for the differences between phone models. You can’t compare these two phone systems without recognizing the hardware differences.

That said, here’s how Apple and Android phones match up on 14 key aspects of the smartphone experience.

1. Ease of use

People love to say Apple products, “just work.” It’s certainly true that the iOS interface is easy to use. But so is the Android interface. Frankly, if you can use one, you won’t have trouble using the other.

Sure, ages ago, when the iPhone first appeared and Windows Mobile and Nokia Symbian phones were the competition, the iPhone blew them away. That was then. This is now.

Today, all phone interfaces are better than they were then and easier to use. The key difference, to me, is control. Android smartphones give you much more control over your phone and its applications than Apple phones do. I like control. If you’re happy with what Apple gives you — this is your home screen; add a photo if you want to be an individual — good for you, but I like being allowed to set up my phone just the way I want it. Android phones let me do that.

2. Fit, finish, and price

iPhones are beautiful. Thank you, Jony Ive.

Android phones? Well, they vary. Wildly.

Some — such as the top-of-the-line Samsung S22+ and the Google Pixel 6 Pro  — are every bit as attractive as the iPhone 13 . By controlling every step of the manufacturing process, Apple makes sure iPhones have great fit and finish. But so do the top Android phone manufacturers. That said, some Android phones out there are just plain ugly.

Google Pixel 6

Part of the reason for this is that Apple makes nothing but luxury phones. There will never be a cheap iPhone. If you don’t want to pay top dollar for an iPhone, your only choice is to get a used one.

But, let me remind you, no matter how pretty a phone’s exterior is, you’ll probably hide it behind a rather ugly, sturdy case if you want to keep it safe. No one’s likely to say an OtterBox case is beautiful. But it protects my expensive phone and that’s necessary.

Decent Android phones can go for less than $300 . They may not be the most handsome phones, but they look the same inside a case and do the job at a fraction of the price of an iPhone.

3. Closed vs. open systems

The iPhone remains as proprietary as ever. If you don’t want anything in your pocket that you can’t buy from Apple, fine. But keep in mind that you will always and forever be locked into the Apple software ecosystem as long as you own an iPhone. So, when Apple fights with Epic, makers of the popular Fortnite game, over how to pay for the game , your ability to buy or play that game is sharply limited.

Android is open-source software. It’s also far more accepting of alternative applications.

Also, Apple doesn’t port its applications to Android and likely never will. The biggest, and most annoying of these iPhone-specific apps is iMessage . My friends that use it, swear by it. But it has one big, annoying problem. It is incompatible with other messaging systems. Yes, you can send SMS messages to Android texting apps, but you lose a lot of features that people love in the translation.

Read more on the Android to iPhone texting controversy.

Still, for most users, except when – as with Fortnite – a software company’s fight with Apple directly affects an app they like, most people won’t even notice. But if you prefer open systems to closed ones, Android is the only game in town.

4. AI and voice assistants

When it comes to Google Assistant vs. Siri , there’s no question of the winner: Google Assistant by a country mile.

Google Assistant is more than an excellent voice interface for Google search. If you use Google applications, such as Google Calendar and Google Maps, Google Assistant can make life simpler. Say you’re meeting someone for lunch downtown and traffic is awful. Google Assistant will work out that you need to leave early to make your appointment, and it will notify you beforehand. That is cool.

Siri may have been first to market, but it’s still pretty basic. It’s fine for answering questions, but it’s not really that much of an artificially intelligent assistant.

if you’re looking for a clear reason to choose one OS over another, though, Google Assistant isn’t it. Because it’s also available for iPhones .

5. Timely updates

When it comes to software updates, on the other hand, that’s an area where Apple beats Android hollow. When Apple releases a new update or patch, all phones — those that are still supported, anyway — get it. With Android phones…, it’s a matter of praying and hoping for the best.

That’s because, unlike with the iPhone, where every detail is under Apple’s control, Google supplies the base operating system and some bundled programs, and it’s up to the phone manufacturer to deliver the upgrades and patches. With high-end phones, chances are good that you’ll get the patches in a timely fashion. But with many of the other Android smartphones, odds are you’ll never even see a security patch .

According to Skycure, a mobile threat defense vendor, nearly three-quarters of Android devices are running out-of-date security . I’m actually surprised that this figure is so low. I would have guessed 90% of Android devices ran out-of-date software.

