Would you like to know the advantages and disadvantages of Android? as well as the best features of iOS? Then let us take you through our Android vs iOS dilemma.
According to Statista, in 2022 the number of smartphone users worldwide exceeded three and a half billion and counting. The amazing thing is that together, Google and Apple’s mobile operating systems hold more than 99% of the global market share, so it’s a battle of the heavyweights!
Whether you are thinking of buying a new cell phone or learning how to design an app for your business, in the following article we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of the most famous mobile operating systems in the world: Android vs iOS.
We will start by explaining the particularities of each operating system and then we will go through the advantages and disadvantages of Android and iOS. At the end, we’ll leave you with a comparison chart of Android vs iOS as a summary. With this, the winner of the battle will be decided by you, as the matter is defined according to your tastes!
So, if you are passionate about keeping up with technological trends, we invite you to read on to learn more details about the operating systems for mobile devices. Are you ready to find out who wins in the eternal battle of Android vs iOS?
what is the Android operating system?
Before we start with the Android vs iOS comparison, we will talk a little more about the roots and peculiarities of the green robot brand. So, if you are looking to change your cell phone or just love to nourish yourself with knowledge about the tech world, you will have a much clearer picture of what the Android operating system is.
Android features
Android is an operating system based on Linux, it is open source and was designed for mobile devices with touchscreen like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.
The Android operating system is the market leader worldwide, surpassing Apple’s mighty iOS. Approximately, Android has a market share of 71.93% according to Statista.
The first Android “smartphone” was launched in 2008 and already had Gmail, Google Maps and more native Google applications. A big diamond for all tech lovers.
To date, the latest Android operating system is Android 13, which was released in February 2022, but only as a developer preview. This update is the biggest redesign of Android in years and achieves better usability, security, privacy and performance.
If you have ever read the name of the version of Android you have on your cell phone, for example, surely you are already suspicious about this other curious Android fact. And is that each version has a dessert name and each begins with the next letter of the alphabet than the name of the previous version. Thus, there are versions such as Cupcake (cupcake), Gingerbread (ginger), Honeycomb (royal jelly) and more.
Android has its own typeface, which is called Roboto. It is ideal for the screens of mobile devices because it is very clear for reading and speeds it up a lot.
Among its updates, it has a new image selection menu that allows sharing content more securely. Another of the new advantages of Android, is that changes were added to the user experience with Material You. Finally, it is now possible to choose a different language for each application, independent of the language of the operating system itself.
Android 13 is expected to be available between August and September 2022 for all mobile users.
Source: Canva
History of Android
Many may not know this, but the Android operating system, before it was as we know it now, was a company called Android Inc.it was founded in 2003 by Andry Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White with the goal of “creating smarter mobile devices that are more aware of their owner’s location and preferences”.
This software was intended, at the beginning of its development, mainly for cameras which, for the first years of the company’s founding, were the mobile devices that were booming. However, everything changed course with the arrival of Nokia and BlackBerry.
do you know why Android is so called? The reason lies in Philip K. Dick’s novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, published in 1968.
In 2005, Google buys the company for $50 million and, in 2007, launches the first Android 1.0 version, Apple Pie. At the same time, it creates a consortium called Open Handset Alliance, made up of 78 hardware, software and telecommunications companies.
Now that you know all the curiosities about this operating system, it is time to learn more about it in depth. Next, we will review the main advantages and disadvantages of Android.
Source: Canva
Advantages of Android
We start this Android vs iOS battle with the advantages of the Android operating system.
1. Android is open source
The main difference between Android and iOS is its code system. Being built on Linux, Android’s open source code, also known as open source, allows anyone to access the source code and modify this Google software. This is key if you are looking for the advantages of Android vs iOS to develop applications.
Through the Integrated Development Environment (IDE), you can work on the code with complete freedom. The official Android IDE is Android Studio. By the way, in the online course Create Android apps with Java you can learn about the advantages of Android Studio and how to use it.
