Best iPhone in 2023

iPhone vs. Android

The argument between Android and the iPhone is still strong. We will nevertheless try to help you in selecting your own choice, even if there will probably never be a clear winner. Both iOS 15 and Android 12 are terrific operating systems, but in significantly different ways. Apart from the basic touchscreen-focused layout, they seem considerably different from a design perspective while sharing many of the same capabilities. Whichever of the top smartphones on the market today you choose will be powered by one of these two OSes. We compare the qualities of each mobile platform, pitting iPhone vs. Android, so you can choose the best one for your needs.

Apple has created a wide range of continuum technologies that let you move work and data from one of its devices to another. These capabilities may undoubtedly save you time. Consider the Short pass feature on your iPhone, which enables smooth switching between iOS and macOS for calls and online sites in Safari. You may use text copied onto one platform on another, thanks to Universal Clipboard. Another favorite is the Continuity Camera, which enables you to use the camera on your iPhone to shoot photos and scan documents so that you can see and edit them on your Mac afterward. You may also use Apple Pay’s biometric identification capabilities on your iPhone to make transactions on your Mac.

Few Android phone manufacturers have hardware ecosystems comparable to Apple’s, and even those that do, don’t provide the same level of integration that the iPhone and other Apple-built devices can offer. Although the experience is a bit clumsy and there is still work to be done, Microsoft is aiding Google in closing the gap with its new Your Phone software for Windows, which enables Android users to reply to SMS and alerts on their PCs. The iPhone is a key piece in that jigsaw puzzle; particularly now, as you can smoothly move iPhone applications to macOS. There are many more excellent instances of continuity between iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS. Power users already familiar with Apple’s environment benefit greatly from adding an iPhone to their toolkit. And that’s not even including friends and family who prefer to communicate through FaceTime and iMessage.

With so many Android phone manufacturers, it should be no surprise that Android partners often launch new mobile technologies before Apple. Before iPhones, Android smartphones introduced wireless charging, fast charging, NFC, 4G LTE, 5G, OLED displays, in-screen fingerprint sensors, water resistance, and multi-lens cameras. They also introduced software innovations like real multitasking, copy and paste, and multi-window support. Although the iPhone X was not the first smartphone with facial recognition, it was the first with a safe and reliable system. The fact that hardware using Google’s platform is more quickly adaptable is just an issue of scale, given that many more Android phones are introduced from several suppliers each year.

It’s easier and handier to own an iPhone. There are fewer things to consider, and because Apple’s iPhone is the most widely used smartphone brand, there is a wealth of assistance available wherever you go, whether you need a new battery or are just looking to get a new cover. In some ways, owning an Android smartphone is more difficult. However, it also gives you more freedom since more options are available. You can choose how much money you want to spend, what hardware and software features you want, and how you want to organize and customize your experience. If you’re picky about your technology, Android could be more freeing, but you’ll probably also bemoan the relative lack of high-quality applications and accessories.

How to care for your iPhone

It’s essential to properly care for your iPhone if you want to increase its lifespan and safeguard your investment. With a little routine maintenance, this is simple to do. This section will include some advice for maintaining your iPhone.

Watch out for overheating, particularly when charging your iPhone. Your iPhone’s battery capacity might suffer long-term harm from heat. On the other hand, really cold temperatures only briefly lower battery capacity. Once the battery on your iPhone begins to run low, you can easily prolong its life by switching to Low Power Mode. Your iPhone will notify you at 10% and at 20% battery life. You may activate Low Power Mode with a single touch when this notification appears. By heading to Settings > Battery, you can also make it active. Display brightness is decreased, and device performance is improved in Low Power Mode. Applications like Mail do not support background content downloads. Disabled features include iCloud sync and AirDrop. You can still do essential tasks, like making and receiving phone calls, sending emails and messages, browsing the internet, and more. Low Power Mode is turned off automatically while your iPhone is charging.

The iPhone’s screen brightness and Wi-Fi settings are two straightforward ways to extend battery life. To increase battery life, lower your screen’s brightness or use Auto-Brightness. Open Control Center and move the Brightness slider downward to dim. Go to Settings > Accessibility and choose Display & Text Size to turn on Auto-Brightness. You may then turn on Auto-Brightness from there. It is recommended to keep Wi-Fi on always since it consumes less power than a cellular network. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi to enable Wi-Fi, then join a Wi-Fi network.

Cleaning up your storage and deleting unused applications are wonderful ways to prolong the life of your iPhone and improve its efficiency. Apps are one of the biggest causes of battery loss on iPhones. You are always updating, using data, and delivering alerts in the background. In the background, the app refreshes its settings; you may control them and suspend those you don’t need. Before upgrading and downloading an app, be sure to read the reviews since software issues may negatively impact your smartphone’s functionality and battery life. The most typical examples are overheating or power depletion brought on by freshly updated applications. Keep an eye on your iPhone’s storage, and remove any unnecessary files slowing down your smartphones, such as images, movies, or documents.

The dirt, dust, links, and other debris are compressed to the bottom of the connection each time the lightning cable is plugged in. If not cleaned correctly and often, this may impact charging and result in problems. Clean your iPhone’s speaker grilles and charging port with a soft-bristled brush. Never use compressed air since it might harm your gadget. When a popup stating that an update is available appears, choose Install Now. When you hit Install Tonight, your iPhone will automatically update overnight if you merely plug it in at night. After selecting Software Update, go to Settings > General. Select the software update you wish to install if you choose between the two. Select “Install Now.” Instead, if you see Download and Install, press it to download the update, then hit Install Now to finish. It’s possible to upgrade to iOS 15 even if your smartphone is running the most recent version of iOS 14.

What to consider before buying an iPhone

Shopping for a new model is thrilling, whether it’s your first iPhone or one of several. But before you do, read our advice to be sure you’re making the right decision.

Make sure your phone has adequate space since, unlike most Android phones, iPhones do not support adding storage through a microSD card. Thankfully, the newest models start at 64GB, which is probably enough if you don’t feel the need to have hundreds of albums or dozens of movies stored locally on your phone (as opposed to streaming them from the cloud). It’s probably enough if you’re content to keep only the most recent year or two’s worth of your photos and videos on board while leaving the rest on your Mac at home. You already know it’s sufficient if you’re a user who needs 128GB. The 256GB and 512GB sizes are available for creative professionals or those with severe content appetites. Determining whether lighter users, who can get by with the 32GB capacity of the cheapest iPhone 7, could do so is tougher. If you already have an iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to find out how much and what you currently use. You can acquire all the information if you wait for the progress wheel at the bottom.

When looking for discounts, you can do the arithmetic on your own, but unless you’re already obligated to a network contract with an update, think about purchasing your iPhone altogether. No matter which contract you choose, the same carrier will have a comparable SIM-only plan, and it nearly always turns out to be less expensive to purchase your new phone from Apple and add a monthly payment contract. You also have the option to make payments as you go if you wish. If you discover an outdated model that has been restored, the difference could be even greater. Furthermore, many SIM-only plans are month-to-month, allowing for easy switching. Make sure your plan supports the iPhone and, if necessary, includes capabilities like tethering free of charge (forming a Personal Hotspot to connect non-3G/4G devices). If you go in person to an Apple Store and agree to a credit check, Apple will provide you 20 months of interest-free credit (via Barclays) if you don’t have the whole amount up front. If your credit rating could be an issue, purchase your phone in cash and look for a SIM-only contract with no credit check.