Some Android vendors, notably Samsung and Google, do an excellent job of keeping their Android distros and software up to date. Everyone else? Not so much.

This gets really old.

On the other hand, iOS updates can be flaky. Apple needs to do a better job with quality assurance. I can’t remember a single time that a major iOS update didn’t result in a Wi-Fi problem, starting with iOS 6 and going up to the latest and greatest, which had more than its fair share of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 4G/5G problems .

I don’t understand why this is so. Apple controls every last bit and piece of its hardware. Why is it so hard for the company to get something as fundamental to a smartphone as wireless connectivity right?  

My Android updates, however, “just work.” When I can get them.

So, while generally speaking, Apple offers better updates, the best Android phone vendors deliver better patches.

6. Security

When it comes to security, it’s not so much that Android has problems, it’s that Google is more lax than Apple about what applications it allows into its app store. The best way to keep malware off your Android gadget is to only get apps from the Google Play store. Even so, Google reports that 0.16% of all apps contain malware .

If you’re an iPhone user, don’t get too cocky, though. There is iPhone malware out there just waiting for an overconfident user to download.

Generally speaking, iPhones are inherently more secure . If, that is, you think you can trust Apple with your privacy. While Google gets a lot of grief for not being trustworthy with personal data, not everyone finds Apple trustworthy either. For instance, Apple recently admitted that iOS 15 recorded users’ Siri conversations  in some cases.

7. Peripherals

I don’t know about you, but I tend to connect my phones to other gear. Here, Android has the advantage. All Android devices use standard USB ports, so there are many gadgets you can connect to your phone. With iPhones, you need something that will connect with its proprietary Lightning port.

Another Android advantage is that USB cables and devices are cheaper than their Lightning-port cousins. It may be old-fashioned of me, but I also like phones that come with a headphone jack. I find it all too easy to lose expensive AirPods. So I’ll take a good, inexpensive, wired headset every time. 

8. Battery life and charging

Battery life is hard to judge because Android phone models are so different from one another. In my experience, largely with Samsung, Google, and Motorola phones, Android phones don’t need to be recharged as often as iPhones. Your charging may vary, so let’s call this a draw, depending on the phone in hand and how you use it.

9. Cloud integration

Apple’s  iCloud continues to be an enormous pain for me, no matter whether I’m trying to use it on an iPhone or a Mac. It always fouls up. And I’m not the only one who has trouble with iCloud .

Android, however, is tightly integrated with Google’s applications and services. I use Google apps all the time for work and fun. When it comes to cloud integration, there’s no question about it: Android is the one to beat.

10. Videoconferencing

Google can’t seem to make up its mind about its voice, video, and IM applications. Currently, its main communications programs are Google Hangouts and Google Meet . I like them a lot and use them almost as much as I do Zoom.

With iPhones, it’s Facetime , period. Facetime is a great videoconferencing program. I wish it ran on more than just Apple platforms. But if your whole family or workgroup is using Apple, you’re good to go. However, if grandma uses an Android phone, she’s be out of luck. I am a big believer that a communication program’s first job is to, well, communicate. Anything that gets in the way of that is a non-starter.

While it’s true you can jury-rig a hack so iPhone users with iOS 15 can invite Android and PC users into a Facetime call , it’s still a pain in the rump. I’ll take Hangouts and Meet over Facetime any time.

11. Cameras

I’m no camera expert, but I know people who are. My go-to colleague on this,  Andrew Hoyle, put all three of today’s top smartphones cameras to the test . And he found the Galaxy S22 Ultra Camera beat both the Pixel 6 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro. You simply can’t beat Samsung’s 10x optical zoom.

12. Software choice

Once upon a time, you could argue that there were better apps in one app store than the other. These days, it’s pretty much a tie. Besides, with almost 3.5 million apps on the Google Play store and 2.2 million on the Apple App Store, it’s not like you’re ever going to run out of apps to play with.

13. 5G and beyond

Until recently, there’s been little reason to upgrade to 5G. For all the hype, there wasn’t enough 5G around to make it worth getting a 5G-compatible phone. That’s changed. Today, there’s finally enough 5G available to make buying a 5G phone worth your money.

