Which is superior, Android or iPhone?

This is the largest fight among all the smartphone conflicts. Is the Android or iPhone better? Naturally, there are a lot of factors to consider while answering this question, and your decision to purchase a new phone may be heavily influenced by your subjective view. Nevertheless, we're going to try to address this issue since it needs to be answered.

We at SmartRead have spent hundreds of hours trying out the newest iPhones and Android phones, so we're ready to assist you in finding the smartphone that best suits your requirements. See our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max guide to determine which is the best flagship for 2024 if you're more interested in a straight up comparison.

Is the Android or iPhone better?

We can compare iPhone vs. Android in a wide range of areas, so if there's a particular feature you're looking for, you can find it here.

Components

It is an indisputable reality that high-end hardware is necessary for a fantastic smartphone, regardless of your feelings about specifications tables. This is something that Apple and all the major Android companies are well aware of, albeit each brand takes a somewhat different tack when it comes to the hardware that goes into its flagship, mid-range, and low-cost phones. Let's investigate the part hardware plays in the iPhone vs. Android controversy now.

Prizes

Regarding performance, display, and storage, Apple and Android smartphones are almost identical when it comes to high-end flagships that will be on the market in 2024. Whether you choose the priciest iPhone or its Samsung, Xiaomi, or OnePlus equal, you're getting a gadget that's suitable for heavy gaming as well as daily usage.

The iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are Apple's two flagship smartphones. These smartphones are equipped with the newest processor, display, and camera technologies available from the company. Simply said, until the iPhone 16 is out, there isn't a better Apple product available.

Samsung is the obvious leader in Android, even if Apple offers fewer alternatives. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is, in our view, the greatest flagship Android device. But if you'd like something else, there's also the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the Honour Magic6 Pro, and the Oppo Find X7 Ultra (Oppo Find X7 Ultra). These are all really interesting choices.

The most potent processor from Apple to date, the A17 Pro, is used in the Pro line of the company's most recent iPhones. It outperforms the most advanced Android processor in most benchmarks in terms of performance, but that's not the most crucial factor to consider; the most powerful iPhones are more than capable of handling even the most demanding users.

This is also true for Android devices, too, as the Samsung S24 Ultra boasts competitive power efficiency, ray-tracing, and exceptional power for all your demands thanks to a cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU. The difference between the top-tier Android and iPhone processors is negligible, even if one can be superior than the other on paper. When used regularly, neither skips a beat.

And lastly, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro. The newest model from the PC gaming brand is still a great option for those who spend hours playing mobile games as well as for regular Android users, even if we've found it difficult to suggest previous versions of ROG Phones because of how gamer-oriented they are. The 165Hz LTPO AMOLED display is unmatched, the design is sleeker and much more subtle, and the cameras are superior. See our ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition review to learn more about this one.

At the top end, cameras are the main focus. This is where things get a bit more complicated. Though it's hundreds of dollars less expensive, the upper-midrange Google Pixel 8 Pro may also be regarded as the greatest smartphone, the new Xiaomi 14 Ultra undoubtedly offers the best cameras available. Additionally, both provide amazing AI photo-editing tools that don't need nearly as much technical expertise as programmes like Photoshop. Additionally, for amateur smartphone photographers, there is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Honour Magic6 Pro, both of which provide very impressive technologies.

However, the OnePlus 12's camera is also rather good, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the greatest phone for shooting videos. While the flagships are also amazing cameras, if all you want is a great camera, you may want to save some money and check out ourGoogle Pixel 8 Pro review.

The foldable arena is the last significant distinction among flagships. Though some insider reporting indicates we could receive one in the next years, there are currently no foldable Apple phones available. OnePlus Open, Samsung Z Fold5, and other foldable Android smartphones are among the many available. Though they're all rather good, the Samsung is undoubtedly the finest.

Mid-range

When it comes to the iPhone vs. Samsung discussion, things become a bit difficult to distinguish between handsets in the mid-range market, and the vast price range doesn't help either. The Google Pixel 8 Pro, iPhone 15, and Samsung S24 (the latter two are also available in plus sizes) are the devices at the top end of the pricing range, at around $800. While they are stretching the boundaries of what is considered mid-range, they aren't quite flagships.

At this premium price range, the Samsung S24 is an excellent all-arounder, the iPhone 15 has an excellent CPU and excellent integration into Apple's ecosystem, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro has the greatest cameras. Ultimately, there aren't many significant distinctions among them, thus deciding between them will mostly depend on the following comparisons.

Things become a little more intriguing when it comes to the real mid-range phones available on the market. Phones in this range cost $350 to $600, and a broad range of manufacturers have some true deals to offer. As of now, the Honor 200 Pro is our best option for 2024 because to its superb features at a very affordable price. Other good options from reputable companies are Samsung's A54, Nothing Phone (2), and the Redmi Note 12 Pro.

There is only one mid-range phone available from Apple: the iPhone SE. Its design is identical to that of the 2017 iPhone 8, despite internal upgrades that maintain its competitive performance. It's a bit out of date since the iPhone SE hasn't been updated since 2022, but it seems that the fourth version of the SE will be released in 2025, so there's one to watch out for.

