There are many reasons why someone might prefer an iPhone over an Android phone. iPhones and Androids both have pros and cons, and choosing one often comes down to personal preference. Some of the key factors that lead people to choose an iPhone include the user experience, ecosystem integration, long term software support, security and privacy protections, and device resale value. Keep reading to learn more about why I prefer iPhone and what sets it apart from Android.
User Experience
One of the biggest reasons I prefer iPhone is the user experience. Apple puts a huge emphasis on creating intuitive software that integrates seamlessly with the hardware. The result is a very smooth, responsive, and enjoyable experience using an iPhone. Here are some of the user experience factors that stand out to me:
Consistent Interface
The iOS interface looks and behaves the same way across the entire iPhone lineup. This makes using an iPhone intuitive and allows skills to translate easily across device upgrades. Android interfaces are more fragmented across manufacturers and device types.
Efficiency
iOS is designed to allow common tasks to be accomplished quickly and efficiently. Features like swipe typing, one-handed mode, Control Center, 3D Touch, and Siri shortcuts enable productivity on an iPhone. The UI makes features easy to discover.
Fluid Animations
Transitions and motions on iOS are beautifully animated to create a sense of fluidity. Things like scrolling, opening apps, adjusting system settings and using multitasking feel very smooth. Android’s animations tend to be more disjointed.
App Quality
The iOS App Store has stricter quality standards than the Google Play Store. As a result, apps designed for iPhone tend to offer better design, functionality and security. The average app quality is higher.
Ecosystem Integration
The iPhone works seamlessly with other Apple devices like Macs, iPads and Apple Watches. Handoff, Continuity, AirDrop and other integrations create a unified Apple ecosystem experience. This close cross-device functionality isn’t matched on Android.
Long Term Software Support
Another big advantage of the iPhone is that it receives major software updates for 4-5 years. This extends the useful lifespan of devices and provides ongoing security patches. Here’s how Apple’s update support compares to Android:
iOS Update Period
iPhones typically receive major iOS updates for 4-5 years after initial release. For example, the iPhone 6s launched in 2015 and can still run the latest iOS 14 version launched in 2020.
Android Update Period
Most Android phones only get 2-3 years of major OS updates. After that time, they no longer receive the latest Android version or security patches. This shortened update period leaves old Android phones vulnerable.
Update Adoption Rates
iPhones have much higher iOS update adoption rates than Android phones. Around 90% of active iPhones run the latest iOS version a few months after release. Only about 10% of Android phones run the latest Android version after the same time period.
The extended software support keeps iPhone feeling fresh and secure for years. It adds great value compared to Android phones that are quickly left outdated.
Security and Privacy
For me, security and privacy protection are major factors when choosing a phone. The iPhone excels in these areas compared to Android. Some of the iPhone’s security and privacy advantages include:
iOS Sandboxing
All apps on iPhone run in sandboxes that prevent them from accessing files and data outside their own environment. This contains damage if malicious apps get installed. Android apps have more permissions to device files/data.
App Review Process
Apple reviews every app submitted to the iOS App Store to check for malware, privacy violations, and other issues. Google does not review Android apps before making them available for download.
Encrypted Data
iPhone encrypts all device data by default using passcodes. Android only encrypts some data. iPhones also possess a secure enclave chip for encrypting sensitive processes like Apple Pay.
VPNs
Apple supports always-on VPN for routing all iPhone traffic through secure channels. Android VPN support is still inconsistent between manufacturers.
Small Advertising Footprint
Apple makes the vast majority of its income from hardware sales rather than user data/advertising. The company has incentives to protect user privacy. Google’s business model is built on collecting user data to target ads.
The iPhone’s multilayered security architecture and privacy focus offer peace of mind that my data stays protected.
Ecosystem Lock-In
While some criticize Apple’s closed ecosystem as restrictive, I’ve come to view the seamless integration between my iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple services like iCloud as a major perk. The Apple ecosystem creates beneficial lock-in effects that continue to provide value over time.
iMessage
Being able to send high quality encrypted messages, photos, and more to any iOS or Mac user via iMessage keeps me happily locked into Apple’s messaging platform. I don’t want to lose iMessage by switching away from iPhone.
Photos
Storing all my photos in iCloud Photos and accessing them on all my Apple devices is extremely convenient. Once again, I’m disincentivized from leaving the Apple ecosystem and losing easy Photos access.
AirDrop
The ability to quickly AirDrop files between my Apple devices is something I use daily. Switching to Android would mean losing out on this great perk.
Apple Services
I subscribe to several Apple services like iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade. These would become less useful if I stopped using Apple devices.
Once you accumulate enough data and purchase enough apps, services and other content associated with the Apple ecosystem, it becomes a cell you never want to leave because of the time investment and convenience factors. I now happily embrace the lock-in.
Resale Value
One often overlooked advantage of the iPhone is that it holds its value extremely well if you ever want to resell it or trade it in. iPhones tend to retain around 60-70% of their original value even a few years after release.
In contrast, Android phones’ resale value tends to plummet quickly. For example, a top of the line Android phone might lose half or more of its resale value within the first year.
The high demand for used iPhones enhances their value both when selling privately and when trading in to providers for new phone discounts. Higher resale value lowers the overall cost of ownership of an iPhone.
Social Perception
While shallow, there’s no denying that Apple has created a strong psychological association between the iPhone and qualities like premium branding, status symbol, quality, and prestige. Owning an iPhone accords a level of social credibility and positive perception compared to Android devices.
For better or worse, the iPhone has become associated with upper class elites and early adopters while Android phones are perceived as mid-tier or budget devices (even if high-end Androids rival iPhones’ specs). The iPhone has cultivated a sticky premium social image that retains appeal for many consumers over pragmatic considerations.
Conclusion
The iPhone remains my preferred phone of choice for the outstanding user experience, stellar ecosystem integration, long term software support, robust security/privacy protections, and high resale value. Android absolutely offers great hardware and flexibility, but I always miss the cohesive experience iPhones provide once I try to switch away. At the end of the day, personal preference rules. People should use the phones and mobile ecosystems that feel best for their individual wants and needs. But for me, that phone will continue to be the iPhone as Apple’s advantages resonate most.