Which is best, Apple or Samsung? Whereas each present full ecosystems, together with merchandise, on-line companies, and distinctive working techniques, this is not nearly private desire. This text goals that can assist you select properly to your subsequent smartphone buy.
iPhone or Samsung: Catalog vary and costs
Apple is thought to be very totally different from its rivals. Whereas manufacturers like Oppo or Xiaomi have complicated ranges with loads of the fashions having nearly an identical specs, the Cupertino large has at all times insisted on having the leanest catalog attainable. 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:
- Big catalog of gadgets.
- Extra reasonably priced 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 various. Even so, the iPhone product vary is the smallest among the many prime 5 smartphone producers at this time.
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 depend the iPhones in 2024 by yourself fingers (with two fingers, after all), Samsung’s catalog is way extra intensive. It begins with cheap entry-level smartphones and goes all the way in which 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 resembling:
- Galaxy Z (foldable telephones)
- Galaxy S (premium handsets)
- Galaxy A and M (entry-level and mid-range fashions)
- Galaxy XCover (rugged handsets that focus on the company phase)
All present Galaxy in contrast:
Since Apple does 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 now have solely thought of 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 once, as Samsung is advertising smartphones which are nearly as costly as Apple’s. Nonetheless, 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 fairly good buy by any customary.
This has an influence on the depreciation and resale value of its gadgets, 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 just lately.
iPhone or Samsung: The {hardware}
For instance it proper from the beginning, Apple is clearly not a champion on the subject of worth for cash. The Cupertino-based firm is thought for providing smartphones that do not push the envelope on the subject of new applied sciences as their rivals however at larger costs.
As for Samsung, even when costs have risen these days to strategy these of Apple, the model strives to supply the newest technological improvements in every new era of flagships.
For instance, if we have been to match the technical specs of the newest “vanilla” flagships of Apple and Samsung, i.e. the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15, we are able to clearly see that Samsung provides a way more fascinating smartphone, whether or not it’s the display screen, digicam, or the quick charging functionality.
Nonetheless, we now have to confess that the technical specs aren’t every part, and that reveals with the software program optimization carried out on the Apple iPhone. Nonetheless, it’s exceptional that Apple has lowered its costs in comparison with final 12 months, a minimum of in Europe. Thus, the iPhone 15 is precisely as costly/low cost because the Galaxy S23/S24, a minimum of when one appears to be like on the respective really helpful retail costs.
Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S24
Apple iPhone 15 Professional Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
After adopting the 120 Hz refresh fee with its ProMotion mode in 2021, Apple marked the event in 2022 with a brand new digicam in addition to a alternative for the notch, calling it Dynamic Island. In 2023, USB Sort-C ports have been lastly launched for all new iPhones.
For 2024, the most important change is the Digital camera Management button which not solely permits for dual-stage press to focus but in addition serves as a shortcut for digicam settings. Additionally, the Motion Button arrived on the bottom fashions after a 1-year exclusivity to the Professional fashions. One other improve on the bottom iPhone 16 is a rise in RAM to eight GB, matching the Professional fashions in preparation for the reminiscence necessities for AI options.
Whereas Samsung stands out with superlative figures in its extravagant specs, Apple’s sturdy level could be the mixing of its elements, particularly its SoCs. Apple’s iPhones are often essentially the most highly effective available on the market, and the model doesn’t hesitate to point out it by evaluating its SoCs with the competitors.
As an example, the A16 Bionic is claimed to be 40% extra highly effective than its direct competitor on Android (the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that has been tailored as ‘For Galaxy’). We’ll replace the next comparability with assessments from the iPhone 16 as quickly as we get the telephones.
iPhone 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 & S24
| Take a look at | iPhone 15 (A16) | Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon) | Galaxy S24 (Exynos) | Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Geekbench |
Single: 2,623 Multi: 6,605 |
Single: 2,252 Multi: 7,107 |
Single: 2,131 Multi: 6,676 |
Single: 1,614 Multi: 4,073 |
| Wild Life Excessive Stress Take a look at |
Finest Loop: 3,253 Worst Loop: 2,271 |
Finest Loop: 5,160 Worst Loop: 2,637 |
Finest Loop: 4,242 Worst Loop: 2,637 |
Finest Loop: 2,370 Worst Loop: 1,809 |
In brief, one of the best smartphone will not be essentially the one with one of the best technical specs as a result of having the newest modern elements will not be at all times sufficient. That is additionally true for the worth as a result of the most costly flagship will not be at all times one of the best. Nonetheless, the 128 GB iPhone 16 is equally priced to the Samsung Galaxy S23/S24, however not drastically higher.
