Buying a smartphone in 2026 is a far cry from where we were 10 years ago, with less obvious reasons to go with either iOS or Android – but the choice remains one of the most significant you’ll make in your digital life.
Whether you’re looking at the iPhone 17 or an Android flagship like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the gap in hardware has shrunk massively – but the way you interact with the phones is still completely different.
Here, we explain the fundamental differences between Android and iOS in 2026 to help you decide which is better for your needs.
Market share
If you look at the global market share, Android continues to dominate the vast majority of the planet with a massive 72% using the platform. Apple’s iOS, on the other hand, only accounts for a 28% share.
Android’s dominance is driven mainly by the sheer variety of hardware available at pretty much every price point, from budget-friendly blowers in emerging markets to ultra-premium foldables. That said, while iOS’ 28% share may sound small in comparison, it’s worth noting that it dominates in more premium markets like the UK and US.
That might not sound like something you should care about, but if you want to use the same platform-exclusive features as your friends – namely things like iMessage on iOS – you’ll want to make sure you make the right choice.
Updates
A few years ago, Apple would’ve had a massive win on its hands with its iOS update system – but the Android competition has come along leaps and bounds more recently.
Apple’s approach to software updates is still the stronger of the two, with Apple dropping new versions of iOS on all supported devices on the same day, ensuring that even three- or four-year-old iPhones get the latest software updates as soon as they’re available.
Android makers have made big strides in this department, with the likes of Samsung, Google, Honor and Motorola now offering up to seven years of support, but the rollout of this software is much more fragmented. Sure, you might get the Android 17 update, but it won’t be as soon as it’s released, and it might be available for other phones from the same brand first.
Also, that’s pretty much exclusive to flagships – if you buy a mid-range or budget device from a brand like Xiaomi, you’re at the mercy of a more limited software promise. This means that while the hardware might last, the software experience can feel dated much faster on Android than on iOS.
Software experience
Using an iPhone in 2026 is a largely smooth, polished experience with impressive visuals thanks to the Liquid Glass UI introduced with iOS 26 in late 2025.
Apple’s interface feels like a premium, more curated experience where the software just kind of works in the background without much setup or intervention needed, but it also means you’re locked into Apple’s infamous walled garden – even if those towering walls are slowly beginning to crumble.
Android, on the other hand, is designed for those who want greater control and customisation in their smartphone.
From the deep customisation available on Android skins to the ability to swap out your entire home screen launcher or icon packs, Android feels more like a tool that adapts to your needs – though that does depend on the Android you’re using, as different Android skins offer different levels of visual customisation.
You do need more time and patience, especially if you get into the nitty-gritty of Android customisation, but it’s usually a well-rewarded task.
Apps
The days of “iOS gets it first” are largely over for major releases, but the App Store still feels like the more polished storefront of the two – though with Apple set to introduce more ads to the App Store experience, that could soon change.
That said, Apple’s strict app vetting process and the limited number of screen sizes to accommodate generally result in higher-quality UI and better optimisation. After all, it’s much easier for devs to polish an app for five iPhones than for five hundred different models of Android.
Google Play offers more freedom than Apple’s App Store, offering powerful system-level utilities, retro game emulators and niche productivity tools that Apple simply wouldn’t allow on its platform. It also features most, if not all, major apps available on iOS, though there are still a few iOS exclusives floating around – especially when it comes to big-screen tablet apps.
For the average user, the difference between the two storefronts is negligible, but for power users who want to use their phone as a genuine pocket computer with super-niche apps, Android remains the better choice.
Security and privacy
It feels like Apple’s entire brand is centred around privacy, and in 2026, features like App Tracking Transparency and Advanced Data Protection remain industry-leading.
That’s because Apple produces not only the hardware but every aspect of the software experience, from custom silicon to encrypted iCloud backups, it can offer a level of security that’s difficult to replicate on the Android side of things.
Android’s security model is more fragmented in comparison. While Google has hardened the OS significantly and introduced a range of privacy-focused features, the “open” nature of Android places greater responsibility on users to avoid installing dodgy apps from random websites that might contain malware.
Specific manufacturers offer deeper security features, with the likes of Samsung’s Knox and Motorola’s ThinkShield for Mobile featuring more robust features to protect your data from hacks, but it’s not consistent among all Android manufacturers.
AI
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is the buzzword in the smartphone world at the moment, with pretty much every smartphone manufacturer seemingly cramming as many AI features into their smartphones as possible. That said, the playing field is far from level.
While Apple has marketed Apple Intelligence as a seamless, integrated experience, it’s clear that Android brands have a massive lead in both capability and accuracy. The fact that Apple is using Gemini to power its long-awaited (and delayed) redesigned Siri experience should speak volumes to this fact.
Whether it’s the more sophisticated generative object removal offered by Samsung’s Galaxy AI or the multi-modal on-device processing from the latest Pixel phones, Android AI tools generally feel more robust and less prone to hallucinations that still plague Apple’s efforts.
That said, much of this power is becoming platform-agnostic. Many popular AI tools, including the full suite of Gemini features, are available as apps on both iOS and Android, meaning you aren’t necessarily locked out of top-tier AI just because you chose an iPhone.
The real difference is how companies handle the data; Apple continues to lean heavily on Private Cloud Compute to handle cloud-based AI processing of sensitive data, while Google and other Android manufacturers offer a mix of on-device and cloud-based processing depending on what it needs.
Verdict
When it comes to the all-important decision of choosing between iOS and Android, there’s no wrong choice, only a choice of priorities.
If you want an easy-to-use phone with a wide variety of high-quality apps that works well with other Apple gear and offers the most polished experience, the iPhone remains the best pick.
That said, if you want the best AI tech and the freedom to make your phone look and act exactly how you want, with niche system-level apps and extensive customisation, Android is your best bet.
