Christine Romero-Chan / Virtual Tendencies
The iPhone 15 lineup — which incorporates the usual iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Professional — is the iPhone at its highest. It’s the most recent sequence of iPhones to be had these days and the default selection in case you’re purchasing a brand new iPhone in 2024.
But it surely’s no longer the one number of iPhones you’ll be able to acquire. In truth, Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and the iPhone SE on its site. You want to additionally in finding different iPhone fashions to be had – refurbished or new — from different shops or provider shops.
Purchasing a excellent iPhone hasn’t ever been more uncomplicated. However why must you purchase an iPhone within the first position (particularly when Android telephones are as excellent as they’re)? Listed here are a couple of causes we predict you must imagine.
iMessage
Apple
One of the vital largest causes to shop for an iPhone is iMessage. Sure, the object that has led to a large number of controversy for growing the “blue as opposed to inexperienced bubble wars” continues to be one of the vital iPhone’s biggest strengths.
For the uninitiated, iMessage is Apple’s personal quick messaging provider this is best to be had on Apple merchandise, together with the iPhone. With iMessage, customers are in a position to ship and obtain messages with different iPhone, iPad, Mac, or even Apple Watch customers. It makes use of information (cell or Wi-Fi) to ship messages, which is able to include textual content, pictures, audio, and extra. There also are different advantages to iMessage, like learn receipts and typing signs when the recipient is replying.
If in case you have different Apple gadgets but even so an iPhone, then you’ll be able to additionally ship and obtain messages with the ones different gadgets, as long as you’re logged in with the similar Apple ID. All messages are synced by means of iCloud, so you’ll be able to simply select up a dialog the place you left off, even with a special instrument.
Whilst iMessage is among the maximum essential portions of Apple’s “walled lawn” ecosystem, it’s admittedly one this is exhausting to get out of. However iMessage too can ship SMS/MMS messages to Android customers (inexperienced bubble), even on different gadgets if textual content message forwarding is enabled.
Plus, iMessage is getting higher later this 12 months. In the end the debate through the years, Apple is in the end bringing RCS improve to iMessage, most likely beginning in iOS 18. RCS will supply some iMessage-like options between iPhone and Android customers, together with high-resolution photos and movies, learn receipts, typing signs, and extra. In case your members of the family or good friend teams already depend on iMessage — or you need to in the end dive into it for no matter explanation why — an iPhone is find out how to cross.
AirDrop
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Likelihood is that if in case you have an iPhone, you may have an iPad or a Mac too. If that’s the case, then some of the helpful options that can be utilized between Apple gadgets is AirDrop.
AirDrop is Apple’s proprietary wi-fi advert hoc record switch provider that has been round for the previous decade — since iOS 7 and Mac OS X Lion. With AirDrop, you’ll be able to wirelessly switch information between iOS and Mac gadgets so long as they’re inside of shut vary of one another.
In iOS 17, Apple made some much-needed adjustments to AirDrop to give a boost to its total usability. Those adjustments come with proximity sharing, record switch over the web, and NameDrop.
Proximity sharing permits customers to simply percentage pictures or information simply by being bodily close by to some other unlocked iPhone. And now, higher information that may in most cases take some time to ship over may also be finished via an web connection, getting rid of the will for the telephones to stick shut in combination after the preliminary switch procedure. NameDrop allows you to simply percentage your touch knowledge with some other iPhone simply by bringing the gadgets shut in combination.
I’ve been an established consumer of AirDrop over the last decade. It makes it tremendous simple to get my pictures over to my Mac for paintings, and it’s also a lot sooner to percentage pictures and movies with family and friends this fashion. When I’ve to get pictures off an Android telephone and want to use Google Footage to take action, it makes me want I used to be AirDropping as an alternative. It truly is that excellent.
The Apple Watch
The Apple Watch SE 2 (from left), Apple Watch Sequence 8, and Apple Watch Extremely Andy Boxall / Virtual Tendencies
The Apple Watch is among the bestselling smartwatches in the marketplace, and it’s no marvel why. You get correct well being monitoring with steady center price tracking, ECG, blood oxygen measurements, frame temperature for circle of relatives making plans, sleep monitoring, and complete exercise and health monitoring.
But it surely’s no longer simply an ideal well being tracker — it’s additionally an ideal smartwatch. You get a lot of third-party app improve at the gorgeous show, in addition to notifications, emergency SOS, alarms, telephone calls, and so a lot more. It additionally is available in more than one sizes and fashions — the Apple Watch Sequence 9, Apple Watch Extremely 2, and Apple Watch SE 2 — and has a myriad of equipment to truly make it yours.
