If you are looking to buy a new smartphone, chances are you are going to have to choose between one of the two main operating systems: Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. With very few exceptions, these are the two main platforms smartphones nowadays are using.
When it comes to choosing between the two, the situation becomes challenging, because both operating systems are outstanding and quite similar. However, there are a few differences that can influence your decision.
To help you decide, we’ve compared the two operating systems in several categories and picked our winner for each. Ultimately, we will let you decide which one is the best option to suit your needs.
And if you are still not convinced after reading this guide, maybe you can try both operating systems by looking at a lease cell phone no credit check option. This way, you can rent two devices, one with each operating system, test them out for a while, and then choose the one that suits your needs best.
Table of Contents
Price
When it comes to price, everyone knows Apple has always been on the more expensive side of the market. Currently, the iPhone 11 starts at $699 and the iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999. However, Apple launched its SE series a few years back, where they combine their most popular format with the most powerful chip, at a more affordable price. The 2020 SE model, which looks similar to their iPhone 8 model, retails starting at $400, which is a very affordable price for a new iPhone model.
When it comes to Android phones, you sure have a lot of options to choose from. High-end Android phones can go way over $1,200, but if you want a less expensive model, you can find something affordable at less than $400. Of course, this depends a lot on the manufacturer, but if you are looking for a budget-friendly phone, you have a much higher chance of finding one with an Android operating system.
Winner: Android, for the variety of pricing options available.
Accessibility
When it comes to accessibility, iOS is by far simpler to use for many reasons. The interface is uniform and nearly identical on all iOS devices, whereas Android devices can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you are not a fan of change, then iOS is undoubtedly the best option.
Many will say that Android is more customizable, which is true, but many of the widgets available are quite useless, and the interface looks a bit cartoonish. iOS, on the other hand, even though less customizable, is far less cluttered and neater than most Android options.
As a personal opinion, iOS is also far more intuitive, and most of its preinstalled apps are useful, compared to most Android phones.
Winner: iOS, for its simplicity and clutter-free interface.
Security and privacy
Android has acquired quite a bad reputation when it comes to security, but that’s not because of the operating system itself, but because users can download and install apps outside of the Play Store. However, those who do use apps that are found exclusively on the Play Store have not reported any problem.
As security breaches become more and more serious, it is essential to have a device that receives updates fast, and this is where iOS wins. Android is often behind on updates because many phones on the market still run on older OS versions and can’t be updated, whereas Apple is continuously working to improve security for its users.
Apple does also tend to prioritize privacy by not storing personal data on your phone, but rather on the cloud, all encrypted and neatly organized. Even though Android aims to do the same, it’s no secret that Google uses your data to sell better ads to you, which is a bit against their privacy policy.
Winner: iOS, for protecting users’ privacy.
Battery life and charging
All smartphone users know what a pain battery life can be, especially if you use your phone a lot during the day. Usually, for new phones, one charge should last you at least one day, but it can depend a lot on the way you use your phone.
Comparing battery life for the two systems is quite tricky, as it is more a matter of hardware than software, but what we can say for sure is that iOS is optimized to make the most out of the battery, regardless of the model.
Android holds an advantage when it comes to charging, as many Android phones come with fast-charging capabilities, as well as wireless charging. Apple introduced wireless charging when they launched the iPhone X, but when it comes to fast-charging, you will still have to purchase a separate adapter for some models.
Winner: Both; iOS for its optimization and Android for its fast-chargers that come with the product.
Apps and app store
When it comes to the number of apps available, Google Play Store, which is Android’s app market, has over 2.5 million apps available, whereas the Apple App Store goes a little over 1.8 million. However, it is not the numbers we want to talk about, because the most popular apps are available on both platforms, but app quality and accessibility.
iOS is developers’ favorite platform, which is why many apps will appear first on the App Store, before hitting the Google Play Store. But if you are looking for free apps, you have a much higher chance of finding them on the Play Store.
When it comes to the store itself, Apple does a much better job at curating their apps and making sure only the best ones get to their store. That’s not to say you won’t find some sketchy apps on both platforms, but Apple does have some stricter requirements and blocks certain types of apps.
Winner: iOS, for doing a much better job at ensuring app quality and managing their app store.
Photos and camera
Even though Android phone manufacturers are coming up with some impressive models with very high-quality cameras, such as Google’s Pixel 4 and Huawei P40, their camera app is still less user-friendly than iPhone’s app.
Android may have more options when it comes to camera apps, mainly because manufacturers like to add their own tweaks, but if you want the best results without having to learn how to adjust settings, then I’d go for an iOS phone.
Winner: iOS, for simplicity and quality
While iOS does win at more categories on our list, ultimately it is up to you to choose an operating system that suits your needs. If you want more customization options and liberty, then go for and Android phone, but if you want a more streamlined and clutter-free device, then iOS is more suited for you.
