Why iPhones are more expensive than Android phones.

The iPhone has maintained its immense appeal since its initial release in 2007. Photo: Shutterstock .

In the list of the 10 best-selling smartphones in the world in 2025, published by Counterpoint Research last weekend, Apple occupied 7 positions, with 3 models from the iPhone 16 series (iPhone 16, 16 Pro Max, and 16 Pro) leading the pack. The only "budget" phone from Apple in this group is the iPhone 16e.

Samsung occupies the remaining three positions, but two of those are A-series models, and only the high-end Galaxy S25 Ultra is in the top 10. This shows that Apple is not only selling well in terms of quantity, but also outperforming other brands in terms of the value of each phone sold.

An unusual event that occurred in London (England) last year partly demonstrates the value of the iPhone compared to Android phones and explains why Apple sells high-end phones better than any other brand on the market.

The unique appeal of the iPhone

In this somewhat comical incident, the thieves returned the Android phone to its owner when they realized their "loot" wasn't an iPhone. They understood what everyone else has noticed: iPhones are highly sought after and retain their value better than Android phones.

If a thief steals an old iPhone and successfully unlocks it, they can sell it for a higher price than a used Android phone of the same year.

Criminal behavior reflects the shared preferences of a large user base. Nearly 20 years after the first iPhone appeared and shaped the modern smartphone market, the product line remains more appealing than Android phones.

In 2007, Apple launched the first iPhone, a smartphone with a touchscreen and no physical keyboard. Soon after, all competitors in the industry switched to touch interfaces, including Google.

Used iPhones still hold their value better than Android phones. Photo: Future.

While Apple continues to refine the iPhone and holds many key stages in the development process, including software and some hardware components, Google focuses on turning Android into a free operating system for smartphone manufacturers.

Since then, the smartphone world has been pretty much divided into two halves. Android phones and iPhones offer comparable hardware performance and software features across generations. Each device can run the same apps and games, although Apple devices are often preferred by developers.

However, Android phone manufacturers can't keep up with Apple in terms of attracting users. After using an iPhone, the vast majority of users are unlikely to switch to Android. This allows Apple to keep iPhone prices high and even increase the average selling price.

What makes the iPhone valuable?

Apple doesn't just sell a powerful smartphone that serves everyday needs well. When buying an iPhone, users get a durable device made from premium materials. iPhones have long battery life and operate reliably for many years.

Apple keeps iPhones from becoming obsolete by updating iOS for at least five years. While a five-year-old iPhone may not handle all the features in the latest iOS release well, it still receives many advanced features.

A number of factors contribute to the high value of the iPhone. Photo: Shutterstock.

Long-term software support is also an attractive factor for developers. A device that receives operating system and security updates for many years will be able to run most apps in the App Store, making iOS a crucial development platform.

Additionally, new iOS releases are available on almost all compatible iPhones. Apple's iOS also provides several essential apps, such as iMessage and FaceTime.

Besides software, Apple also controls the hardware with its A-series chips. This allows Apple to customize and have good control over iOS performance.

In parallel, Apple has also developed a vast ecosystem of devices. iPhone owners can purchase additional AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, all of which work well when paired with a smartphone.

With digital content from various Apple services, along with photos and apps stored on the iPhone, upgrading to a new Apple device after a few years makes more sense than switching to Android and backing up all your data.

All of these factors help Apple keep iPhone prices higher than its Android competitors. Apple focuses on the premium segment because it knows that many users recognize the value an iPhone provides.

Are Android phones as expensive as iPhones?

Some of Apple's competitors target the same price segment as the iPhone with their flagship devices. However, fierce competition in the Android market could affect pricing.

Any company can manufacture Android phones and develop its own hardware. But a new brand will have to compete with all other Android smartphone suppliers, not just iPhones.

Due to numerous obstacles, Android phones are unlikely to command high prices. Photo: Shutterstock.

Furthermore, Android manufacturers produce a wide range of devices, from entry-level to high-end phones. While the latest flagship Galaxy S phone starts at $799 , Samsung's most popular phones worldwide are the more affordable Galaxy A series.

Android manufacturers typically compete by pushing for hardware improvements, such as camera upgrades. However, all Android manufacturers can use similar components. Therefore, they cannot set prices too high. Customers can choose a cheaper device with similar specifications from a competitor.

The Android operating system also presents challenges. Phone manufacturers don't control the platform. They can develop user interfaces based on Android, such as Samsung's One UI, but Google is the developer of Android itself. Most also don't develop their own mobile chips, instead using components from Qualcomm or MediaTek.

Therefore, Android manufacturers cannot customize the operating system's performance to suit the hardware like Apple does. Only Google has that unique position with its Pixel phone line.

Furthermore, only Google releases Android updates for its devices from day one, while some other Android manufacturers take weeks, even months. This speed is incomparable to iOS.

Ultimately, the limited device ecosystem of each manufacturer makes some Android smartphones less attractive to users.

Source: https://znews.vn/ly-do-iphone-dat-hon-dien-thoai-android-post1623262.html