Android
Android vs iPhone: 14 Reasons Android is Still Better
We’ll explain why Android is better than the iPhone with an early 2018 Android vs iPhone comparison that looks at where Android is still King even with the iPhone X on the market.
We’re seeing more Android Oreo updates arriving soon and the the Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy Note 8 and the LG G6 are all here. The Samsung Galaxy S9 is coming in just a few weeks. Further out we have the Galaxy Note 9 coming and the Pixel 3 to look forward to.
On the other end of the spectrum, Apple’s iOS 11 update, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X close the gap in some key areas, building on the iPhone 7, but there are still a lot of areas where Android is hands down better than the iPhone and iOS.
Here’s how Android beats the iPhone in 2018.
Ultimately you need to figure out if an Android phone is better than the iPhone for your needs and your preferences, but if you are trying to decide this list of things that Android does better can help.
Apple caught up to Android in many areas with the last several updates, but there are still many closed off parts of iOS that are wide open to customization and control on Android.
While Apple updated, Google did not sit by without adding to Android devices. There are a plethora of great Android smartphones that deliver features you will not find on the iPhone and iOS 11. After you read the Android vs iPhone comparison you still need to pick the right Android smartphone or the right iPhone.
Some shoppers may not care about every reason, but knowing what the competition offers makes it easier to decide which smartphone you should buy in 2018.
More Choice with Android
Apple offers more choice than we’ve seen from them before with the iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8 and the iPhone X — but you still only have three screen sizes and two designs to pick from. The iPhone SE does still fit in, but with no iPhone SE 2, the 4-inch screen size is all but gone from Apple. You can still find good Android phones with smaller screens. Android delivers more options with waterproof phones, different screen sizes, more colors, different materials and other differentiating factors.
With Android smartphones users can choose a modular design with Moto Mods, and better waterproofing on the Note 8 as well as a variety of looks, styles and configurations.
There is also support for a huge screen with a built-in stylus with the Note 8. In addition to these big names, there are many other options from Motorola, Huawei and if you include last year’s releases a number of other interesting options.There are also options to buy some Android phones a replaceable battery, something that isn’t available without adding a case to the iPhone.
Users can pick the phone size and design they want, and they can also pick a phone that offers a replaceable battery, a great camera or another feature without limiting to just three phones for the latest features and user experience.
Micro SD Card Support
Even the new 64Gb iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus don’t offer enough room for some users, and that is the amount of storage you are stuck with until you buy a new iPhone in two years. if you want to buy more storage off the bat, you’ll spend $150 more for 256GB.
Many Android phones support a Micro SD card that can store photos, videos and some apps so that you can easily add more storage for $15 to $30 with a small memory card.
Even 16GB Android phones offer more use thanks to the ability to add a Micro SD card to the mix. Some phones support up to a 128GB Micro SD card and almost all current Android phones with a Micro SD card slot can handle a 64GB Micro SD Card.
Google Maps is Better on Android
Use Google Maps easier on Android.
You can install Google Maps on the iPhone, but you cannot make it the default app.
This means Siri will always get directions in Apple Maps. The Apple Maps app is better than it was at launch, but it is still missing many points of interest, complete streets and neighborhoods and it still sends on on weird routes very often.
On Android, Google Maps offers transit directions in more cities, better driving directions, a deep point of interest search that works more often and it is integrated into the phone so that addresses open into Google Maps unless you choose to use an alternate mapping service.
Easy to Clear Cache to Get Space Back
Quickly reclaim space on Android faster than on iPhone.
Apps often download photos, videos and other pieces of information to your phone as you use them. If you look at the size of an app like Vine or Instagram on the iPhone or Android you’ll likely see a lot of storage space in use. This is because the app can keep data related to the photos and videos that it downloads.
On the iPhone you need to delete the app and re-install it to get that space back. If you are using a 16GB iPhone, you may do this once every month or two.
On Android the app often includes an option to clear the cache, even if the iPhone version doesn’t. If that doesn’t work you can also clear the cache of an app in the Android software.
Android Widget Support is Better
Widgets on Android are better than on the iPhone.
On Android users can choose widgets to show on the lock screen and on their home screen. This puts weather information, a live calendar and other information that each user finds important with a glance at the screen.
