iPhone Manual for Beginners vs. iPhone: The Missing Manual — Which Book Is Better for Your iPhone?
About this comparison: it was written in January 2020 and compares the editions available then. Both books have been updated for newer iPhones since, so page counts and prices have changed.
Two of the best-selling books about using an iPhone are the iPhone Manual for Beginners by Joe Malacina and iPhone: The Missing Manual by David Pogue. People often ask which one is better, so we compared them.
First, both books do an excellent job of explaining the iPhone’s many features. They take different approaches, though, and there are other things to consider, such as price and extras.
Quick verdict
- For beginners and seniors: the iPhone Manual for Beginners, which has larger print and a step-by-step structure.
- For the most detail: iPhone: The Missing Manual, a much longer, reference-style book.
Which book is easier to read?
Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners
By this we mean illustrations, font size, formatting, and style. Both books use color illustrations to show exactly how to do things on your iPhone. The Missing Manual has more illustrations, but the iPhone Manual for Beginners’ illustrations are larger and easier to follow. Some readers find the Missing Manual’s index hard to navigate, so the index advantage also goes to the iPhone Manual for Beginners. With its large font and generous spacing, it’s the easier read.
Which book contains more information?
Winner: iPhone: The Missing Manual
The Missing Manual has far more information. In 2020 it ran about 720 pages at 6″ × 9″, compared with 144 pages at 8.5″ × 11″ for the iPhone Manual for Beginners. If you want a reference book with every possible detail, the Missing Manual may be right for you. The iPhone Manual for Beginners takes a different approach: you can read it in a day, and it builds skills step by step, which works well for people learning from scratch. More information doesn’t automatically make a better book, but on depth the Missing Manual wins.
Which book is best for different skill levels?
Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners
Few beginners, or even intermediate users, will read a 700-page book cover to cover. A complete beginner would find the iPhone Manual for Beginners easy to read and finish. Concepts introduced in early chapters are built on in later ones, and the book works up to intermediate and advanced features. The exception: if you’re already very comfortable with technology, the Missing Manual’s depth may suit you better.
Which book is cheaper?
Winner (2020): iPhone: The Missing Manual
Despite being much longer, the Missing Manual was usually cheaper in 2020, typically between $16.99 and $29.95 depending on the day. The iPhone Manual for Beginners was usually $19.95 to $24.95, with a larger page size and full-color printing. Check current prices before you buy.
Which book is easier to get?
Winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners, just barely
The iPhone Manual for Beginners is available in most countries, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia, and ships from within those regions. The Missing Manual is stocked by more bookstores, but we couldn’t confirm which book is available locally in more countries.
The verdict
Overall winner: iPhone Manual for Beginners
For most people learning the iPhone, especially beginners and seniors, we recommend the iPhone Manual for Beginners for its step-by-step approach, illustrations, clear table of contents, and index. Its only downside in 2020 was a few dollars’ higher price. If you want an exhaustive reference and are comfortable with technology, choose the Missing Manual.