- Mobile Security
- Scam Protection
- Android vs iPhone
New Google research reveals Android users receive significantly fewer scam texts than iPhone owners, with AI-driven security blocking over 10 billion threats monthly. Discover why Android leads in scam protection.
Google's Latest Research Reveals Significant Security Gap
Google has released compelling new data suggesting that Android users face substantially fewer scam attempts compared to their iPhone counterparts. The research, unveiled during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, presents a stark contrast in the security experiences between the two dominant mobile platforms.
Conducted in partnership with YouGov, Counterpoint Research, and Leviathan Security Group, the comprehensive study surveyed more than 5,000 smartphone users across the United States, India, and Brazil. The findings paint a clear picture of Android's enhanced protection against increasingly sophisticated scam operations.
The Numbers Behind Android's Security Advantage
According to the research, Android users were 58% more likely than iPhone owners to report receiving no scam text messages in the week preceding the survey. This statistic becomes even more impressive when examining Google's own Pixel device users, who reported a remarkable 96% reduction in scam text exposure.
The data reveals an equally concerning trend for iPhone users. Those using Apple devices were 65% more likely to report receiving three or more scam texts weekly. Perhaps most telling, iPhone owners were 150% more likely than Pixel users to describe their phone's scam protection capabilities as "not effective at all."
These figures suggest a meaningful gap in how the two platforms approach and implement scam prevention, with real-world implications for user security and peace of mind.
Why Android Outperforms in Scam Protection
The research from Counterpoint provides insight into the technical reasons behind Android's superior performance. Android devices currently offer AI-based protection across nine distinct categories, creating a comprehensive security net for users. These protection layers include calls, messages, email, app store interactions, and real-time scam detection capabilities.
In contrast, iPhone's AI-driven safeguards currently cover just two categories: messaging and app store activity. This significant disparity in coverage areas means Android users benefit from multiple layers of intelligent protection working simultaneously to identify and block potential threats.
Leviathan Security Group's independent evaluation reinforced these findings, ranking the Pixel 10 Pro as the leading device for scam and fraud protection. The assessment placed it ahead of competitors including the iPhone 17, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Motorola Razr Plus 2025.
Key advantages cited by Leviathan include Android's built-in call screening functionality, sophisticated scam detection algorithms, and real-time authentication alerts that warn users of suspicious activity as it occurs.
Google's Massive Scale Defence Infrastructure
The effectiveness of Android's protection isn't just theoretical. Google reports that its systems now successfully block more than 10 billion suspicious calls and messages each month. This massive scale of intervention demonstrates both the prevalence of scam attempts and the robust nature of Google's defensive measures.
Beyond blocking individual threats, Google has taken proactive steps to prevent scammers from exploiting its communication platforms. The company has prevented over 100 million fake phone numbers from accessing Rich Communication Services, effectively cutting off a major avenue for scam operations before they can reach users.
These preventative measures work alongside real-time detection systems, creating multiple barriers that scammers must overcome. The result is a significantly reduced likelihood that fraudulent messages will reach Android users' inboxes.
Important Considerations and Expert Cautions
While the data presents a compelling case for Android's security superiority, industry analysts have highlighted important nuances worth considering. The research methodology relies primarily on user reporting rather than direct message analysis, which means the results may reflect user perception alongside actual performance.
Users who believe their devices offer strong protection may be more confident in identifying and reporting scams, whilst those who feel vulnerable might be more likely to perceive legitimate messages as suspicious. This psychological factor could influence the reported data to some degree.
Additionally, the survey focused on users in three specific markets: the United States, India, and Brazil. Scam patterns, user behaviour, and platform adoption rates vary significantly across different regions, which may affect how broadly these findings can be applied globally.
What This Means for Australian Smartphone Users
For Australian consumers, these findings arrive at a particularly relevant moment. Scam calls and fraudulent text messages continue to surge across Australia, with telecommunications providers and authorities reporting increasing sophistication in scammer tactics.
The research suggests that choosing an Android device, particularly one from Google's Pixel line, may offer tangible benefits in terms of scam protection. However, no system is entirely foolproof, and users on any platform should maintain healthy scepticism about unsolicited communications.
The competitive pressure created by these findings may also drive Apple to enhance its own AI-powered security features, potentially benefiting all smartphone users regardless of their platform choice. As scam operations become more advanced, the mobile security landscape will likely continue evolving rapidly.
Ultimately, whilst the technology provides crucial protection, user awareness and cautious behaviour remain essential components of a comprehensive defence against mobile scams and fraud.