On the prime finish of the market, Apple and Samsung provide roughly the identical. It’s particularly stark within the mid-range that Samsung has a transparent benefit since Apple will not be well-represented in that phase in any respect. And the place does the iPhone SE 2022 stand in all this? I do not actually contemplate it a mid-range/entry-level machine just like the Galaxy A55, so it’s a moot level.
Conclusion
Samsung’s benefits over Apple:
- Extra superior specs.
- A robust and extra reasonably priced mid-range machine.
- Higher screens for all its smartphones.
Apple’s benefits over Samsung:
- Not excessively larger costs on the prime quality phase.
- Efficiency is usually higher than the technical specs counsel.
- Essentially the most highly effective smartphones available on the market, all manufacturers included.
iPhone or Samsung: The person interface
The person interface has at all times been Apple’s sturdy level in its battle in opposition to Samsung. iOS is praised for its good optimization and its nearly excellent integration with the Apple ecosystem. By shopping for an iPhone, you’ll profit from the profitable interconnectivity between the totally different Apple merchandise.
However, over time, Samsung has caught up with Apple and now provides an ecosystem that whereas not as well-developed, remains to be useful and environment friendly. Because of parts resembling your Samsung account, SmartThings, and even unique options for its gadgets resembling DeX mode, Samsung tries to supply the same expertise to Apple however with a barely much less closed ecosystem.
Today, Apple and Samsung are shifting in related instructions, and customers from each camps can take pleasure in an incredible software program expertise on both model’s merchandise.
This 12 months, relying on whether or not you select an iPhone or a Galaxy, you will be integrating with iOS 18 or One UI 6. Each working techniques provide well-thought-out person experiences which are fairly fashionable with followers of every aspect.
Launched in September 2024, iOS 18 extends the customization choices, making it simple to spoil your private home display screen similar to on Android. Massive updates to the Management Heart to rearrange, add, and resize widgets, stay 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 pattern, AI (“Apple Intelligence” right here) guarantees enhancements to Siri, textual content writing, pictures group, and extra. Nonetheless, 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 standard, the Cupertino firm has taken its time however has managed to implement in a really considerable method, options which have been obtainable on Android for some time.
As for One UI, it is one of the crucial fashionable Android skins, together with Xiaomi’s MIUI. For instance, it’s extra broadly used than inventory Android, Google’s authentic Android interface. Visually, One UI is kind of a departure from inventory Android and is a quite heavy pores and skin, however it is extremely full.
Samsung’s One UI provides a great multitasking expertise due to options like break up display screen, floating home windows, or the power to clone functions to have two accounts. To study extra about its options, learn our full One UI 6 evaluation.
iOS and One UI are beginning to get increasingly related, so the ultimate selection will in the end boil right down to your private preferences. Word, nonetheless, that iOS is unique to Apple whereas One UI will depend on Android updates, so you’ll not obtain the newest model as shortly on a Samsung in comparison with an Apple iPhone.
Each the just lately launched iOS 18 and Android 15 are quite mild on the subject of huge modifications to the person interface, largely persevering with to evolve the obtainable customization choices whereas additionally bettering on safety and privateness controls. For extra particulars on what modified with the newest updates, test our overview pages:
Conclusion
Samsung’s benefits over Apple:
- Extra customizable interface.
- Far more superior multitasking optimization.
Apple’s benefits over Samsung:
- Clean and seamless expertise throughout the Apple ecosystem.
- Very excessive knowledge safety.
- Excessive-quality native functions.
- Extra frequent safety updates all through its whole telephone line.
- Clear and uncluttered design.
iPhone or Samsung: Replace coverage
The replace coverage was one of many important promoting factors of Apple’s iPhones, however over time, Samsung has additionally been capable of enhance on this facet by lowering the hole. The iPhone is usually saved up-to-date for 5 years, and all fashions obtain the replace nearly on the similar 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 response to the official Apple web page, we are able to see that iOS 18, for instance, is accessible for even the iPhone XS which was launched in 2018. These fashions have due to this fact obtained 5 iOS variations since their launch (not counting the model current by default at launch). Till 2023, no Android producer supplied such intensive software program upkeep.