Which one should you get? Frankly, it’s whatever will work with your phone company’s 5G. 5G is really a misnomer. There are four different kinds of 5G and they’re not at all compatible. Just get the phone, be it an iPhone or Android, that your carrier will guarantee works with the specific 5G varieties they support.

This is an easy one: iPhones are expensive. The bottom-line, third-generation iPhone SE starts at $429 . The most expensive iPhone — not counting status symbols such as the Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond Edition at $48.5 million  — is the iPhone 13 Pro Max , which tops out with all the trimmings (including a 1TB drive) at $1,599. That’s a wee bit much even without a pink diamond.

On the other hand, the best of the best Google Pixel line, the Pixel 6 Pro goes for $1,099. The highest-end Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra will go for $1,299. But you can pay far less for a perfectly serviceable Android phone.

In theory, people are willing to pay a premium for an iPhone. A recent study found, “ 87% of teens own an iPhone, and 88% expect an iPhone to be their next phone. ” You’ll excuse me, though, if I think most of the teens they interviewed were lying. They may want iPhones because they’re “cool,” but wanting and being able to afford are two very different things.

It’s true, iPhones do appear to be more popular than Android phones in the United States, but that’s only by about a two in three margin, not nine in 10. This is based on the US government’s Digital Analytics Program (DAP) , which provides us with a running count of the technologies used by visitors in the last 90 days of US government website visits . 

So, which one is right for you? I recommend that you pick the smartphone that best fits your budget and needs. There isn’t a simple, one-size-fits-all answer that applies to everyone. As I said at the outset, both phone ecosystems have their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re using an Android device and think you’d prefer to move to iPhone, here’s our Android-to-iPhone switching guide . If you are using an iPhone and think you want to switch to Android, we have a guide for that , too.

It really comes down to your budget and what matters most to you. For me, the answer is Android, but I’m not going to fight you if you prefer an iPhone. If it works for you, we are all good.

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How Apple Intelligence’s Privacy Stacks Up Against Android’s ‘Hybrid AI’

At its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10, Apple announced a late but major move into AI with “ Apple Intelligence ,” confirming months-long rumors that it would partner with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to iPhones.

Elon Musk, one of the cofounders of OpenAI, was quick to respond on X, branding ChatGPT-powered Apple AI tools “creepy spyware” and an “unacceptable security violation.”

“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies,” Musk wrote .

But at a time when the privacy of AI is under the spotlight, the iPhone maker says Apple Intelligence offers a new way of protecting people’s data, with the firm working out which core tasks can be processed on the device.

For more complex requests, Apple has developed a cloud-based system called Private Cloud Compute (PCC) running on its own silicon servers, which the company says is an innovative new way to protect privacy in the nascent AI age.

Apple senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi calls its strategy “a brand-new standard for privacy in AI.” Are Apple’s claims valid, and how does the iPhone maker’s strategy compare to “ hybrid AI ” offerings available on devices including Samsung’s Galaxy range?

AI, Meet E2E

With PCC, Apple has designed “a new end-to-end AI architecture” and “a private cloud enclave extension of a user's iPhone,” allowing more control over data, says Zak Doffman, CEO of Digital Barriers, which specializes in real-time surveillance video storage and analysis.

In practice, this means Apple can mask the origin of AI prompts and prevent anyone, including the iPhone maker itself, from accessing your data. “In theory, this is as close to end-to-end encryption for cloud AI as you can get,” Doffman says.

Apple has put together a “pretty impressive privacy system” for its AI, says Bruce Schneier, chief of security architecture at Inrupt. “Their goal is for AI use—even in their cloud—to be no less secure than the phone's security. There are a lot of moving parts to it, but I think they've done pretty well.”

And so far, there’s nothing else quite like it. “Hybrid AI” used on Samsung Galaxy devices running Google Android and Google’s Nano range sees some AI processes handled locally, leveraging cloud when necessary to enable more advanced capabilities.

The idea is to provide as much privacy as possible while offering powerful AI functionality, says Camden Woollven, group head of AI at GRC International Group, an IT governance firm. “This means you could potentially see some pretty sophisticated AI, even on midrange smartphones.”