In addition, the open source Android operating system is usually cheaper and more durable compared to other closed source software, such as iOS. This is because its development is not capitalized only for one author or company, but the software belongs to the community.
Therefore, the fact that Android is open source is a great advantage for the community that uses this operating system, because it means that the offer of applications can grow more and more (besides the fact that most of them are free); on this point, we will go into more detail in a few items later on.
2. Wide variety of free applications
Because Android is open source, it is very common to find free applications on Google Play, many of which are made by the community itself. This is one of the best advantages of Android from the users’ point of view.
While Android has almost more than 3 million free apps for the entire community, iOS barely reaches 2 million. This, therefore, positions Android in a very good place. But, at the end of the day, no one has such a large number of apps downloaded on their cell phone. So, in this case, what you should evaluate is whether the applications you want to use are available in both or only in one of them.
It should be noted that the process to add these applications does not have as many restrictions as in other mobile operating systems. Once the Android PacKage (APK) is loaded, it only takes a few hours for the application to become active.
This advantage of Android is central if you are in an early application development process and have to choose which operating system to start with. Your users are more likely to search for free apps on Android than on iOS.
3. Diversity and versatility
Another great advantage of the Android operating system is that it is installed on several cell phone brands, including Huawei, Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, among other major manufacturers. This allows the user to have more options to choose from in the wide range of cell phones.
In this way, Android reaches more diverse audiences in different parts of the world and of all ages. This is another key point, both for users and developers who must choose which type of operating system to create their next application.
For example, if you want an Android smartphone you can find different options with good camera for taking pictures, fast charging, waterproof, among others. The user does not have to stay with a single model and this is one of the advantages of Android over iOS. Each manufacturer has its strengths and the user chooses which one suits him best.
4. Multitasking system
If you are a fan of productivity, you will like this advantage of Android. If you do not already have an Android device, we tell you that this mobile operating system allows you to open several applications at the same time.
Also, depending on the application and the cell phone model, you can put the applications in sleep mode if you are no longer using them. This is one of the advantages of using Android that saves memory and battery.
read on to continue discovering the advantages of Android! You will become an expert on the subject and will even be able to advise your circle of friends and family on which operating system is better for them: Android or iOS.
Source: Canva
5. Good usability and customization options
Another advantage of the Android operating system is that it allows you to customize your applications and internal appearance. You can change the interfaces and there is a wide variety of widgets that will help you have a better usability when interacting with your smartphone.
what does this mean, then? Simple, that you can customize your cell phone to your liking: static wallpapers or animations, different styles and themes for the keyboard and the whole experience that makes the user. So this allows Android users to be able to get more involved in their device.
When we talk about usability, we also talk about the concepts of UI and UX, elements that you probably don’t realize, but that influence your purchase decision. If for you customization plays a key role, in this Android vs iOS comparison the former wins.
6. Good battery performance
Battery is another important factor when it comes to buying a smartphone. While it can be a bit tricky to compare Android vs iOS OS in this aspect, as they don’t have hardware in common, generally, mid-to-high end Android phones have good battery life and fast charging .
Both Android and iOS allow you to monitor battery usage and have power saving modes. However, Android shows you an estimate of how much battery you have left and, at the same time, many of the cell phone manufacturers with this mobile operating system offer fast charging and wireless charging, something that with Apple you can only enjoy from the iPhone X.
So, if this is an element that aligns with your needs, Android cell phones stand out with the best battery performance on the market. Clearly, in the Android vs iOS war, Android wins in this area.
7. Location maps
Another advantage of Android is the Google Maps application. While iOS has its own maps app, Apple Maps, there is still a gap between the two. It is true that they serve the same function: to know the precise location where you are, to have traffic estimates, to be guided by instructions to reach the desired destination.
But, the differential point that makes Android the winner is that Google Maps has a huge advantage over the reviews and business function. From the opinions that many users leave on businesses, people can know whether it is convenient or not to go to a certain business, if the restaurant offers quality food, if the service in a certain bar is great, among other things.
