When it comes to smartphone security, most people automatically assume that iOS is safer than Android. Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem and strict app review process have helped it build a strong reputation for privacy and security. However, new research from YouGov, conducted in partnership with Google, challenges that perception, especially regarding scam protection. The study found that iOS users are 65% more likely than Android users to receive three or more scam texts each week.
In contrast, 58% of Android users said they didn’t receive any scam texts at all during the same period. Additionally, 20% more Android users rated their devices’ scam protection as “very effective” or “extremely effective.” The survey, which included 5,000 participants from the US, India, and Brazil, showed an even sharper divide between Pixel and iPhone owners. Pixel users were 96% more likely than iPhone users to report zero scam texts, while iPhone users were 136% more likely to experience a high volume of scam messages. Even more notably, iPhone users were 150% more likely to describe their phones as ineffective in preventing mobile fraud.
In a separate comparison across four flagship devices, the Pixel 10 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, and Motorola Razr+ (2025), Apple’s iPhone ranked lowest in security features. Android’s built-in call screening, scam detection, and real-time fraud alerts, powered by on-device AI, gave it a strong advantage. The findings suggest that, despite its image, Android may now offer better protection from scams than iOS.