But this type of hybrid AI processing still may pose risks because some data is sent to cloud servers without the levels of accountability that Apple offers with its PCC. “With hybrid AI, some data must leave the device and be processed elsewhere, making it more susceptible to interception or misuse,” says Riccardo Ocleppo, founder and director of Open Institute of Technology, which provides technology-focused courses.

Yet Google and its hardware partners argue privacy and security are a major focus of the Android AI approach. VP Justin Choi, head of the security team, mobile eXperience business at Samsung Electronics, says its hybrid AI offers users “control over their data and uncompromising privacy.”

Choi describes how features processed in the cloud are protected by servers governed by strict policies. “Our on-device AI features provide another element of security by performing tasks locally on the device with no reliance on cloud servers, neither storing data on the device nor uploading it to the cloud,” Choi says.

Google says its data centers are designed with robust security measures, including physical security, access controls, and data encryption. When processing AI requests in the cloud, the company says, data stays within secure Google data center architecture and the firm is not sending your information to third parties.

Meanwhile, Galaxy’s AI engines are not trained with user data from on-device features, says Choi. Samsung “clearly indicates” which AI functions run on the device with its Galaxy AI symbol, and the smartphone maker adds a watermark to show when content has used generative AI.

The firm has also introduced a new security and privacy option called  Advanced Intelligence settings  to give users the choice to disable cloud-based AI capabilities.

Google says it “has a long history of protecting user data privacy,” adding that this applies to its AI features powered on-device and in the cloud. “We utilize on-device models, where data never leaves the phone, for sensitive cases such as screening phone calls,” Suzanne Frey, vice president of product trust at Google, tells WIRED.

Frey describes how Google products rely on its cloud-based models, which she says ensures “consumer's information, like sensitive information that you want to summarize, is never sent to a third party for processing.”

“We’ve remained committed to building AI-powered features that people can trust because they are secure by default and private by design, and most importantly, follow Google’s responsible AI principles that were first to be championed in the industry,” Frey says.

Apple Changes the Conversation

Rather than simply matching the “hybrid” approach to data processing, experts say Apple’s AI strategy has changed the nature of the conversation. “Everyone expected this on-device, privacy-first push, but what Apple actually did was say, it doesn’t matter what you do in AI—or where—it’s how you do it,” Doffman says. He thinks this “will likely define best practice across the smartphone AI space.”

Even so, Apple hasn’t won the AI privacy battle just yet: The deal with OpenAI—which sees Apple uncharacteristically opening up its iOS ecosystem to an outside vendor—could put a dent in its privacy claims.

Apple refutes Musk’s claims that the OpenAI partnership compromises iPhone security, with “privacy protections built in for users who access ChatGPT.” The company says you will be asked permission before your query is shared with ChatGPT, while IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI will not store requests—but ChatGPT’s data use policies still apply.

Partnering with another company is a “strange move” for Apple, but the decision “would not have been taken lightly,” says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity adviser at security firm ESET. While the exact privacy implications are not yet clear, he concedes that “some personal data may be collected on both sides and potentially analyzed by OpenAI.”

This means for some data, “you're stuck with OpenAI's rules,” says Schneier. “Apple strips identifying information when sending OpenAI the queries, but there's a lot of identifying information in many queries.”

The collaboration between Apple and OpenAI has the potential to “totally reshape accountability across the AI landscape,” says Andy Pardoe, a professor of artificial intelligence and founder of tech consultancy Wisdom Works Group. “Partnerships like this distribute liability across multiple different entities, impacting how responsibility is assigned for the successes and potential failures within their interconnected systems.”

There are also security risks to be considered as AI technology is integrated into tech giants’ operating systems. While Apple Intelligence is an impressive feat in theory at least, the firm’s AI tools also create “a huge attack surface that's never before seen the light of day,” Doffman says. “It takes a raft of different security innovations and combines them in a new offering for a new purpose, so if it works, it's a game changer. But there will be issues when it goes live that Apple will need to manage.”

It is for this reason that Apple and Google are encouraging security researchers to find holes in their AI solutions. Google’s Secure AI Framework sees security outfit Mandiant test the defenses of AI models.

An Apple spokesperson provided links to its PCC security paper and the model paper detailing its “responsible” approach to AI development. Apple did not have an on-the-record response to WIRED’s follow-up questions regarding privacy concerns related to its OpenAI partnership or potential security risks.