We can say that the Android map, Google Maps, is a service in itself and in fact many iOS users prefer it in relation to the map offered by their own operating system.
Just as we have seen the advantages of Android, we must also take into account its disadvantages. This way, you will be able to make a good decision when comparing Android vs. iOS and join one of these two teams. In the next section, we will review the disadvantages of Android.
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Android Disadvantages
As nothing is perfect in this life, we also tell you about the disadvantages of the Android operating system.
1. Low quality of applications
Let’s say that Android’s versatility has a double edge. As there are not so many restrictions when creating an application for the PlayStore, it is possible to find poor quality applications in the store of an Android smartphone; it can even become a fraud or virus.
Faced with this disadvantage of the Android operating system, quality control specialists have to spend more time to thoroughly test the performance of applications on all Android phone models.
However, this does not mean that there are no Android apps that are excellent and at least meet the needs, interests and requirements.
2. Increased risk of vulnerability
Being open source, Android cell phones are more susceptible to being hacked or that, due to flaws in the mobile operating system, hackers have an easier time breaching our privacy.
In fact, until recently, Xataka had published about a vulnerability that had been detected in a component of Qualcomm modems. This could have damaged at least 30% of cell phones with Android operating system. the reason? This vulnerability could allow cybercriminals to inject malicious code to access users’ phone conversations and SMS.
This is a major Android disadvantage that could be a deciding factor when comparing Android vs iOS.
3. Complexity in advanced settings
Some Android models require their users to have more knowledge of the software so that they do not choose the wrong device settings. Those who are inexperienced may damage the system by choosing an option they don’t know what it means.
If we compare Android vs iOS, this is a factor that can affect the usability of Android devices.
Source: Pexels
4. Possible synchronization problems
Some Android smartphone users may notice that, when it comes to synchronizing files in the cloud, such as images or videos, they have quite a few hitches. This is a disadvantage of the Android operating system that you could solve with a good configuration.
This will depend on the manufacturer of the cell phone, but it is possible to lose your files if you do not check that the Google Drive synchronization works properly and your smartphone gets damaged or lost.
Compared to an iOS operating system, the Android vs iOS vs iOS vs Apple wins because of its file synchronization effectiveness.
5. Availability of exclusive applications
If you are always aware of the latest app releases, you may have noticed that one of the advantages of iOS is that it represents a platform where new apps appear first.
In the case of mobile video games, the best titles still come first to iOS and, truth be told, some developers don’t create Android versions. However, one of the advantages of using Android is that Play Store has a larger number of apps (2.7 million compared to 2.2 million on iOS) and a higher percentage of free apps.
So, to pick a winner between Android vs iOS you have to see what is more important for your user experience: exclusive apps or free apps.
what is the iOS operating system?
Since we reviewed the main advantages and disadvantages of Android in this Android vs iOS battle, let’s continue with its competitor: iOS. First, a brief background on this mobile operating system.
IOS features
Apple’s mobile device operating system par excellence, iOS was originally developed for the iPhone, but, over time, its development reached other touch devices such as the iPod Touch and the iPad.
If you were curious about why iOS is called iOS, the answer is very simple: iPhone Operating System. Yeah, if you were expecting some magic, well, nope. It’s just the acronym.
Unlike Android, the iOS operating system is a closed system, i.e. Apple is the sole manufacturer of all its software and hardware. As for the latest models launched, the iPhone 12 has shocked the technology market with its multiple high-resolution cameras. But that’s in the past and now we are facing the new iPhone 13!
Among the advantages of iOS, this new model promises:
A much more powerful camera system than previous versions. In this case, you will be able to take pictures and videos in MACRO mode. It also has a lens that captures 92% more light at night and cinema mode!
A screen with immediate response in every interaction. And thanks to its Super Retina and Pro Motion composition, it promises never before seen quality.
