Settling the Android/Apple Debate on Budget Phones

The Apple vs. Android debate has been raging for over a decade, but it’s still as difficult to settle as it was in 2008. Both platforms are impressive in their own way. Android is Linux-based, with open source technology that allows developers to offer a steady stream of apps. iOS’ lack of open source technology limits users to Apple products, but the platform is often more user-friendly. Ultimately, your choice of operating system comes down to the features you value most. 

iPhone 8: A New Budget Option

In the past, it was easy enough to celebrate Android as the best pocket-friendly phone, but the iPhone 8 has set the cat among those particular pigeons. As iOS’ solution to the price problem, it brings you all the classic Apple features at a lighter price. It’s a slight upgrade to the iPhone 7S, offering wireless charging, a fingerprint sensor, and an impressively fast operating system. It has all the power of the iPhone X, but it’s far from a flagship model. Even so, it’s won its fair share of awards in the budget category. In short, the iPhone 8 offers equivalent features to Android’s budget brands. 

Samsung Galaxy S10

Samsung’s Galaxy S10 is the iPhone 8’s price equivalent. Many reviewers call it the best Galaxy yet, but its battery life isn’t anything to write home about. It does, however, have 128GB of internal storage, an ultra-wide screen, and a fingerprint sensor. Its triple-lens camera manages telephoto and ultra-wide photographs, but the Pixel 3 will bring you better images. The latter comes with a far lighter price than either the S10.

Pixel 3

If you prioritise image quality, the Pixel 3 has a better camera than Google has managed yet. This phone is built for one-hand operation and has an improved OLED screen. Unfortunately, it only has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. There is no MicroSD slot, so if you tend to use a lot of apps, it won’t be adequate for your needs. The Pixel 3 is cheap by 2019 flagship standards, and it lacks the hated notch cut at the top. The all-glass design is attractive, if more prone to damage, but it offers convenient wireless charging. 

OnePlus 6T

The OnePlus 6T is cheaper than Google, Apple, and Samsung’s budget offerings, and it’s far superior to the search giant’s previous phones. This model doesn’t compare to the flagship Huawei. It’s positioned for the lower end of the market, offering 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The phone’s body is comfortable enough in the hand, and it has a large AMOLED screen. 

Android vs iOS

Linux has always been a purist’s operating system, and UNIX attracts those who prefer user-friendliness. Apple is certainly intuitive and easy to use, but unless you jailbreak your iOS phone, you’re stuck with the brand’s limited features. Android can be customised, and its USB port and file transfer app makes file transfer far easier. To transfer on iOS, you must use the iTunes desktop app. Android relies on Google Messages, Facebook Messenger, and Whatsapp, while Apple devices rely on iMessage, FaceTime, and other third-party apps. Siri and Google Assistant are more or less equivalent, as are Google and Apple Maps. Apple batteries are more short lived than Android’s, and its phones are more secure. Ultimately, your choice of phone comes down to your priorities. It’s often more rational to settle the debate on a phone-by-phone basis rather than according to operating systems alone.