iPhone vs. Android: Full Comparison

Key Points

• Over 2.2 billion iPhones have been sold, but there are well over 3 billion devices, worldwide, that use the Android operating system. 
• There is not exactly an Android “phone” the same as there is an iPhone. Android is the software that is used for an operating system. It can be installed on virtually any smart device that has the capability to operate it, including a variety of phones, tablets, computers, and more.
• Both the iPhone and Android devices come with a nearly countless array of accessories that are sold by Apple, Google, or other third-party developers.

These days, smartphones are literally everywhere, and it seems that you cannot move more than three feet in a public space without seeing one. However, despite their ubiquitous nature, there are mostly two types of phones: Android and iPhone. These two have the vast, vast majority of the worldwide market share and are used by most people in the western world. Indeed, among each group, there is a constant debate: Which is better? Which has better features, a more affordable cost, a better performance, or a camera that works? 

While many of these questions are matters of personal preference, some conclusions absolutely can be drawn. 

iPhone vs. Android: Side-by-Side Comparison

iPhone vs. Android: Key Differences

First, it is important to note that there is not exactly an Android “phone” the same as there is an iPhone. Android is the software that is used for an operating system. It can be installed on virtually any smart device that has the capability to operate it, including a variety of phones, tablets, computers, and more. This is not the case with iPhones, which are actual phones that have been released for the past twenty years.

Because of this, an apples-to-apples comparison between the two isn’t exactly possible. They are separate devices, of course: No iPhone runs an android operating system.  However, there are also a few other differences between them — including the cost of the phone, how emojis are displayed, and the origin of the system.

Operating System

The iPhone has had numerous versions, with the most current one being the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. The iPhone 13 Pro comes with many features, including newer cameras, wide-angle lens for those cameras, faster performance, wireless charging support, and more. It also operates on the latest version if iOS, which is Apple’s operating system. There are still many prior versions of the iPhone available, and the performance of these devices varies based on how old these devices are.

Android features a direct manipulation interface, just like iPhones. Since the Android operating can be installed on any phone, users can get used it its main features very quickly. This includes a home screen, status bar, notifications, methods of navigation, and more. Like Apple, Android devices offer third-party support for the development of accessories and other games or apps. This has enabled Google and Android to take advantage of the ingenuity of others to ultimately make more money for its platform. 

Origin

Apple has always been ahead of its time, and in some cases, REALLY ahead of its time – the first iPhone prototype was actually created in 1983! However, as we mentioned earlier, iPhones have always been about phones, and this is exactly what they were created as. The differences comes with the origin of the Android software. This is because Android was originally meant to be software for digital cameras, but slowly, its purpose changed as its developers realized they could accomplish much more and the focus changed to phones. Furthermore, Android has released numerous versions of their operating system software and gives each operating system a name based on candy.  These include names such as honeycomb, jelly bean, donut, cup cake, and eclair.

Communication

iPhones and Android phones can communicate with each other, of course. However, there can be challenges when they attempt to do so. Emojis are one example of these challenges. When using emojis in texts, the emojis that are displayed may not be the ones that are sent from one device to another.

Emojis aren’t the only difference between the two when it comes to communication. This is because Android phones primarily use Google messages for texting, while iPhones use iMessage.

Cost

The cost of both devices can range wildly. The most expensive iPhone commercially available now is the iPhone 13 Pro, the maximum cost of which is as high as $1,300. Because Android devices can be used on a slew of phones, the cost can range wildly. However, this also means that there is typically something available to suit every budget.

Accessories

Both the iPhone and Android devices come with a nearly countless array of accessories that are sold by Apple, Google, or other third-party developers. These accessories vary widely and include headphones (with Apple’s AirPods have become very popular), chargers, keyboards, and more. However, sometimes accessories for iPhones are not compatible with Android phones and vice-versa.

iPhone vs. Android: Which Is Better?

There is not necessarily a “better,” here. Both phones come with their positives, their negatives, and their absolutely die-hard supporters. It really comes down to personal preference more than anything else.

iPhone, as a comprehensive phone, offers an array of features that are top-of-the-line. They also offer nearly constant upgrades and integration with other Apple products. However, many users absolutely hate Apple and prefer the Google integration of Android devices. Furthermore, since Android is an operating system, rather than a phone, it allows users to purchase a phone of their choosing – such as one created by Samsung. This helps give users who prefer Android devices more choice.