For the present, it’s very possible to use a smartphone running an operating system other than Android and iOS (Blackberry, Symbian, WebOS, Windows, etc), but they’re very infinitesimal. Believe it or leave it, we’re currently stuck-up in a duopoly of choices when it comes to mobile operating systems Android vs iOS. However, that’s not necessarily such a bad thing. This double-face competition has driven the two companies into making what’s called highly-endowed, feature-packed, and technologically potent software. The two operating systems are richly polished and heavily adorned with features.
Most times, much of your smartphone OS choices are likely to be influenced by the family and social circles you’re interacting with not just the software’s technical capabilities or features. If most of your friends use Apple’s photo editing software after taking photos. You’ll be tempted to join the ruling party, you won’t like to be left out of the crowd. Of course, there are several cross-platform options you can install on both Android and iOS devices including Skype or Google Hangouts. However, built-in functionality and consistency differ, depending on the company.
On the next sub-heading, we put you through the various aspects of each OS including who we declared a winner or tie for each category. Our mode of conduct is solely based on magnificent works of software. And you’re likely to be dissatisfied with our pick contrary to whichever you opt for. Feel free to correct us or suggest your opinion on the comments section on any category you feel we got it wrong or think we left something out.
Hardware Choices
Your choice of the mobile operating system android vs iOS is similar to the choice between macOS and Windows computers. With Apple system software (iOS and macOS), you have a limit of only one hardware vendor, though it’s a top-tier one. However, on Android and Windows, there are numerous hardware vendors with a variety of prices, specifications, quality, and performance levels. Because Android is an open-source OS (unlike Apple iOS), this makes other phone brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and others use it. This has resulted in a cornucopia of Android handsets.
Even with $100, you can get a good Android phone for your home and office use. Our budget Oukitel C21 ($149) is a very precise choice. Contrary to that the cheapest Apple iOS you can buy; iPhone SE starts at $399. Also, you can significantly pay more on an Android device than you pay on iPhone. Some configuration of Samsung Z Fold sell for nothing less than $1800, and a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra can cost you more than $1400. In Contrast, the most expensive iPhone 12 Pro Max costs $1,900 with 512GB built-in storage. Another exclusive hardware advantage of Android over iOS is the support of an SDcard unlike iPhones, you’re stuck with the original storage unit you bought.
Winner: Android
Interface and Usability
Undoubtedly, Android tends to provide more compounded, tunnel-like menus to get to the settings or app you’re looking for. Also, Android has multiple home screens, variations among different brand interfaces. Meanwhile, some brands use to have stock Android phones while others pair their brand OS with Android OS. With iOS, because of Apple’s strict limit, interface layout settings are more consistent and uncomplicated like Android.
Interestingly, the latest iOS 14 now allows you to customize your home screen and app icons more than ever. The iOS 14 has beautifully designed widgets, the ability to group, customize, and organize icons in the Apps Library. However, Android still allows more customization options than iOS, even letting you choose between dozens of launchers, unlike iOS.
The iOS search function is more straight forward and well organized, unlike complicated Android Google search results. We found it easier in iOS as Apple neatly and smartly groups search results into apps, contacts, emails, even showing apps that haven’t been installed, with links to the App Store. Overall, iOS presents a more unclustered, polished browsing experience.
Winner: iOS
Technology Support
Every year, we’re experiencing the innovation of new wireless technology, and for the past couple of years. Android has always been the first to welcome these new specs. Android is the first mobile OS to support 5G network connectivity and wireless charging feature. Beating Apple on the recent 4G LTE and touchless voice commands. Apple is always behind as they usually have to wait until the new technology is useful and reliable: for example, 5G support isn’t available in all the countries of the world. Yes, you can buy a 5G phone, but finding any 5G service to connect it will be the problem.
When it comes to foldable and dual-screen phones, Android is the only operating system among the two to support it starting with the Samsung Z Fold lineup. However, Nokia and Motorola already have their own foldable devices, but we won’t dive further into that. Meanwhile, Apple is yet to produce its own foldable or dual-screen phone. But we would expect to see them on the upcoming iPhone models. Again, these technologies haven’t been proven reliable and robust since they’re just a few of them, but there’s no doubt Android handsets are pioneering them.
