Android vs iOS: Which phone should you buy?

Looking for a new mobile phone? Whether you're team Android or loyal to iPhone, it's worth comparing the latest handsets before signing up to a contract.

When it comes to both handset and tariff, your choice will depend on what matters most to you. Think about:

• How much mobile data, call time and texts you need
• Which operating system you prefer - iOS or Android
• Features like camera quality, storage, security and software updates

Mobile phone deals: Android vs. iPhone

It might seem dramatic, but for some, the Android vs iPhone debate is a serious one. In the USA, there's even a minority of iPhone users who think that having an Android is a "dating dealbreaker". Although we're a bit calmer about it on this side of the pond, it's definitely true that your choice of mobile phone says something about you as a person.

Android and iPhone each have loyal fans and strong selling points.

If you go by global sales, Android is in the lead and has been for years. That’s partly because there are so many Android phones to choose from, across a wide range of price points.

In the last quarter of 2024, Android phones made up 74% of global sales. iOS handsets had 22%.

What about Windows phones?

The Windows mobile phone operating system was discontinued in 2017 and Microsoft stopped issuing updates in January 2020. If you already have a Windows phone you can keep using it, but you won't get any feature updates or security patches.

Cost

Android tends to be the more affordable option. Our friends at Tech Radar did a review of cheap smartphones on the market in May 2025.

• The winner in the Android category was the Samsung Galaxy A56, currently selling for £424 on the Samsung website.
• The winning iPhone was the 16e, going for £599 from the Apple UK site

If you're on a tight budget, you can get a new Android phone for as little as £50 (like the Motorola e14 - in June 2025 we spotted it on the Argos website for less than £60). You won't find a new iPhone for that kind of money - the 16e is actually the cheapest new one out there.

If your heart is set on a pricier model, there are ways to avoid having to spend hundreds of pounds in one go:

• Buy a secondhand or refurbished handset
• Get your phone on contract to avoid paying a big sum upfront - but make sure you can afford the monthly payments

Also check for cashback offers or discounts from network providers.

Which is more compatible with what you already own?

Your other tech can help you decide which phone makes more sense:

• If you already have a MacBook, iPad or Apple Watch, an iPhone will sync with your devices seamlessly
• If you use a Windows PC, Android might feel more natural and more compatible with your setup

Sticking within one ecosystem often makes day-to-day use simpler. It's also easier to transfer your contacts to a new handset if it's the same type of phone you had before.

Hardware

Apple offers just a few iPhone models at a time, with limited variation in design. Android, on the other hand, is used by brands like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, offering a wide variety of phones in different sizes, specs, and price points.

So if you want more choice of handsets, Android has the edge.

Charging

In the past, iPhones used Lightning chargers that were only designed to work with Apple devices. As of 2025, they are being phased out because of EU regulations requiring new electronics to share the same charging technology. So if you're buying a new iPhone, you can expect it to have a USB-C charging port. That makes it easier to borrow a friend's charger or grab one from a different device in a pinch.

USB-C ports have already been standard on most Android phones for years now - but always double-check the charging setup before you buy.

Cameras and screens

Some Android phones come with high-end camera setups and ultra-HD screens, like Samsung’s Galaxy S or Google Pixel ranges. But with so many Android models, camera and screen quality can vary a lot.

iPhones tend to be more consistent, with top-performing cameras on the latest models and regular improvements with each new release.

Storage

One of the biggest differences between Android and iOS phones is the storage availability. Android phones often let you expand your storage using a microSD card, which is perfect if you take a lot of photos or download music. You can use Google's cloud solutions like Google Photos as a backup or for extra space.

iPhones don’t support SD cards. So, you’ll need to choose your storage upfront and pay more if you want extra.

That said, iPhones often have fast and reliable internal storage, and with iCloud, you can offload files easily.

Software

The software perks all come down to preference. Android is more customisable. You can install apps from outside the Play Store and change your home screen layout.

iOS is more locked down, but that can make it more stable and secure. You’ll only be able to install approved apps from the App Store.

Apple also controls its software updates more tightly, meaning all iPhones get the latest iOS version at the same time - unlike Android, where updates can depend on the manufacturer.

Security

Security is a big selling point for iPhones. The locked-down design makes them harder to hack, and they're often less appealing to thieves thanks to Apple’s unique passcode and Find My iPhone tools.

Android phones can be secure too, especially if they run the latest version with full-disk encryption, but there’s more variation between models.

iPhones are basically unusable without their unique passcode, which also makes them less attractive to thieves.

Apps

These days, most major apps are available on both Android and iPhone. But there are a few key differences:

• iPhone (App Store) - Every app must be reviewed and approved by Apple before it’s listed, which helps keep quality and security high.
• Android (Google Play) - There’s more variety and flexibility, but also more chance of encountering lower-quality or unsafe apps.

If you want Google apps like Gmail, Maps or Calendar, they're all available on the iPhone too, but the same can’t be said for Apple-only apps on Android.

Need more help choosing?

Check out our library of guides to learn more about contracts, SIM-only deals and saving money on your next handset.