iPhone vs Android
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VOICE OVER: Richard Bush
WRITTEN BY: Richard Bush
Welcome to WatchMojo and in this installment of vs, it's a big one, as we're pitting iPhone against Android.
Welcome to WatchMojo and in this installment of vs, it’s a big one, as we’re pitting iPhone against Android. Which platform has the best apps, tech support, accessories and ease of use? And which reigns supreme overall? Well, stay tuned to find out!
We’re going to be honest right off the bat with this one - in terms of overall price and availability, Android devices from brands like Samsung and Google usually offer much more flexible packages than Apple. Take Samsung for example. The brand offers a phone for every user, of all technical abilities, at every price point, from your technophobe grandfather, to your hotshot business executive. And although Google’s range of phones tend to be a bit more specialized and expensive, the brand still offers a wide range of devices at different price points. Compare that to Apple’s limited iPhone range, which is quick to retire aging models, and you’ve got quite the contrast.
And even when comparing flagship devices, Android phones usually come out cheaper. You’ll usually find that the latest, brand new, shiny iPhone, is more expensive than pretty much any other top of the range Android device - with the exception of some of the very expensive Google Pixel devices. When it comes to actually buying an Android or iPhone device, the former is usually more widely available from a variety of retailers, opening up the possibility of getting a better deal.
For all of the reasons we just mentioned, we’re giving this round to Android.
This is where the fanboy pitchforks will likely start to come out, because apps and their usability and availability are constantly a topic of debate in the smartphone world - especially in the iPhone vs Android debate. It’s no secret that Android has more apps than iOS - about a million more in fact. But does that mean Android is the superior app platform? Well, not quite.
The Google Play Store where Android apps can be downloaded from is more relaxed when it comes to what apps it allows on its storefront. This means laxer vetting when it comes to app compatibility with various devices, and potential app malware. So, you could argue there are far more Android apps available, but many of them may be duds for one reason or another.
Apple’s iOS apps however have a reputation for being, well, better overall. Apps developed specifically for the iOS platform have a better track record for compatibility and security, and general user friendliness too. Users who frequently jump between iOS and Android devices note the difference between the quality of apps is palpable. You might even find that the exact same app from a developer just works better on iOS, no doubt due to the fact that said developer has a brand-wide, cookie cutter, iOS framework to work with - rather than a mish mash of different frameworks offered by various Android devices.
With quality over quantity, this round goes to the iPhone!
Android used to be miles behind its Apple counterpart when it came to offering seamless connectivity throughout an ecosystem of products. However, brands like Samsung have come a long way, and for every Apple Watch and iPad that exists, Samsung pretty much has a wearable or tablet that goes up against it, and links up effortlessly with your smartphone, allowing you to work, play, stream and browse between devices without missing a beat.
In fact, you could argue that with Samsung offering a wider variety of products equipped with smartphone-enabled technology - from TVs to refrigerators - the scope of Samsung’s multi-device ecosystem is far greater. But the proof is in the pudding. I mean, Android devices struggling to connect, dropping out or having compatibility issues between different devices is a very common occurrence. In a similar way to Android apps, the Android ecosystem has plenty to offer, it’s just lacking finesse.
Apple on the other hand is the posterboy for seamless connectivity - and it’s a big part of their marketing for a reason. If you buy multiple Apple products, they will connect to each other without you having to even think about it - whether that’s snapping your iPhone onto your Macbook and using it as a webcam, or connecting a new pair of Airpods. And of course, there are plenty of Apple products out there designed specifically to work alongside the iPhone.
For its set it and forget it, split-second connectivity between multiple devices, we’re giving this round to the iPhone.
Practicality might not be the sexiest word when it comes to discussing tech, but for a lot of us, it’s huge. For example, seamless multi-device integration between iOS devices is awesome - what’s not so awesome however is that the iOS operating system is an entirely closed network. In other words, as a general rule, Apple products only work with other Apple products. Apple likes to keep its customers firmly in the Apple-verse, and if you have pretty much any repair requirement with your iPhone, you’re going to have to go to Apple directly to fix it. In fact it was only with the iPhone 15 that the brand finally let go of its lighting connector obsession and introduced USB C charging ports.
