Honor Magic V2 (left) and iPhone 14 Pro Max (right).

 

If you are in the market for a new phone, you have two options for the operating system – Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. While the former is available only on the iPhone, the latter is more flexible with a wide variety of smartphones to choose from. That’s why “iPhone” (hardware) can be used interchangeably with “iOS” (software) but not “Android” with “Android phones.” The iPhone vs Android debate isn’t as simple as it sounds.

It’s a diverse topic, which Forbes is here to help you to understand easily. I’ve used both Android and iPhone for years, and here’s what you need to know about both before landing on your next phone.

Why Is Android Better Than iPhone?

While Android isn’t objectively better than the iPhone, if you are someone who wants flexibility and a wide variety of phones to choose from, Android is the way to go. And that’s because Android, developed by Google, is an open source operating system for mobile devices.

This means it is open to developers, designers and device makers. As a result, you can get Android devices from phone manufacturers apart from Google – Samsung, OnePlus and Motorola all use Android to develop their own operating systems, also known as “skins.” For instance, Google’s version of Android on its Pixel phones is called “Pixel UI.” Similarly, OnePlus has “OxygenOS” and Samsung offers “One UI” on it Galaxy phones.

Android is all about the variety. It not only gives you more flexibility in terms of software but also hardware. You can get foldables, slab phones in different sizes, gaming phones and more when on Android.

You can’t get a foldable phone with iOS unless Apple launches one, unlike Android where we had foldables from Samsung and Motorola even before Google launched its first Pixel Fold earlier this year.

Foldables are a big reason to go with Android. You get variety in this form factor, too. There are two types of foldable phones – the ones that flip, like the Motorola Razr and Samsung Galaxy Z Fip series, and others that fold in a book fashion (aka book-style foldables) like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, the OnePlus Open and the Google Pixel Fold.

Both have their own benefits. The former is a compact phone with a smartwatch-like screen on the front when closed and a full-fledged phone when flipped open. On the other hand, the likes of Galaxy Z Fold 5 offer a big screen on the front and unfold to give you a tablet-like experience. The OnePlus Open is prime example of how a great software with multitasking can help with being more productive on the go. Both of these form factors are missing in the iOS category.

In terms of slab phones like the iPhone, Android has a richer set of features. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers stylus support with its built-in S Pen, which can be great for note-taking, clicking selfies or vlogging when keeping the phone far away. Google offers a ton of AI features on its Pixel 8 Pro, which puts Photoshop-like capabilities on your fingertips. OnePlus offers features like fast charging and brings flagship-esque capabilities at a better price point.

And if you are a mobile gamer, Android has a whole category of gaming phones like the Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. While you can always play games on your more mainstream phones, these gaming phones offer features like cooling fan and trigger buttons, both of which enhance the gaming experience. The latter help you with controls, so you don’t have to tap on the screen for every input.

Android also offers premium features like 5G at a more affordable price point. You can’t get a new iPhone for under $200 but you can buy a new Android phone with 5G connectivity at the same price. Both Motorola and Samsung sell 5G phones under $200, which isn’t an option when considering iOS.

Android phones also offer better zooming capabilities and HDR on their cameras. While the iPhone 15 Pro’s 5x telephoto shots are amazing, the likes of Samsung, OnePlus and Vivo offer sharper shots in 10x and 15x. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and OnePlus Open can go up to 100x, and get moon shots for you, which isn’t a thing on iPhones. Some phones that don’t sell in the US from Vivo and Xiaomi have better camera processing with HDR than iPhones. I was extremely impressed by the Xiaomi 13 Pro’s cameras when I used it earlier this year.

On the software side of things, you can choose from different Android skins. And almost all of them provide better multitasking capabilities than the iPhone. For instance, I can’t write a new email and copy something from the above thread in Gmail on iPhone but I have that flexibility of Android.

You also don’t get features like multi-window or popup window on iPhones, but they are present in Samsung and OnePlus phones. Moreover, Google and Samsung now provide similar longevity with software updates as Apple does on the iPhones, so you can expect your 2023 flagship Android phone to last till 2028.

