The Key Differences between Apple and Android Smartphones
By: Jameses Tech
Tags: Mobile, Smartphones, Tech, Electronics, Technology

Image taken from The Verge

If I held a poll between the choice of an iPhone or an Android smartphone, the results are most likely going to be a fifty-fifty. For the longest time, these two powers have gone through headline-worthy changes and evolvement, and became one of the best conversation starters as well as a few of the fiercest debates. While it is completely understandable that a proper amount of thought is needed for those getting a new phone, what is the reason then, for the countless forums and discussions surrounding such comparisons and making the weigh between these phones to be a classic talk of the town?

Well, it is due to none other than the contrasting systems that both brands work on. Where Apple relies on a close-sourced code, Android uses an open one instead. This basically means that developers hold no control with the operating systems of the iPhone while Android smartphones allow all sorts of tinkering with them. In turn, this is also equivalent to a completely different user experience with both smartphone types.

At the end of the day, it still boils down to one question: Which is better?

Design and Look

Image taken from Pocket-lint

The iPhone is a model that can be recognised anywhere. With the sleek appearance of its wide screens and thin casing, the design and look was clearly at the top of the list when Apple designed these smartphones. Even its starting model, the now-vintage chunky iPhone 6 does not stray too far from the looks of the latest iPhone SE, with the exception of its smaller dimensions with thicker widths. Off the bat, it is with no question that the iPhone is as consistently looking as it is an attractive one.

Image taken from androidcentral

With Android smartphones, designs and looks are in turn really an unpredictable factor. While there are gorgeous looking models like the Samsung S7, other ones, though cheaper, do not turn out as attractive. Moreover, with a huge market of different brands that are using Android as their operating system, just like how they have smartphones of a diverse price range, they also have models that are just as inconsistent.

Customizability

Image taken from iMore

One thing I hear a lot is how every iPhone pretty much looks the same. It comes to no surprise after all, with how identical every one of these phones look, not just in the appearance of its model, but even with what appears on its screens. Though various widgets are now included and interchangeable in the latest iOS update, the customization of the iPhone’s appearance is still a rather bounded one. From the fixed slide or push lock screen, the full one-page home screens, and down to the standard default apps, for its users, the design of an iPhone’s screen is a fuss-free one as much as it is universal.

Image taken from Extreme Tech

Conversely, what is seen on an Android smartphone’s screen is constructed by choice. Being much more flexible with its operating system, its users are given the ability to design its screens however they want. Whether it is to unlock these phones with varying manners, arrange widgets and applications all over the home screen, or to use third-party launchers for different-looking app icons, keyboards and fonts, the look of these screens are ultimately decided not by the manufacturer but rather personalized by the user.

Ecosystem

Image taken from TechSimplified

Just like living things, smartphones have an ecosystem as well — the goods and services offered by its company that are all connected to each other. The function of iCloud, Airplay and Airdrop has become household names due to its efficiency of continuity between iOS devices, especially proven by users who own other Apple products like the Macbook or Apple watch. Bought a product on your Mac? Pay for it with the Apple Pay on your iPhone. Have a file to be sent to another Apple user? Transfer it without messaging platforms with your Airdrop. Being its own company, brand and operating system, while seemingly exclusive, it is without a doubt that the Apple ecosystem is a tight and connected one.

Image taken from The Black Techies

While lesser-known, Android similarly has an ecosystem of its own, only that it is around 70% of its devices are supported largely by Google, our search engine best friend. Though the connectivity and continuity between Android hardware are not as strong as the Apple ones, the services it provides are equally as, if not more convenient. Think Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos; these are applauded platforms that have been widely recognized to help with online group projects and personal mobile space for all kinds of data and files. Only with Android smartphones, these platforms are the expected piecing blocks of its mobile ecosystem.

Security

Image taken from igotoffer

The thing that comes along with management from a single company and keeping the source codes to the operation system confidential is a sense of connectedness and security. It is understandable that iPhone users might feel a lot safer knowing that they are using a device in which its systems are only accessible by Apple developers, and where privacy is recognized to be a priority to the company. Moreover, since there no interference from external phone carriers, any problems faced are met with an immediate and direct fix.