Apple is using a model it calls “ verifiable transparency ” for PCC. “We want to ensure that security and privacy researchers can inspect Private Cloud Compute software, verify its functionality and help identify issues—just like they can with Apple devices,” Apple said in a blog post introducing PCC. To allow this, Apple is making software images of every production build of PCC publicly available for security researchers.

Apple Intelligence will be integrated into its soon-to-launch iOS 18 software update alongside ChatGPT, with the full suite of features coming to the iPhone 16 this fall. You will be able to switch it off, but if you want to use AI features on any device, it is wise to consider the privacy and security implications.

When choosing between iOS and Android AI specifically, it comes down to who you trust. Pardoe recommends evaluating the operating systems’ overall trade-offs in terms of privacy features, data-handling practices, and transparency. That said, as Pardoe points out, “Apple's strong privacy focus remains a key highlight for users who prioritize data security above all else.”

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How to Write iPhone Vs Android Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay utilizes all the logical supports and factual evidence to convince the reader of a specific way of thinking. Many essays can persuade all the readers to believe a particular perspective. But the argumentative essays are pretty different from the rest.

It’s mainly because they rely on hard evidence, sources, and various other studies to prove their argument is the best. So, when you are thinking of writing an iPhone vs. Android argumentative essay, you need to learn how to do so.

Here, under this particular post, you will understand how to write an argumentative essay on the topic “ iPhone vs. Android.” So, let’s get started!

1.  Support Your Argument with Facts

The argumentative essays are pretty similar to the Theory of Knowledge or TOK essays . It’s because they show the comparison between two things with the help of concrete facts. The facts can help readers understand and learn more about the topic effectively.

So, when you want to talk about iPhone vs. Android and tell the reader which one is right for them, you have to conduct a lot of research. This is because research can provide you with a lot of data to support all your primary points. Make sure to look at other sources.

Otherwise, you can also go through studies, enhancing your credibility. Try to withhold your personal feelings and opinions as much as you can and allow all your evidence to do the talking on your behalf.

2.  Be Proactive About the Language

When writing an argumentative essay on an “iPhone vs. Android” topic, taking care of the style and tone is highly essential. You have to be respectful when picking all the phrases and words. Do not utilize an aggressive tone as it can reflect negatively on you instead of the target, even when refuting a contemptible perspective.

3.  Use Aids for Grammar and Style

Remember, a small mistake can easily derail a properly planned argument. If you get distracted by grammar or spelling, it will become difficult for you to formulate a good argument. So, what’s the solution here? It’s simple, and you just have to go through the whole argument before proceeding further.

Argumentative Essay: What Will I Learn Through It?

Writing an argumentative essay on a topic like “ iPhone vs. Android ” will help you point out all the important things about the two platforms. You will also provide information about their features, performance, and the things that make them unique. Besides that, writing an argumentative essay will also teach a lot more things. Let’s learn what they are!

1.   The Research Skills

When you’re writing an argumentative essay, you need to do plenty of research to obtain information. You might have to read all the secondary sources on a literature piece, investigate the statistics on a social or political problem, or compile the empirical data on a scientific hypothesis. The research that you will do for an argumentative essay will help you learn more about the topic.

2.   Anticipating Objections

An argumentative essay will outline a clear argument on a particular topic, but you must also anticipate the objectives of your specific position. This can entail the exactness of substitute viewpoints or address all the potential questions that the reader has in-store. This type of approach can surely help you become an expert regarding differing arguments. It can also help you improve your argumentative skills and develop critical thinking skills effectively.

3.   The Writing Skills

Through the normal writing assignments, you learn the mechanics and grammar properly. But the argumentative essay will help you learn the significance of the paper structure. Properly written argumentative essays are narrowly-tailored and clear, which is supported by all the subsequent paragraphs. Through an argumentative essay, the things you will learn are:

• Stick to the thesis, which you can defend easily within an allotted space.
• Stay on the topic.
• Support all your arguments.

The Takeaway

The argumentative essay is not like the normal essays that you usually write. These essays are based completely on concrete evidence and facts. To provide the correct information, you must conduct a lot of research, which you can use as the main points in the essay. If you want to write an argumentative essay, you first have to learn how to write one. Once you do, it will become easier for you to create more essays like this.

