Ever since the first smartphones were introduced back in 2007, people have been divided into two groups, Android and iPhone users. Although a few other OS were also introduced in between, they, unfortunately, failed to make any major impact or gain a strong user base. While the debate about which is better can be an endless debate depending on the person’s preference but here are few of the top differences between the two that we found quite intriguing.
1. The Hardware
The differences between the two start right from the hardware. iPhones are manufactured by Apple and iOS is exclusive to iPhone and some other Apple products. This gives Apple the advantage to better implement its software and deliver greater performance. Android, on the other hand, is freely offered to multiple manufacturers. This may have made Android phones to be more widely available but they also vastly vary in performance.
2. The Apps
The Apple’s App Store has lesser apps compared to Google’s Play Store. However, Apple’s store has been financially more lucrative for the developers and therefore has been the preferred platform for the release of a new app. Android apps many a time also face compatibility issue as there are hundreds of devices with hundreds of different hardware configurations running Android.
3. The AI Assistant
The two operating systems also have their own voice-operated virtual assistants that are capable of conducting online searches, setting reminders, sending text messages and emails, and making calls. But assistants aren’t equal here. In fact, Android’s Google Assistant is far more powerful than Apple’s Siri, all thanks to Google’s huge data servers and the information it collects to offer better service. You can opt for iPhone 5S unlimited data plan, if you can’t afford latest one and opt for Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5 plans if Samsung Note 8 plans are too pricey for you.
4. The Home Screen
Android’s completely customizable user interface is what gained it many fans at the time of its launch. Its ability to place app widgets on the home screen to completely revamp the look and feel of the UI still remains a better part of the Android ecosystem. Apple’s iOS, on the other hand, comes with a UI that provides a rather stock experience.
5. The Media Library
Moving media files to and from an iOS device can be quite a hassle if you are a PC user but for MAC users the task is much more manageable. While Android devices simply show up on both PC and MAC as a portable drive, hence making transferring files cinch. It is also quite simple to download files on Android devices. iOS devices do not offer this luxury and require the use of iTunes through a computer, for such a menial task.
6. Accessories
Like in everything else, Apple is also very territorial about its accessories. Almost all new iPhones have ditched the headphone jack for a more modern appeal of the proprietary wireless Airports. It has also always had a lightning charging cable (only iPhone compatible, obviously). Android phones still manage to keep the classic 3.5 mm jack (for the people who still enjoy their wired headphones) and have a commonly interchangeable charging cable.
Despite having their differences, both Android and iPhone remain dominant forces in the smartphone market. Which one is good for you entirely depends upon what features you wish to have in a smartphone. Love iPhone? How about iPhone 5S unlimited data plan?