Winner: Android
Built-in Apps
Google and Apple both use to equip their phones with plenty of stock apps that appear on the phone the first time you switch it on. The most common apps you’ll see are a web browser, email, audio player, recorder, document, camera, photo viewer, document, and more. These built-in apps can’t be uninstalled and most times occupies 20% of the phone’s internal storage. Also, you can replace these apps with third party options if you aren’t satisfied with the provided ones. One disadvantage of the Android side is the absence of the To-Do or Task app, unlike the iOS Reminder app. However, you cannot compare Android Reminder with iOS.
Messaging app is one of the most integral parts of every phone. Apple is miles ahead of Android here with its Animoji, Memoji, games, payments, and whole iMessage app store. Also, you can easily turn a massage session into a voice or video call via FaceTime. Another advantage of iOS over Android is that its iMessage is end-to-end encrypted, contrary to Android messages. However, the default Android app is quite good with Stickers, Emojis, as well as payments. The ability to use it in a computer or web browser, which you can pair via QR code is brilliant. In contrast, iPhone users must have to stay within the Apple ecosystem to send messages to their desktop computer or laptop.
Another important integral app for every mobile operating system is mapping. A couple of years back, Google has been acknowledged as the best one-map service. But Apple looked to have taken over that spot with its redesigned Map service. However, Google is arguably still the best with its local information, including full Street View. Also, Google maps offer bike, bicycle, walking, and motor directions. Apple recently added bike directions in the latest iOS 14 but isn’t as widespread as Google. Meanwhile, iOS has improved its map with a tourism guide.
Both offer excellent health monitoring apps and camera quality, but iOS takes the lead when it comes to video editing with its fantastic iMovie and music creation with GarageBand.
Years before, Google offers Microsoft Translate which works on both mobile OS. But Apple just introduced its Translate app in iOS 14. This tends to be a great competitor to the market-dominating Google Translate.
Winner: Slightly iOS
Security and Privacy
The two big-name mobile OS have decent safeguards and records when it comes to security, but Android is more opened is at high risk of contracting malware. Android in particular is more prone to viruses especially if you install an app from a third-party app store. Evidence of exposure and attacks have become a regular routine. Even to the extent of gaining access to your personal details. However, there has been good antivirus apps that scan and detects virus on Android. But you’ll have to manually remove those infected apps.
Fortunately, privacy has been a major focus on recent Android versions as Google is bringing new protections against third-party app abuses. The latest Android 11 allows you to grant one-time location access to apps requesting for them contrary to iOS 14 that lets you tell approximate rather than the exact location.
Winner: iOS
Camera and Photos
Smartphone cameras have been a focus for new phone releases. In both OS, you can find excellent camera options and performance. However, don’t be deceived by the big megapixels you find mostly on Android phones. Even though you can find Android phones with super-high megapixels like Samsung Galaxy S20 that can shoot at a whopping 108-MP. Unfortunately, that number is less important than the camera performance.
Both operating systems have had great photo enhancement software that can improve the image quality evening more than the lenses themselves. The OSes software can blur the image background (Bokeh) to a portrait, and offer slow-motion, lowlight, panorama, time-lapse shooting, beauty plus, etc.
However, flagship Androids have some great capabilities that aren’t found in the stock iPhone camera app. They offer up to 360-degree photo coverage. And you can search for nearby shopping as well as scan documents and translate the text with its built-in Google lens. Also, Android cameras can offer lowlight shots and can provide framing hints. Photographers can now print and save raw photo files from an Android phone. While Apple relies on their party app like Adobe Lightroom app (also available on Android) to save raw camera files.
Winner: Android
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Conclusion
As you can see from our few points, this is a very close race with each OS showing seniority over the other. However, without sounding bias, aside from security, you can find the entire features that are on an iPhone on an Android device even at a cheaper price. Despite this near parity, only but few Android users can actually run the latest version 11 unlike Apple’s latest iOS 14. Finally, both OS can give you the best service you ever need. At last, try to select the mobile OS that is likely influence at all.
So, what you think which operating system is the best Android vs iOS. If you have any questions about Android vs iOS, so ask me in the comment section.