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iOS vs. Android: The Ultimate User-Friendly Guide

This iOS vs. Android debate was started years ago as both operating systems have come up with their unique specialities and advantages. If you are using one of the platforms for a long time and want to switch, be sure that you have come to know the stovepipes, which help you to make the right decision. This article will deal with almost every aspect of iOS and Android. This article explains about user experience, customization, security, app ecosystems, and so on.

User Experience

iOS : Apple's iOS provides users with a neat user interface/experience. Its interface is the same on all Apple devices hence easy for users to navigate. It focuses majorly on simplicity and ease of use. The Control Center and Siri make it easy and convenient for accessing most important functions. This means that due to consistent periodic updates of the software, new features and security are released at the same time for all devices.

Android : Developed everything by Google, Android offers more scope for customization of user experience, allowing users to add widgets on their home screens and even add custom theme and icon packs for their apps. In short, the flexibility gives a much more tailored experience based on individual preference. However, our user experience could be totally different between OEMs and between devices because each company will add its skin or even modifications into the base Android system.

Customization

iOS : While iOS has been more closed to customizability in previous times, with recent updates, it introduced widgets and the possibility of changing default apps for various functionalities. However, it still lags far behind Android in terms of customization. Apple tries to provide the same experience on all devices.

Android : In fact, customization is one of the high spots for Android. The ability to change nearly everything in the interface, from layout on the home screen down to system fonts, makes this the greatest strength of Android. Users who want deeper personalization will have to get third-party launchers and custom ROMs. This makes Android very alluring to users who like tweaks done according to their taste.

iOS : Apple treats matters regarding the safety and privacy of their clients seriously. Its system is a closed iOS ecosystem, which is an added advantage to achieve control over hardware and software, resulting in tighter security measures. Some features include Face ID, Touch ID, and end-to-end encryption for both iMessage and FaceTime calls that offer very robust protection for a user's data. Further, the app distribution is controlled greatly by rigorous reviewing in the App Store in a bid to block the distribution of malware apps.

Android : As Android is open source, the security comes at different levels, depending on the vendor and sometimes even the device itself. Google has put many security-related steps, like Google Play Protect with regular security updates, to enhance protection. However, the fragmentation in the Android zone slows down the adoption of updates, leaving some devices wide open for insecurities. Furthermore, users themselves can allow third-party sources in which they can sideload too, thereby increasing the chances of malware.

App Ecosystem

iOS : The App Store is known for its high-quality apps and a very tough reviewing process. Most of the developers prefer to offer an iOS release first, while others remain exclusively available on it. This means their apps are more polished and reliable for the end-user. Plus, Apple's ecosystem allows such interesting possibilities as using your iPhone to unlock your Mac or picking up where you left off doing something on one Apple device and continuing it on another with Handoff.

Android : In addition, the Google Play Store offers a large library of apps, with Google giving developers a moderate amount of freedom in posting their creation. While this can make a larger diversity of apps, it also creates a diversified quality of the apps. Android users have the ability to sideload apps and use third-party stores, which allows more choices in searching for and installing apps. However, this flexibility leads to security risks when users are not careful about the sources of their apps.

Hardware Choices

iOS : Apple's iOS runs on only its hardware: iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches. This is really cool since it has the ability to put the hardware and software together for perfect collaboration with each other. On the other hand, it will result in fewer choices in terms of variety and price range across devices.

Android : The Android OS runs on a spectrum of devices from different manufacturers: from Samsung and Google to OnePlus, and many more. This very diversity is what is likely to result in inconsistency related to user experience and software updates. Most users are bound to find something in this diversity of selection at hand through the different features, designs, and price ranges. Likely, there should be an Android device for any need or desire, from budget-friendly to high-end flagships.

Interoperability with Other Devices

iOS : Apple's ecosystem is known for its seamlessness across devices. Handoff, AirDrop, and Continuity enable users to pick up where they left off on their iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. The tight integration assists exceedingly when one uses more than one Apple product because it makes it easier to share data and pick up tasks across devices.

Android : Though Android devices are more open to integrating with other Google services and products, the experience for doing that may vary with respect to each manufacturer. Google has, lately, been working on enhancing integration through features like the Google Assistant and Google Home, but it still lags when comparing seamless integrations to those in Apple products. However, Android's flexibility gives it an upper hand for the integration of third-party devices and services.

