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 choice. This text goals that can assist you select properly to your subsequent smartphone buy.
iPhone or Samsung: Catalog vary and costs
Apple is understood to be very completely different from its opponents. Whereas manufacturers like Oppo or Xiaomi have complicated ranges with loads of the fashions having virtually similar specs, the Cupertino big has at all times insisted on having the leanest catalog doable. Thus, this yr isn’t any completely different with 9 fashions on supply 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 when it comes to options and efficiency.
A number of years in the past, the variety of merchandise from Apple’s smartphone line elevated a little bit, with the addition of the mini mannequin. Since then, the mini was changed by the large Plus mannequin, and Apple has stored the 2 previous-generation fashions as a less expensive different. Even so, the iPhone product vary is the smallest among the many high 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
When you can depend the iPhones in 2024 by yourself fingers (with two arms, in fact), 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 does not supply entry-level and mid-range smartphones, the Galaxy A, M, and XCover ranges don’t compete instantly with the model’s fashions. Due to this fact, for this comparability, we’ve solely thought-about fashions which are in the identical worth vary because the iPhone vary bought 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 technology 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 worth 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 niche one thing which Samsung has been attempting to slender lately.
iPhone or Samsung: The {hardware}
As an example it proper from the beginning, Apple is clearly not a champion on the subject of worth for cash. The Cupertino-based firm is understood for providing smartphones that do not push the envelope on the subject of new applied sciences as their opponents 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 most recent technological improvements in every new technology of flagships.
For instance, if we have been to check the technical specs of the most recent “vanilla” flagships of Apple and Samsung, i.e. the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15, we will clearly see that Samsung affords a way more attention-grabbing smartphone, whether or not it’s the display, digital camera, or the quick charging functionality.
Nevertheless, we’ve to confess that the technical specs are usually not every thing, and that exhibits with the software program optimization carried out on the Apple iPhone. Nevertheless, it’s exceptional that Apple has lowered its costs in comparison with final yr, at the least in Europe. Thus, the iPhone 15 is precisely as costly/low cost because the Galaxy S23/S24, at the least when one appears 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 charge with its ProMotion mode in 2021, Apple marked the event in 2022 with a brand new digital camera in addition to a substitute for the notch, calling it Dynamic Island. In 2023, USB Kind-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 additionally serves as a shortcut for digital camera 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 can be the combination of its parts, particularly its SoCs. Apple’s iPhones are repeatedly probably the most highly effective available on the market, and the model doesn’t hesitate to indicate it by evaluating its SoCs with the competitors.
As an illustration, the A16 Bionic is alleged 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 are going to 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 |
Briefly, the perfect smartphone will not be essentially the one with the perfect technical specs as a result of having the most recent modern parts 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 the perfect. Nevertheless, the 128 GB iPhone 16 is equally priced to the Samsung Galaxy S23/S24, however not drastically higher.
On the high finish of the market, Apple and Samsung supply 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 think about it a mid-range/entry-level system just like the Galaxy A55, so it’s a moot level.
Conclusion
Samsung’s benefits over Apple:
- Extra superior specs.
- A strong and extra inexpensive mid-range system.
- Higher screens for all its smartphones.
Apple’s benefits over Samsung:
- Not excessively larger costs on the top quality phase.
- Efficiency is usually higher than the technical specs counsel.
- Probably 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 virtually good integration with the Apple ecosystem. By shopping for an iPhone, you’ll profit from the profitable interconnectivity between the completely different Apple merchandise.
Then again, through the years, Samsung has caught up with Apple and now affords an ecosystem that whereas not as well-developed, continues to be purposeful and environment friendly. Due to components similar to your Samsung account, SmartThings, and even unique options for its units similar to DeX mode, Samsung tries to supply an identical expertise to Apple however with a barely much less closed ecosystem.
Today, Apple and Samsung are transferring in related instructions, and customers from each camps can take pleasure in an excellent software program expertise on both model’s merchandise.
This yr, 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 supply well-thought-out person experiences which are fairly common with followers of every aspect.
Launched in September 2024, iOS 18 extends the customization choices, making it straightforward to destroy your private home display identical to on Android. Massive updates to the Management Heart 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 most recent tech pattern, AI (“Apple Intelligence” right here) guarantees enhancements to Siri, textual content writing, photographs 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 common, the Cupertino firm has taken its time however has managed to implement in a really considerable means, options which were obtainable on Android for some time.
As for One UI, it is probably the most common Android skins, together with Xiaomi’s MIUI. For instance, it’s extra extensively used than inventory Android, Google’s unique Android interface. Visually, One UI is sort of a departure from inventory Android and is a quite heavy pores and skin, however it is rather full.