Any Android phone would give you more flexibility with the UI than an iPhone. You can add/remove and place icons on any part of the homescreen, despite having empty space, which isn’t possible on iOS. You get more UI options to choose from, too. For instance, Android’s Material You design configures the colors of the UI elements depending on the wallpaper you are choosing. You can also install apps from third-party stores and websites on Android, while you have to be dependent on Apple’s App Store on iOS.

In my experience, Google Assistant has been better than Siri for voice commands. Apple’s avoice assistant is not as smart as Google’s, and I use it only for making calls. On the other hand, you can use the Google Assistant to access smart home accessories with your voice. It is much quicker, smarter and intelligent than Siri. You also have the option to install Alexa to get Amazon’s voice assistant on your Android phone, which is also better than Siri, and works with a host of earbuds and headphones.

Is It Worth Switching from iPhone to Android?

Yes, it is worth switching from an iPhone to Android. You get more options to choose from, and objectively better devices for productivity. With the discontinuation of the iPhone Mini series, the most compact smartphones now come on Android in the form of flip phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus. The latter is now selling at a more affordable price than the latest iPhone 15. If you are someone who likes working on the go, Android is the better option of the two.

To switch from iPhone to Android, you need to do the following, as per Google:

 

  1. Download Google One on your iPhone from the App Store. If already downloaded, make sure it is on the latest version.
  2. Sync stuff like photos, contacts and calendar from your iPhone to Google One.
  3. Turn off iMessage and FaceTime by going to the Settings menu.
  4. Sign in on your new Android smartphone with the Google Account that you used for backup on the iPhone, so your Google One data is now available.
  5. Follow the steps on screen to set up your Android phone, while the backed up data downloads in the background.

 

However, if you have a MacBook and other Apple devices like the AirPods or Apple Watch, I’d recommend you to not switch, for the reasons I talk below.

Why Is an iPhone Better Than Android?

As I mentioned, while neither phone is better than the other, if you use any of the Apple service or device already, iPhone is the better option than Android. The company positions iPhone as a more secure option than an Android phone; because Apple’s iOS isn’t open source like Android, it has more control over the iPhone and the apps and ecosystem features around it.

The iPhone 15 series hardware is fantastic. It’s easier to hold, thanks to the new design that moves on from the unergonomic flat edges. Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series are more ergonomic than before and some of the best phones to hold in the hand for long durations. They are also powered by some of the best mobile processors in the industry, which offer better gaming capabilities than an Android gaming phone.

If you are a vlogger, the iPhones are unparalleled for video shooting capabilities. Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro lineup is a creators delight with a smooth transition between lenses, Action Mode for better stabilization, support for shooting RAW videos, and more. The first point of transition between lenses isn’t as smooth on Android phones, which causes issues with focus, causing you have to find the subject again. But that’s not an issue for iPhones.

Moreover, all social media apps, whether it be Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) or Snapchat work better on iPhones. I’ve had better experiences with Instagram stories or X posts on my iPhone 15 Pro than the Galaxy S23 Ultra or the OnePlus Open. Apple’s gatekeeping of iOS has helped developers build and support apps for iPhones easily, because they don’t have to tune their app for hundreds of screen sizes, resolutions and form factors. The company releases four iPhones yearly, which helps create a better app experience. If you are a social media manager, an iPhone would be a better buy for you.

A big part of having an iPhone is how it interacts with other Apple devices. If you are a MacBook user, an iPhone is a better buy than Android because Apple’s Continuity features enhance the user experience. For instance, if I’m reading something on my iPhone and I need it on my MacBook, I can copy the text on the phone and paste it to my laptop within two seconds. I’m mostly browsing on my iPhone for research on topics I’m working on, and Continuity lets me access any page left open on the iPhone in Safari on my MacBook with a click.

If I’m receiving a call on my iPhone and it’s on the bed, while I’m working on my desk, I can attend the call with one tap on my MacBook. You can now also use your iPhone as a webcam wirelessly when attending Zoom calls. It’s great for professional meetings where you need good details and lighting, which no laptop camera can provide. Plus, the Center Stage feature on the iPhone makes sure you stay in the picture even if you’re moving during the call. Moreover, if you are in a cafe with no WiFi but need to access your iPhone’s 5G, the MacBook prompts you to connect it to the phone, and it’s just one click away.

