Which smartphone should you buy in 2022: an iPhone or a Samsung?

 

Apple and Samsung are two smartphone industry behemoths, and with each new model release from the two companies, fans and the press alike go out on a journey to compare the new models to prior generation devices. What are the differences and similarities between the two manufactures' latest smartphones? What are their individual strengths? That is exactly what we plan to do with this post.

The two companies provide the most comprehensive and integrated ecosystems, but rather than simply comparing one company or product line to another, the goal here is to present the alternatives from each side and assist those who are still undecided to make an informed choice between a Samsung smartphone and an Apple iPhone in 2022.

iPhone vs. Samsung: Price and Catalog Range

Samsung's advantages over Apple:

• A massive gadget catalogue.
• Phones that are less expensive.

Advantages of Apple vs Samsung:

• Product line is well-defined.
• In terms of features and performance, older models are still competitive.

The number of items in Apple's smartphone range has expanded slightly in recent years, with the introduction of the tiny model while retaining a lengthy software update schedule for older iPhones. As a result, the iPhone has the smallest product selection among the top five smartphone manufacturers today.

iPhone pricing list and catalogue

Apple's portfolio comprises eight models at the start of 2022: four from 2021, three from 2020, and one from 2019. Typically, the manufacturer keeps a few models from the previous generation in its inventory at a reduced price range. The exception is the iPhone SE (2020), which serves as an entry-level device while delivering characteristics comparable to the then-flagship iPhone 11 at a nearly mid-range pricing.

Samsung's smartphone pricing list and catalogue

While the iPhone 2021 family can be counted on one hand, Samsung's catalogue is much broader, encompassing everything from basic smartphones to highly sophisticated models that support features such as the S-Pen stylus, all the way to foldable screens, a category in which the South Korean manufacturer has few competitors two years after the launch of Galaxy Fold.

The Galaxy family of smartphones comprises wearables, headphones, tablets, laptops, and other gadgets in addition to smartphones. Galaxy Z (foldable phones), Galaxy S (luxury smartphones), Galaxy A and M (entry-level and mid-range versions), and Galaxy XCover are the different models in the family (rugged handsets that target the corporate segment).

Because the Galaxy A, M, and XCover lines do not directly compete with Apple models, we have only listed the models that are in the same price range as the iPhone line above. All of these devices from the Z and S lines feature cutting-edge processors, OLED screens, and multiple cameras in their respective configurations. All revised models in the 2021 range contain 5G support, whereas devices released in 2020 are available in either 4G or 5G variants.

The prices paid by the two firms differ significantly: while the value of Apple models often remains consistent until the debut of a new generation, the prices of Samsung models decline quite rapidly after launch. In fact, just a year after its release, certain gadgets, such as the Galaxy S20 FE, may be found for half the suggested retail price.

Hardware: iPhone vs. Samsung

Advantages of Samsung over Apple:

• More eye-catching specifications.
• Foldable screens and the S-Pen stylus are distinguishing features.

Advantages of Apple vs Samsung:

• Outstanding processors.
• Doesn't fall into the trap of padding specs with random numbers.

Another significant distinction between the brands is their approach to the physical specs of their individual gadgets. While Samsung uses its more diverse product line to incorporate innovations such as foldable displays, under-display digital sensors, S-Pen compatibility, and even an under-display selfie camera, Apple takes a more cautious approach. Although the South Korean firm has not been a market pioneer in many cases, Apple does not offer any of the features described in 2022.

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Apple iPhone 13

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Apple has finally caught up with Android flagships in this regard, adopting 120 Hertz refresh rates for its panels in 2021 just for the iPhone 13 Pro series. The Galaxy range, on the other hand, continues to offer more diverse camera setups, including extra lenses. At this point, it's worth remembering that the iPhone 12 Pro Max outperformed the S21 Ultra in our 2021 camera blind test, and the camera was one of the areas in which Apple appeared to have aggressively invested over the whole of the iPhone 13 series.

Software : iPhone or Samsung

Advantages of Samsung vs Apple:

• More adaptable user interface.
• Multitasking optimization that is far more sophisticated.

Advantages of Apple vs Samsung:

• On all modern iPhones, the experience is smooth and dependable.
• A very high level of data security is provided.
• Native applications of exceptional quality.
• Software and security updates will take longer.
• Design that is clear and organised.

Both iOS and OneUI have their admirers and detractors, and acquiring the devices is inextricably linked to their respective operating systems. Apple's vertical integration shines once more, providing consistent functioning across practically every model in the current lineup (and even in many of its older devices). Critics, on the other hand, might object to the company's "conservatism" in the rate of feature adoption, even in those that are not hardware-dependent, such as widgets, which were ultimately added in iOS 14.

Data security on the iPhone vs. the Samsung

Advantages of Samsung vs Apple:

• None.

Advantages of Apple vs Samsung:

• More privacy options and features are available.
• Clearer information on the usage of personal data in the App Store.
• Default choices that are "safer."

Once again, Apple devices have a little advantage over Android devices. However, the situation is not as clear as it once was. And by the past, I mean just a few years ago. Samsung has profited immensely from Google's security developments in Android.

When it comes to security, there are several factors to consider that are much too numerous for the scope of this text. That's why I've confined myself to each manufacturer's privacy and security features.

Samsung's Privacy Functions

Samsung demonstrated a speedy deployment of new Android 12 features, including new privacy settings, using One UI 4. The Privacy panel is now accessible via the privacy menu, and users are warned anytime applications utilise functions like as geolocation, camera, and microphone, as was the case with iOS 14 (and MIUI before to both).

Apple's privacy settings

Following the release of the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature in iOS 14.5, which gave users more control over personal tracking performed by apps on the system, iOS 15 has increased the transparency of apps' access to your data by delivering the App Privacy Report, which shows how they use the granted permissions, as well as data exchanges with behaviour trackers.

Furthermore, Apple has relocated the processing of different personal data, including Siri speech recognition, from the cloud to the device itself. Another new feature in iOS 15 is additional IP address hiding protection in the Mail app, and for iCloud+ plan subscribers, it will create unique emails alongside the Private Relay feature, which redirects your requests using different addresses (and in an encrypted manner) to make it difficult to record browsing patterns.