Galaxy S8 and Note 8 are a more sensible buy than the iPhone X, says Consumer Reports

Which is better: Android or iOS? It’s a debate that has raged for close to a decade and will continue to spark heated arguments among friends, families, and in comment sections online for years to come.

More recently, however, the age-old debate has taken a turn to focus not on the two core operating systems, but instead two companies – Apple and Samsung – and their respective flagship devices – the iPhone and Galaxy S / Note.

On the surface, this year’s face-off is tougher than ever. Comparing either the Galaxy S8, S8 Plus, or Note 8 with Apple’s iPhone X ends in a fairly safe conclusion: they’re all top-tier phones with standout features that, for many consumers, fully earn their premium price tags.

When it comes to buying a new phone and potentially splashing upwards of $1,000, though, some will want to know they’re getting the best of the best. Enter Consumer Reports, a historic publication that claims to provide “evidence-based product testing and ratings” for pretty much any kind of tech product you can think of, including Apple and Samsung’s flagships for 2017.

Having finished rigorously testing the iPhone X, the magazine’s newly published final report states that Apple’s notch-sporting Animoji machine is a poorer choice for buyers than Samsung’s elite trio.

In what is a fleeting mention in an otherwise comprehensive dive into the iPhone X’s features, the folks at Consumer Reports write that the ultra-premium iOS phone is “ranked a bit lower than Samsung’s S8, S8+, and Note 8, mainly because of their superior battery life.”

The publication clocked the iPhone X battery life at around 19.5 hours – far less than the 26 hours offered by Samsung’s S8, and also below the 21 hours recorded by the iPhone 8 Plus. In terms of overall mark, the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus (and iPhone 8 and 8 Plus) previously claimed a score of 81, while the iPhone X and the Note 8 came in a point lower at 80.

While the numbers appear to tell a clear story, the report doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to buyer perception, noting that “many longtime iPhone users aren’t interested in switching to Android,” and that those consumers may be better off picking up an iPhone 8.

It’s not all dire reading for iPhone X owners, though, as the device’s OLED screen (made by Samsung, it should be noted), “outstanding cameras”, and Face ID tech all came in for high praise. Meanwhile, the negatives mirror some of our writers’ own thoughts here at Android Authority, with durability concerns, battery shortcomings, and price all cited as possible reasons to avoid the iPhone X.

If you’ve been swayed by Consumer Reports’ rankings, be sure to check out our reviews of the Galaxy S8/S8 Plus and Note 8 before taking the plunge.