Which is better iOS or Android: pros and cons? Comparison of iOS and Android Android or ios comparison

There are many operating systems on the mobile gadget market. The main struggle for leadership is between Android and iOS. iOS OS is developed by Apple. Behind Android is an equally popular developer - Google. And if iOS is used only on devices of its developer, then Android works on almost all gadgets.

It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages. And in the matter of choosing a device, such a comparison is unlikely to be decisive. It’s simple, if you plan to use an iPhone, then it has iOS OS, and you can’t install another one. If you are planning to buy, for example, a Samsung Galaxy, then it runs Android.

Still, it is worth highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of both systems, and to a certain extent answer the question: which is better, Android or iOS?

Interface

The internal design of the Android OS is based on material design. It is based on iconography and typography. To put it simply, this is a type of flat design. It doesn't tolerate bumps or highlights, but it does embrace shadows and gradients. iOS also uses flat design. When you see the interface of this system, you will immediately notice that there is no desktop. You don't need to go to a menu to use an application. All applications are located on screen pages. All icons are grouped into folders.

The competitive system has customizable desktops (any arrangement of icons) and their number. There is a pop-up quick access menu with functions for connecting to the Internet, Bluetooth, and flight mode.

Store and programs

Today, the number of applications in the App Store and Google Play stores is equal. The number of pieces in each is within 1,200,000. But the user, first of all, is concerned about the quality of the software. In this matter, iOS has the upper hand. After all, unlike Google Play, the App Store has practically no applications with bugs or inoperable ones. The requirements for the products of this store are high and require appropriate quality from the developers. The peculiarity of the store is that most applications are paid.

The competitor has the advantage that the store has a large number of free programs. The disadvantage is that AAA projects are first released to the App Store and only later to Google Play. The App Store has a section with recommendations where you can find programs that are interesting to this particular user. In general, the store interface is convenient and intuitive.

Connection

Basic communication responsibilities are perfectly performed by both operating systems. Many users will notice that Apple gadgets have wider communication capabilities, remembering iMessage and FaceTime. The first built-in application allows you to send not only messages, but also your coordinates, videos, and images. The second built-in program allows you to make video calls over the Internet. Both applications are aimed at connecting with owners of Apple devices.

Google also does not stand still in matters of communication. The OS received the Hangouts service, which is capable of performing the same functions as the two applications described above. The advantage of this service is that it can be installed on PC and Mac.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are responsible for data transfer on mobile devices. The Apple system uses Bluetooth for contact with accessories and nothing more. A competitor also uses this communication method for data transfer. NFC technology is also used, which transmits information when one device is brought to another. Links, files can be transferred and payments can be made. Apple has its own payment system, but it is not widely used in the CIS. And it is used only for payment purposes, which is not competition for NFC.

Price

There are many Android-based devices on the mobile device market. This allows the buyer to choose a gadget according to his income level. And the operating system’s support for a large number of devices provides a wide selection of gadgets that differ in design. The difference between iOS is that it is only available on Apple gadgets. Their price range is not suitable for everyone. But this allows you to very carefully work out the details of the operating system and constantly improve its quality.

Use and Setup

With the Apple system, the settings are simple and clear. It's almost impossible to get confused. If there are any updates or alerts, a “beacon” appears, clicking on which will take you section by section to the source. Navigation is good, you don’t need to remember what and where.

How is Android different? Not everything is so clear and simple, but the settings options are wider. You can install any skins or themes for yourself. You can install a third-party keyboard or change the font. These features allow you to customize the gadget, taking into account all individual features and wishes.

Safety

Comparing two systems, one open and the other closed, it is obvious that the closed OS will be more secure. Accordingly, iOS is more protected from virus attacks, malware and theft of user data. For security, “Sandboxing” technology or sandbox is used. It limits the capabilities of applications, preventing them from doing things they shouldn't do. This prevents any harmful activity.

On Apple devices that have not been jailbroken, you cannot install a third-party application (not from the store). This helps reduce the level of malware attacks. The Android system is open, you can download not only the program from the store, but also a third-party application. This increases the risk of attacks because no one checks these programs. Due to the large number of devices, it is not possible to constantly update the system, so if there are any bugs, hackers can take advantage of them.

