Can’t decide between an Apple or Samsung phone?
Making a logical choice between iPhone and Android smartphones requires knowing what features and specs are most important to you. Here’s what you need to know to make a smart decision.
We put the two head-to-head to see which is better.
When it comes to comparing iPhone vs Samsung phones, most people already have their favorite set in stone. On one hand, you’ve got your iPhone fans who have been loyal Apple users for years. On the other, you have Samsung fans who just can’t get enough of the tech giants’ bleeding-edge innovations.
But for an average buyer, deciding which phone is better—iPhone or Samsung—shouldn’t be just a matter of personal whim. Instead, both the alternatives must be compared head-to-head to make an informed decision. Let’s dig in.
The simple truth — tribe allegiance and marketing genius aside — is that iPhones running iOS and smartphones running the Android OS both have good and bad points. And to make matters more complicated, comparing operating systems alone doesn’t tell you much.
Here’s how Apple and Android phones match up on 14 key aspects of the smartphone experience.
1. Ease of use
Sure, ages ago, when the iPhone first appeared and Windows Mobile and Nokia Symbian phones were the competition, the iPhone blew them away. That was then. This is now.
Today, all phone interfaces are better than they were then and easier to use. The key difference, to me, is control. Android smartphones give you much more control over your phone and its applications than Apple phones do.
2. Fit, finish, and price
iPhones are beautiful.
Android phones? Well, they vary. Wildly.
Some — such as the top-of-the-line Samsung S22+ and the Google Pixel 6 Pro — are every bit as attractive as the iPhone 13. By controlling every step of the manufacturing process, Apple makes sure iPhones have great fit and finish. But so do the top Android phone manufacturers. That said, some Android phones out there are just plain ugly.
Samsung’s flagships, although still far from being cheap, are more likely to give you a better bang for your buck. And since Samsung has such a wide selection of smartphone series, you can expect to find a good deal no matter your budget.
3. Closed vs. open systems
The iPhone remains as proprietary as ever. If you don’t want anything in your pocket that you can’t buy from Apple, fine. But keep in mind that you will always and forever be locked into the Apple software ecosystem as long as you own an iPhone.
Android is open-source software. It’s also far more accepting of alternative applications.
Also, Apple doesn’t port its applications to Android and likely never will. The biggest, and most annoying of these iPhone-specific apps is iMessage. My friends that use it, swear by it. But it has one big, annoying problem. It is incompatible with other messaging systems. Yes, you can send SMS messages to Android texting apps, but you lose a lot of features that people love in the translation.
1. Cameras
iPhones have usually enjoyed more praise than their Samsung counterparts in terms of sheer photo quality, image consistency, and video quality. But with its S22 series, more specifically the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung upped its game quite significantly.
Although consistency is still Apple’s strong suit, the camera experience as a whole feels a lot more refined, fun, and versatile in Samsung smartphones. For the people who like to play around with their camera and experiment with new camera features, Samsung phones are the ones to go for.
2. Battery Quality
Apple has rarely ever fought the smartphone battle with big claims about its battery. In comparison, Samsung seems to advertise its massive battery life and impressive fast charging speeds quite aggressively in its adverts.
However, although the iPhone doesn’t have a massive battery, its proprietary software iOS is efficient enough that it ensures minimal battery usage resulting in amazing battery life, especially in the iPhone 13 series.
Apple vs. Samsung: Which Is Right for You?
Nine out of ten times, a buying decision between two great smartphone alternatives boils down to this: personal preference. And so is the case here.
Most people who buy iPhones do so because of the well-integrated Apple ecosystem and the seamless user experience. iPhones handle core functionalities like calling, video recording, system navigation, and web browsing more reliably.
In contrast, if you are a little more adventurous and want a template on top of which you can personalize and customize your device, Samsung phones are the way to go. With arguably better design, a more fun camera experience, more features, and the One UI skin, Samsung flagships do not fail to impress.