Google recently revealed that Android smartphones are more effective at preventing scams than Apple iPhones. This challenges a long-held belief about device security. A new global survey, conducted with YouGov, found Android users experienced significantly fewer scam texts. The findings cover 5,000 smartphone users across the United States, India, and Brazil^[1][2][3][4]. ### Android Shows Stronger Scam Protection The survey results, released during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, indicate a shift in mobile security perceptions. Android users were 58% more likely to report receiving no scam texts in the week before the survey, compared to iPhone users^{[5][2][6][4][7][8]}. This data suggests Android's built-in defenses are proving more robust against evolving digital threats^[1][9][2]. Google Pixel device owners showed an even greater advantage. Pixel users were 96% less likely to report zero scam messages than iPhone owners^{[1][5][2][6][3][4][7][8]}. In contrast, iOS users were 65% more likely to receive three or more scam texts within a single week than their Android counterparts^{[1][5][9][2][3][4][7][8]}. User confidence in device protection also varied. Android users were 20% more likely to describe their phone's scam protections as "very effective" or "extremely effective"^{[5][2][3][4][7][8]}. When comparing Pixel to iPhone, iPhone users were 150% more likely to say their device was "not effective at all" in stopping mobile fraud^{[5][9][3][4][7]}. ### Google's AI-Powered Security Framework Google attributes Android's strong performance to its multi-layered security framework. This system uses artificial intelligence and real-time threat detection to proactively block malicious attempts^[1][9][2]. The company stated that Android systems block over 10 billion suspected scam calls and messages every month^{[1][9][2][10][3][7][8]}. "Our security architecture is designed to identify and block potential threats before they impact users," Google said in a statement^[1]. The company added that this proactive approach helps ensure a safer mobile experience for Android users^[1]. RCS Safety Checks continuously monitor and neutralize suspicious activity^[1][7]. Android's built-in tools include spam filtering in Messages, on-device Scam Detection, and the Phone app's Call Screen function^[9][4]. Scam Detection uses on-device AI to analyze messages from unknown senders for conversational scam patterns and provides real-time warnings^[4]. The Phone by Google app automatically blocks known spam calls^[4]. ### Independent Research Supports Findings Google's claims are further supported by independent research from third-party security firms. Counterpoint Research, a global technology market research firm, conducted an independent study^{[5][9][10][6][11][7][8]}. This study compared the latest Pixel, Samsung, Motorola, and iPhone devices^[5][6][11]. Counterpoint Research found that Android provides comprehensive AI-driven safeguards across ten key protection areas^{[5][9][10][6][11][7][8]}. These areas include email protections, browsing protections, and on-device behavioral protections^[5][11][7]. In contrast, iOS offered AI-powered protections in only two categories^{[5][9][10][7]}. Another evaluation by Leviathan Security Group also backed Google's findings^{[5][9][12][4][11][7][8]}. This firm compared the scam and fraud protection on several devices, including the iPhone 17, Moto Razr+ 2025, Pixel 10 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7^{[5][12][4][11][7]}. Their analysis concluded that Android smartphones, particularly the Pixel 10 Pro, offer the highest level of default scam and fraud protection^{[5][12][4][11][7][8]}. The report highlighted Android's robust call screening, scam detection, and real-time scam warning authentication capabilities as key differentiators^[5][12][4]. ### Shifting Perceptions in Mobile Security For many years, iPhones maintained a reputation for superior privacy and security due to Apple's closed ecosystem^{[1][13][9][2][10][14][15][16][17]}. This approach often meant more controlled environments and stricter app vetting^[13][16][17]. However, the new survey paints a different picture, showing Android users encountering fewer scams and feeling more secure^{[1][2][10][6][7][8]}. The increasing sophistication of online fraud, phishing, and digital payment scams globally has made smartphone security a critical concern for consumers^{[1][9][2][7][8]}. Mobile scams alone cost victims over $400 billion globally in the past year^{[9][2][3][7][8]}. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create more convincing fraudulent messages and calls^[3][7][8]. Google's report directly challenges the long-standing idea that iPhones are inherently safer^[2]. It suggests that while iOS may have fewer traditional malware incidents, its vulnerabilities to social engineering attacks expose users to higher real-world risks^[2]. Participants in the survey cited iPhones as facing "greater overall risk of cyberattacks" due to inadequate default message filtering^[2]. These findings indicate a significant shift in the mobile security landscape. Google's focus on AI-driven, multi-layered protections appears to be giving Android a critical advantage in combating modern scams and fraud. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the effectiveness of a smartphone's built-in defenses will remain a key factor for user safety and confidence.