Which is best, Apple or Samsung? Whereas each present full ecosystems, together with merchandise, on-line providers, and distinctive working techniques, this is not nearly private desire. This text goals that will help you select correctly in your subsequent smartphone buy.

iPhone or Samsung: Catalog vary and costs

Apple is thought to be very totally different from its opponents. Whereas manufacturers like Oppo or Xiaomi have complicated ranges with loads of the fashions having virtually equivalent specs, the Cupertino large has at all times insisted on having the leanest catalog potential. Thus, this 12 months isn’t any totally different with 9 fashions on provide in its retailer.

The iPhone 15 launch ditched the 13 mini variant. Going ahead, Apple will rely on the Plus, Professional, and Professional Max fashions along with the bottom mannequin.

Samsung’s benefits over Apple:

• Enormous catalog of units.
• Extra inexpensive handsets.

Apple’s benefits over Samsung:

• Clearly outlined product vary.
• Older fashions are nonetheless aggressive by way of options and efficiency.

Just a few years in the past, the variety of merchandise from Apple’s smartphone line elevated slightly, with the addition of the mini mannequin. Since then, the mini was changed by the massive Plus mannequin, and Apple has saved the 2 previous-generation fashions as a less expensive different. Even so, the iPhone product vary is the smallest among the many prime 5 smartphone producers as we speak.

iPhone catalog and costs

As talked about earlier, Apple’s 2024 catalog contains 9 fashions, 4 of which have been launched in 2024, two from 2023, and three in 2022. Along with the brand new iPhone 16, Apple additionally retains the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 14, 14 Plus, and iPhone SE (2022) in its lineup.

All present iPhones in contrast:

All 9 fashions are 5G-compatible. As well as, all fashions, besides the iPhone SE (2022), have an OLED show.

Samsung’s smartphone catalog and costs

Whilst you can rely the iPhones in 2024 by yourself fingers (with two arms, after all), Samsung’s catalog is much extra in depth. It begins with cheap entry-level smartphones and goes all the best way to costly foldables with top-notch {hardware}.

Samsung’s line of smartphones is made up of the Galaxy household, which additionally contains wearables, headsets, tablets, notebooks, and different devices. The household is split into classes similar to:

• Galaxy Z (foldable telephones)
• Galaxy S (premium handsets)
• Galaxy A and M (entry-level and mid-range fashions)
• Galaxy XCover (rugged handsets that concentrate on the company phase)

All present Galaxy in contrast:

Since Apple would not provide entry-level and mid-range smartphones, the Galaxy A, M, and XCover ranges don’t compete straight with the model’s fashions. Due to this fact, for this comparability, we’ve got solely thought-about fashions which are in the identical value vary because the iPhone vary offered by Apple.

There are additionally no foldable iPhones, regardless of years of rumors on the contrary, making the Galaxy Z vary compete solely with its Android friends.

In 2024, the pricing argument will not be as related because it was, as Samsung is advertising and marketing smartphones which are virtually as costly as Apple’s. Nevertheless, whereas the costs of Apple’s fashions often stay steady till a brand new era is launched, Samsung’s smartphone costs usually drop far too quickly after their launch. This makes the iPhone a reasonably good buy by any normal.

This has an affect on the depreciation and resale value of its units, within the case of iPhones, as they usually obtain new working system variations and safety updates for an extended time frame, a spot one thing which Samsung has been making an attempt to slim not too long ago.

iPhone or Samsung: The {hardware}

iPhone or Samsung: The person interface

This 12 months, relying on whether or not you select an iPhone or a Galaxy, you may be integrating with iOS 18 or One UI 6. Each working techniques provide well-thought-out person experiences which are fairly widespread with followers of every aspect.

Launched in September 2024, iOS 18 extends the customization choices, making it simple to destroy your house display similar to on Android. Large updates to the Management Middle to rearrange, add, and resize widgets, reside audio transcriptions on the Notes app, and extra management and simpler administration of privateness settings.

And naturally, not one to skip on the newest tech development, AI (“Apple Intelligence” right here) guarantees enhancements to Siri, textual content writing, images group, and extra. Nevertheless, many of the new AI options on iOS 18 are scheduled to reach in later level releases, beginning with iOS 18.1.

Apple has thus caught up with Android and as ordinary, the Cupertino firm has taken its time however has managed to implement in a really considerable manner, options which were obtainable on Android for some time.

