Put an Android user and an iOS user in a room, say ‘Android is the best’ or ‘iOS has no competition, and prepare for a fight. The debate on which operating system is better seems to never come to an end, and for multiple reasons. 

While both operating systems do an exceptional job at what they’re designed to do, there are some key differences between the two that may be crucial in your buying decision. Today, we’re going to put Android vs. iOS in the ring, and let you judge for yourself who’ll take the win.

Android vs. iOS – General Overview

Android was first launched by Google in 2008. It was developed using C, Java, C++, and other programming languages that together make a powerful mobile operating system. Since it is based on the modified version of the Linux kernel, Android is partly open source, meaning it can handle alternative applications.

iOS is relatively older than Android with the first version being launched back in 2007. It is mostly written in C, C++, and Swift and is based on Darwin's (BSD) operating system making it a close source model with certain open source components.

The Android system was designed with mobile devices and tablets in mind, unlike iOS which supports TVs and laptops as well. However, Android is used by a number of mobile manufacturers, while iOS is used strictly for Apple products.

Another key difference between these two giants is in terms of customizability. Android is well-known and widely respect precisely due to providing the user with a fully customizable experience. From the option to customize the home screen to SwiftKey, to a large selection of apps you can install on your Android, the possibilities are endless. On the other hand, Apple has a lot more restrictions when it comes to the apps you can install on an iOS device unless it is jailbroken.

Android vs. IOS – Battery Life and Charging & Security

Probably the number one complaint smartphone users have is battery life. Considering our phones are constantly in use, we’re yet to find a battery that can last as long as we’d want to. Generally speaking, there are Android phones with fairly large batteries, hence they can easily outlast iOS phones. However, iOS devices optimize battery life by optimizing software and hardware functions. What these two mobile operating systems have in common is the option to see your battery usage by app. Of course, Android and iOS offer power-saving modes that can extend your battery life.

As for charging, Android is the sole winner in this category. It’s been years now since Android firstly introduced fast and wireless charging, while Apple is just catching up with this trend with its recent mobile devices. On top of it all, you have to purchase a fast charger separately for most iPhone smartphones which only adds up to the hefty bill. Although there are some Android models that aren’t sold with fast chargers, they are relatively cheaper than an iPhone, they come with bigger and long-lasting batteries which makes Android phones the better investment in terms of battery and charging.

If you thought Android was winning this debate, let’s take a while to talk security. Both Android and iOS have been investing a lot of time and money into researching and preventing malicious apps and spyware. But, as mentioned above, you can use third-party app stores on Androids, whereas Apple won’t allow users to download anything that hasn’t been double or tripled checked. Moreover, Apple doesn’t store your data and privacy information, while Google uses this information to provide you with more personalized ads. That said, if you prefer personalized shopping over privacy protection, Android is the way to go. Other way, iOS is the crowned winner in this round.

Number of Android and iOS Users

Did you know that Android and Apple iOS hold a whopping 98% of the global market share for operating systems!?

Android has always been the dominating force and this fact is well justified considering a lot of mobile devices rely on this powerful operating system. Statistics show that Android had 76% of the market share in 2019 and this number is expected to reach 87% by 2022.

However, iOS devices are the most popular choice in certain countries such as Japan and the US. The number of users doesn’t necessarily dictate the quality of the product. The truth is, iOS running phones offer incredible features, but not everyone can afford an iPhone.

Although more and more people are switching to iOS, it’s going to take a lot of time until the number of iPhone users is nearly the same as Android users on a global level.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Android Pros

• Offers fully customizable user experience
• Better battery life
• Fast charging
• Supports third-party apps
• Easy file transfer with USB
• Supports external storage (SD memory card up to 1TB)
• 100+ available languages for increased ease of use
• Available of multiple devices
• You can find some extremely good Android devices for a low price

Android Cons

• Security concerns
• Non-frequent software updates

iOS Pros

• Apple guarantees better security and data protection
• Siri integration is among the most sought-after features
• It’s very rare to come across iOS apps that contain a virus
• Generates less heat as compared to Android
• User-friendly
• Exceptional design with utmost attention to detail

iOS Cons

• Expensive
• Doesn’t offer many customization options
• File transfer can get complicated
• External storage other than Cloud is not supported
• Available only on Apple devices

Conclusion

At the end of the day, which operating system is the best depends on your specific needs. Think about the features you expect and, of course, your budget. Rest assured though, both Android and iOS make an excellent choice which is why they are irreplaceable on the mobile operating system market!