But what about Android? Well, we’ve already discussed the possible issues with compatibility and security with Android's more relaxed way of doing things. But the fact is, that does make Android devices generally easier to use. You can plug an Android device into pretty much any computer and boom, you can drag and drop any files to your heart’s content. You can also self-repair some issues with Android devices, USB-C has been the norm for a while now, expandable micro SD card storage is pretty much a prerequisite with Android phones and, in our opinion, Google Assistant is far better than Siri.
Because of a lot of little things - and of course, iOS’s network being closed, this round goes to Android.
User experience isn’t the same as everyday practicality. It’s less about charging cables and file transfers, and more about what the device is like to use, and how it makes you feel. We mentioned that brands like Samsung offer entry-level models for inexperienced, infrequent and budget-conscious smartphone users. But that doesn’t mean these Samsung devices are necessarily easier, or more enjoyable to use. In fact, we’d argue to the contrary. Android devices can change massively, from device-to-device, generation-to-generation - making it tough for even ardent Android fans to feel comfortable and instantly at home with a new device. Android devices also famously have tons of bloatware readily installed on them, which not only takes up memory and slows down your device, but can easily confuse users.
In stark contrast, iPhones are designed to be as streamlined, un-cluttered and easy to use as possible. Apple has kept the feel of its iPhones, big and small, pretty much the same from the get-go, making the user experience easy and familiar each time. For added peace of mind, Apple also has enhanced protection with end-to-end encryption, there are Apple stores everywhere with Genius Bars and iOS boasts things like Facetime and iMessage, the latter giving Android users serious blue bubble envy. Android devices have their own unique quirks too - but the aforementioned iPhone perks are a big part of what makes its user experience fun. And you can’t deny the fact that brandishing an Apple logo on your device carries with it a sense of tech superiority, something you just don’t get with an Android device.
It’s not lost on us that Android devices are more customizable than iPhones - and they typically get bigger tech advancements way before equivalent iPhones do. But - for ease of use, sleekness and that inexplicable sense of X factor, this round goes to the iPhone.
And after taking 3 of the 5 rounds, the iPhone gets the win.
Round 1: Price and Availability
We’re going to be honest right off the bat with this one - in terms of overall price and availability, Android devices from brands like Samsung and Google usually offer much more flexible packages than Apple. Take Samsung for example. The brand offers a phone for every user, of all technical abilities, at every price point, from your technophobe grandfather, to your hotshot business executive. And although Google’s range of phones tend to be a bit more specialized and expensive, the brand still offers a wide range of devices at different price points. Compare that to Apple’s limited iPhone range, which is quick to retire aging models, and you’ve got quite the contrast.
And even when comparing flagship devices, Android phones usually come out cheaper. You’ll usually find that the latest, brand new, shiny iPhone, is more expensive than pretty much any other top of the range Android device - with the exception of some of the very expensive Google Pixel devices. When it comes to actually buying an Android or iPhone device, the former is usually more widely available from a variety of retailers, opening up the possibility of getting a better deal.
For all of the reasons we just mentioned, we’re giving this round to Android.
Round 2: Apps
This is where the fanboy pitchforks will likely start to come out, because apps and their usability and availability are constantly a topic of debate in the smartphone world - especially in the iPhone vs Android debate. It’s no secret that Android has more apps than iOS - about a million more in fact. But does that mean Android is the superior app platform? Well, not quite.
The Google Play Store where Android apps can be downloaded from is more relaxed when it comes to what apps it allows on its storefront. This means laxer vetting when it comes to app compatibility with various devices, and potential app malware. So, you could argue there are far more Android apps available, but many of them may be duds for one reason or another.
Apple’s iOS apps however have a reputation for being, well, better overall. Apps developed specifically for the iOS platform have a better track record for compatibility and security, and general user friendliness too. Users who frequently jump between iOS and Android devices note the difference between the quality of apps is palpable. You might even find that the exact same app from a developer just works better on iOS, no doubt due to the fact that said developer has a brand-wide, cookie cutter, iOS framework to work with - rather than a mish mash of different frameworks offered by various Android devices.
