I like Android phones. But when most friends and family ask me what phone to buy, I tend to recommend the iPhone over Android. Here’s why.
Let me start by saying that I like Android phones. I love the variety of hardware and myriad software customization options. The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are especially compelling for those who want the best phone camera. But when most friends and family ask me what phone to buy, I tend to recommend the iPhone over Android.
Notice that I didn't say "iOS over Android." The reason to go the Apple route isn't just the platform; it's how the software and hardware complement each other. Live Photos on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, as well as the new iPhone SE, is a perfect example. The iPhone also works seamlessly with other Apple gadgets, including Macs and the Apple Watch — there's an ecosystem factor. Here are 10 reasons why the iPhone beats Android.
1. Better Hardware and Software Integration
The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus introduce a new feature that no Android phone maker could copy. The 3D Touch display is smart enough to sense pressure, allowing you to take quick actions from the home screen just by long pressing on an app icon. Or you could peek at that email just by lightly tapping on it in your inbox. Sure, Android phones have offered haptic feedback for ages, but the Taptic engine in the new iPhones promises to be super efficient.
2. Live Photos
The iPhone consistently produces pleasing photos with accurate color, generation after generation. And the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus up the ante with a sharper 12-megapixel camera with 4K video capture. Just as important as the bump in resolution is Apple's homegrown image signal processor, which delivers realistic colors. This same camera is now available on the iPhone SE. The most compelling and unique iPhone camera feature is Live Photos, which captures video and audio during and just before and after your shot. You animate the image during playback by just long pressing on the screen. Other Android phones have offered similar features, such as HTC's Zoe, but Live Photos is easier to use. Plus, both Facebook and Tumblr support Live Photos, so you can share them with your friends.
3. It's the Easiest Phone to Use
Despite all the promises by Android phone makers to streamline their skins, the iPhone remains the easiest phone to use by far. There's no separate app drawer for your apps and no annoying overlay to get in the way. Some may lament the lack of change in the look and feel of iOS over the years, but I consider it a plus that it works pretty much the same as it did way back in 2007. Pick it up, turn it on, touch the app to open. Of course, Apple has folded in enhancements over the years, such as Siri and Control Center (though I think the Today Screen still isn't useful enough), but the iPhone still has zero learning curve. With iOS 9, Apple is playing catch-up in some ways, especially by putting transit into in Maps, but the proactive assistance features, improved search and smarter Siri add up to a better overall user experience than Android. We could do without the new News app, though.
4. OS Updates When You Want Them
This is going to hurt a little, Android fanbois. Five months after Android Marshmallow debuted (the latest version of Google's software), it was installed on a whopping 2.3 percent of devices. Contrast that with the 80 percent of active Apple devices running the latest iOS 9 software as of March 2016. The problem is this: with the exception of pure Android phones like the Nexus, the Samsungs, LGs and HTCs of the world have to jump through more hoops to bring you the latest version of Google's OS, including carrier certification. Plus, phone makers typically drag their feet on updating older phones, so as to encourage folks to upgrade. All iPhone owners can update to the latest version of iOS on day 1 (or close to, depending on Apple's servers). This dynamic isn't going to change anytime soon.
5. The Best Apps First
Now that both iOS and Android have more than 1 million apps in their stores, the arms race is over, right? Not really. The iPhone is still favored by developers as the launch platform of choice for the hottest new apps. The Google Play store is like the Netflix of app stores; it gets the hits, but usually after they see their first run on iOS. For instance, it took two years for Instagram to debut on Android after it launched for the iPhone. Other apps have taken only months to jump for iOS to Android, such as the Meerkat and Periscope video streaming apps and the highly rated Vainglory game. But the message is clear. If you don't want to be treated like a second-class app citizen, the iPhone is still the king.
6. No Bloatware!
It's not a good sign for prospective Android phone buyers that some of the most popular articles we do are bloatware-removal guides. Samsung and others have gotten better at minimizing the pain for users by lumping all carrier bloatware into a single folder, but it's still just crap taking up space on your phone. You won't find a single piece of carrier software pre-loaded on an iPhone, making for a clean out-of-box experience. Now, Apple does include some apps you might not want or need, like Apple Watch, but it has much more restraint than other manufacturers when it comes to bundling its own stuff.
7. Works beautifully with Macs
If you haven't tried a Mac in a while, you might be surprised to know just how well iPhones work with them. For instance, with the Continuity feature in OS X, you can use your MacBook to send and receive text messages and even receive and place calls. All you have to do is keep your iPhone nearby.
I find the Handoff feature a little less useful, but some may like that they can do things such as start an email on their Mac and then pick up where they left off on their iPhone — or vice versa. Thanks to iCloud keeping everything in sync, you'll also have easy access to the photos you take on your iPhone from your Mac, as well as any notes or documents you create.
8. Apple Pay
Between Android Pay and Samsung Pay, Apple has plenty of rivals, but right now Apple Pay is the most popular method for making mobile payments. It’s also dead-simple to use. All you have to do to use Apple Pay is bring your iPhone close to the supported payment terminal at the checkout counter, then press your finger on your phone's Touch ID sensor.
Apple Pay is getting better with iOS 9, too, which adds reward cards from the likes of Dunkin' Donuts, Panera and Walgreens. Store-issued credit card support is available now, too, with BJ’s Wholesale Club, Kohl’s and JCPenney on board so far. All of the above will be stored in the new Apple Wallet app. Samsung Pay can be used in more physical locations, but with reports that Apple Pay will be available to mobile websites later this year, Apple will likely extend its mobile payments lead.
9. Family Sharing
An Apple family that plays together, saves together. With Family Sharing on the iPhone, mom, dad and the kids can share purchases from the App Store, iTunes and iBooks with up to six people. You can still keep your own iTunes accounts, too. When Junior wants to make a purchase, you'll receive an alert via the "Ask to Buy" feature, so you can keep better tabs on what he's downloading and also prevent bill shock.
Other Family Sharing features include shared photo albums, a shared calendar and the ability to see where your kids are on a map at any time. Google doesn't offer easy family sharing on Android devices.
10. Best Support and Help
When you have a problem with your Android phone, you can try online forums or calling your carrier. But with the iPhone, you can tap into a vast database of useful help articles on Apple's website, get help via live chat, or you can schedule an appointment at an Apple Store Genius Bar. Google doesn't have this kind of direct relationship with its customers. With Android, you're on your own.
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