The 2022 iPhone SE remains the most current mid-range model from Apple. Even though it's just a few years old, its performance is well behind that of the Honour and Samsung equivalents. The SE is a good phone, but not as good as the mid-range Android rivals, assuming you like the iOS experience and don't play taxing mobile games like Honkai Star Rail, Diablo Immortal, and others.

Cost Summary

Apple doesn't truly make low-cost products, as has been the case since the introduction of the iPhone. There are just reconditioned iPhone 13 and 14 models and the 2022 iPhone SE available in this price bracket. These handsets are all expected to retail for about $300. This is still on the higher end of the budget range, since there are several Android smartphones that cost less than $200.

Now let's look at a few of those reasonably priced Android devices. Xiaomi has two low-cost subbrands; the Redmi Note 11 is one of them, and it offers great performance overall for its cheap cost. Meanwhile, Xiaomi's gaming subbrand delivers great value, as our Poco X6 Pro review demonstrates.

Concurrently, the well-known brand in developing nations, TECNO, has some really good low-cost smartphones. Although it's hardly a romantic tale, our TECNO CAMON 20 Premier 5G review finds the phone to be a good all-arounder. For those looking for a low-cost gaming phone, our TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G review has all the information they need.

Naturally, there are also fantastic low-cost solutions from the larger manufacturers; as we go into more depth about below, they could provide greater security updates and longer-term support. While the Pixel 6a is still available from Google at a reduced price, making it an extremely alluring option, the Galaxy A series provides a broad selection of phones at various price points to meet your budget, all with the Samsung brand's reliability attached.

Clearly, there is a large selection of phones available, regardless of your budget—you may pay $100 or $1,000. Although potential customers often concentrate on the hardware, there are some important distinctions between the iPhone and Android operating systems that go beyond appearances. Now let's get started.

System of operation

The largest distinction between the two rivals is whether to use iOS or Android, albeit this difference isn't as great as you would imagine. Although there are some significant distinctions, in general, both Android and iPhone can do the majority of tasks; they may simply do it in different ways.

iOS

What is the iOS operating system? Technically speaking, it's Apple's iPhone operating system, thus it controls how you use the gadget and its many functions. Similar to Android, it provides a large selection of pre-installed programmes, an extensive App Store for additional apps, and an easy-to-use interface for tasks.

But there are a few significant variations. To begin with, all iPhones run the same version of iOS. You have the same version of iOS on whichever phone you choose (as long as it's fresh enough to get the most recent upgrades). If you're used to iOS or want a reliable operating system when you switch phones over time, this is useful.

Additionally, iOS doesn't include any bloatware—a.k.a. random software—pre-installed. While certain Android phones may not do this—the majority of major manufacturers ask before adding any unnecessary features—Apple never does this with its iPhones, which is a pleasant change. This is an additional benefit of simplicity—you have precisely what you need.

Android

Many phone manufacturers, including Samsung and Google, utilise the Android operating system. There are many commonalities across Android phones, even if the operating system might vary between different firms (the various versions are referred to as "skins," kind of like an overlay on top of the main Android OS).When it comes to customisation, Android is much more user-friendly than iPhone. This is the main advantage of choosing Android. Since Android lacks Apple's walled garden, you may install ROMs and emulators, utilise a variety of app stores, and access a wealth of third-party solutions to improve your experience. But some of this might become a little complicated, so the iPhone could be a better option if you want a simple system with fewer potential problems.Though the operating systems provide varying degrees of accessibility and customisation, it's also important to pay attention to the features that these systems provide. This is when things start to vary a little bit amongst brands, which might make the choice a little bit simpler.

Notable attributes

Both Android and iPhone have different features, many of which are compatible with both platforms. In order to help you understand what can only be done and where, we've broken down the essential functions that are exclusive to certain devices.

Apple

Numerous features that are exclusive to iOS are available here. While FaceTime just recently enabled non-Apple devices to join a call—though it's obviously not as seamlessly integrated as on Apple devices—iMessage, the blue-bubbled messaging service, is exclusive to iOS devices. Then there are specialised capabilities that are exclusive to Apple products, like SharePlay, which enables you to view a movie or listen to music with a buddy while on the phone.As of the time of writing, Apple's ecosystem integration is unparalleled. You can use your iPhone as a camera or microphone, copy content from your phone and paste it into a Mac or iPad, and quickly set up new devices from your existing ones. Such features are only a few of the many that make using an Apple Watch, Mac, or HomePod more simpler. We strongly advise choosing an iPhone if you already possess or want any of those gadgets.Android

Furthermore, Android has things that Apple does not. It's quite useful (particularly on a tablet!) to be able to set up several users on a device if you share it with family or have different demands for work and play. As we previously noted, there is also the additional customizability, which allows you to alter a plethora of options for a personalised experience.Another major advantage of Android is its openness; instead of using an app store, you may download certain ROMs or APKs, which are essentially install files. While there are risks involved, Android is the best option if you're tech-savvy enough to download apps from trusted sources and want the newest software for a phone that the manufacturer no longer makes, an old PlayStation game, or a variety of other unique apps.