Samsung’s One UI affords a superb multitasking expertise because of options like cut up display, 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 an increasing number of related, so the ultimate selection will in the end boil all the way down to your private preferences. Word, nevertheless, that iOS is unique to Apple whereas One UI will depend on Android updates, so you’ll not obtain the most recent model as shortly on a Samsung in comparison with an Apple iPhone.
Each the 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 most recent updates, verify our overview pages:
Conclusion
Samsung’s benefits over Apple:
- Extra customizable interface.
- Way more superior multitasking optimization.
Apple’s benefits over Samsung:
- Easy and seamless expertise inside the Apple ecosystem.
- Very excessive knowledge safety.
- Excessive-quality native functions.
- Extra frequent safety updates all through its complete telephone line.
- Clear and uncluttered design.
iPhone or Samsung: Replace coverage
The replace coverage was one of many primary promoting factors of Apple’s iPhones, however through the years, Samsung has additionally been capable of enhance on this facet by lowering the hole. The iPhone is mostly stored up-to-date for 5 years, and all fashions obtain the replace virtually 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 keeping with the official Apple web page, we will see that iOS 18, for instance, is offered for even the iPhone XS which was launched in 2018. These fashions have subsequently acquired 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 nicely, though the methodology used to depend the length of software program upkeep is misguided. Certainly, the graph assumes that one yr 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 at the start of the yr with the earlier yr’s Android model after which up to date inside the similar yr 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 hardly ever 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 high 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 function updates.
- Nevertheless, some iPhone fashions acquired safety updates after seven years of launch in extraordinary circumstances.
iPhone or Samsung: Information safety
iOS is safer than Android, that is a reality. Information safety is without doubt one of the factors the place Apple is forward of Samsung, but it surely must be famous that lately, thanks particularly to the advances of Android 12 when it comes to knowledge 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 will be notified each time apps use options like geolocation, digital camera, 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 appliance in query from the system settings. Extra steps which are speculated to discourage or at the least make you assume twice earlier than letting an software observe you even while you’re not utilizing it make issues safer.
Scoped storage (launched on Android 10) which lets you compartmentalize knowledge primarily based on the completely different functions was attention-grabbing. This implies one app has entry to a selected 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 recordsdata.
For file managers, One UI 4 has introduced a brand new permission “Access to all files”, which permits them to work as in earlier variations. Nevertheless, the appliance should meet sure circumstances to obtain this permission. All different functions are restricted to “Access to media only”.
One UI additionally permits you to give solely your approximate location. So when an app first asks for permission to entry your location, along with selecting when the situation will 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 function later.
Samsung additionally affords its Secret Folder which lets you retailer all of your photographs, movies, recordsdata, 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 affords a helpful function within the Samsung browser. Certainly, Samsung Web robotically begins in non-public shopping mode when you’ve got used this mode throughout your final shopping.
Apple’s privateness options
Apple has additionally put a whole lot of emphasis on safety 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 exhibits 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 study 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 knowledge like geolocation. Security Test helps fight abuse in poisonous relationships by shortly revoking entry to knowledge and the situation that was beforehand shared with others.
Computerized verification is a brand new function from Apple that bypasses CAPTCHAs, these annoying verification instruments that be sure to’re not a robotic. To realize this, iCloud robotically verifies your Apple ID and system 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 good distance on the subject of knowledge 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, 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 velocity with which hackers can exploit vulnerabilities.
- Apple affords 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 stability of energy will not be as enormously skewed because it was up to now, Apple continues 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 in the future. The typical person retains his or her smartphone for two to three years earlier than reselling it to finance the acquisition of its substitute.
In keeping with a examine 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 worth for a mid-range/entry-level smartphone.
Android smartphones drop in worth a lot sooner 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 worth than a Galaxy smartphone. Nevertheless, this isn’t a nasty factor in itself.
To purchase the most recent Samsung flagship, you often solely have to attend a couple of months to see its worth drop, whereas to exchange your iPhone with the most recent mannequin, it’s a must to wait for much longer for its worth to drop.
Conclusion
Benefits of Samsung in comparison with Apple:
- The likelihood to search out smartphones at a greater worth only some months after their launch.
- Flagships expertise good worth drops, not like iPhones.
- The second-hand market forces e-tailers to make promotions repeatedly.
Benefits of Apple in comparison with Samsung:
- Risk to resell your iPhone at a superb worth one or two years after buy.
To those that’ve learn by means of, 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 ignored 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 stored and could seem out of context.