When buying a phone, we generally recommend sticking with the same platform your current phone uses. At a minimum, switching entails learning the quirks of a new interface and potentially losing access to purchased apps, app-specific data, or even photo and data services. But if you’re considering a switch, we have some insight on the real-world differences between iOS and Android, gleaned from thousands of hours of using smartphones and tablets on both platforms.
Why we like iOS
Fast software updates for many years: The biggest advantage iOS has over Android is its software updates: Apple generally supports new iPhones and iPads with iOS updates for five to six years after their release date, and all of those devices get the same updates at the same time. You get new features and apps, support for new image and video formats and security protocols, and patches for both online security threats and flaws that could allow people to get data from your phone. The oldest supported devices may not support every single feature of the latest software, but they continue to get most of the functional improvements and all of the security updates for as long as the hardware will last. Among Android phones, only Google’s Pixel phones and phones in the Android One program are guaranteed prompt updates—The actual timeframe of updates varies on your phone’s manufacturer. Google offers three years of OS updates and up to five years of security updates, while Samsung offers four years of One UI /Android OS updates and five years of security updates.
Long-term value: Because Apple supports iOS devices for a relatively long time, you can hand them down to friends and family members without worrying about app compatibility or security risks. And they hold their resale value better than Android devices, so you can sell them for more money, or get more for a trade-in, when it comes time to upgrade.
Where Android is better
We like a lot about iOS, but it’s not the best option for everyone. Good Android phones are available in many more shapes and sizes than iPhones, and although the best ones cost roughly what an iPhone does, you can buy good ones for under $200 and fantastic ones for less than $400. The Android platform used to be sluggish when it came to prompt, consistent software and security updates, but has since improved. It’s also much more customizable than iOS. Here are a few other things we like about Android.
More hardware diversity: The biggest advantage for Android is actually in hardware, not software. Though our guide to the best Android phones recommends fast, well-rounded phones, Android is available on a huge variety of hardware, including options for people who want styluses and bigger screens, fantastic battery life, or even a physical keyboard. And if your preferred phone maker removes a feature you rely on—like a headphone jack or fingerprint sensor—from its newest phone, you can find what you need somewhere else. With iOS, Apple’s choices are your only choices.
Phones at every price: You’ve got more flexibility on price, too. A flagship pro-level iPhone costs over $1,000, and while the relatively affordable iPhone SE costs $429, you do lose out on the big screens and low-light camera improvements that are only in more expensive iPhones. A high-end Android phone from Google or Samsung is similarly expensive, but Google's $450 Pixel 6a is an exceptional deal that doesn’t compromise on the camera, and other great budget Android phones—including a few that will actually get prompt software updates—are available for $200 or less.