Can’t decide between an Apple iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy? We’ve compared the two options head-to-head to understand which one is better.
When it comes to comparing iPhones and Samsung phones, most people already have their favorite. On one hand, you have iPhone fans who have been loyal Apple users for years. On the other hand, you have Samsung fans who just can’t get enough of the tech giant’s cutting-edge innovations.
But for the average buyer, deciding which phone is better – iPhone or Samsung – shouldn’t just be a matter of personal preference. Instead, both alternatives should be compared face-to-face to make an informed decision. In this article, we will do just that. Let’s dive in.
Price and Value for Money
Perhaps the simplest distinction to discover between iPhones and Samsung flagships is the price. Although Apple fans might disagree, at first glance, it may seem that iPhone prices are inflated, especially if you are not yet familiar with the Apple ecosystem.
Samsung flagships, while still far from cheap, are more likely to provide better value for money. And since Samsung offers such a wide range of smartphone series, you can count on a good deal regardless of your budget.
In contrast, much of what makes an iPhone worth it is their impeccable iOS software and close integration with other Apple products, such as AirPods or the Apple Watch. When you buy an iPhone, you’ll likely want to purchase other Apple products to get the most out of your device.
Repairing an iPhone is also more expensive than repairing Samsung phones, which is bad news if you are clumsy or plan to keep your phone for a long time. However, Samsung phones quickly lose their value, while iPhones retain it much longer, so you can easily sell or trade in your iPhone later when it’s time for an upgrade.
Cameras
iPhones generally receive more praise than their Samsung counterparts in terms of absolute photo quality, image consistency, and video quality. But with its S23 series, and more specifically with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung has significantly upped its game.
While consistency remains Apple’s strong suit, Samsung’s camera work in smartphones overall appears much more refined, fun, and versatile. For people who like to play with their cameras and experiment with new camera features, Samsung phones are a good fit.
But if you prefer a more neutral image and video profile and don’t want aggressive image processing algorithms automatically editing them for you, iPhones do an excellent job. This makes them ideal for professionals who edit their own photos and videos and prefer natural colors and more reliable camera performance.
Samsung photos look more colorful and shareable but can sometimes appear overly processed. In other words, the differences in cameras between iPhones and Samsung phones are more about personal preferences than objective image quality indicators.
Operating System
Comparing iOS and Android used to be pretty easy, as the cliché claiming that iOS is simpler and Android is more customizable was prevalent. This used to be where the story ended. But the nature of competition is such that both operating systems have evolved over the years, although these old statements remain quite noticeable to this day.
If you remember TouchWiz, Samsung’s older user interface, you know how terrible Samsung’s software game was, which is not surprising, as Samsung mainly deals with hardware manufacturing. But the current Samsung One UI skin built on top of Android easily provides one of the cleanest software solutions in the world.
On the other hand, iOS is proprietary software. This gives Apple greater control over the end-user experience, which ensures better RAM management, smooth software performance, user security, and reliability. Moreover, given the smaller number of iOS devices, apps like Instagram or PUBG are often better optimized to work with iOS.
Another important advantage of iPhones over Samsung phones is the longevity of the devices. While Samsung now offers four years of major Android updates for its flagships and mid-range phones, iPhones can easily last five to six years.
However, there’s one important caveat here. Smartphone batteries are made of lithium-ion material, which means they inevitably degrade over time. If you plan to buy an iPhone solely for longer OS support, keep in mind that the battery will degrade, and you may still need to switch to a new phone in three years (or at least replace the battery).
Both phones also have unique features that set them apart. For example, the new Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro can display visual information and ongoing background activities. Samsung Galaxy Ultra phones come with a built-in S Pen, which is great for taking notes, sketching, signing documents, and more.
What smartphone do you have?
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