Then comes the Apple Watch, which is the smartest wearable, in my experience. It’s great for having notifications on your wrist while tracking fitness, and having fall detection in the case of an emergency. If you want to use an Apple Watch, you need to have an iPhone. While that’s not the case with AirPods, the earbuds will still give the best experience only when connected to an iPhone, rather than to an Android phone. You also get to mirror your iPhone to TV (AirPlay support needed) with a tap.

The Apple iPhone is also a priority for accessory makers. From simple to fancy to ridiculous, some of the best cases and power banks can be found only for an iPhone. Some companies like Nomad make accessories just for Apple devices, which helps them stay focused while building quality accessories for these devices. No phone has as much of an accessory variety as the iPhone. You can truly customize it to your liking.

While Apple has announced that RCS is coming to iMessages for better security with Android on messages, the fact remains that most of your family and friends might be on iMessage. And to access that service you still need an iPhone. Companies like Nothing and Beeper tried to bring iMessages on Android but failed. Despite RCS coming to iMessages soon, blue bubble and green bubble remains a social and cultural thing that you might want to take into account if you’re choosing a new phone.

Is It Worth Switching from Android to iPhone?

Yes, it is worth switching from an Android to iPhone for a few reasons. From my experience, I can confidently say that if you’re big on social media use, an iPhone should be your go-to choice. Plus, if you have at least one Apple device, either the MacBook or the AirPods, you should have an iPhone. For diplomats and people who want privacy on the forefront of their “things to consider while buying a phone,” an iPhone is the better bet.

If you want to shift from Android to iOS, you need to download the Move to iOS app from Google Play Store and follow these steps:

 

  1. Turn on your new iPhone and tap on Set Up Manually.
  2. Tap on Move Data from Android.
  3. Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone.
  4. Wait for the one-time code on your iPhone and enter it on the Android phone.
  5. Connect to WiFi.
  6. Choose the content that you want to transfer from your Android phone to the new iPhone.
  7. Tap Done after the loading bar has finished.

 

What Are The Pros and Cons of Android?

If you decide to buy an Android phone, you get hundreds of options to choose from. It includes different screen sizes, form factors, user interfaces, more versatile cameras and more. The variety of options is virtually unlimited. You can get stylus support, foldable phones, USB-C charging on even previous-gen devices and faster charging phones.

Android cameras are more versatile and often have better zooming capabilities, like the Galaxy S23 Ultra. There is no foldable in the iPhone land. And I love how productive I can be on a foldable, given that you can get a great software, like the OnePlus Open. Android phones are also more compact with the presence of flip phones like the Motorola Razr Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. Plus, they are more affordable than the iPhone – you can get a new 5G Android phone under $180 but you can’t get a new iPhone with 5G connectivity at that price.

However, Android devices have their limitations too. Social media apps like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) are often plagued by bugs because developers take time to rollout support due to the vast variety of devices present in the ecosystem. If you have at least one Apple device like the MacBook or the AirPods, you won’t get the best experience from those device if you opt for an Android phone.

What Are The Pros and Cons of iPhones?

The iPhone is usually a go-to choice if you already have an Apple device, because of how much better it makes the whole ecosystem interaction. As mentioned before, the iPhone-MacBook Continuity features remain top-notch, and take your experience to the next level. And having an iPhone also gives you access to the Apple Watch, which is one of the smartest wearables you can buy.

Apple’s iPhone is also an ideal phone for social media because apps are more stable and the iOS version of specific apps get access to some features first, before rolling out to Android later. Plus, the video capabilities of an iPhone are better than its Android counterparts, which is great for anyone who wants to have a phone for vlogging and making TikToks or Reels.

The limitations of iPhone are felt in iOS. There are hiccups in productivity tasks that usually might not happen on Android. And there’s no foldable iPhone yet. Even the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Plus feel limited by iOS because it is the same UI from the 6.1-inch iPhone 15, only expanded.

Bottom Line

The debate for iPhone vs Android doesn’t have an overall winner. While Android wins in variety and productivity, the iPhone is a better buy for video creators and MacBook users. On one hand there’s cutting edge tech with foldables running Android, on the other there’s a reliable bet with the iPhones running iOS. It’s about what you prioritize, and you think would work best for you.