When you splash out on a new mobile phone or tablet, your choice is usually split between two major platforms: Apple's iOS devices (namely the iPhone and iPad), or one of the many, many devices running Google's Android OS. So who's winning when it comes to flagship phones, compact mobiles, affordable handsets and tablets? Here's our full Android vs iOS hardware comparison.

These days you don't just have to worry about a phone or tablet's hardware when you splash out on a new device. Sure, the camera and the display and all the rest are still important factors. But you also have to choose which mobile ecosystem to embrace: Apple's iOS or Google's Android OS.

Both operating systems offer their own strengths and weaknesses, of course. Apple's iPhones and iPads are generally quite easy to use, but also pleasingly secure thanks to the closed ecosystem. Meanwhile, Android devices are more flexible, with greater personalisation and the ability to tinker.

Today we're going to keep it simple however, and consider the hardware. With Google's OS you get a huge number of phones and tablets to choose from, as loads of different manufacturers have crafted their very own Android devices. On the flip side, iOS locks you into Apple's home-grown hardware, so you have to stick with iPhones and iPads.

So which hardware is best, depending on your own personal needs? Should you go Google, or stick to Apple phones and tablets? Here's what we reckon.

Apple vs Android: Best premium phone

If you want the absolute best of the best, then Apple's iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus are the iOS phones to check out. These supremely powerful handsets may not be a massive upgrade on the previous year's iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, but they do offer a new water-resistant finish, bigger batteries and cameras that work better in low light. The 7 Plus even packs a dual-lens rear snapper, which has optical zoom for getting closer to your subject.

If money is something to be frittered away, your best choice for Android is the Google Pixel or Pixel XL, or Samsung's Galaxy S7. The Pixel and Pixel XL are close matches for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, in terms of size and performance. However, while the Pixel handsets don't have the iPhone's water resistance, they do boast better cameras.

Check out our Google Pixel phone vs iPhone 7 comparison and Samsung Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 7 comparison for more info, but personally we're swaying towards the Android blowers here. The S7 in particular offers solid value for money these days and much the same benefits of the iPhones.

Apple vs Android: Best compact phone

If you want a hand-friendly handset, then look no further than the iPhone SE and Sony's Xperia Z5 Compact or Xperia X Compact.

Source: recombu.com