The Best Back-to-School Phones: iPhone Vs. Android

These days mobile phones rank near the top of the back-to-school supply list. No matter if students attend classes virtually or physically, they can use their mobile devices to stay in touch, take notes, and even research.

Consider the CNET list of good back-to-school phones for the upcoming school year. These affordable phones include good cameras, fast processors, robust batteries, and clear displays. Their top four picks are:

The right answer to the value of switching from an Android to an iPhone might depend upon the user. One tech journalist from PCWorld had mostly used Android phones for a decade but decided to try an iPhone to learn the differences. The lower price of iPhone models like the iPhone SE partly motivated this curiosity.

The biggest advantages he found with the iPhone included phone navigation, device response, battery performance, display colors, and built-in secure sharing. Even though he had remained loyal to Android phones for years, he also found plenty to like about the iPhone.

When the tech writer for PCWorld tested the iPhone against his Android, he missed the more robust widget functionality and the ability to install a variety of third-party apps without always having the phone appear to prefer its own default installation.

For example, his iPhone always opened URLs in Safari, even after installing other browsers. Also, he found that physical directions always opened in Apple Maps.

Mostly, he felt that Android phones made it much easier to install and use a wide variety of third-party apps. He also believed he enjoyed more flexibility to set up the Home screen the way he liked it on an Android.

As a note, apps coded specifically for one operating system won't work on the other one; however, many app developers create versions for iPhone, Android, and even other operating systems.

Believe it or not, having to set up and load a new phone generates one objection that stops a lot of people from replacing an old device. Actually, today's phones come with features that can make this step fairly painless.

Naturally, the process depends upon the type of phones, but this brief summary should offer a good, general idea.

While students usually treasure their mobile devices, they haven't necessarily earned a reputation as the most careful guardians of mobile electronics. Manufacturers' warranties only offer limited and short-term coverage against certain types of problems. In contrast, Upsie offers generous subscription protection against all kinds of damages, including those caused by spills or drops.

Retailers almost always try to upsell an extended warranty, but they're typically much more expensive and less flexible than an Upsie smartphone subscription warranty. For instance, they typically exclude common problems like water damage. Upsie covers water damage and other accidental damage. As another example, depending upon the location, Upsie may offer local or mail-in repairs from certified facilities, Genius Bar for iPhone repairs, and in some cases, phone replacements.

Find out why Upsie provides the best cell phone protection. Feel free to call 1-877-844-7745 with questions Monday through Friday, 10AM-4PM CST, or simply get started by finding phone protection plans and prices online. Any high-quality phone should please students, and a solid warranty can help keep them satisfied without breaking the bank on unexpected repair costs.