Android or iOS: Which operating system is better for smartphones?
The first question when buying a mobile phone is usually: Android or iOS? Often a landmark decision for many years – and a question of faith. Today we show the Android vs iOS comparison and the strengths and weaknesses of both operating systems.
Android vs iOS Comparison:
The Design:
The user interface is the “one-stop-shop” of every smartphone. Visually, both operating systems now differ only minimally. With Android, however, apps can be placed freely. Apple’s IOS apps are arranged in a fixed grid.
Another advantage of Android is the widgets. These are small dynamic home screen windows that preview the app, such as the weather report. Apple hides its widgets on an extra page.
The Operation:
On iOS, the user interface looks tidier. All apps are gathered on the home screen and can be sorted into folders. Thanks to logically structured menus, the smartphone can be operated intuitively.
Android on the other hand works with two levels: In “AppDrawer” all apps can be found. The user can pick up frequently used applications from there and drag a shortcut to the home screen.
Although this makes the home screen much clearer, the division into two levels complicates the operation. For example, in old versions of Android, the app will not be uninstalled when deleting the home screen at the same time – that confused.
Also read: Apple iOS 14.6 is out now: What new in this update
The Personalization:
Android smartphones are easy to personalize. This is different at Apple. The possibilities to personalize the mobile phone are limited: The user can select a background image for the lock and start screen, as well as various ringtones. Even shortcuts such as an alarm clock or calculator can be added or removed from the control center. Only third-party apps do not work.
The default appearance on Android, however, is to be understood only as a suggestion. Thanks to various “Launcher” Apps from Google’s Play Store, menu, font, app icons and much more can be customized. Therefore, the Android operating systems of the manufacturer look so different. Whether Samsung, Huawei, or OnePlus – each one designs its own interface and adds more or less useful software to the system.
The Functionality:
Android smartphones allow their users to request a so-called “root access”. As a result, deep intervention in the system is possible and the user can change or retrofit any functions. While iOS does not allow this form of control, shielding the system also provides more security and stability.
When it comes to new, innovative features, the smartphone pioneer Apple lags many years behind. Push messages sorted by apps will be introduced soon with iOS 12. Under Android, this has been part of the standard equipment for years. Due to the longer development time, Apple manages to integrate new features deeper and more users into the system.
For example, when it comes to facial recognition as an innovative unlocking method, Apple is ahead with FaceID. While on Android smartphones usually only photos are compared, Apple uses infrared scans and artificial intelligence, thus providing more security.
In addition, Apple is good at seamlessly linking its own products and devices. AirDrop, shared clipboards, and iCloud create a closed system where you can work comfortably and easily. Whether iPhone, iPad, or Mac – it feels like one. But exactly this closed Apple cosmos also limits the users. Compatibilities with non-Apple products are usually excluded.
The Performance:
Android vs ios comparison on performance. Android is the operating system for all smartphone classes, whether low-end, mid-range, or high-end. The selection is huge.
Apple, however, has only a handful of devices running iOS. Therefore, the company from Cupertino can adapt the operating system exactly to its devices and get the most out of their performance. That’s why even older generations of iPhone seem to run faster and smoother in daily use than some of Samsung’s top-of-the-line models with heavy processors and lots of memory.
Only a few Android devices use “pure” Android. In the first place, of course, are Google’s own smartphones – the “Google Pixel” series. As with Apple software and hardware come here from a single source and are coordinated.
The Apps:
Apple’s app policies are very strict. Even though lately fraudulent apps have slipped through the exam departments, the quality of the apps is enormously high. If an app supports a version of the iPhone, then the user can be sure that the app will work without errors and crashes.
However, this is reflected in the number of apps. According to Statista, the AppStore contained over 2.2 million apps in October 2017. There were twice as many in Google’s Play Store: 4.4 million. These apps are often free and finance only through advertising.
New, innovative apps make it easier for Google to get to market. The careless controls in the Play Store open the “black sheep” door. Just recently, an app has spent itself as the popular online game “Fortnite” and tapped thousands of login data. The original game is not available in the Play Store.
The Updates:
The upcoming iOS 12 will be available for all devices next week. On the other hand, regular updates are often in short supply for Android smartphones. It’s not just about new or useful features. Cheap or old devices become a serious security risk due to missing updates because open security vulnerabilities make them more vulnerable to hackers.
Behind every Android update is an extremely complex process, in which not only Google and the manufacturers are in demand. Chip manufacturers and mobile operators also need to be involved in the process so that the update succeeds without error.
The result: The transition to the current version of Android is progressing only slowly. Most brands and models are constantly lagging behind. Google’s operating system Android Oreo currently runs only on 14.6 percent of Android devices, not to mention the successor Android Pie available since August. Apple’s latest iOS 11.4 runs on 85 percent of all iPhones.
The Security:
Often, Android is considered an unsafe and virus-prone operating system, while Apple users are less plagued by viruses. Although vulnerabilities can rarely be closed due to the large update intervals, security vulnerabilities rarely cause problems. Because: Meanwhile, Android has become so complex that a single vulnerability is usually not enough to carry out a profitable smartphone hack.
The biggest risk is the user himself. Android users mostly get themselves “the enemy” into the house by downloading malicious apps from unknown sources. On the one hand, various apps can be simply downloaded from the Internet under Android. But the App Store is, as already mentioned, full of apps with malicious software.
The Language Assistants:
Apple’s Siri was once the pioneer in language assistants. Although the software masters the basics like setting alarms and reading the weather report without any problems. But it does not seem particularly intelligent. The Google Assistant works much smarter on Android. In the not too distant future, it should even be able to reserve tables in restaurants and books.
Android vs iOS, The Conclusion:
Everyone has to think for themselves which demands he places on the operating system. The price argument does not quite draw. The flagships of Samsung, Huawei, Apple, and Co. are now all in the same price segment (over 800 euros). Android entry-level models are already available for less than 200 euros.
