iOS vs. Android compared: where each system scores

Lately I have used a lot of Android devices as my daily driver, including the Google Pixel 4, 4a and 5, the Galaxy S21, S21 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Flip 3. For a few weeks now I have also been using the iPhone 13. In a direct comparison I noticed a lot of little things. This is my personal experience, with no claim to completeness.

I compared the iPhone 13 with iOS 15.0.2 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 with Android 11 or One UI 3, respectively. It is about the operating systems, not the devices. I bought both devices myself, and I am not being paid or sponsored for my opinion.

What speaks for Android

• Customization: With themes and settings, you can personalize the whole device, from colors to images and fonts to the icons. iOS doesn’t offer that to this extent.
• Unlock methods: Besides PIN and face recognition, there is usually a fingerprint sensor in the power button or under the display. In pandemic times with a mask, that’s convenient.
• Notifications: On the lock screen or in the notification panel, I can mark them as read, reply to them or change settings. On iOS, the app opens right away.
• Reverse wireless charging: A special feature of Samsung devices. I charge Galaxy Buds or the Galaxy Watch 4 on my smartphone, so I don’t need extra cables on the go.
• Camera: Director’s View records the main and selfie cameras at the same time. The camera can also be triggered with a gesture, which is handy for selfies and group photos.
• USB-C: One single cable for all devices. With the iPhone I still need two different cables, because it has Lightning.
• Closing apps: On Android you can close all open apps at the same time, on iOS only one by one.
• Split screen: Two apps at the same time, such as YouTube and a notes app. On iOS this only works with a complicated workaround or an external app.
• Calculator: The Samsung calculator is easier to use, and I can follow the formula and correct it. On iOS it calculates immediately, and if I make a mistake, I enter everything again.
• Fitness app: I like Samsung Health much better than Apple Fitness. For example, I can log my food, not just calories but also nutrients. For me, that belongs in a good fitness app.
• Voice control: The Google Assistant allows several questions and commands in a row without saying “Hey Google” every time. I think that’s a game changer. It’s a thousand times better than anything Siri has to offer.

What speaks for iOS

• Intuitive operation: Everything is simple and self-explanatory. If you don’t want to configure a device much and just want to use it, you’re in good hands here.
• Face ID: The 3D face recognition is ahead of Android’s face recognition in terms of security. On top of that, you can unlock the iPhone with the Apple Watch if you wear one.
• Drag and drop: Since iOS 15, you can send images or paste them into other apps with drag and drop. On Android 12, the feature is being added later.
• Focus: Since iOS 15, you can mute notifications or allow only certain ones, and let others know that you’re busy. You can define your own Focus modes. Samsung has Bixby Routines, but I’m not a fan of Bixby.
• Siri vs. Bixby: I find Siri much better than Bixby. Because of the Google Assistant, though, the point for voice control goes to Android.
• Cinematic mode: It’s much better than Samsung’s portrait video. The focus can be adjusted afterwards and is also supposed to shift automatically depending on where the main person is looking. In my tests, that doesn’t work reliably.
• Apple Fitness Plus: It should launch in Germany soon. As far as I know it costs about €9.99 a month and offers a large selection of fitness classes for iPhone, Apple Watch or TV. Samsung Health offers free programs, which I find limited, and paid classes, for example for meditation. Comparing prices, Apple probably offers more. We’ll have to wait until it launches in Germany.

What works equally well on both

• Camera remote: With a suitable smartwatch, you can trigger the camera on both iOS and Android.
• Screenshots: Besides the button combination, iOS has double-tapping the back, and Samsung offers gesture control.
• Bluetooth pairing: With the manufacturer’s own products like Galaxy Buds or AirPods, the devices show up automatically and are easy to pair.
• Cloud: iCloud, Google Cloud and, at Samsung, the Samsung Cloud store and sync data automatically.

Verdict

If you’ve been counting along, you’ll notice that Android got a few more points from me. But that is my personal opinion and experience, and everyone can see it differently.