You’re going to want an iPhone to set it up, alternatively. The Apple Watch steadily reigns excellent as the most efficient smartwatch to be had, and the one means to make use of it’s if in case you have an iPhone.
Higher third-party apps
Apple
Whilst there are many apps on each Apple’s App Retailer and the Google Play Retailer, there’s one distinction: the standard and improve have a tendency to be higher on iOS.
For so long as I will be mindful (I reviewed apps for some time prior to coming to Virtual Tendencies), many new apps can be best to be had for iOS, with out a plans for an Android model. Many apps I take advantage of day by day also are no longer to be had on non-Apple platforms. And from what I’ve noticed, it’s commonplace to peer updates for cross-platform apps hit iOS first, no less than from my enjoy.
But it surely’s no longer simply that. Since I began the use of Android telephones, I’ve downloaded lots of my most-used and essential apps on whichever Android telephone I’m checking out. In doing so, I’ve spotted that the entire enjoy of those apps is far smoother on iOS in comparison to their Android opposite numbers. And generally, new options display up on iOS prior to they do on Android, too.
So, in case you care concerning the cell app enjoy, it has a tendency to be just a little higher on iOS. So long as your iPhone continues to be supported by way of Apple and the app developer, you must be golden.
iOS updates
Prakhar Khanna / Virtual Tendencies
Even though extra Android telephones are getting longer instrument improve (Samsung and Google now be offering seven years of Android updates, as an example), Apple merchandise have lengthy been recognized for his or her longevity. Naturally, this comprises the iPhone.
On moderate, the standard iPhone must get no less than 5 years of iOS updates. As an example, the present iOS 17 replace may also be put in on gadgets courting again to the iPhone XR, which introduced in 2018.
Even though Apple hasn’t ever made any exact “promises” like Samsung and Google just lately have, its observe report has been fairly robust on this division. With most of the people upgrading each and every two to 4 years, an iPhone is most likely to get replaced prior to it turns into “out of date” anyway.
Extra safety
The iPhone 14 Plus (left) and iPhone 15 Plus Andy Boxall / Virtual Tendencies
Whilst there are some new cracks in Apple’s walled lawn in this day and age because of the Ecu Union’s rules, iPhones are nonetheless extra protected than Android telephones.
It’s been well-established that Apple’s App Retailer has had stricter regulations and pointers for its app evaluate procedure, on occasion to the purpose the place it’s just a little ridiculous. And until you’re within the EU, you continue to can’t get third-party app shops for your iPhone. So, for most of the people, Apple’s App Retailer continues to be the one solution to get your apps. For some, this might be noticed as a get advantages, as you’ll be able to believe the app you’re downloading as it handed Apple’s stringent approval processes.
Whilst iOS isn’t utterly invulnerable to safety threats and vulnerabilities, exploits occur much less on iOS than on Android on account of the closed ecosystem. It’s additionally more uncomplicated for Apple to push out safety patches to its customers because it has complete keep watch over over the entirety, while Android gadgets can on occasion range relying at the producer.
Apple additionally prioritizes privateness and encryption. As an example, fingerprint and face information for Contact ID/Face ID are saved in the neighborhood and encrypted in Apple’s “Safe Enclave.” Well being information within the Well being app also are encrypted and protected, and no longer even Apple can get admission to that information, even though Well being sharing is on.
Mainly, if you need a extra protected smartphone enjoy, the entire better choice is undoubtedly an iPhone. Android telephones aren’t dangerous on this regard, however Apple nonetheless has the higher hand right here.
Apple TV, Apple Tune, and extra
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
Most of the people know Apple for its {hardware}, however it’s additionally lovely excellent at the provider entrance, due to Apple TV+ and Apple Tune.
Even though Spotify is the preferred track streaming provider, Apple Tune isn’t too a long way in the back of. I’ve been the use of Apple Tune because it first introduced in 2015, and I experience it much more because it’s been a part of my Apple One package deal. Apple Tune has tighter integration with iOS total in comparison to Spotify, and the sound high quality is healthier on Apple Tune than on Spotify.
