Features
Both Android and iOS are filled to the rafters with cool features to help simplify their user’s life. The main difference here, however, are the ways in which Apple and Google go about these features.
While iOS offers a rigid and straightforward set of apps, Google’s Android allows for way more customization and freedom to mix things up to how you like it. Though iOS is definitely a nice and clean operating system, making it practical for many users, others tend to prefer the ability to alter many of the features in Google’s offering.
In terms of the actual features on offer, both are very similar. Each has its own email, personal assistant, cloud storage, weather, mobile payment options, and battery saving features. On this point, it really comes down to whether you want a little more freedom in the apps you use. Other than that, these two are locked in a stalemate.
Ease of Use
In terms of ease of use, this is where Apple somewhat takes the lead. While Android certainly isn’t a difficult operating system to get your head around, its multiple menus, less monitored app store, and depth of settings can lead to some users feeling a little lost with the system. While you can always switch your Android’s launcher until you find one you’re comfortable with (though this would take some know-how, which basic users may not have), Apple’s OS is simple and straightforward.
Everything is easy to navigate on an iPhone, and while you may not be able to get the wealth of unofficial apps that you can on Android, what’s there is plenty (though more on that later). Spend some time with either phone and you’ll get used to it soon enough, but in terms of just knowing where specific settings are, and generally using all of your phone’s features, iOS just clinches it.
Apps
Apps are an incredibly important part of your smartphone experience, as pretty much everything you tend to do on your phone requires you to use them. Both iOS and Android offer a huge number of applications to have you do all manner of crazy things. Want to know where that plane is flying overhead? Without wanting to sound like a commercial, there’s an app for that.
According to figures from February 2016, the Google Play Store had 2.2 million apps available for users to download. Apple’s App Store comes in as the second-largest app store behind Google Play with 2 million apps. What is important to note, however, is that Apple’s App Store is more thoroughly monitored than the Play Store. What we mean by this is that you’re not going to come across anything that could cause harm to your phone on your iOS device, but you may well do that on your Android. Apps on Android can also just straight up not work, be filled with ads, or be rubbish altogether. Though it’s rare that you will come across anything overly malicious, these unwanted apps can become a nuisance when browsing the Play Store. As long as you know what you’re looking out for and generally follow the ratings, however, you should be okay.
In terms of basic apps that come on your phone, each once again, have very similar offerings with equal performance. Ultimately, it’ll come down to your own preference and what you’re used to.
Customization
Customization is what Android is all about. Rather than being this huge operating system that requires you to have your phone in a certain way, with specific apps, Android is bare bones and open for you to customize as you wish. If you want to change the launcher of your Android, you’re more than welcome to, providing you with a plethora of new layouts and features to keep your phone feeling fresh.
On the other hand, iOS is very much you get what Apple gives you. Yes, you can change your background and personalize the vibration feedback of your home button in the new iPhone 7, but other than that, if you get tired of the way your iPhone looks, you can’t do much about it.
Android is the clear winner for anyone who is looking to customize just about every aspect of their phone.
Updates
Every year, these two platforms receive an update. Background tweaks are made, a few new features are added, and you may notice something looks a little different from the older version. Therefore, it’s comforting to know that whichever OS you choose to roll with, you won’t just be stuck on the same old platform.
Taking a look at the two upcoming offerings iOS 10 and Android 7.0 Nougat, the chewy goodness of Nougat takes the crown. While iOS 10 is largely focusing on cleaner notifications, a couple of changes to how Maps and Apple Music look, and some new emojis to personalize your messages with, Android is adding in some pretty sweet new features. Multi-windows, a feature that was present on some manufacturers skins of Android but not others, is now coming in the core version, there’s a VR mode to help support Google Cardboard and other mobile VR platforms, and apps don’t have to be downloaded to run. What’s more, the ongoing attempt to get the most out of smart device batteries looks to take another leap with battery performance getting a couple of improvements.
In the short term, Android has the upper hand in terms of updates coming to these platforms. However, it’s important to take into account that with Apple’s 10th anniversary of the iPhone coming next year, they could pull out all of the stops with a complete overhaul of how we see iOS and its smart devices.
The Winner
When stacking these two up against one another, there’s not really a clear winner. Yes, you can get a ton of customization and more apps from Android, but some of those apps can be a bit dodgy. On the other hand, iOS offers an incredibly clear and simple user interface, but it’s a very restrictive platform. Both platforms have a wealth of very similar features with equal performance, cloud storage, and constant support to keep you at the cutting edge of the latest and greatest features.
Ultimately, the winner comes down to what you want from your phone. If you want something that’s simple and clean, though a little bit restrictive, then iOS is what you want. For customization, a wealth of options and settings, and the biggest app store (albeit filled with some crap), then Android is your dude.
If we’re talking about the cutest mascot… the cute Android beats the number in a square every day.
Published: Sep 9, 2016 03:42 pm