With quality over quantity, this round goes to the iPhone!
Round 3: Multi-Device Integration
Android used to be miles behind its Apple counterpart when it came to offering seamless connectivity throughout an ecosystem of products. However, brands like Samsung have come a long way, and for every Apple Watch and iPad that exists, Samsung pretty much has a wearable or tablet that goes up against it, and links up effortlessly with your smartphone, allowing you to work, play, stream and browse between devices without missing a beat.
In fact, you could argue that with Samsung offering a wider variety of products equipped with smartphone-enabled technology - from TVs to refrigerators - the scope of Samsung’s multi-device ecosystem is far greater. But the proof is in the pudding. I mean, Android devices struggling to connect, dropping out or having compatibility issues between different devices is a very common occurrence. In a similar way to Android apps, the Android ecosystem has plenty to offer, it’s just lacking finesse.
Apple on the other hand is the posterboy for seamless connectivity - and it’s a big part of their marketing for a reason. If you buy multiple Apple products, they will connect to each other without you having to even think about it - whether that’s snapping your iPhone onto your Macbook and using it as a webcam, or connecting a new pair of Airpods. And of course, there are plenty of Apple products out there designed specifically to work alongside the iPhone.
For its set it and forget it, split-second connectivity between multiple devices, we’re giving this round to the iPhone.
Round 4: Everyday Practicality
Practicality might not be the sexiest word when it comes to discussing tech, but for a lot of us, it’s huge. For example, seamless multi-device integration between iOS devices is awesome - what’s not so awesome however is that the iOS operating system is an entirely closed network. In other words, as a general rule, Apple products only work with other Apple products. Apple likes to keep its customers firmly in the Apple-verse, and if you have pretty much any repair requirement with your iPhone, you’re going to have to go to Apple directly to fix it. In fact it was only with the iPhone 15 that the brand finally let go of its lighting connector obsession and introduced USB C charging ports.
But what about Android? Well, we’ve already discussed the possible issues with compatibility and security with Android's more relaxed way of doing things. But the fact is, that does make Android devices generally easier to use. You can plug an Android device into pretty much any computer and boom, you can drag and drop any files to your heart’s content. You can also self-repair some issues with Android devices, USB-C has been the norm for a while now, expandable micro SD card storage is pretty much a prerequisite with Android phones and, in our opinion, Google Assistant is far better than Siri.
Because of a lot of little things - and of course, iOS’s network being closed, this round goes to Android.
Round 5: User Experience
User experience isn’t the same as everyday practicality. It’s less about charging cables and file transfers, and more about what the device is like to use, and how it makes you feel. We mentioned that brands like Samsung offer entry-level models for inexperienced, infrequent and budget-conscious smartphone users. But that doesn’t mean these Samsung devices are necessarily easier, or more enjoyable to use. In fact, we’d argue to the contrary. Android devices can change massively, from device-to-device, generation-to-generation - making it tough for even ardent Android fans to feel comfortable and instantly at home with a new device. Android devices also famously have tons of bloatware readily installed on them, which not only takes up memory and slows down your device, but can easily confuse users.
In stark contrast, iPhones are designed to be as streamlined, un-cluttered and easy to use as possible. Apple has kept the feel of its iPhones, big and small, pretty much the same from the get-go, making the user experience easy and familiar each time. For added peace of mind, Apple also has enhanced protection with end-to-end encryption, there are Apple stores everywhere with Genius Bars and iOS boasts things like Facetime and iMessage, the latter giving Android users serious blue bubble envy. Android devices have their own unique quirks too - but the aforementioned iPhone perks are a big part of what makes its user experience fun. And you can’t deny the fact that brandishing an Apple logo on your device carries with it a sense of tech superiority, something you just don’t get with an Android device.
It’s not lost on us that Android devices are more customizable than iPhones - and they typically get bigger tech advancements way before equivalent iPhones do. But - for ease of use, sleekness and that inexplicable sense of X factor, this round goes to the iPhone.
And after taking 3 of the 5 rounds, the iPhone gets the win.