An incredibly resistant design, its composition is made of surgical steel and the display glass is made of Ceramic Shield. It also features industry-leading IP68 water resistance.
It promises a huge leap in battery life.
For its part, iOS 15, the latest version of this operating system is optimized to work with ProMotion, meaning that one of the advantages of iOS is its high quality user experience.
This new iOS can update between 10 and 120 times per second. The display intelligently increases the refresh rate when you need exceptional graphics performance and decreases it to save power. It even speeds up and slows down the frequency naturally to adapt to the speed at which you move your finger across the screen.
In conclusion, we can say that iOS and its iphones are created with a particular goal in mind and go far beyond cellular telephony: a creative experience .
Source: Lyra
History of iOS
did you know that Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak? However, it was not only dedicated to making cell phones, but a whole world related to technology. In fact, this is one of the main points of iOS, if you have an iPhone, a Mac computer and an assistant like Alexa, your technological life is 100% linked and you have all the control from one place!
The first iPhone was launched in 2007 , and at the time, Steve Jobs and company aimed to revolutionize the phone market with a touchscreen phone that could connect to WiFi.
As early as June 2008, the iPhone began to look a little more like what we know today. By 2009, the iOS operating system had 50,000 apps available, and in 2010, Steve Jobs announced that the “iPhone OS” would be renamed “iOS” for good.
As time went by, every year Steve Jobs’ company started to improve its mobile operating system until it reached the iOS 15 we know today. The famous Apple offering encompasses iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macs and more high-end devices.
And just as the advantages of iOS come from the hand of its immersive experience in this type of technology, it is also its disadvantage. For a large part of the population, it is extremely expensive to use more than one of these devices.
Source: Apple
Now that you know more or less what this operating system is about, let’s see the advantages and disadvantages of iOS.
Advantages of iOS
When you think of Apple, you also think of high-end smartphones, so there are many advantages of the iOS operating system. Here are the most important ones.
1. Better performance
iOS is a very stable and easy-to-use platform. Therefore, iOS devices guarantee fast responsiveness. iOS operating system runs the hardware with less RAM or cores compared to Android.
Therefore, if you are looking for a cell phone that allows you not only to keep in touch with your family, acquaintances and friends, but also to work, you definitely have to take advantage of the better performance provided by the iOS operating system.
As mentioned above, the latest version of iOS features Pro Motion that will make your experience more intuitive and efficient at the same time. Likewise, another advantage of iOS is that it offers a number of settings that customize the use of your smartphone on an ever-increasing level, from usage approaches to screen brightness automation.
Clearly, in the Android vs iOS battle, the latter wins the battle because of the excellent operating system it has.
Source: Pexels
2. Better security
iOS is a mobile operating system that can only be used with its own products. For this reason, the shielding between hardware and software is very rigorous. In fact, decrypting an iPhone can give even the most pro developer a hard time.
In another aspect, Apple strictly monitors all applications developed for the App Store to ensure quality and security. And as for facial verification, this aspect is a feature that stands out in devices with iOS operating system.
Steve Jobs’ company has a payment application called Apple Pay, which has the added bonus of generating a unique code that avoids being hacked or having your information stolen. Also, you can make direct payments from iPhone to another iPhone without having to pay a commission, which is usual in interbank transfers. It is definitely an advantage if we compare Android vs iOS.
Among the advantages of iOS 15 it gives you more information about how apps access your data, protects you from unwanted data collection and gives you more control over what you share.
3. Synchronization in iCloud+
A great advantage of the iOS operating system is that it has a good data synchronization system. This way, you can save files to the cloud automatically and not lose any important memories.
Now, iCloud+ takes that experience a step further, with an entirely new subscription that will replace the storage plans you knew so far. Its strong point is privacy, so you can be very sure that nothing you store in the iOS cloud is accessible to attacks and malware.
Also, in case of theft, iOS devices have facilities to find the device or to lock it to prevent information theft, so one of the advantages of iOS is that it defends your privacy.