As for One UI, it is probably the most widespread Android skins, together with Xiaomi’s MIUI. For instance, it’s extra extensively used than inventory Android, Google’s authentic Android interface. Visually, One UI is sort of a departure from inventory Android and is a fairly heavy pores and skin, however it is rather full.

Samsung’s One UI provides a great multitasking expertise because of options like break up display, floating home windows, or the flexibility to clone functions to have two accounts. To be taught extra about its options, learn our full One UI 6 evaluate.

iOS and One UI are beginning to get an increasing number of related, so the ultimate alternative will finally boil all the way down to your private preferences. Notice, nevertheless, that iOS is unique to Apple whereas One UI depends upon Android updates, so you’ll not obtain the newest model as shortly on a Samsung in comparison with an Apple iPhone.

Each the not too long ago launched iOS 18 and Android 15 are fairly gentle in terms of huge modifications to the person interface, largely persevering with to evolve the obtainable customization choices whereas additionally enhancing on safety and privateness controls. For extra particulars on what modified with the newest updates, examine our overview pages:

Conclusion

Samsung’s benefits over Apple:

• Extra customizable interface.
• Way more superior multitasking optimization.

Apple’s benefits over Samsung:

• Clean and seamless expertise throughout the Apple ecosystem.
• Very excessive information safety.
• Excessive-quality native functions.
• Extra frequent safety updates all through its total telephone line.
• Clear and uncluttered design.

iPhone or Samsung: Replace coverage

The replace coverage was one of many principal promoting factors of Apple’s iPhones, however over time, Samsung has additionally been capable of enhance on this side by lowering the hole. The iPhone is usually saved up-to-date for 5 years, and all fashions obtain the replace virtually on the identical time. Samsung now guarantees seven years of options and safety updates for its Galaxy S24 telephones, with 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety patches for its 2023 flagships.

Apple’s replace coverage

In accordance with the official Apple web page, we will see that iOS 18, for instance, is on the market for even the iPhone XS which was launched in 2018. These fashions have subsequently obtained 5 iOS variations since their launch (not counting the model current by default at launch). Till 2023, no Android producer provided such in depth software program upkeep.

The graph above illustrates this hole fairly effectively, though the methodology used to rely the length of software program upkeep is inaccurate. Certainly, the graph assumes that one 12 months is equal to 1 replace. This works for iPhones since every new mannequin is launched concurrently every new (main) model of iOS. However for Samsung, its flagships are launched initially of the 12 months with the earlier 12 months’s Android model after which up to date throughout the identical 12 months as soon as a brand new Android model is launched.

Samsung’s replace coverage

Lately, Samsung has made nice strides with its replace coverage. Whereas most Android producers are content material to supply 2 or not often 3 variations of Android and three years of safety patches, the South Korean producer guarantees for its flagship S and Z 2024 fashions seven years of Android upgrades and safety patches, with 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety patches for its earlier high-end smartphones.

In apply, the South Koreans promise that the Galaxy S24 will obtain “Android 21” in 2031, whereas its S23 predecessor will prime at 2026’s model of Android (presumably Android 17). Intermediate telephones within the Galaxy A household launched after 2023 are additionally scheduled to obtain 5 years of safety updates, whereas entry-level fashions can be supported for 4 years.

Cheaper Samsung smartphones launched in 2024 are lined with 4 or 5 years of safety updates, with a shorter promise for OneUI/Android updates.

Conclusion

• With the Galaxy S24 fashions, Samsung basically matched the best-supported iPhone fashions in terms of characteristic updates.
• Nevertheless, some iPhone fashions obtained safety updates after seven years of launch in extraordinary circumstances.

iPhone or Samsung: Knowledge safety

iOS is safer than Android, that is a truth. Knowledge safety is among the factors the place Apple is forward of Samsung, but it surely must be famous that not too long ago, thanks specifically to the advances of Android 12 by way of information safety, the hole has narrowed.

In the case of safety, the variety of standards to be thought-about is much too giant for the scope of this text. That is why I’ve restricted myself to the privateness and security measures of every producer.

Samsung’s privateness options

One UI 4 briefly launched the brand new options present in Android 12, together with the brand new privateness controls. The privateness panel is accessible from the privateness menu, and like iOS 15 (and MIUI earlier than each), you may be notified each time apps use options like geolocation, digicam, and microphone.