On the iPhone users can add some widgets, but they are only in the Notification Center and Apple is notoriously picky about what the widgets can do and what they cannot do.
It’s easier to tap a widget on the home screen than it is to open the Notification Center, count to three for all the widgets to load and change the location of the one you want to tap, and then tap it.
Android Customization Blows iPhone Away
Users enjoy more customization on Android than on the iPhone. On Android users can install a new launcher that changes the overall look of the home screen.
Many Android versions include small options to change themes for color and other tweaks. Samsung and other companies are even going further with themes that change more than just the main color of the phone.
If you want more control over what your phone looks like without the need to jailbreak, Android is the better option.
Android Default App Choices Are Better
Choose a default Android app. You cannot do this on iPhone.
On the iPhone Apple does not let you choose new default apps. Safari, Mail and Apple Maps are the default and unless you are in a third-party app that lets you choose which browser to use there is no real choice. Deep linking helps you stick in apps you like, but it’s not as good as setting your favorite browser, mail client or other app.
On Android users can choose a default app to handle almost any task. This includes picking an app to watch YouTube links, Twitter links, send email with, browse the web and much more. Users can choose a new default and reset the default app later if they need to choose new one.
Split Screen Multitasking on Android
The top Android phones from Samsung and LG offer the option to use two apps on-screen at the same time. This multitasking makes it possible to chat and look at a document or work and watch content without a second device.
On a small phone screen there are limits to the usefulness, but it is an option that we enjoy on Android.
The iPhone does not support running two apps on the screen at the same time so you need to switch back and forth if you are talking to someone about a webpage or document. Apple added support for this to the iPad, but so far it is not available on the iPhone.
Multiple User Support on Android
Switch users on Android phones easily.
We don’t share our phones with others the same way we share a tablet, but it is nice to have a multi-user mode on Android phones running Android 5.0 Lollipop and higher.
This includes the option to create an account with limited access for your kid, a guest account so you can lend a device without sharing your info. There is even an option to pin a screen so that when you hand someone your phone they can’t see more than what you are showing them.
The iPhone offers no support for multiple users and no real kids mode without going through a complicated process to lock one app to the screen.
Install Android Apps from Any Source
Unless you jailbreak the iPhone or rely on shady user profiles there is no way to install apps on the iPhone outside of the App Store.
On Android you can choose an option that lets you install apps from any location. You can side-load an app that is not on the Google Play Store so that you can use any app you need to.
This also makes it possible to run apps not specifically designed to work with your phone.
Download Movies & Music From Anywhere
You can download music, movies and shows from almost anywhere.
If you want to add music or movies to your iPhone you need to download them on a computer and sync with iTunes or purchase them inside an app and only use them in that app. Yes, the iPhone lets you download Spotify music, download movies from iTunes and other movie services without a computer, but on Android you can download right from the web.
On the iPhone it is not possible to download many things right to the device, so users need to stream it. This is better with new options to save to iCloud or Dropbox, but its not the same as Android yet. On Android a user can download this file to the phone or Micro SD card to watch offline without needing a computer. There are similar benefits to buying music online if you don’t want to buy through iTunes.
Google Now & Google Assistant Beat Siri
Hey Siri is useful, and Siri can finally connect to a variety of third-party apps, but it pales in comparison to the connectivity that Google Now and the Google Assistant offer.
On many Android devices users can say, “OK Google,” or a custom command to wake the phone up for voice control without touching it or it being connected to power. Users can also choose which app Google Now should use for an activity. Instead of restricting users to Google Music, a command to play an artist can open Spotify or another music app.
Google Now also does a great job of showing useful and relevant information for users on the Google Now home screen. With the Pixel you also get Google Assistant.
More Mobile Payment & NFC Options
The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus include NFC to let users make mobile payments, but that is the only function and there is only one option — Apple Pay.
On Android phones users can use NFC to control phone settings, trigger tasks like turning on car mode or setting the phone to home mode.
Android phones also support Android Pay for payments and other options like Samsung Pay. Some of these only support limited banks, like Apple Pay, but you do have more options.
With Samsung Pay, you can even pay on normal credit card machines without advanced NFC chips.
Android Notifications Are Appealing
On the iPhone Notifications stack up in the Notification Center and quickly turn it into an unusable mess because clearing a notification is an annoying double tap procedure that involves small touch targets unless you have a newer phone with 3D Touch.
