iOS Versus Android: Which Mobile OS Is Right for You?

iOS versus Android. It’s one of the most significant questions to ask when it’s getting close to time to upgrade your smartphone. Virtually every smartphone in the US market runs one or the other. And the choice of one or the other somewhat locks you into a broader ecosystem that’s either Google- or Apple-centric.

There’s no way to exhaustively catalog every facet and feature of both iOS and Android in a short blog post (and besides, deeper breakdowns have been done in plenty of other places for both iOS 16 and Android 12). So instead, this post focuses on which OS experience is right for you.

The first question to consider is whether you’re already invested in one OS or the other.

If you’re already using iOS or Android and you like it, you’re very unlikely to switch. For all their strengths and weaknesses, both brands are good at ecosystem-building. But, like it or not, you’re probably more deeply invested in either than you wish, and digging out is difficult.

For example, one pro reviewer switched from 10 years on Android to iOS. Despite concluding that iOS was measurably better in many ways, the reviewer ended up sticking with Android as a primary mobile OS.

So, if you’re invested and not deeply unhappy, stick with what you know.

Next, you should evaluate your comfort level with technology. iOS is famous for its “it just works” ethos. Anyone at nearly any level of technology experience can start using an iPhone without many hurdles. The same can’t be said for Android (as the reviewer mentioned above makes clear).

There are trade-offs here, though, that could frustrate more advanced users. Apple’s “it just works” philosophy leads to their walled garden approach, where they control quite a lot about the OS and the apps that are allowed in the App Store.

If you love tweaking your devices, loading custom ROMS and kernels, and diving into system-level settings, well, Apple just won’t let you do any of that. Android will, to an extent — but won’t help you back off the cliff if something goes wrong.

In short, if you want the ability to tinker and tweak, you’ll love Android but be frustrated by iOS. If you prefer your phone to simply work smoothly, then iOS is the way to go. (This is true whether you’re a tech newbie or an expert: many pros choose iPhone for this same reason.)

Next up is the budget. Android is an open (sort of) OS that runs on a wide range of devices, from high-end, $2000+ phones to dirt-cheap $59 tablets. iOS is a closed OS that runs only on iPhones, and the absolute cheapest you’ll get a new iPhone is $399

So if you’re looking for the most budget-friendly phones, those are all on Android.

Apple leads the way in terms of processor performance and OS and software stability, no question. But in other hardware areas (such as screen size, refresh rate, megapixel count, RAM, and so on), it tends to lag behind the Android flagships.

If you’re in the flagship handset budget area, the choice somewhat comes down to what you prefer between these two areas.

Android flagships usually are the first to market with new features, like folding screens, pop-up flashes, bezel-free experiences, eight bazillion megapixel cameras (slight exaggeration), and so forth.

But unfortunately, these innovations don’t always work smoothly or effectively since Android is an open platform designed to meet a broad range of needs. As the longtime Android reviewer mentioned earlier notes, even flagship devices stutter and stall with certain basic apps some of the time. It’s not always a smooth experience — even if you can do some things you can’t do on iOS.

On the other end of the spectrum, people mock Apple for being slow to introduce new features, and rightly so. For example, home screen widgets didn’t show up until iOS 14 in fall 2020, something Android has had for years. Similarly, robust notification management just arrived in iOS 15. Apple was late to wireless charging, and on and on it goes.

But when Apple does roll out a new feature, it does it right. By tightly controlling its software and hardware ecosystem, Apple can ensure that, well, “it just works.” And by and large, it does.

In conclusion, with Android, you have bleeding-edge innovative hardware and features, but you get frustrated because they often don’t work well. On the other hand, with Apple, you get frustrated that you don’t have the features, but they’re a dream to use once you get them.

Whether you choose Android or iOS, you’ll need a capable device to run the OS. Every device is prone to accidents and failures from time to time. And that’s where Upsie comes in.

Upsie protects your smartphone with subscription warranties for iOS and for Android smartphones. Upsie plans cost just $9.99 per month for comprehensive coverage. There is a $0 deductible for cracked screens, too!

In addition, Upsie protects your smartphones from accidental damage, such as drops or liquid spills. Upsie also provides protection against manufacturing defects, battery failure, touch screen failure, and more. You can purchase an Upsie warranty for any US-released smartphones of any age, as long as they are not already broken.

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