So far we have already seen some of the advantages of iOS: better performance, better security and iCloud synchronization. You won’t want to miss out on knowing what other advantages this operating system has to finally compare it with its great rival Android. keep reading, here we tell you everything in detail!
4. Excellent usability
In terms of UI and UX trends, Apple devices can be proud of having one of the most satisfying designs for any user. These can be described as quite intuitive usability, which is a plus point when deciding which cell phone to buy. In this aspect of usability, there are several advantages of iPhone over Android to highlight:
It is inevitable to mention Siri, Apple’s personal assistant created with Machine Learning. This facilitates several functionalities such as playing music, creating reminders, making calls, taking notes and more.
The App Store provides a better browsing experience and the recommendations of apps to download are more accurate. In addition, once installed on your phone, you can search for them by different filters that are not available on Android, such as the developer filter. In fact, this is one of the benefits of iOS 14.
The iOS mobile interface shines for its simplicity. The menu is based on a grid, there is a layer intended for tools and a different one for notifications and widgets. On Android, notifications and tools share the top of the screen.
Notifications are previewed from a summary of the most important ones according to your settings and needs.
While one of Android’s advantages was its Maps app, the new iOS is tied in with site rating apps and has more types of maps for navigating the city.
Safari, its own search engine, is constantly being updated and brings new services to its users.
Live Text, ever dreamed of having your phone read an address in a picture? now this is an iOS advantage!
If you are very interested in this topic of interfaces, you should know that a good interface is key for a mobile application not to be “boring” or “tangled”. It is best to have an interface that is sufficiently intuitive so that users can use it without major inconveniences. Therefore, this can also have an impact on increasing sales.
Source: Canva
5. Constant software updates
As part of its efforts to keep iPhones secure, the iOS operating system offers constant and timely software updates with new security patches. About 70% of Apple devices are running the latest version, unlike Android which is less than 1%.
Because of the integration between hardware and software, Apple has the ability to push updates to more devices faster.
6. Full connection with other iOS devices
The new version of iOS 15 is full of new features that connect you with the outside world in an increasingly creative and user-friendly way. Among the advantages of iOS we find:
It is possible to use Face ID with the face cover on to unlock the iPhone, log in to apps and set passwords.
It has a new tool: SharePlay, which allows you to talk on FaceTime while watching series and movies, listening to music or sharing your screen with friends and family.
iMessage offers a new update where you can manage all the files shared with you and even create a new memoji. Moreover, this messaging service is much more advanced than Android’s messaging service, i.e. Whatsapp. But you can only use it with people who have iOS.
7. Customization of the approach
If we said that one of the biggest advantages of iOS is the customization of the user experience, and we don’t mean changing the theme or background. But to a real management of the device, we can not fail to name the Focus functionality.
This tool is ideal for when you need to put all your attention on your work or disconnect from your cell phone when you don’t want to make any more calls. To do so, you must choose one of the suggested focuses or create your own to receive only the notifications you want for that moment. isn’t this iOS advantage great?
Now, I’m sure you are wondering if iOS has disadvantages. Well, yes, of course it does! Just like Android, iOS also has some points that don’t benefit it so much. in the following section, we’ll tell you what the disadvantages of iOS are!
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Disadvantages of iOS
Devices with iOS operating system, despite being high-end, also have disadvantages. Stay tuned if you want to know who wins in the Android vs iOS battle.
1. Few customization options
One of the most important marketing trends of the last few years is customization. We want to mark our identity in everything! Therefore, it is one of the aspects that cannot be left out of our Android vs iOS comparison.
The interfaces of the iOS operating system are usually very similar, which is also reflected in the customization options that the user has. Of course, we are not talking about functionalities, but about aesthetics.
Although one of the advantages of iOS 14 was the introduction of greater support for widgets on the home screen, they come with default sizes.
In contrast, customization is one of the advantages of Android that you can find in any version and model. You can configure your own and third-party apps as shortcuts, add widgets and even change the entire user interface.
