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iOS vs Android Buying Guide: Which OS is the best


By Editor April 18, 2022

Since the beginning of smartphones, the war of iOS vs Android has been raging endlessly, and we know why. It’s because both OSes have their pros and cons, and their pros are so good, loyal followings for both OSes has grown. 

In this iOS vs Android buying guide, we consider the respective strengths of both Oses to help determine which OS fits you best.

iOS vs Android: iOS Pros

1. No Bloatware

Unlike Android, iOS has no bloatware whatsoever. The iPhone comes with a clean slate with no power-draining or data-siphoning apps running in the background. It doesn’t matter where, how, when, and what iPhone you buy.

This means you won’t have to deal with the preinstalled Microsoft apps or the whole collection of Samsung apps you probably will never use. Purchasing a high-end android smartphone won’t save you from bloatware either, much less an affordable one. A budget smartphone from a discount carrier actually has more bloatware, if you can imagine.

2. Quicker Updates

Compared to Android, iOS has more frequent and quicker software updates. Not to mention, it continuously updates for years. For instance, even after 7 years, an iPhone 6S with an iOS 9 can receive an iOS 15 update.

Meanwhile, updates on Androids depend on its price point, the carrier, and the smartphone company’s software support policy. For instance, Galaxy S6, which Samsung launched 7 years ago, cannot update to Android 12, and it stopped updating after Android 7 – a far cry from iOS.

The newest version of iOS is available for all iPhone users, no matter the model. Meanwhile, Android only releases its latest version in waves to individual phones.

3. Better Retail Support

If you’ve ever walked into an Apple store, you’d understand. The Apple Store isn’t just a store. It provides support and services hard to find at android retailers. They provide professional services for any problems you might have with your iPhone, Macbook, AirPods-you name it. 

The staff goes through weekly training, shadowing, and have an online learning system. You’d know right off the bat that the teams are Apple specialists.

iOS vs Android: Android Pros

1. Wider Price Range

The majority of smartphones are Androids, and because there are so many, you can find Androids at all price points. For instance, HUAWEI offers Androids at RM350, and Samsung offers the Galaxy Fold model at around RM7000, depending on the storage size.

The chances are you can find an Android no matter your budget. On the other hand, iPhone has a higher price point, with the iPhone SE as the most affordable model at around RM2500. Not to mention, iPhones only decrease their prices for older models when they launch new generations.

2. Customisable

Androids offer users the chance to customise their smartphone experience.  With Android, you can personalise your home screen launcher with various dynamic widgets. You can organise your apps wherever and however you want. You can even download an alternative launcher from the Google Play Store.

Androids give you the freedom to download third-party replacements like web browsers and keyboards. iOS has made this available, but its implementation isn’t as smooth.

Believe it or not, Android 12 – the latest version offers more personalisation where its pseudo-theming system adapts to your wallpaper and employs a shade system.

3. First to Receive Innovative features

With so many Android smartphone makers, the Android community is undoubtedly more extensive and quicker than the Apple community. Hence, it’s no surprise that Android developers develop innovative technologies more quickly. Such as wireless charging, OLED displays, and multi-window support.

However, we can’t deny that Apple’s adaptation of some of these technologies has proven to work more reliably. 

iOS vs Android: The Bottom Line

iOS and Android may have different strengths, as we highlighted above, but we can’t ignore the fact that there’s plenty of overlap. For example, the iOS notification bar is strikingly similar to Android. On the other hand, Android is following in iOS’s footsteps in enhancing its privacy features.

Ultimately, future updates will only strengthen each OS’ assets. You’ll have to consider which of its strengths you favour more and which weakness you can tolerate better.

The iOS is more straightforward, and Apple offers solid after-sale support and service. On the other hand, Android offers more freedom to personalise and tweak hardware and software features.

Editor’s Choice

We hope this iOS vs Android buying guide will help you decide which OS suits you best! For more buying guides and the latest tech news, visit PriceShop.


