Buying advice: a cheap iPhone vs an affordable Android smartphone

Cheap iPhones and budget-friendly Android devices are quite different. Which device is best for you?

Cheap iPhone or affordable Android? Choose wisely

Are you looking for a good smartphone, but don’t want to pay more than 300 to 500 euros? Chances are that you are thinking of a budget, second-hand or refurbished iPhone. However, there is also a wide range of brand new Android smartphones around the same price on the market. iPhone vs Android; it remains an endless struggle.

For a brand new iPhone of up to 500 euros, you will soon end up with the iPhone SE 2020 or the iPhone XR. Apple no longer sells the XR through its own website, but third parties such as Belsimpel still offer the device. Android smartphones come in all shapes and sizes for a similar price. For this you knock on brands like realme† OnePlus† Xiaomi and Samsung†

If you don’t necessarily want a brand new device, you can opt for a refurbished iPhone. These are second-hand devices that have been extensively tested. Worn parts of refurbished devices are replaced by brand new parts. The big difference with a second-hand iPhone is that with a refurbished iPhone you have an ‘as good as new’ experience. You also receive a two-year warranty. Finally, it offers Refurbished quality mark security at the time of purchase.

Also read: Buying a refurbished iPhone: a sustainable (and cheaper) alternative

To make the right choice, it is useful to check for yourself the aspects of a smartphone that you find important. Good camera quality, a fast processor and modern software are of course genuine must haves† But how do cheap iPhones differ from affordable Android smartphones? We summarize the most important points for you.

1. Operating System: Personal Preference

The operating system is perhaps the biggest difference between an iPhone and an Android smartphone. Recent iPhones run on iOS 15 and Android smartphones on – surprise – Android. The latest Android version is Android 12, but there are a lot of devices out there with older software versions. Both operating systems have their pros and cons; it is therefore mainly a matter of personal preference.

Do you already have other Apple products at home, such as an iPad, AirPods or a Mac? Then an iPhone is really the better choice. Apple products connect seamlessly with each other. You can also combine an Android smartphone with most Apple products, but then things just work a little less smoothly.

Furthermore, a lot of iOS apps are still not available for Android smartphones. And many popular apps like WhatsApp look different on both operating systems. Are you a social mediajunky† Even then, an iPhone is the smartest choice. In general, social media apps on Android smartphones apply more compression to your photos and videos. This causes the image quality to deteriorate.

Better go for an Android smartphone if you care a lot about a personal look and feel† You can easily control just about all the details of the software. Different app icons, different fonts and color accents; you can’t think of it that crazy, or it’s customizable.

2. Software Support: iPhone Gets More Updates

Most Android smartphones from 300 euros have excellent hardware, with which everyday tasks such as surfing the internet, WhatsApp and TikTokken run smoothly. However, it is crucial that the software remains up to date. Why? Important security vulnerabilities are closed with every software update. This keeps the chance of a hack very small.

In addition, devices get access to all kinds of new functions through software updates and you do not lose app support. When purchasing a new smartphone, always pay attention to the software support. This is where Apple has a big lead over Android.

iPhones typically get at least six years of software support from Apple. The iPhone 6s from 2015 is the oldest iPhone that Apple provides with the latest iOS version to this day. So you can buy an iPhone 11 from 2019 in 2022 with confidence and use it for at least another three years.

Manufacturers of Android smartphones have also increasingly focused on good software support in recent years. For example, Samsung promises to provide its most recent Galaxy A smartphones – the budget devices of the South Korean manufacturer – with security updates for at least four years.

If you go for an Android phone, always choose a recent model. An Android smartphone from two years ago is not worth it due to the more limited software support.

3. Camera quality: Android smartphones have more lenses

Camera quality is of course entirely dependent on the device you buy. The iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone XR have only one lens on the back. Fortunately, these iPhone cameras are still perfectly fine in terms of dynamic range, color and detail. However, you can also opt for a refurbished iPhone 11 Pro for about the same price. It has three different lenses: a main lens, a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens. That makes you a little more flexible with your shots.

Affordable Android smartphones often have at least three lenses on the back. In many cases the main lens is of good quality, but the other lenses are disappointing. Manufacturers regularly opt for moderate 2 megapixel macro cameras or depth sensors, which are of no use to you as a user. I’d rather have a good camera.

4. Speed: depending on the model

The speed of a smartphone depends on the chip. The iPhone always has an A-chip from Apple. This was developed at the same time as the iPhone and iOS, so everything is well optimized. This ensures that iPhones are always nice and fast in use, even if they are a few years old.

Android phones usually run on third party chips. The most famous chip maker is Qualcomm. Qualcomm produces the acclaimed Snapdragon chips. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 – the fastest Qualcomm processor at the moment – ​​is only reserved for the most expensive devices. Cheaper Android phones run on midrange chips, which fortunately get a bit faster every year. But even today’s chips often can’t keep up with Apple’s chips from a few years ago in terms of speed.

5. Price: iPhone is more expensive

The prices of affordable Android phones vary quite a bit. So you already have a Samsung Galaxy A12 from 150 euros. For this you get pretty scanty specifications. However, most mundane tasks go without a hitch. That said: in our opinion it is better to look at a slightly more expensive device. For example, think of a OnePlus North 2 or a Realme GT Master Edition† You pay a little more than 300 euros for this, but then you also have a really good smartphone.

iPhones are a bit more expensive. For less than 400 euros you do not get an Apple smartphone, unless you have a very good deal. We personally wouldn’t buy an iPhone 8 or older anymore. The iPhone XS and XR are still just okay, but from the iPhone 11 you can use them with confidence for years to come.

Are you not that demanding, but would you like an iPhone? Then take a look at the iPhone SE 2020. Apple is expected to announce a successor to this device in March. It may be worth having a little more patience.

iPhone vs Android: Conclusion

Ultimately, your choice mainly depends on your own wishes and needs. Keep in mind the importance of software support. We cannot emphasize often enough that a device with outdated software is simply not safe to use.

Are you curious about an iPhone SE or an iPhone XR after reading this article? Below you can see where you can buy the devices cheaply.