The graph above illustrates this hole fairly effectively, though the methodology used to depend the length of software program upkeep is faulty. Certainly, the graph assumes that one 12 months is equal to 1 replace. This works for iPhones since every new mannequin is launched similtaneously 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 similar 12 months as soon as a brand new Android model is launched.
Samsung’s replace coverage
Just 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 observe, 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 shall 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 on the subject of characteristic updates.
- Nonetheless, some iPhone fashions obtained safety updates after seven years of launch in extraordinary circumstances.
iPhone or Samsung: Information safety
iOS is safer than Android, that is a truth. Information safety is among the factors the place Apple is forward of Samsung, but it surely needs to be famous that just lately, thanks specifically to the advances of Android 12 by way of knowledge safety, the hole has narrowed.
On the subject of safety, the variety of standards to be thought of is way too giant for the scope of this text. That is why I’ve restricted myself to the privateness and safety features 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 will be notified at any time when apps use options like geolocation, digicam, and microphone.
Not instantly enabling background activation of geolocation can be a plus. It should be carried out from the web page devoted to the applying in query from the system settings. Extra steps which are presupposed to discourage or a minimum of make you assume twice earlier than letting an utility observe you even if you are not utilizing it make issues safer.
Scoped storage (launched on Android 10) which lets you compartmentalize knowledge based mostly on the totally different functions was fascinating. This implies one app has entry to a specific silo with out one other app sharing the identical area. In sensible phrases, this limits app entry to only some folders in inner 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. Nonetheless, the applying should meet sure circumstances to obtain this permission. All different functions are restricted to “Entry to media solely”.
One UI additionally means that you can give solely your approximate location. So when an app first asks for permission to entry your location, along with selecting when the placement may be shared, it is possible for you to to decide on to not share your exact location. Nonetheless, the applying will be capable to request permission to entry the exact location for a given function later.
Samsung additionally provides its Secret Folder which lets you retailer all of your pictures, movies, information, functions, and knowledge 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 knowledge is protected in opposition to any malicious assaults.
Additionally, One UI provides a helpful characteristic within the Samsung browser. Certainly, Samsung Web routinely begins in personal shopping mode when you have used this mode throughout your final shopping.
Apple’s privateness options
Apple has additionally put a variety of emphasis on safety just lately with the ATT or App Monitoring Transparency, which strictly controls the entry of third-party and native functions to your private knowledge. You may study extra by studying our tutorial which reveals find out how to activate the ATT perform 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 study extra about it if you have not already.
With iOS 16, Apple has continued its momentum by launching Security Verify and computerized verification. With Security Verify, Apple needs to supply extra management to customers who share passwords or entry sure apps and knowledge like geolocation. Security Verify helps fight abuse in poisonous relationships by shortly revoking entry to knowledge 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 be sure you’re not a robotic. To attain this, iCloud routinely verifies your Apple ID and machine within the background, so you do not have to fill out a Captcha when authenticating to a web site or app.
Conclusion
- Each iOS and Android/One UI have come a great distance on the subject of knowledge safety. Producers perceive that increasingly customers worth it and make it a purchase order criterion for his or her new smartphones.
- However in any case, irrespective of how a lot management an interface provides you over your knowledge, the extent of risk will depend on elements past your management, such because the irregularity of updates and the convenience and pace with which hackers can exploit vulnerabilities.
- Apple provides extra frequent and common updates for all its gadgets, a closed ecosystem that’s more durable 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 vastly skewed because it was previously, Apple remains to be a step above.
iPhone or Samsung: Resale worth
When selecting a brand new smartphone, it is vital to remember when you are going to half with it sooner or later. The common person retains his or her smartphone for two to three years earlier than reselling it to finance the acquisition of its alternative.
In response to a research commissioned and printed in January 2022 by Bankmycell, Android smartphones shed a mean 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. Nonetheless, this isn’t a nasty factor in itself.
To purchase the newest Samsung flagship, you often solely have to attend just a few months to see its value drop, whereas to switch 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 seek 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 often.
Benefits of Apple in comparison with Samsung:
- Risk to resell your iPhone at a great value one or two years after buy.
To those that’ve learn by, I hope this Apple vs. Samsung comparability was insightful. Your suggestions on this format is welcome, and if you would like related guides for different manufacturers, please inform me. I aimed for thoroughness with out making it excessively lengthy. If I missed or erred on any level, kindly level it out within the feedback.
The article was up to date in September 2024 with the launch of the iPhone 16 and iOS 18. Feedback earlier than the replace have been saved and could seem out of context.
