The Recent Case Against iOS: Complexity and Vulnerability

A series of reports in late 2025 and early 2026 have criticised Apple’s iOS for becoming increasingly bug-prone. Critics argue that as Apple rushes to integrate advanced AI features (under the "Apple Intelligence" banner) and maintains support for older hardware, the software has become "bloated."

Significant issues reported include:

• Stability Woes: Users have complained of "unexplained battery drain," overheating, and app crashes in iOS 26, with some analytics firms suggesting apps restart twice as often compared to previous versions.

  
  

• Security Zero-Days: In early 2026, researchers discovered a "zero-day" vulnerability in Apple’s dynamic linker (dyld) that had existed for nearly 20 years. While targeted primarily at high-profile individuals via spyware like Pegasus, it shattered the myth of iOS's inherent invulnerability.

Microsoft’s Pivot: The "Hard Reset" on Security

In contrast, Microsoft’s recent strategy has focused on a "forced evolution." In October 2025, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10, pushing millions of users toward Windows 11.

Key details about Microsoft’s current stance:

• Hardware-Level Security: Unlike previous versions, Windows 11 mandates specific hardware like TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and Secure Boot. This "hard floor" ensures that every modern Windows machine has a baseline of hardware-level protection against firmware attacks.

  
  

• Enterprise Dominance: Microsoft remains the "gold standard" for business security. Tools like Microsoft Defender and Intune allow IT departments to manage thousands of devices with granular control that Apple’s more consumer-focused ecosystem still struggles to match.

  
  

How They Differ

The primary difference lies in Philosophy and Control:

• Apple uses a "Walled Garden" approach. It controls the hardware, the operating system, and the App Store. This usually makes for a more seamless experience, but recent "cracks" suggest that the garden is becoming too complex for Apple to manage perfectly.

  
  

• Microsoft operates an "Open Ecosystem." It must work on thousands of different hardware configurations. To fix its historically poor reputation for security, it is now using "forced upgrades" to ensure all users are on modern, hardened hardware.

  
  

Which is the Safest?

The answer depends on who you are:

1. For the Average Consumer: iOS is still the winner. Despite recent bugs, the "closed" nature of iOS makes it much harder for a casual user to accidentally install malware. You cannot easily download a malicious file from a website that takes over your iPhone; on Windows, this remains a significantly higher risk.

2. For the High-Security Professional: Windows 11 (Properly Configured). If you are an expert or working within a corporation, the transparency and administrative tools available in Windows allow for a higher level of custom "hardening." Windows 11’s hardware requirements have made it a formidable opponent for hackers.

If you want "out-of-the-box" safety without thinking about it, stick with iOS. If you want a system that can be turned into a high-security vault through professional management, Microsoft has finally closed the gap.

Yes, I know. There's people that will say "what about Linux", but we can here all day discussing the alternatives!

What's your thoughts?