The Apple TV app could also be an effective way to consolidate your whole favourite displays and films in a single position. You’ll watch Apple TV+ exclusives and hyperlink up your different streaming products and services, purchase or hire displays and films, get sports activities, and extra. There’s additionally Apple Information+, Apple Arcade, Apple Health+, and so forth. Apple’s products and services have grown a lot in recent times, and in case you depend on any of them, an iPhone is the easiest solution to get admission to they all.
iCloud
Nadeem Sarwar / Virtual Tendencies
One in all my non-public favourite options of iPhones is Apple’s iCloud. I’ve it as a part of my Apple One package deal, however even prior to that, I used to be subscribed to iCloud for additonal cupboard space. It really works nicely and is totally within the background.
With iCloud, I’m in a position to retailer just about all of my maximum essential bits of knowledge. It’s how I again up my 1TB iPhone 15 Professional in order that on every occasion I improve, restoring all of my information is completed with simply a few faucets. I additionally use iCloud Power so my information are obtainable on all of my Apple gadgets, iCloud Picture Library so all pictures and movies are synced, and if I’ve the iCloud possibility for apps, I take advantage of that quite than having to take care of some other syncing provider.
It’s nonetheless frustrating that Apple best supplies 5GB of iCloud free of charge, which is just about not anything in 2024. However I will guarantee you that iCloud is undoubtedly value paying for, particularly if in case you have further Apple gadgets. The announcing “it simply works” in regard to Apple gadgets would possibly really feel drained in this day and age, however with iCloud, it’s true. The entirety is sponsored up, the entirety is synced, and also you don’t need to take into accounts it in any respect.
iPhone equipment are unrivaled
Christine Romero-Chan / Virtual Tendencies
When you care about accessorizing your telephone, then your best option is the iPhone.
This most likely doesn’t come as a marvel. When you cross to a retail retailer, like Highest Purchase or Goal, you’ll almost certainly in finding dozens of instances for various iPhone fashions. Even on-line, you’ll stumble throughout extra case choices for the iPhone than you could possibly for an Android telephone. From adorable and trendy to rugged and sturdy or elementary and skinny, the iPhone may also be wearing just about the rest.
You merely don’t get as many choices in terms of different telephones, just like the Samsung Galaxy S24, Google Pixel 8, or OnePlus 12. I’m no longer announcing there aren’t any instances, however your possible choices are a lot more restricted in comparison to iPhones.
As an example, OtterBox had some adorable Valentine’s Day instances, however they had been best introduced for the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 sequence — there have been none for the Samsung Galaxy S24. Casetify is some other logo that has a ton of cool collaborations with standard manufacturers like Disney, Wonder, Celebrity Wars, anime, influencers and artists, and extra. However many of the instances are for iPhones, with possibly a Pixel or Galaxy possibility right here and there.
Equipment aren’t the deciding issue when opting for your subsequent smartphone, but when that’s one thing you care about, the iPhone’s lead here’s not possible to forget about.
Apple’s customer support
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Every now and then, you simply finally end up with instrument problems, and that may be a headache. Thankfully, Apple is understood for its nice customer support, and also you’re more likely to recover lend a hand from Apple than from different manufacturers.
Each iPhone has twelve months of {hardware} restore protection and 90 days of complimentary technical improve. For much more protection, you’ll be able to acquire AppleCare+, with the choice for Robbery and Loss protection for an extra price. The cost of AppleCare+ is determined by the iPhone style you’re overlaying, and it begins at $79 for the iPhone SE 3 and is going as much as $199 for the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Robbery and Loss protection provides some other $70 on best of the ones costs.
You’ll touch Apple improve by way of telephone or by way of going to an Apple Retailer after creating a Genius Bar appointment. With AppleCare+, incidents price as little as $29 for display screen or again glass harm, $99 for different unintentional harm, and $149 for robbery or loss.
I’ve been the use of iPhones for greater than a decade. Whilst I don’t generally have issues, the few occasions I’ve, the buyer provider I’ve gained has been above and past. From what I’ve heard about different producers, it sounds find it irresistible could be a nightmare to take care of, although all of it is determined by who you get that can assist you out.
Nonetheless, Apple has a cast popularity for customer support, so that you’ll recover lend a hand and improve if one thing is going unsuitable. It’s no longer one thing you hope you must depend on, however in case you do want it, Apple must have your again.
Apple
The Apple Watch SE 2 (from left), Apple Watch Sequence 8, and Apple Watch Extremely Andy Boxall / Virtual Tendencies
Prakhar Khanna / Virtual TendenciesEditors’ Suggestions
