When it comes to smartphone security, most people instinctively assume iOS is safer than Android. Apple’s “walled garden” approach and strict app controls have long been cited as key reasons for its reputation in privacy and security. However, a new YouGov study, conducted in collaboration with Google, paints a different picture, especially when it comes to scam protection. According to the study, iOS users are 65% more likely than Android users to receive three or more scam texts in a week.
Meanwhile, 58% of Android users reported not receiving any scam texts at all during the same period. Interestingly, 20% more Android users described their devices’ scam protections as “very effective” or “extremely effective.” The research surveyed 5,000 smartphone users across the US, India, and Brazil, and revealed an even wider gap 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 heavy volumes of scam messages.
Even more striking, iPhone users were 150% more likely to say their devices were ineffective at stopping mobile fraud. In a separate comparison evaluating built-in scam and fraud protections across four major devices, the Pixel 10 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, and Motorola Razr+ (2025), the iPhone ranked last in terms of available security features. Android’s robust call screening, scam detection, and real-time fraud warning capabilities were highlighted as key advantages.
Google’s Scam Detection feature, powered by on-device AI, analyzes suspicious messages and blocks potential threats before they reach users. Combined with Google Messages’ spam filtering and link-blocking, Android’s proactive protection gives it a clear edge. The takeaway? When it comes to defending against scams, Android might actually be safer than iOS.