Likewise, when it comes to creating applications, there is obviously no such freedom as in the Android operating system. Thus,if you want to create an application on iOS, you must have permission from the company.
2. High price
The price factor is a constant in iOS devices. This can be explained if you take into account all the advantages of iOS that we mentioned above.
In addition, in 2020 it was announced that the latest models will no longer have a charger, which generates an extra expense that is not exactly cheap. Therefore, one of the main disadvantages of using iPhone is in the budget you have to have.
In contrast, one of the advantages of having Android is that there will always be a model available in any price range you are looking for, which means that Android is much more accessible in terms of budget to buy a cell phone.
3. Low battery performance
While the battery on the latest models of devices with iOS operating system is quite good, the battery performance is decreasing with older models of the famous bitten apple.
This causes the battery to last less as the years go by, which forces you to be renewing the battery; if you do not decide to buy a newer model. Over time, this could become a disadvantage of using iPhone.
Hopefully, so far we are being super clear about what the disadvantages of the iOS operating system are. But, there are still a few more things to keep in mind. read below!
4. External Storage
Compared to Android devices, iOS devices do not have the facility to accept external storage such as a micro SD card, which is a very common output on the Android operating system.
In fact, they do this because not being able to remove the device’s memory ensures the security and privacy of your data.
The alternative, then, is to save everything on your phone’s internal memory or by buying more storage space on iCloud. This involves more expenses, so it is a disadvantage of using iPhone. So when comparing Android vs iOS, the external storage factor is won by Android cell phones.
5. Apple Maps
Compared to all the information available on Google Maps, the iOS operating system’s navigation app can fall a bit short.although it also allows offline use, getting traffic estimates and finding route directions for transportation, Google Maps is more detailed (not to mention its very extensive review system).
Well, so far you’re clear on what the advantages and disadvantages of Android are, as well as what the advantages and disadvantages of iOS are. But would you like to review a comparison chart to make your decision easier? Say no more, take a look at the chart we have prepared for you!
Source: Canva
who wins? Check out this Android vs. iOS comparison chart
Appearance
iOS
Android
Programming
OS X, UNIX (Closed Source)
Linux (Open Source)
Customization
Customization options are limited. However, one of the advantages of iOS 14 is that it includes new widgets, and its new tools improve the user experience 100 percent
You can customize almost everything, from the user interface, home screen, widgets, and even third-party apps.
Updates
Apple is the manufacturer of both the software and the hardware, so it is easier to develop new updates and security patches.
As it is available to many manufacturers, updates are highly dependent on the models they release.
Phone models in which it is available
Only on iPhone and other Apple mobile devices.
Various manufacturers such as Google, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Motorola, etc.
Price
Despite Apple’s effort to enter the mid-range, prices remain high.
You can get Android cell phones in all ranges and prices.
Security
Apple’s vigilance over the developed applications gives an extra guarantee of security and privacy.
Being developed in open source, some applications may pose a risk of malware entry, especially if downloaded outside the Play Store.
Privacy
Apple collects data anonymously. However, you can disable tracking in the settings.
Google also collects encrypted data and has the option to disable it.
Virtual assistant
IPhone devices are equipped with Siri.
On Android devices you have Google Now support.
Source: Canva
In conclusion, the Android vs iOS battle does not have a clear winner. As you saw, each operating system has its advantages and disadvantages, so you must know what your needs and availability are to purchase one device over another.after all, the most important thing to make a good decision about which cell phone to buy (for example, but it can be any other mobile device), is the fact of knowing what your tastes are and what you are looking for in it. From there, just refer to our comparison chart and find the answers to Android vs iOS.
If you want to enjoy a seamless interface design and keep your data safe, iOS may be your best choice. But if you are a geek who loves to have countless apps installed, customize the design and also save a lot of money on the purchase of the phone, Android would be the winner. Which operating system between Android vs iOS will you choose?