On Android users can swipe to the side to remove a notification and on many devices you can see deliver incredibly useful notifications on the lock screen that let users see what the notification is about at a glance. On devices like the Galaxy S8, you can even customize the Notification Bar.
Jeffrey A. Finfrock
02/19/2015 at 5:45 am
#16 Android phones just plain look better. Even the inexpensive ones have a look of class and professionalism about them. The Apple iPhones, even the expensive ones, look like el cheapo kids toys.
Adam Conn
02/19/2015 at 11:05 am
Please tell me you’re being sarcastic?!
Seth
05/27/2015 at 4:22 pm
Apple is a boring looking phone. Sorry, but these are opinions and beauty is in the eye of the phone holder. On the stats side… Apple is designer grade fluff. Any thing it can do Android can do better or at least with more flexibility. Truth hurts, Apple is only for the few the proud the elitist.
Andrew
03/07/2018 at 9:08 pm
He’s not. The blurr effects look like puke
Andrew O'Neill
02/01/2017 at 8:27 am
Agreed. It seems like the cheaper the phone being made now a days the more it looks like an iPhone. See some of those Chinese near clones for proof of that.
Addison Middler
04/29/2019 at 5:27 am
Well they work and it doesn’t matter what it looks like
dumb rich people
CM
02/20/2015 at 7:26 pm
1 reason iPhone is better: less wide, for those of us who don’t have gorilla hands, without compromising on the specs.
(From a disgruntled Android owner)
Seth Malloy
05/27/2015 at 4:12 pm
I think the 15 previous reasons out weigh that positive, but there are also smaller Android options for users with smaller hands.
https://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/12/26/5-small-screen-android-phones-that-are-worth-buying/
brentney
11/15/2015 at 2:18 pm
Well, you see every new iPhone is bigger than the last so they can have a bigger screen. Android size doesn’t change as much as iPhone
Addison Middler
04/29/2019 at 5:25 am
That’s a good thing because an android is the perfect size and don’t say well some people have small hands because my 12-year-old daughter has an android and it fits in her hand just fine and she doesn’t have big hands.
Christian
04/17/2015 at 10:41 am
One annoying caveat to this feature is that if yourdefault app updates you have to select it again next time. That gets a little tiresome with the frequent updates that Android appps put out.
Paul
07/16/2015 at 12:22 am
Seriously???? At least if your app is out of date on an Android you can still use 99.9% of them….as soon as your iPhone app has an update it shuts down until you update it…and then you have to go through iTunes…
Long live the anywhere accessibility and customisation of Android!!!
Sean williams
05/26/2016 at 8:55 am
You’re wrong I have an iPhone and I can use any app that has an update without being locked out of it right now I have apps that I don’t update and I’m still able to use it just like I do on my note 5
billlittle09
07/30/2015 at 5:03 am
Having had an iPhone for two years and a droid turbo for 6 months I can unequivocally state that for business the iPhone is years ahead of the droid. What I could do on an iPhone in minutes takes a half hour of fumbling around trying to get the proper settings just to come close to what I had before. It is going to be a long 18 months until I can get back to the superiority of an iPhone.
Brennan Eden
09/05/2016 at 2:10 am
Really curious how an older iPhone could be better for business than the successor to the phone I currently use (Droid Maxx) when you can’t even transfer files with the newest ones (iphone 6s). I had to fix my roommates internet using my phone because apparently iphones can’t download a driver and transfer it to a computer even when they are plugged in. But if you want to be chained down by itunes, that’s on you.
Lee
10/01/2015 at 2:20 pm
I first got the iphone 3s but after 3 years I decided to try android through pure curiosity. It was a revelation concerning the amazing freedom & much greater functionality I experienced. I recently decided to go back to iOS to experience the hype of the 6s. To my disappointment, I found that the phone had changed shape but quickly began to remember that familiar feeling of feeling fenced in by the iOS imposed structure & the very dissapointing feeling that apple had not really changed that much. In addition, the 6s lacked the quality of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge that I have elected to have after only 2 days with the iphone.
