Cold, hard facts to consider before you buy any smartphone
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When you decide to buy your first smartphone, your first decision is which one to buy.
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The major options are iPhone and Android.
While both offer many great features, iPhones and Androids are very different in several ways.
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Overall Findings
Closed hardware and software ecosystem.
Built-in assistant: Siri.
Also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Fewer versions available at a time.
Features limited to what Apple implements.
Easy to download apps from both official and unofficial sources.
Manufacturers: Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, and more.
Built-in assistant: Google Assistant.
Also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Samsung Bixby.
Available with a variety of features and prices.
Whatever phone you current own, it’s not perfect.
However, that doesn’t mean that switching is automatically going to make you happier.
Hardware: Android Has More Options
Only a few models available at a time.
Available from a variety of manufacturers, some of whom are better than others.
Hardware is the first place where the differences between the iPhone and Android become clear.
Only Apple makes iPhones, so it has extremely tight control over how thesoftwareand hardware work together.
Because of that, Android phones vary in size, weight, features, and quality.
If you’re buying an iPhone, you gotta pick a model.
Because many companies make Android devices, you must choose a brand and a model.
Some may prefer the choice, but others appreciate Apple’s greater simplicity and higher quality.
Operating Systems: Both Have Benefits
Runs on Apple’s iOS.
New versions launch annually.
Runs on Android, with some manufacturers using a slightly different version.
Android may update less regularly.
Android phones run on Google’sAndroid operating system, while iPhones use Apple’siOS.
They also use touch interfaces, including hardware like accelerometers or gyroscopes, for more functions.
Apple releases a new version of iOS about every fall, with additional updates throughout the year.
Recently, however, Android has fallen more into an annual update cycle.
Some Android rig makers, like Samsung,use a slightly modifiedoperating system version.
Around 2 million apps.
Available in the Google Play Store and through third-party sources.
Around 3 million apps.
Apple is strict about what apps it allows, while Google’s standards for Android are more relaxed.
You won’t find a new one for less than $500.
While it’s possible to get an Android phone for cheaper, you may get what you pay for.
At this end of the range, there’s little difference in quality between Android and iPhone.
A cheaper Android may be fine if you don’t need a high-tech camera or other features.
These options make price less of an issue.
Security: Apple Keeps It Locked Down
Encrypted end-to-end.
App Store designed to prevent malware.
Wider third-party app availability can open a machine to malware.
If you care about the security of your smartphone, theiPhone is more secure than the Android.
The main reason is the operating system’s design.
In this way, Android’s openness and flexibility can become a liability.
Intelligent Assistant: Google Assistant Beats Siri
Default platform: Siri.
iPhones can use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa through apps.
Default platforms: Google Assistant or Samsung Bixby.
Android users can’t use Siri.
Artificial intelligence and voice interfaces will drive the next frontier of smartphone functionality.
Android has a clear lead here.
Google Assistant, the most prominent intelligent Assistant for Android, is very powerful.
It uses everything Google knows about you and the world to make life easier.
Siri is Apple’s answer to Google Assistant for artificial intelligence.
It’s improving with each new iOS release.
Less interactivity between Android devices, especially from different manufacturers.
Many people use a tablet, computer, or wearable in addition to their smartphone.
For them, Apple offers a better integrated experience.
For example, it’s possible for you to use your iPhone as a remote for your Apple TV.
it’s possible for you to also unlock your iPhone or MacBook with an Apple Watch.
Google’s services, like Gmail, Maps, etc., work across all Android devices.
Serviceability: Get Android for DIY Fixes
Self-repair is difficult, if not impossible.
You’ll need to take your unit to a service provider or Apple Store.
Many manufacturers make their devices user-serviceable.
Apple emphasizes elegance and simplicity in the iPhone above all else.
Final Verdict
Both iPhone and Android provide solutions for people with different needs.
If flexibility or apps are essential, go for an Android.
Different categories matter more for certain people.
Some will value hardware choice more, while others will care more about battery life or mobile gaming.
Both platforms offer good options for different people.
You’ll need to decide what factors are most important and choose the phone that best meets your needs.
What are the Latest Models?
The iPhone 16 is the latest flagship from Apple.
ThePixel 9is the latest Google smartphone.
The Galaxy S24 is the latest Samsung smartphone.
iPhone only lets you transfer pictures this way.
iPhone also lets you send and receive money through the built-iniPhone Messages app.
Another top feature isFaceTime, where you could video chat with other iPhone users without installing a third-party app.
