ARTICLE

Android or iOS? What your phone choice says about you!

August 16, 2021 - 4 min read

Phones are such deeply personal items. They’re your photo album, address book and connection to the world. There is no one answer to “which is the best phone”, because that all depends on who you are, what you do and what you need. But there are a few things to consider when it comes to picking the right operating system for you. Apple makes the most popular smartphones, but there are more Android options available. So, let’s jump in and find out which operating system suits you better.

Couple are looking at their mobile phones and pointing out the great features.

Calling all iOS lovers

There are so many reasons to go with an Apple iPhone. Because Apple makes the software and the hardware, they have complete control over everything that comes onto their platform, which means you know that if you can download something, more often than not, it’s going to work perfectly (and if it doesn’t it will be fixed, replaced or refunded).

Apple’s also put a lot of emphasis on privacy and security lately, making it much harder for users to be tracked between websites and apps for marketing or nefarious purposes. They pride themselves on making sure most things, including the Siri voice assistant, are processed on device, so your data is never sent to the cloud without your permission or knowledge.

One of the big reasons to go for iPhone isn’t even the iPhone itself, but the free apps and compatibility with other devices. Being able to reply to iMessages and texts from a Mac is super handy if you’re in a flow at work, and the Apple Watch is widely considered to be the best smartwatch available. For creative people, the popular, free iMovie and GarageBand apps are insanely powerful – Rhianna’s song “Umbrella” was made in GarageBand, with the famous drum beat being a free GarageBand sample. So, iPhone is a great way to get creative on the go.

You know iOS is for you if …

You want something that just works.
You don’t want to think about how your mobile phone is set-up.
You’re creative.
Privacy and security are important to you.
It’s important to you that features are refined and perfected, rather than just having them first.
You want an Apple Watch.
You’re after better compatibility with other Apple devices, like MacBooks.
You’re looking for higher resale value (retains its value for longer).
You require accessibility features, either due to a disability, or just because tech isn’t your thing.

“Switching between operating systems is relatively easy these days. The only thing I'd call out is investments in apps, because they’re locked to the app store you bought them from and won’t transfer.” - John Wong, Mobile Buyer at The Good Guys

Android fans unite

Android users know exactly what they want, and how to get it. The beauty of the Android platform is that it’s so customisable, and there are differences whether you go for Samsung, Oppo or Motorola, because each handset maker tweaks the operating system to suit their hardware and brand ethos. This allows for more personalisation, and knowledge that your mobile phone is unlikely to be exactly the same as someone else’s.

Android users often get features first, staying on the cutting edge of technology. While there is a little more ad-integration and data tracking built-in, that leads to more personalised experiences and cheaper prices. So, an entry-level Android smartphone costs a quarter of the price of the entry-level iPhone.

Another big bonus is that, because the Android operating system isn’t as locked down, there are more companies making accessories compatible with it, like smartwatches and smart home devices.

If you want to jump in with Samsung, the best place to start is the Galaxy A range, because it offers a lot of the features of the flagship Galaxy S range, but with a smaller price tag. The Galaxy A52 is right in the middle of the range.

You know Android is for you if ...

Customisation is important to you.
You’re on a budget.
You already use a lot of Google products, like Gmail, and want seamless integration.
You want to be on the cutting edge of technology with the latest features.
You’re quite tech-savvy.
You just like the way Android works, because the way it works makes sense to you and it feels easier.
You want access to a lot of free image storage from Google.
You want compatibility with more devices from more companies.
You want to take advantage of Samsung’s range of compatible devices.
You want to enjoy the savings of going with a lesser-known brand, such as Oppo.

So which is better?

Overall, the two are very difficult to compare, because they have a lot in common, and not all of the differences will matter to most users. The good news is that if you switch, The Good Guys Mobile Buyer John Wong says it’s a pretty simple process. “Switching between operating systems is relatively easy these days. The only thing I'd call out is investments in apps, because they’re locked to the app store you bought them from and won’t transfer.”

In the end, it comes down to whichever operating system just makes sense to you. We all think in different ways, so it’s worth coming in-store and trying a smartphone out for yourself.

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