iPhone vs Android - which is better for you?

The first decision when buying a smartphone can be the hardest: iPhone vs. Android. We've compared the differences to help you choose the best smartphone for your needs.

General arrangements

When deciding to buy your first smartphone, you will have to decide which one to choose. The two main options are the iPhone and Android. The iPhone and Android are great phones, but they have very different features.

Hardware: Android offers more options

Hardware is where you'll see the biggest differences between iPhone and Android.

Apple is the only company that makes iPhones. It tightly controls the interaction of software and hardware. On the other hand, Google offers Android software to many manufacturers, including Samsung HTC and Motorola. Android phones therefore differ in size, weight, quality and features.

Higher-priced Android devices are comparable to the iPhone. However, a device with fewer features and a lower price may be just what you need.

You have to choose a model if you are buying an iPhone. You have to choose both the make and model for Android devices because so many companies make them. Apple's simplicity and superior quality may be more appealing to some than Android options.

Both operating systems have advantages

Android phones use Google's Android operating system, while iPhones use Apple's iOS. Both are similar in that they have a home screen with favorite apps. This includes games, utilities, the Phone app for making calls, the Camera app for taking photos and the Messaging app for sending text messages. They can also have touch interfaces and include hardware such as accelerometers or GPS for additional functions.

Apple releases a new version of iOS every fall, with updates throughout the year. In the early days of Android, updates were less frequent. (Android 2.0 was released in 2009, and both 3 and 4 in 2011). Android's update cycle has changed in recent years to an annual one. Some Android device manufacturers, such as Samsung, use a slightly revised version of the operating systems.

Some Android manufacturers are slow or don't update to the latest version. Apple's support for older phones is better than Android's, although older phones will eventually cease to be supported by the latest operating system.

Android apps: more options

iPhone

• Available only in the Apple App Store.
• More than 2 million applications.

Android

• Available on the Google Play store and through third-party sources.
• Nearly 3 million applications.

The Apple App Store has fewer apps available than Google Play. However, choice is not the most important factor.

Apple's app store is stricter than Google's, allowing for a wider range of apps. Apple's tighter controls are one reason why its app store is smaller than Google's. However, it also means that malware is less likely to be downloaded.

Apple's central store has another advantage: the company can be sure that all products are compatible with the devices. The Google Play store doesn't check apps as thoroughly, and there are many Android phone manufacturers.

Some users may be interested in the larger selection of Android apps available outside the official Google Play Store.

Price: iPhones are generally more expensive, but Androids have a wider range

Apple has positioned the iPhone as a premium product, and its price reflects that. You won't find a new one anywhere for less than £500. Android-compatible smartphones are available in a wide price range, from $100 to more than 20 times that amount.

If you buy an Android phone, you may not get the best value for your money. If you want the latest Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, high-end Samsung devices can cost the same or even more than iPhones. There's not much difference in quality on that end of the spectrum between Android and iPhone. A cheaper Android phone may be a good choice if you don't need an advanced digital camera or other features.

Apple, Google and retailers offer a wide range of payment plans, so you can pay for a high-end phone in monthly installments rather than all at once. These options make price less of an issue.

Apple's security measures are strict.

If you're worried about the security of your phone, the iPhone is better than Android. There are many reasons, but here are some of them:

• Apple apps support end-to-end encrypted communications. "End-to-end," for example, means that text is encrypted throughout its journey between the sender's device and the receiver. Android encrypts information "in transit," meaning it's safe as long as the data is in motion, but vulnerable to attacks when it stops, such as through Google's servers.
• Apple controls downloads. Downloading malware that steals information or changes the way a device works is one of the most common methods of compromising digital security. Apple is working to prevent malware from appearing in its App Store. There you can only download iPhone apps. Android's flexibility and openness may be an issue in this case.

The iPhone is not immune to security threats, but it is less likely to become a target.

Smart assistant: Google Assistant beats Siri

iPhone

• Default platform: Siri.
• iPhones can use Google Assistant or Bixby through the app.

Android

• Default platforms: Google Assistant or Samsung Bixby.
• Android users cannot use Siri.

Artificial intelligence and voice interfaces will be the next frontier of smartphone functionality. Android is the clear leader in this area.

Google Assistant is a powerful intelligent assistant for Android. It uses everything Google knows about you to make your life easier. If your Google Calendar knows you have a meeting at 5:30 p.m., but traffic is difficult, Assistant will tell you to leave early.

Siri is Apple's answer to artificial intelligence for Google Assistant. It is getting better with each new version of iOS. It's still limited and can't do as much as Google Assistant. Google Assistant is available for iPhone users who don't like Siri, but not for Android users.

Apple's ecosystem is closed but powerful

Many people use a computer, tablet or wearable device in addition to their smartphones. Apple offers them a better integrated experience. Apple offers features that Android does not, as it makes computers, watches, tablets and iPhones.

You can use your iPhone to control your Apple TV. You can also unlock your iPhone or MacBook using the Apple Watch. AirDrop allows you to instantly transfer files and hyperlinks between your iPhone, Mac or iPad without creating an email. You can also use the continuity feature to launch YouTube on Apple TV and continue on your iPhone. AirPlay allows you to share your Mac's Apple TV screen or use your iPad as a second monitor.

Google services such as Gmail, Maps and Google Now are available on all Android devices. Android does not provide a unified experience across devices unless all devices are from the same manufacturer.

Download Android to fix bugs yourself

Apple's iPhone is all about elegance and simplicity. This is the main reason why users cannot expand the iPhone's memory or replace the battery (although replacement iPhone batteries can be purchased, but they must be installed by a qualified service technician).

On the other hand, Android manufacturers allow users to swap batteries and increase the capacity of their phones.

Android is more complex and less beautiful, but may be worth the compromise if you don't want to run out of memory.

Final verdict

Both the iPhone and Android offer solutions for people with different needs. Apple products such as Mac, iPad and Apple TV make the iPhone an easy choice if you already have one. Android is the best choice if you care about flexibility or apps.

Certain categories are more important to some people. Some people are more interested in choosing hardware, while others are more interested in battery life or mobile gaming. Both platforms are good options for different people. You need to decide which factors are most important to you and choose a phone that meets your needs.