56 Macworld • March 2021iPHONE
OS AND UPDATES
As always, you’re getting the latest
OS with each of these phones – One
UI 3.1 based on Android 11 with the
S21, and iOS 14 with the iPhone 12 –
but the future isn’t as clear. Since the
launch of the Galaxy S20, Samsung
has promised all new phones will
get three generations of Android
updates, so the S21 is guaranteed
to get Android 14 when it arrives in- Apple technically offers no such
guarantee, but iPhones are generally
supported for five years of upgrades.
For example, the iPhone 6s, which
launched with iOS 9 in 2016, got iOS
14 when it landed in September.
You’re also guaranteed to get
iOS updates on the day they arrive,
something that isn’t so certain with
the S21. While monthly security
updates land quickly, new versions
of Android often take months before
they arrive on the latest phones.
My pick: iPhone 12VERDICT
Samsung and Apple have been
competitors for as long as they’ve
been making phones, but it’s been
a while since they’ve had phones
that were such close competitors.
I’m still testing the S21 and will havea full review soon. Based on first
impressions, though, the iPhone 12
has a very tough fight on its hands and
might need to relinquish its crown for
the best premium smartphone value.56 Macworld • March 2021iPHONE
OS AND UPDATES
As always, you’re getting the latest
OS with each of these phones – One
UI 3.1 based on Android 11 with the
S21, and iOS 14 with the iPhone 12 –
but the future isn’t as clear. Since the
launch of the Galaxy S20, Samsung
has promised all new phones will
get three generations of Android
updates, so the S21 is guaranteed
to get Android 14 when it arrives in- Apple technically offers no such
guarantee, but iPhones are generally
supported for five years of upgrades.
For example, the iPhone 6s, which
launched with iOS 9 in 2016, got iOS
14 when it landed in September.
You’re also guaranteed to get
iOS updates on the day they arrive,
something that isn’t so certain with
the S21. While monthly security
updates land quickly, new versions
of Android often take months before
they arrive on the latest phones.
My pick: iPhone 12VERDICT
Samsung and Apple have been
competitors for as long as they’ve
been making phones, but it’s been
a while since they’ve had phones
that were such close competitors.
I’m still testing the S21 and will havea full review soon. Based on first
impressions, though, the iPhone 12
has a very tough fight on its hands and
might need to relinquish its crown for
the best premium smartphone value.