Apple and Samsung Phones: What Makes Them Unique πŸ”₯πŸ“±

It's not just brand loyalty: This is what makes Apple and Samsung phones special.

Apple and Samsung Phones: 5 Amazing Reasons πŸ“±βœ¨

Why are Apple and Samsung so far ahead of the rest in sales? It's not simply because of brand recognition. There are a number of features and services these two companies offer that the others haven't yet been able to match. πŸš€

iPhones and Galaxy phones set the standard πŸ“±πŸ’₯

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with its S Pen leaning against a wall
Justin Duino / How-To Geek

Honestly, Apple and Samsung always offer the best hardware overall. πŸ”§βœ¨

In 2024, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is considered the most powerful smartphone, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is practically the equivalent in everyday use. Samsung offers the most powerful CPUs on the Android side And the best displays, too. These phones are built with great sturdiness and set the standard other brands strive to achieve. πŸ†πŸ“²

Is it possible that iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones are the best in every area? No. There are some phones that charge significantly faster than those from Apple or Samsung, such as the OnePlus 12R. Other brands also tend to offer more. storage space in its basic models or more RAM. βš‘πŸ“¦

Still, for the most part, other companies don't offer better phones; they simply offer better value. You can get a Motorola phone that's nearly as powerful as Samsung's models, albeit with a slightly inferior camera, for hundreds of dollars less. This is attractive enough for many people, especially tech lovers, but it's not enough to stop people from seeing Apple and Samsung as the best money can buy. πŸ’ΈπŸ‘€

Your phones receive years of support πŸ›‘οΈ

An iPhone showing an iOS 18 icon, with a large Apple logo in the background.
Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek

Apple has a great track record of supporting its devices. The company promises five years of support, although in practice, its phones typically last longer than that. This has been the case since the beginning of the iPhone, when many Android phones became obsolete after the first year. ⏳

Throughout the 2020s, Samsung has gradually increased its software support. By 2024, its high-end phones now launch with seven years of support, guaranteeing six major Android updates. If Samsung keeps that promise, users who purchase a high-end Samsung phone can expect the same longevity as they would with an iPhone.

In the Android world, Google is the only other company committed to providing this kind of support. Unfortunately, Pixel hardware has a more controversial history when it comes to durability, which can make it difficult to enjoy those years of support. Other brands, like Motorola, may have hardware that lasts, but their devices are harmed by lack of updates. πŸ“‰

Both brands are the easiest to repair πŸ”§

Ifixit's VoltClip about to be used on a phone
iFixIt

Smartphones may not be the easiest devices to repair, but that doesn't mean they're impossible to fix.

When you buy an iPhone, you can take it to your nearest Apple Store for repairs. If you don't want to pay Apple's prices, you can go to almost any third-party repair shop and expect support for your device. You can also try fixing an iPhone yourself. πŸ”¨πŸ’‘

Samsung has a few official repair shops, although this is more recent. Instead, the company has partnered with larger retail chains like Batteries Plus and uBreakIFix. Even among smaller shops, Samsung phones are the most likely to find Android support. With other brands, you can expect much more variable repair experiences. βš™οΈπŸ₯

Each one has a broad ecosystem of devices 🌐

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 on a table, out of their charging cases
Justin Duino / How-To Geek

The iPhone itself isn't the only reason many choose to buy one. There's a whole set of Apple hardware that works very well (sometimes exclusively) with the iPhone and makes the experience unique. We're talking about Apple WatchAirPods, HomePods, AirTags, and MagSafe cases, to name just a few. iPhones also integrate seamlessly with iPads and MacBooks, so if you own one of these devices, it makes perfect sense to upgrade to the others (though here's a second opinion before you decide). πŸ›οΈ

Samsung also offers an equally rich set of devices and accessories, and in many ways, the Samsung ecosystem is equally compelling. You can pair a Galaxy phone with Galaxy Buds, a Galaxy Watch, a Galaxy Fit fitness tracker, and a Galaxy Ring. Plus, it has all the functionality of the S Pen. πŸ“¦πŸŒŸ

Samsung makes the Galaxy Tab line of tablets, and its laptops run Windows. Beyond those devices, there are plenty of other home appliances that can be compatible with your phone, such as a smart TV, refrigerator, or connected washing machine. πŸ‘πŸ“Ί

The most consumer-friendly software πŸ–₯️✨

Galaxy Z Fold 5 launching Samsung DeX on a lapdock.
Bertel King / How-To Geek

Apple and Samsung have the largest customer bases, which forces them to provide the best customer support. There are a lot of problems to solve when you have to serve millions of people who may or may not understand how a phone works. πŸ“žπŸ€”

As a result, Apple and Samsung have developed excellent software for transferring files from one phone to another. It's worth mentioning that Google can also do this if you upload everything to your Google account, but Samsung Smart Switch lets you send all your data directly from one phone to another without the need for servers or a connection. to the internet. πŸ”„πŸ“‚

Samsung offers options for backups built-in external storage, so you can save data before resetting your phone to factory settings. Apple has AirDrop and Samsung developed QuickShare (now integrated into Android in general) to quickly exchange files with other devices. πŸ’ΎβœˆοΈ

The file manager, the gallery and the messaging apps Samsung's apps are more comprehensive than most default apps, especially compared to those provided by Google. With Samsung, you're less likely to need to look for third-party alternatives, in part because many people simply don't know how to do so and may think the limitations of default apps are a problem with the phone itself. πŸ”πŸ“±

Available from any carrier, with great deals πŸ₯³πŸ“±

iPhone 16 in Ultramarine on a small pot with leaves
Shikhar Mehrotra / How-To Geek

In the US, most people get their phones through their carrier. Many brands are less popular for this reason. You're much less likely to walk into a carrier store and see a Nothing Phone or a OnePlus Open. In this space, Apple and Samsung dominate. πŸͺπŸ’ͺ

Not only can you expect the latest Apple or Samsung flagship model to be available through AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, but you might get an incredible deal in the process. Sometimes, you can get your phone for free if you're willing to commit to several years of service. πŸŽ‰πŸ“ž

Is this the cheapest way to get a phone? Generally no. It's cheaper to get a unlocked phone and bundle it with a more affordable carrier. But if you're going to have an expensive postpaid plan anyway, why not take advantage of the great deals Apple or Samsung are offering? πŸ’°πŸ“ž


And what about Google? I hear you. The Pixel has closed the gap in many of these areas. Google promises seven years of updates, has a growing accessory ecosystem, and is now available directly through carriers. However, many of these changes are more recent, and it's still too early to see if Google has a chance. πŸ“…

Most other brands come with even more asterisks. ❓

Phones cost too much money and are a huge pain to switch between frequently. Most people just want the safest and best investment they can make. Apple and Samsung offer that. πŸŒŸπŸ“²

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