Updates and Support

iOS : Apple pushes software updates to all compatible devices at once, which means users get all the new features and security patches at the same time. This manner of servicing makes for a lot more coherent user experience and has served to give continuous life to devices. For the most part, manufacturers of Android devices end up supporting them for several years, even sending updates to older models.

Android : Android software updates can tend to be more broken up on Android due to the high number of manufacturers and different devices there are. Although Google does issue regular updates and patches for security, their release is subject to delays from manufacturers and carriers. This means that some devices will be updated promptly, whereas others might be a little left behind. In this sense, varied user experiences take place on Android devices.

The ultimate choice between iOS and Android depends on what an individual wants or needs. If a person wishes to have a very sleek, hassle-free user experience and seamless device integration with effective security, then iOS is the choice of platform. Otherwise, Android is the way to go for greater customizability, a wider variety of hardware options, and more robustness in installing apps.

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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Apple — Apple vs Android: A Battle Beyond Gadgets

Apple Vs Android: a Battle Beyond Gadgets

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U.S. Said to Consider a Breakup of Google to Address Search Monopoly

The Justice Department and state attorneys general are discussing various scenarios to remedy Google’s dominance in online search, including a breakup of the company.

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By David McCabe and Nico Grant

David McCabe reported from Washington and Nico Grant from San Francisco.

Google was found last week to have violated antitrust law by illegally maintaining a monopoly in internet search. Now discussions over how to fix those violations have begun.

Justice Department officials are considering what remedies to ask a federal judge to order against the search giant, said three people with knowledge of the deliberations involving the agency and state attorneys general who helped to bring the case. They are discussing various proposals, including breaking off parts of Google, such as its Chrome browser or Android smartphone operating system, two of the people said.

Other scenarios under consideration include forcing Google to make its data available to rivals, or mandating that it abandon deals that made its search engine the default option on devices like the iPhone, said the people, who declined to be identified because the process is confidential. The government is meeting with other companies and experts to discuss their proposals for limiting Google’s power, the people said.

The deliberations are in their early stages. Judge Amit P. Mehta of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who is overseeing the case, has asked the Justice Department and Google to come up with a process for determining a fix by Sept. 4. He has scheduled a hearing on Sept. 6 to discuss next steps.

Last week’s ruling that Google was a monopolist was a landmark antitrust decision, raising serious questions about the power of tech giants in the modern internet era. Apple, Amazon and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, also face antitrust cases. Google is scheduled to go to trial in another antitrust case — this one over ad technology — next month. Any remedies in Google’s search case are likely to reverberate and influence that broader landscape.

The stakes are acutely high for Google, which became a $2 trillion internet juggernaut by building an online advertising business and others on top of its search engine. Judge Mehta could reshape the core of the company’s business or order it to abandon longtime practices that have helped to cement its dominance. Google generated $175 billion in revenue from its search engine and related businesses last year.

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More From Forbes

How google’s pixel 9 pro will change smartphones forever.

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Updated August 12 with details on three leaked features and their potential roll-out across Android; and details on the competing iPhone 16 AI software.

Experiencing the Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro phones at the New York launch event. (Photo by ED ... [+] JONES/AFP via Getty Images)

Next week will see the launch of the Pixel 9 family of smartphones at the titular Made By Google event. The annual event allows Google to demonstrate what it believes a smartphone should represent. Last year’s Pixel 8 family offered new displays, improved cameras, updated software and its custom-designed Tensor Mobile chipset.

All of those changes allowed Google to pitch the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro as the AI-first smartphones. In the process it defined how generative AI would be introduced to the mobile world. One year later, with that view of the market now the norm, Google can build on that success, entrench its view of smartphone AI, and control the vital high ground of artificial intelligence.

This week, Google gets to do it all again except this time, it’s not about defining the market but fortifying it.

Google has several AI tools the Pixel platform has demonstrated, and similar tools are available from several Android manufactuers. You have tools to remove, move, or edit individual elements of a photo; you have the option to move expressions between photos to get the best composite image possible, and you have tools to clean up audio recorded in a video.

You have tools for transcribing audio, summarising information from web pages and emails, and searching based on a screenshot or even a circled part of the screen. AI can help screen spam calls, act as a translator while travelling, and suggest replies, topics, and more when creating on your phone.