Conclusion

The choice of OS depends on the user's needs. If security and intuitive controls come first for you, then iOS will handle this with a bang. If a wide selection of applications, availability of programs from any source, and the ability to change the internal design to suit your individuality are important to you, then Google OS is suitable for you. Android offers a range of gadgets of different prices and designs, where everyone will find something.

Indeed, although Android was created in many ways as a copy of iOS, it turned out to be a good competitor, and together iOS and Android “dealt with” everyone else: Symbian, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry OS and Windows Phone, which in the last years of its life also bore the name Windows Mobile, which brought a lot of confusion. Because the same Windows Mobile that reigned on the smart phone market at the time the iPhone appeared was a completely different operating system that had nothing in common with Windows Phone.

However, what iOS and Android were when they launched is not at all similar to what they are now. For 10 years, operating systems have been looking at ideas from each other, and today there is not as much difference between them as it seems at first glance. Let's go over the main differences.

Brand

Oddly enough, the first difference is the brand of the smartphone itself. In the case of iOS there is no choice: it is only Apple. There is no other option. In the case of Android, these are several dozen brands - from large ones that can easily compete with Apple on all counts, to small Chinese nameless basements. Since the price within one brand, as a rule, does not change very much, choosing a brand is also a choice of price category.

Again, in the case of Apple there is not much choice: their smartphones are quite expensive, even if we are talking about last year’s flagships that have already fallen in price or the initially “budget” iPhone 5C or iPhone SE.

In short, iOS smartphones are on average more expensive than Android smartphones. It's worth keeping this in mind.

Convenience

The issue of convenience is very subjective, and what is convenient for one may just be a real hell for another. Therefore, the Internet is flooded with messages about how a typical iPhone user tried to use Android and could not get used to it, as well as vice versa.

However, why did we even include this point in the article: the fact is that Android does not have any single interface. Classic, “pure” Android is really not the most convenient thing to use, but most manufacturers preinstall their interface, not to mention the fact that you can download any other one from the Google Play application store. And if some interfaces simply change the appearance of icons, others seriously rework both the menu logic and visualization in various operating modes.

On the other hand, iOS cannot have any other interfaces: what is there is what you have to use. If you don't like it, the only alternative is Android.

The only thing that seems objectively inconvenient to us about Android, regardless of the interface, is entering text in a horizontal display orientation somewhere in mail or messages. Typically, in this position you only see the keyboard, the text being entered and nothing else. But as the display diagonal increases, users are less and less likely to turn the phone on its side, except to shoot video, watch movies or play games.

Applications

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The programs for iOS and Android are basically the same. If some service wants to make a mobile client application, then versions are immediately released: both for iOS and for Android. The price in most cases is also the same - 0 rubles, 0 kopecks. Although there are differences. On average, paid apps on iOS are a little more expensive, but on average - like “the average temperature in a hospital.”

But there are two nuances. First, the functionality of applications is limited by the operating system itself. In most cases there is no difference, but, for example, on Android an application can penetrate deeper into the system than on iOS. For example, various clients for connecting to other devices on Android can activate Wi-Fi themselves, scan access points and select the appropriate one, but on iOS they offer the user to do all this manually.

The question also arises with backups. While on iOS a complete backup of all phone contents (including SMS and saves in games) can be done using standard means, on Android there is no such functionality, and all applications for backups require root access, which automatically makes Google Pay payments impossible and also reduces safety.

The second caveat is default applications. If you don't like the default Android browser, the default email client, or the photo gallery, for example, you can install another app and set it to run as default. This is not possible on iOS. That is, you can install a third-party application, you just have to launch it manually. For example, if you want to open a link in the browser you need from an email client, you won’t be able to do this in one click on iOS.

Safety

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All application restrictions exist in iOS for a reason and not to create inconvenience for the user. Against. The security of this operating system is still much higher than that of Android. Yes, you can sometimes hear that hackers hacked someone's iPhone, but, as a rule, this was done by simply guessing the password, and the victim also somehow compromised this password. Therefore, they hacked only all sorts of stars, and not everyone in a row. It is still possible that the “stars” themselves organized this “hacking” for the sake of PR, otherwise how can one explain that at one time such stories were making noise one after another, and then suddenly they all stopped at once?