nisha
11/02/2015 at 7:48 am
i think that i-phones are more better
Jeff
11/04/2015 at 7:58 pm
The iphone is pure trash. Nearly every dropped phone results in a damaged screen. You are chained in to the itunes cage, which is the least user friendly platform ever created. In contrast, androids app store is better with more free options. The Galaxy S5 destroys any iphone to date. It is built better. It has a better screen. It has a far superior camera and takes superior video. Furthermore… no crappy itunes. You can do it all from the handset. Simple things like add or delete music without the poorly designed software, itunes. If you are an iphone user, get ready to switch. Eventually, android phones will put the stagnant, overrated Apple phone line in to extinction. Did I mention that you needn’t take your android to a pretentious store to have the battery replaced? Nope. You simply remove the rear cover and replace it yourself. Consider all I have said. Apple keeps all the control. No thank you.
Nadee
12/06/2015 at 1:18 am
You can not download anything in the iPhone and in the ipad if you are lecture video you can not download it to watch it again then the point comes why i spend 800$
caleb tiner
06/03/2016 at 11:13 pm
It’s all preference really. IPhone users seem to be arrogant assholes though lol. Can’t argue the points made here. I myself have a note 5 and I love it.
Drew
06/09/2016 at 6:55 pm
Of course android is better iPhone always keeps you locked in and you can’t download the apps you want if there not supported with Android your free as can be apple basically controls your phone for you without any custimaition
Bright Joe
06/21/2016 at 10:16 pm
iPhone is kinda boring to use. It has some limitations which Android users will never face. Android users have the freedom to change and do whatever they like, but in an iPhone it’s barely possible to customize as you like. So, I really prefer Android for the price point too.
lebron
09/12/2016 at 8:11 am
okay your lies
drm
06/26/2016 at 12:11 am
Why to buy an over priced Apple manufactured by fenatics of unfreedom- who can’t understand anything beyond corporate monopoly & profiteering?
RICK RICK
07/04/2016 at 6:24 am
APPLE JUST SIMPLY SUCKS!!!!! BOTTOME LINE!!!!!
Joey Balowme
07/10/2017 at 12:22 am
Well, if Dick Dick says it, then it must be true.
Isaiah Lynch
07/13/2016 at 11:58 pm
This is how i feel about it. Honestly im a android guy always have been. But i know there are pros and cons to both. With iphone they have better malware protection and better app developments. Android depending on the phone like my Note had better specs and more freedom. The thing is though iphones better protection is because they are so private and restrictive. People keep saying a pro for iphone is that they have regular updates bu thats because they release a unfinished phone software. Android rarely has updates because they give you all the features right away while apple gives you features android users been had update by update. On the other hand android tends to get malware pretty easily in comparison to apple. But thats when it comes down to dont go on dumb sites. Another thing i find is android users tend to know what makes their phone better and why while iphone users like someone said above are just assholes repeating their phone is better. Personally i believe many people buy these iphones just due to seeing others with them or celebrities..not because its the better phone. So personally to me the only 2 things android would need to fix is the malware protection and making a official videochat….thats about it. Iphone needs to be less restrictive and stop releasing unready phones. Oh and a last note ive tended to see a lot more cracked iphones than androids by far so thats something to think about. Durability.But when it comes down to it id give android a 8/10 and iphones 5.5 or 6/10.
So when it comes down to it…if youre a big time social media person then youd probably like apple better just following with the trends other whise..ANDROID ALL DAY EVERYDAY
ofhgluyjk
03/03/2017 at 8:02 am
hi
Tyler Wyman
08/10/2016 at 7:02 pm
Well Google Allo and Duo is adding in a official video chat which I think needs to be a Android exclusive because I don’t think iPhone needs a new video chat that is already like FaceTime and hopefully Allo and Duo will be an standard for Android N. So everybody has it and not just people who know about it and downloaded it because I have hope in Allo and Duo I believe it can be the next iMessage with many features that most messengers on Android don’t have
stef
08/25/2016 at 1:58 am
I am glad I read all these comments…I am switching to an android!! Apple has disappointed me thoroughly through the years. If I don’t upgrade to the new years model it doesn’t work and I still have to pay til the contract ends. Currently I spent five hours at the Apple store because of the new ios upgrade and apple cannot even get it to work. :( I am getting an android tomorrow! I am done with Apple’s games. Very dissatisfied customer
Bubba Jones
08/30/2016 at 11:02 am
After reading all these posts, sadly spelling is atrocious, grammar and word usage needs improving as does punctuation. Yes, all those things matter; folks take pride in yourselves.