    Samsung Galaxy S22: Premium and Polished Performance


    By Editor April 17, 2022

    The Samsung Galaxy S22 is Samsung’s newest flagship line. The Ultra, in particular, is the flagship Samsung smartphone that can practically do anything. You can take a video and make a GIF from it, or you can take an ultra-clear photo of a skyscraper from street level several buildings away. 

    The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers impressive and functional stylus features. Continue to find out more about the Ultra and whether it’s the Samsung Galaxy S22 model for you.

    Samsung Galaxy S22: Specs and Features

    Qualcomm’s latest OS is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, and it powers the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Hence, it’s fully capable of supporting many apps and intensive graphic games. It also features the One UI 4.1. What’s more, the S22 series can receive up to 4 generations of Android OS updates, a much better policy from other Android manufacturers. 

    The Ultra’s CPU type is Octa-Core and it has four internal storage options, starting from 128 GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, and 1TB 12GB RAM.

    Camera and Video

    Image credit: Peta Pixel

    The Ultra has four rear cameras and a laser autofocus sensor. Two of the rear cameras are stabilised telephoto cameras with OIS. Each is 10MP with f/2.4 and f/4.9, respectively. One of them is a standard wide 108MP camera with f/1.8 and OIS. The fourth one is an ultrawide 12MP camera with f/2.2. Meanwhile, the front camera is 40MP with f2.2 and autofocus.

    The rear cameras have optical zoom at 3x and 10x while digital zoom is 100x.

    Samsung’s upgraded the S22 Ultra’s camera software. For instance, they’ve improved the portrait mode with more detailed depth mapping. However, its night mode needs improvement. You can only enable it in very dark conditions, and we’re talking about almost complete darkness. So, the chances of using night mode are pretty low.  

    Video capabilities include an auto framing feature that can track up to 10 people and automatically adjust as people move in and out of the frame and an auto frame rate feature – this feature changes the frame rate to account for brighter or darker conditions. 

    The video recording resolution for the main camera is UHD 8K at 24fps, while the slow-motion is 960fps at HD and 240fps at FHD. Meanwhile, the resolution for the front camera is 4K/60p.

    Stylus Feature

    The Built-in S Pen is another feature incorporated from the Galaxy Note line. Unlike its predecessor, the S21 Ultra, the S22 Ultra has full support and stylus storage. The S Pen’s latency has been reduced by 70 per cent. It’s a helpful tool for those who prefer to scribble and write over typing. Digital artists and graphic designers should find the S Pen’s various digital brush stroke options to be helpful.

    The Ultra’s stylus features are extensive. For instance, you can convert handwriting to text, trace a shape and move it out of a picture, and use the S Pen as a remote control for specific apps.

    Battery

    The Ultra supports 45W fast wired charging, but you’d have to purchase the 45W power adapter separately. There’s the 15W wireless charger with a built-in fan cooling system as well. The Ultra’s 5000mAh battery is unfortunately unimpressive. After a day’s light usage, the battery was down to 50 per cent by the evening. Hence, it doesn’t take much to drain the Ultra’s battery.

    Design and Display

    The Ultra’s dimensions are 163.3 X 77.9 X 8.9 with a weight of 228g. Its screen size is 6.8 inches with a 1440 x 3088 panel. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy S22 models are protected by IP68 weather sealing and Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on the front and back.

    The Ultra and S22 Plus model has an OLED screen with 1750 nits peak brightness. On the other hand, all models have a refresh rate of 120Hz, but the Ultra alone has an LTPO display, allowing its screen to change its refresh rate. Thus, helping to conserve battery life.The Ultra’s slightly boxier design is an obvious tribute to the Galaxy Note. Moreover, the Ultra ultimately gets rid of the camera bump compared to the S22 and S22 Plus, where they have rounded corners and a camera bump.

    The Almighty Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: Is It For You?

    The S22 Ultra is a unique Samsung model on its own. If you’d like to experience a stylus lifestyle, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is for you by all means. However, if you’re the type that’ll try the stylus features a few times and forget about it, then maybe the S22 or S22 Plus is enough.

    Head over to PriceShop to view our Samsung devices and accessories collection, including smart TVs, speakers, and smartwatches.