In addition to restricting application rights, iOS security is also ensured by meticulous moderation of programs that developers upload to the App Store. This moderation lasts several weeks and is carried out manually. This, of course, makes the result dependent on the human factor, and therefore, purely theoretically, something malicious could still penetrate the App Store. However, it still won’t stay there for long. It is much more likely (and this often happens) that the moderator will reject a normal application for some far-fetched reason, and it is enough to simply request moderation again so that another employee will approve everything.

On Android, the application appears on Google Play within a few hours after downloading. All moderation is carried out after the fact, and only if there is a precedent (someone reported problems with the application). Almost any person, having taken possession of the source codes of another application, can publish it under their own name, replacing, say, a few lines of code or adding malicious code.

Additionally, Android is easy to “infect” from the outside, for example, through a browser. After all, installation of applications is available in this OS and not from the Google Play store. Yes, this requires the participation of the phone owner, so attackers use various tricks, trying to convince the user that he simply needs this utility that requires installation and needs to give it all the permissions it asks for.

In general, to use Android safely, you need to be constantly alert. Although in relation to iOS this advice will also not be superfluous.

Total

To summarize, the choice between Android and iOS in 2018 is not so clear-cut. The operating systems are quite similar, but the differences are mostly cosmetic. Perhaps the most serious difference is security, which will still be higher on iOS. If you are already accustomed to a certain operating system or a certain interface, there is no point in changing one to the other. But if you are just now purchasing a smartphone (or you had, for example, a Windows Phone), then choose within your means.

In an ideal world, there would be more than two main contenders for the purchase. In the world of smartphones, Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile have been forgotten, Blackberry OS 10 also died a couple of years ago, and other mobile operating systems are so small that there is no point in even considering them.

However, the battle between iOS and Android is very exciting. In some ways the operating systems are similar, but in others they are completely different. So which one is better?

Android Q or Android 10 is already available in beta, so it's time to compare the opposing operating systems and find out which one is better.

1. Performance

iOS and iPhone work faster than Android. This is partly due to the interface and touch detection, but the main reason is the advanced A-series processors, which are optimized for system operation.

The fastest Android smartphones like the Pixel 3 XL and OnePlus 6T are still considered pretty fast for smartphone lovers. Therefore, the speed advantages of iOS are not so significant. In addition, Android wins in RAM usage and multitasking.

Speed ​​tests show that an Android smartphone with a Snapdragon 855 processor opens apps faster, but that will likely change with the release of new iPhones in the fall.

In short, the difference here is quite small, but iOS still wins due to its faster interface. In addition, Android smartphones often slow down the system due to their cheapness.

• iOS: 9
• Android: 8

2. Memory

We use the term "memory" instead of "storage", but you get the idea. The iPhone and iOS have always had fixed memory, and the user had to decide at the time of purchase how much memory he needed. And then regret that I didn’t choose more memory! Android smartphones in most cases support memory cards that allow you to expand the device's memory.

However, memory cards often cause problems for users. They don't know where what data is stored, format the card, and this leads to the loss of some important data. In addition, built-in storage is always faster and more reliable than removable storage.

However, it's always nice to be able to expand your device's memory, so we're calling it a draw here.

Don't forget about cloud storage, but iCloud and Google Drive are also similar in many ways.

• iOS: 9
• Android: 9

3. Applications

We take into account both standard and third-party applications. With a set of standard applications, iPhone can do more. It has an iMovie application, the quality of which cannot be compared with any Android application. The apps work at roughly the same level on both platforms, but not all of them are installed by default.

The app stores for both systems have approximately the same content. If we talk about narrower areas, such as medicine, then more high-quality applications are available for iOS.

The restrictions in the Play Store are not as severe as in the App Store, so the former has more low-quality and even malicious applications, such as colon apps. There is more control and quality in the Apple ecosystem.