Video Games

More than ever, gaming plays a big role in the iPhone vs. Android debate and is an integral component of the mobile experience. Naturally, there are more gaming-specific gadgets due to the diversity of Android phones, but the market is still competitive due to Apple's exclusive services and cross-device interoperability.

Apple

The company's membership service, Apple Arcade, which offers a tonne of fantastic mobile games, is the primary benefit of purchasing an iPhone for gaming. Google's Play Pass is available for Android users, but it falls short of Apple's offering in terms of game quality.Make sure the game you're interested in isn't an iOS exclusive before purchasing it since Apple Arcade also features exclusive titles. You can check what games are available on the service by looking through our list of the top Apple Arcade games, but in our opinion, this is now the greatest mobile gaming service out there.Even while Apple fought enabling emulation on the software for years, the ability to download emulators on the iPhone as of 2024 is a huge benefit for the company. Customising your emulation experience is a little more difficult, but if you're OK with the fundamentals, it's just another tool in the iPhone's arsenal.Apple's gadget integration is excellent as well. With all of your saves migrated across, you can pick up where you left off on your iPhone, continue playing on your Mac, watch it on your Apple TV while lounging on your iPad. Furthermore, there is no trouble in using a Nintendo, Xbox, or PlayStation controller to do all of this. Beautiful.Android

Google Play Pass is Android's own game subscription service, similar to Apple's. Even though there are a lot more games in this collection than there are in Apple Arcade, the selection of high-quality games is also much wider than in the iOS counterpart. Although the service's game selection is worth looking over before paying the monthly cost, it's not bad.On the other hand, Android triumphs when it comes to gaming-specific hardware. Android is the only platform where you can get phones made especially to be exceptional at playing mobile games, such as the best gaming phones from Redmagic or ASUS. You know where to go if you want a phone like that.Even while it is now theoretically feasible on the iPhone, emulation is also more simpler on Android. Android allows you to drag & drop files from your PC, making it simple to transfer any custom Roms you've created for mobile play.

Protection

While Android has built-in security mechanisms, various manufacturers add different precautions on top of it, making the Android side difficult to understand. Security differs from brand to brand. Top security features are offered by companies like Samsung and Google, and many of them guarantee at least three years of software and security upgrades to keep you safe as your device ages.But not every Android manufacturer sells gadgets that are as safe as Area 51. Unless you often replace your preferred gadget, it's crucial to do some research before choosing one of the lesser-known brands to ensure you're protected with security updates for at least a few years.You don’t have to investigate Apple gadgets before purchasing them. One of the reasons why iPhones are such a popular smartphone among customers is their history of outstanding security dependability. That doesn't seem like it will change very soon.Lately, Apple has also begun to provide fast security response upgrades, which are short patches for small problems. Although we would never claim that any gadget is 100% safe to use, Apple is our top choice; nevertheless, Samsung also places a strong emphasis on security that is as important.Repairability

iPhone repairs have always been challenging, and Apple has never been transparent about the troubleshooting process for its products.This situation does not lend itself to the proverb "if you want something done properly, do it yourself." You'll need to see the Geeks at your neighbourhood Apple Store if you're having issues with your iPhone. Alternatively, you might risk it with an independent seller; however, this approach carries a little bit more risk and could nullify any guarantee.In the meanwhile, a lot of Android makers take great satisfaction in their capacity to be repaired. Nokia leads in this area, offering great capabilities to extend the time you can use your phone without using your hands. This allows you to maintain your cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability while continuing to sell smartphones. As always, there are significant differences in repairability throughout Android handsets; thus, if repairability is important to you, make sure to research each one before making a purchase.

Is it better to select an Android smartphone or an iPhone?

Selecting between the iPhone and Android is difficult, but it becomes much simpler if you are clear about your needs. Apple is probably the best option if you don't need a super-budget phone and want to keep things simple while using it. In the meanwhile, Android can help you if you have certain hardware requirements that Apple can not meet or if you want to play around with your phone a little bit by installing other apps and personalising the experience.Both sides of the tech coin provide fantastic experiences to casual users, but if you don't dig deeper, you probably won't see all of the advantages and disadvantages that are there. Therefore, you should be pleased with either Android or iOS if all you need from a phone is basic phone functionality and you discover a device that looks attractive at a reasonable price.To use a simple metaphor, Apple's iOS may be compared to the most opulent kindergarten you've ever seen. Everything is really straightforward, easy to use, and beautiful, yet there is padding on every table corner to prevent accidents, so your freedom is restricted. On the other hand, Android is similar to attending college for the first time in that you may make a tonne of blunders while attempting to get by. But such independence also carries power. I'll stay with iOS's pre-school safety feature, but that's hardly that daring, is it?See our how we test page for additional information on our methodology for investigating the phones included in this article. Of course, deciding between Android and iOS is just half the battle when selecting a phone; to assist you choose the finest service, check out our advice on thetop mobile phone providers. Check out our list of the top tough smartphones best) if you are certain you want something strong.