This is not a 'cut & dry' subject. There are so many different branches within both disciplines. You could opt for approach and end up doing Essex or Heathrow approach where you would be doing radar all day. If you get to a tower you could end up at either Heathrow or Cardiff which are very different jobs. The same with Area, you could do area control at Swanwick or Scottish or end up doing the London TMA at TC. Again different variations on a theme.
IMO go for area, the pay is better because the job is more challenging.