• iOS: 10
• Android: 8

4. Interface

This is one of the most important aspects, because we look at the screens of our smartphones a hundred times a day. Most Android smartphones copy the iOS interface, but Android has more options for customizing the launcher.

Different themes (with different icons), live wallpapers, etc. are available for Android smartphones. However, the biggest difference is the widgets. They display real-time information about the weather, stocks, news, your plans, etc. On Android smartphones, widgets can be added to the main home screen directly next to the icons of your favorite applications.

In iOS, widgets appeared much later, and they are available on a separate screen. We think this is quite inconvenient and the widgets are long overdue for an upgrade.

iPhone X and later have a gesture system that replaces the physical Home button. With the release of this model, the same systems began to appear on Android smartphones. However, for the first time something like this appeared in the MeeGo and Blackberry OS 10 systems many years ago. Thanks to gestures, content on smartphones can be displayed on the entire screen, because it does not need to accommodate additional buttons.

Navigation in applications is quite similar in iOS and Android, but the lack of a back button confuses users who bought an iPhone for the first time. Its function is performed by swiping to the right, but it does not work in all applications, and this is not so obvious. The Android Q version is currently in beta testing, and we hope that the back button will not be removed from it.

The only drawback of the Android interface is that there is too much variety on different smartphones. However, this shouldn't be a problem if you always buy smartphones from the same brand.

• iOS: 8
• Android: 9

5. Cost-effective

Ten years ago, the first smartphones with (AM)OLED displays began to appear, after which there was a great demand for dark interfaces of applications and systems, since they reduce energy consumption by up to ten times.

Now energy consumption is affected not only by the content on the screen, but also by the operation of the mobile Internet, GPS, graphics processor, etc. Now the dark interface probably saves not 10 times more energy, but much less.

It happens that late at night or in a dark cinema you check Twitter with dark mode, and then open some website with a white interface, and the screen blinds you.

Because of this, dark mode has become even more popular in the last couple of years. Samsung has been adding dark mode everywhere for the past few years, and so will Android Q. Some apps will retain a light interface, but most will support a nice dark theme in 2019.

iOS is mostly light, but they may finally add a dark mode like Android.

However, Android is still in the lead here.

• iOS: 5
• Android: 8

6. Support

This is all obvious unless you live near an Apple Store, and most of us are like that. Getting warranty repairs for iOS devices in Russia is much more difficult. In other countries, Apple is the leader in this.

In addition, in most cases it will be cheaper to repair an Android smartphone than an Apple gadget. On the other hand, there are many instructions on the Internet for solving problems in both systems.

We are assessing the situation around the world, so Apple and iOS are winning in this area.

• iOS: 9
• Android: 4

7. Voice assistant

Siri does not share your personal data with anyone and can perform all basic tasks: set reminders and alarms, search for information on the Internet, etc. However, Google Assistant is in a different league, even though you provide all of your information to Google. It's almost artificial intelligence that gets better every month by storing data on servers around the world. You've probably heard about the Google Duplex system, which will be able to answer your calls and talk to you like a real person.

Google and Android win here.

• iOS: 8
• Android: 10

8. Variety of technology

iPhone and iOS fans will say that Apple has more than enough different smartphones. However, the line consists of only three smartphones. There are many smartphones available with Android from over a hundred companies, and more are coming.

These smartphones are available in different sizes and at different prices. Anyone can find a smartphone to suit their taste and needs.

Yes, this is an article about operating systems, but the variety of technology also matters. There are Android smartphones without a notch on the screen and with a headphone jack, which once again proves the leadership of this system.

• iOS: 5
• Android: 9

9. Communication

Nowadays, smartphones are connected with many other gadgets like smart watches, smart speakers, headphones, etc. Google wins here with its cloud storage. User data is stored in Google Gmail, Contacts, Calendars, Google Photos, Google Drive, etc.

Apple has a Handoff feature that allows you to continue work you started on one device on another. Plus, the Apple Watch has become the most popular watch around the world, and it's closely tied to iOS, so that's another plus.