HipsterDoofus
07/07/2017 at 12:19 am
My ironometer just blew a fuse.
Scott McDonald
10/02/2016 at 2:40 pm
For the click hungry editors of this site…every time I come here I’m reminded why I don’t regularly visit this or other similar sites that are just click bait / click hungry sites.
For 15 reasons Android is better than iphone I leave as soon as I see that you expect readers to go 15 pages deep into your site to read the whole thing, one reason per page is stupid.
That’s obvious click counting BS and shows the true, non informative, nature of the site.
Cya.
Jacki
11/30/2016 at 12:15 pm
Well as a user of both. I love the android, in fact I loved my SG S6 Edge Plus. but i had to go back to the iphone 6s Plus, b/c my android phones always heat up. battery life sucks, the apps aren’t as pretty, and all my music in itunes.
also i ride a motorcycle and i was out one day and my android phone froze, not acceptable. iphone has never frozen, very dependable. so sorry the iphone is my choice.
Shalie de Souza
12/06/2016 at 10:03 pm
Hey JOSH,
Great information provided. I appreciate your work.This is what I was looking for from last week. now i totally agree with you Android is better than I Phone .
By the way thanks for the such a useful article.
Thanks
Shalie
Bill Slattery
01/08/2017 at 4:02 pm
I have used Samsung since the Galaxy S2. I also use iPads and find both systems have their merits. For business the iOS is more secure. For personal use the Android system is more customizable. I am finding Samsung a bit slow on OS updates lately. A 2 year old device may, or may not get an OS upgrade. With Apple my wife’s iPad and my son’s iPod continually get the OS updates even after 3 years. This is the one beef I am having with android. I love using them but, do not necessarily want to buy a new device every two years. I would like to get at least 3 years before my expensive device is obsolete. I prefer music on Android (hate iTunes…too lang to make a simple playlist). Android “drag and drop” is so easy.
Am not a Fanboy of either but simplicity and customer support should not be mutually exclusive.
Poline
02/17/2017 at 6:22 am
Thanks for the great research. As I’ve read recently developers prefer Android platform. And it’s a growing development power of the Android platform. In spite of this research iOS and Android platforms are used in apps for business and entertainment. Read more about android vs ios development
james
03/03/2017 at 7:37 am
i hate this website
ofhgluyjk
03/03/2017 at 7:47 am
ok you lied
Nick Jennings
04/09/2017 at 2:54 pm
Ok here is yet another biased article. I’m not surprised that Android articles are solely based on looks and appareance. That’s a sad thing to compare to an Apple phone. Keep your Androids cause it’s all gimmicky…period.
User experience and total reliability are hands down won with the iPhone without a doubt. Did you compare the actual usage, no? That’s right, because your Android looks good. Remember this when trying to say Android beats Apple…
Apple closes apps and clears cache and stops the apps from running all at once with a single swipe. Does Android do this, no.
Apple runs a lot faster with less hardware that’s better made. Samsung claims it has the best hardware but come on, seriously! Who needs up to 4GB RAM and OCTA Core processors? Oh wait, a power hungry operating system much like windows, interesting. But wait, your Android phone is nice with those gimmicky widgets and a gooey interface.
This type of article has no basis at all. The inability to gather real actual comparisons is just sad and like always, Android fans grab at straws by always claiming there precious Androids can be easily customized. Sorry but that’s all your Android is good at, customization. Android truly lacks in overall performance.
wade
07/05/2017 at 12:38 am
I recognize raw talent when i see one which is why I tell you to look no further than http://www.darkwebsolutions.co. They’re a guaranteed job well done and they’ve got evidence for you as well. Just assume they can do anything online
Gerald Scartiong
09/11/2017 at 7:54 am
Are you for real! Android cannot make a competition to iPhone!
Zain Ali
04/30/2018 at 11:59 am
We can’t say that Android is better than iOS. There are several reasons:
Everyone has there own choice based on their nature.
Both have some features that may beat each other differently.
iOS is more user-friendly
Android is an open source
Android is for Geeks, iOS is for Business-men
Many more reasons….Therefore I think no one is greater than the other.