Image taken from Beebom

Where flexibility and openness are winning points with Android, the security with its smartphones in turn takes a step back. Its open-source code allows the modification from other developers, and in turn widen the possibilities of a weaker system with various forms of tinkering. Along with having a wider market with its various models and brands, its smartphones also become a bigger target for hackers. What results is lesser prioritized privacy and security with its user experience.

Applications

Image taken from 9to5Mac

Being a close-sourced code system, iPhones are much stricter with the applications that are not just released on the App Store, but also the ones that are downloaded by their users. Should an application be removed from the App Store, unless downloaded before, you won’t see it on any iPhone. Should an application not be approved by Apple, you won’t see it on any iPhone. Should an application belong to another source that is not Apple, say Google Play Movies using the Play Movies, as you guessed it, you won’t see it on any iPhone.

Image taken from Android Police

On the other hand, with an open-sourced code system, Android smartphones are much more flexible in regard to the use of alternative applications on its devices. Not only is the Google Play Store less stringent with the applications they approve of, but it also allows its users to download what they want from all external or “unknown” sources. Quality or not, there is no doubt that possibilities with the applications owned on an Android smartphone are a near limitless one.

Software

Image taken from Apple Support

One thing that comes with owning an iPhone is getting timely software updates with the mobile device. Whether it is fixing bugs, security or during the major updates, a complete change to the interface of the phone, iPhone users — at least for the models that are still supported — are guaranteed consistent prompts for all these latest features.

Image taken from Android Authority

Android smartphone users, however, tell a different story. Unlike the iPhone, where every manufacturing detail of these phones is handled by Apple, Android smartphones are supplied with its base operating system from Google, with the other upgrades dependent on the phone manufacturer. In turn, such forms of changes and developments hold the possibility of reaching these smartphones only when a new model under the same manufacturer is released. And that is considered the best-case scenario.

Expandable Storage

Image taken from Apple Support

While it is possible to buy more iCloud space, the backup storage for iPhone users, you can’t do the same thing with the space on the phone itself. This is so as to avoid the use of expandable storage that might be slower than the internal one that is already optimized and capped at the start. Rather, there are two options to ensure sufficient space utilized on the iPhone: Buy enough space at the very start of your phone purchase or to manage it by deleting excess files and applications.

Image taken from MobileFun

Android smartphones, in contrast offers the option of an expandable storage space. This is largely due to the flexibility of the open-source code that they run on, as well as the recognition to the limited storage that they contain. Expandable memory and removable microSD cards are easily found and available for purchase whenever more space might be needed with the use of these phones.

Audience and Direction

Image taken from TechGenyz

Apple’s mission statement is literally to bring the best user experience with their hardware and services provided. Whether it creates the best experience is ultimately up to the user, but it is rather evident that its operating system is heading in such a direction. Especially observed with the iPhone, with instances like an editable widget page added with its new software update, and an illustrated App Store filled with app recommendations and carefully written paragraphs with its refreshed renovation, Apple paints a picture of constant development for whoever who uses its products. What it is, is a likely necessity and third arm to all its users.

Image taken from Macworld

Android takes the other end of the spectrum, with the goal of creating an open software platform to allow innovation to better experience instead. As mentioned several times before, Android devices are commonly known and publicised for a form of result dependant on its users. From the ability for developers to tinker with its source code to the near-limitless customizability of its screens, these smartphones are a seeming “from scratch”. Rather than adding features or functions, they focus on developing technical aspects like its camera quality and Wi-Fi connections instead. If an iPhone is described to be a third arm, the Android smartphone is best seen as an individual’s aiding tool.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, both the iPhone and Android smartphone has its own pros and cons; after all, both markets are still on the road of constant development and consistent improvement to all its smartphone devices. Where the iPhone values its own sense of curation, Android smartphones puts more regard in its openness and flexibility instead.

With all these differences understood and in mind, to answer the question of which is better: there is no official better of both phones, but rather the recommendation of one that ultimately fits its user’s standards and requirements better.