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All of these debuted on the Pixel 8 family before echoing throughout the ecosystem. In fact, Google’s circle to search feature actually debuted with Samsung’s Galaxy AI platform, which mirrored many of the Pixel features and added in many of its own. Other manufacturers introduced their own AI tools, and chip manufacturers ensured support for AI routines were hardwired to support AI code.

These all followed the same direction and ethos Google laid down in public with the Pixel 8. That direction will only be emphasised this week with the launch of the Pixel 9 and a raft of new AI features.

A Google Pixel 8 Pro phone during a product launch event (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)

Update: Monday August 12 : As well as the potential rebranding of the suite to “Google AI”, the team at Lifehacker have picked out three potential AI tools that could be debuting at tomorrow’s "Made By Google" event:

"These features include Add Me, a feature that might use AI to add extra people to a photo; Studio, which appears to be an AI image generator; and Pixel Screenshots, which may scan the screenshots in your library, turning them into an easy-to-search database."

They also note that these features are expected to need the presumptively named Tensor Mobile G4 chipset, which will make its debut across the Pixel 9 range. Apple is taking a similar approach when the iPhone 16 platform launched, limiting its Apple Intelligence suite to either the brand-new handsets or last year’s premium-priced iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

It’s not unknown for Android manufacturers to release their AI services for a new handset or chipset before rolling them back through the portfolio; Samsung’s Galaxy AI was launched for the Galaxy S24 family in January, and naturally, as a keystone of the Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 launches last week. Yet Samsung has ported these back to older Galaxy S models and is working on bringing as many of the features as possible to the Galaxy A35 and A55 handsets.

While the new features may help sell the Pixel 9 family, ultimately, they should become available across the full Android platform, solidifying Google’s vision of AI smartphones.

There’s also another competitive aspect with the rise of genre-defining AI in Android. Apple is nowhere to be seen.

pple CEO Tim Cook delivers remarks at the start of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) ... [+] on June 10, 2024 (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Update: Sunday August 11 : How much of a challenge will Apple’s iPhone offer in the battle to define generative AI for the 2024/25 season of smartphone releases? Two key factors will be the uptake of the new handsets and the availability of the software.

Gurman, as well as confirming the four iPhone models that will be revealed in September (namely the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max), also looks at the potential for an increase in sales and a larger than usual uptake of new handsets. This is an important point for those measuring the impact of the awkwardly backronymed Apple intelligence suite; apart from last year’s top-tier iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple will not backport its generative AI tools to countless existing users.

Effectively no new hardware means no adoption of Apple Intelligence. According to the latest financial projections offered to investors by Apple, the company is not planning or expecting any significant boost in sales. There will be new handsets, but don’t expect a sudden rush of upgrades to increase the user base for Apple’s AI plans.

Without a wave of existing iPhone users to capture the zeitgeist, Apple will struggle to change the discussions around generative AI on smartphones away from that decided by Google and its Android partners.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro on display during launch day (Image by Ming Yeung/Getty Images)

Google’s Pixel launch happened two weeks after the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro were released. Apple’s September launch did not feature generative AI or any of the new frontiers about to be explored. Arguably, the iPhone 15 family was the last of the great smartphone pillars to launch without AI. Apple’s first chance to talk about AI for the iPhone did not arrive until its Worldwide Developer Conference in June.

The awkwardly backronymed Apple Intelligence software would not be available immediately; it would have to wait for September’s launch of the iPhone 16 family. It would not be backported to any existing iPhone (except for 2023’s iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max). Neither will Apple Intelligence be ready for the September 2024 launch of the iPhone 16. A limited set of tools will be included in an October update to iOS, a basic ChatGPT implementation by the end of the year, and the full package displayed at WWDC will only arrive in the first half of 2025.

Apple has still to catch up with the first generation of AI smartphones,

Meanwhile, Google is pushing Android forward with the second generation of AI smartphones ready to be revealed to the public. Google is the company that will make the decision on the future direction of AI.

Now read the latest smartphone headlines in Forbes’ weekly Android Circuit news digest...

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Home / Essay Samples / Business / Apple / A Business Rivalry: Apple Vs. Android

A Business Rivalry: Apple Vs. Android

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