Not instantly enabling background activation of geolocation can be a plus. It have to be carried out from the web page devoted to the appliance in query from the system settings. Extra steps which are imagined to discourage or a minimum of make you suppose twice earlier than letting an utility monitor you even while you’re not utilizing it make issues safer.

Scoped storage (launched on Android 10) which lets you compartmentalize information primarily based on the totally different functions was attention-grabbing. This implies one app has entry to a selected silo with out one other app sharing the identical house. In sensible phrases, this limits app entry to only some folders in inside storage, so apps cannot see your different information.

For file managers, One UI 4 has introduced a brand new permission “Entry to all information”, which permits them to work as in earlier variations. Nevertheless, the appliance should meet sure situations to obtain this permission. All different functions are restricted to “Entry to media solely”.

One UI additionally lets you give solely your approximate location. So when an app first asks for permission to entry your location, along with selecting when the placement might be shared, it is possible for you to to decide on to not share your exact location. Nevertheless, the appliance will have the ability to request permission to entry the exact location for a given goal later.

Samsung additionally provides its Secret Folder which lets you retailer all of your images, movies, information, functions, and information away from prying eyes in a folder secured by a password or the fingerprint sensor. This folder is protected by Samsung Knox which ensures that your information is protected towards any malicious assaults.

Additionally, One UI provides a helpful characteristic within the Samsung browser. Certainly, Samsung Web routinely begins in personal shopping mode in case you have used this mode throughout your final shopping.

Apple’s privateness options

Apple has additionally put lots of emphasis on safety not too long ago with the ATT or App Monitoring Transparency, which strictly controls the entry of third-party and native functions to your private information. You’ll be able to be taught extra by studying our tutorial which reveals how you can activate the ATT operate in your iPhone.

iOS 15 launched a number of different new privacy-related options. I invite you to learn our full information to iOS 15 to be taught extra about it if you have not already.

With iOS 16, Apple has continued its momentum by launching Security Test and automated verification. With Security Test, Apple desires to supply extra management to customers who share passwords or entry sure apps and information like geolocation. Security Test helps fight abuse in poisonous relationships by shortly revoking entry to information and the placement that was beforehand shared with others.

Computerized verification is a brand new characteristic from Apple that bypasses CAPTCHAs, these annoying verification instruments that ensure you’re not a robotic. To attain this, iCloud routinely verifies your Apple ID and gadget within the background, so you do not have to fill out a Captcha when authenticating to an internet site or app.

Conclusion

• Each iOS and Android/One UI have come a great distance in terms of information safety. Producers perceive that an increasing number of customers worth it and make it a purchase order criterion for his or her new smartphones.
• However in any case, regardless of how a lot management an interface provides you over your information, the extent of risk depends upon elements past your management, such because the irregularity of updates and the benefit and velocity with which hackers can exploit vulnerabilities.
• Apple provides extra frequent and common updates for all its units, a closed ecosystem that’s tougher to penetrate, and an app retailer with a stricter verification course of. All these elements are nonetheless lacking in Android. Whereas the steadiness of energy will not be as enormously skewed because it was previously, Apple continues to be a step above.

iPhone or Samsung: Resale worth

In accordance with a examine commissioned and revealed in January 2022 by Bankmycell, Android smartphones shed a median of greater than 33% of their worth in 2020, in comparison with about 16% for iPhones. This decline accounts for over 50% of its value for a mid-range/entry-level smartphone.

Android smartphones drop in value a lot quicker than iPhones. Certainly, iPhones retain their worth higher over time than Samsung’s Galaxy vary. It is possible for you to to resell an iPhone for a much better value than a Galaxy smartphone. Nevertheless, this isn’t a nasty factor in itself.

To purchase the newest Samsung flagship, you often solely have to attend a number of months to see its value drop, whereas to interchange your iPhone with the newest mannequin, you must wait for much longer for its value to drop.

Conclusion

Benefits of Samsung in comparison with Apple:

• The chance to search out smartphones at a greater value only some months after their launch.
• Flagships expertise good value drops, not like iPhones.
• The second-hand market forces e-tailers to make promotions repeatedly.

Benefits of Apple in comparison with Samsung:

• Chance to resell your iPhone at a great value one or two years after buy.