Do you know that Android is by far the most popular operating system worldwide? A report claims that 85% of smartphones globally run on Android, while the OS itself owns 35% of the entire market share.
Of course, sheer popularity doesn’t have to mean a thing if you are a genuine iOS geek who loves the premium feel of the latest iPhone, but there is much more to Android than widespread usage. If you are interested in learning more about it, keep reading to see seven reasons Android is better than iOS.
The Basics of Android and iOS
Before we delve deeper into the peculiarities and differences between Android and iOS, we want to highlight a few basic stats and facts behind the two brands. After all, the way these two systems evolved explains how and why Android and iOS became so different after all.
Keep in mind that iOS as a system is only a year older than Android (2007 vs 2008). It is important because they grew together and pushed each other to the limit. But let’s focus on their specificities now:
First of all, Apple Inc. is the sole developer of iOS and it keeps the system under control 100%.
On the other side, Android represents an open-source operating system, which means anyone can contribute to it and tailor the platform based on their individual needs. However, it is important to notice that Open Handset Alliance and Google are the two most important contributors development-wise.
Secondly, the two systems have a totally different branding strategy that follows the very nature of the digital product. Here’s how:
- Android fits all sorts of device types and users, thus making it an all-encompassing platform suitable for the masses. This is why Android-powered items are usually more affordable and accessible than iOS.
- Apple’s branding strategy takes a different turn to build a high-level and completely unique type of product. The company doesn’t target all users out there, which is also why iOS products are much more expensive.
Android is available in more than 100 languages, while iOS sticks to the moderate number of 34 languages.
Google Chrome is the default Internet browser in Android, but you can change it and choose any other browser if needed. Apple set Safari as its default browser. There are other browsers as well, but you cannot replace Safari as the default option. This detail once again proves how iOS is doing all it can to maintain the notion of uniqueness and exclusiveness.
We can mention lots of other details, but you get the main idea behind both brands – iOS is doing all it takes to keep the premium status, while Android is more of the umbrella system that covers all segments of the audience spectrum.
Key Facts Proving the Superiority of Android
Now that you know the basics of both brands, it is time to focus on key facts that prove the supremacy of Android. Of course, it doesn’t mean you should not like or test or buy Apple’s devices, but we strongly believe Android is better for these reasons:
- Login Solutions
We start with the primary functions, so let’s discuss Android’s login options right away. Newer generations of iPhone devices offer two login solutions:
- Versions 6,7, and 8 come with a Touch ID and the password system
- iPhone X offers facial recognition, but it doesn’t have a Touch ID
Most users would be okay with these options, but why settle for less when you can get more? Android has taken the logic portfolio to the maximum these days.
Jake Gardner, a tech analyst at the essay writing service UK, explains that a lot of Android-powered devices rely on multiple login variants. For instance, recent versions of Galaxy smartphones include everything from password login and Touch ID to facial and retina recognition.
- App Installation
Sideloading is the process of moving files and programs locally from one device to another. If this doesn’t seem like a relevant piece of information, you’ll see our point in the next few lines.
Namely, Apple is not really excited about installing apps from third-parties as you can only do it through the official App Store. Even if the app is already available on a developer’s website, you have to wait and download it in the App Store.
In practical terms, this basically means that you cannot use certain products in a timely manner. For example, you might have to wait for your favorite gaming app to become available on App Store.
Android users are not facing this problem because they can sideload apps as much as they like and from whatever source they want to do it.
- Filing Systems
Another thing that really bothers us with iPhones is the subpar filing system. Users who want to copy and paste documents from their smartphones to the PC and back need an iTunes account, but even then it’s impossible to move around anything but media files.
Contrary to Apple’s devices, Android-powered phones act as external memory disks and you can use all files in a way that suits your needs the most. Your device essentially becomes a small PC with all the file management features you would expect from any computer or digital device.
- Longer Battery Life
iPhone batteries are not exactly the masters of durability. A typical user charges the phone once a day, while Apple also limits the performance of older smartphones in order to extend battery life.
Besides that, it turns out that one of the latest versions of iOS (iOS 13.5.1) demands extra caution because it suffers from a horrible battery drain issue.
On the other side, Android comes in so many forms and devices that you can easily pick the most durable product based on your personal preferences. For example, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra can support the average user for at least a couple of days, but there are also cheaper high-durability devices such as Realme X2 Pro and similar.
- The Back Button
Do you remember that awkward and annoying feeling when the only thing you want is to go back to the previous tab, but you can’t complete the action in a single click? That’s because iOS devices don’t have a universal back button for all situations.
This is another detail that makes Android phones better. Whatever you do, you can instantly jump back to the previous page or app simply by clicking the all-encompassing back button.
Although it may seem irrelevant, it is a very important detail in terms of user experience. After all, Android and iOS are both very serious systems and we can only decide which one is better based on little factors like this one.
- A headphone jack
In case you haven’t noticed, every Android device has a 3.5mm headphone jack suitable for all types of headphones. You can buy the cheapest pair there is or opt for the high-end product, but Android devices will support it because the majority of headphones are 3.5mm thin.
Apple takes a different turn here as it forces you to use unique audio jacks instead of traditional 3.5mm headphones. This is not a problem for iOS geeks, but it is for the vast majority of other users who just happened to test the latest iPhone.
- Android powers more devices
The last comparative advantage on our list is fairly simple – Android powers many more devices than iOS. The system is compatible with all sorts of gadgets with different prices, so you are free to choose from many different items.
Apple is conservative, so you have to use their devices exclusively. It definitely limits the usage range and forces you to stick to just one type of products in the long run. Some users don’t mind it, but others go crazy after a while.
Honorable Mentions
You’ve seen the most important Android characteristics that make it better than iOS, but it would be unfair not to mention a few more features. Here are our honorable mentions:
- Android devices are much cheaper than iPhone and other iOS devices, but the price doesn’t even reflect the quality of the product
- Android enables a variety of customization solutions and you can play with the design of your device as much as you like
- The platform has a much better handwriting solution than Apple’s stylus
- Unlike iOS, you can use the back button on Android
We can mention a lot more details here, but you can contribute to the list with your suggestions in the comments.
The Bottom Line
The OS selection is definitely a matter of opinion and personal preferences, but there are some things that make Android devices better than their iOS-powered competitors. In this post, we discussed the seven most notable differences between the two systems. Which ones do you believe to be crucial?
AUTHOR BIO
Paul White is a tech geek and a part-time blogger at the custom essay writing service. He is writing mostly about IT trends, app development, gaming, and virtual reality. Apart from that, Paul is a passionate traveler and explorer of new cultures. You can find him on Facebook.