Android and iOS continue to fight for the title of being considered the best information technology among portable devices. Developers are constantly trying to introduce something new or learn secrets from their competitors in order to get ahead of them as far as possible. Application creators are always trying to simplify the usability of the OS and expand their functionality as much as possible.

Almost everyone who chooses a new smartphone faces a difficult question: which platform to choose: Android or iOS? Some might say that there is its Windows Phone or Symbian, which was incredibly popular 7 years ago. Today, the operating system market is not limited to just these two titans, but they are not yet able to compete with them. We will try to identify the winner among Google Android and Apple iOS.

Advantages of Android

And so, let's look at the pros and main advantages of Android devices over iOS, Windows Phone and other operating systems.

Price

First of all, we will talk about the most important difference, that is, the price. There is no need to say too much here, since everyone has long understood that devices that support the Apple system are noticeably more expensive than Android competitors. Devices based on the Android system are produced by all currently known companies. Because of this, everyone can choose devices based on their income level. Unfortunately, segmentation quite often causes optimization problems in the OS, so you have to pay extra for an alternative choice.

Variety of models

Providing a free license attracted a huge number of manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, Sony, Motorola, LG, Huawei, ZTE, etc. In turn, this contributed to the production of the widest selection of smartphones and tablets on the digital technology market.

You can buy a compact smartphone, or a device with a physical keyboard, or a phone with a huge touch display, and even models with two screens. Also, inexpensive dual-SIM devices. An equally wide selection is available among tablets and other devices.

Connection

Both of our systems do an excellent job with the main function of smartphones. This is firstly calls and SMS transmission. iOS is slowly starting to expand its functionality using FaceTime as well as Message. The latter, by the way, includes an additional messaging service. In addition to text short messages, iMessage has the function of sending videos and photos, and the latest version also contains the function of sending voice messages.

FaceTime is a similar free app, but will require it to make video or audio calls. Android is not far behind here, moreover, it received a similar update to calls and cm - a service called Hangouts.

Nevertheless, the Viber, Skype, WhatsApp applications are still the undisputed winners. A huge number of people use these services.

Interface

Both operating systems use the flat design style that is fashionable today. But everyone does not forget to add their own characteristics. For example, Android is trying to implement "material design" focused on iconography and typography. But in fact, any smartphone user can easily figure out which version is in front of him, despite their almost identical flat interface.

Our OSes in question did not forget to maintain their original and unique style. For example, an iPad or iPhone basically does not have a desktop. Instead, there are several pages with application icons displayed. The slide in the center easily opens the Spotlight window, which is necessary for quickly finding the necessary information on the device.

A slide that drops down from the top of the screen creates a menu in which, using widgets, everyone can easily configure access to the necessary useful applications. The adjacent tab contains notifications. The bottom edge also rises, on it there are toggle switches for wireless networks, player switches, and sometimes a flashlight with a calculator.

Android devices contain several desktops, on which it is also possible to install widgets and shortcuts from various third-party applications. Each table is customizable to the needs of its owner. The menu located at the top is slightly different from iOS, but in general it has almost the same needs. The toggle switches are located there.

Personalization

The settings menu for Apple owners looks almost perfect. It is almost impossible to get confused in this section; everything is in its place. If we look at the menu of an Android device, then not everything is so simple and accessible; there are too many switches and various sections.

Both competitors have their own views on this menu, and in connection with this, it quite often receives additional features. Therefore, each user can configure his device, like a designer, the way he wants.

The Android system allows you to install different shells to change the design, functionality, messenger, and dialer. At the request of the owner of the smartphone, it is quite possible to customize an almost ideal and unique device.

If you gain access to your system, the possibilities may become even greater.

There is no such option on iOS.

Shop

Today, Google Play has completely caught up with its competitor in the App Store virtual store. More than 1.3 million apps are offered by these stores. But everyone first cares about the quality of the software offered. The App Store contains virtually no malicious or low-quality applications. This is primarily due to the fact that the “fruit” company Apple obliges developers to publish only high-quality applications. Android competitors offer a more extensive selection of free apps.

Both stores are very convenient, have a simple selection of categories, the pages are full of detailed information about the application, and there are also videos and screenshots about them.

Safety

In both cases, obtaining root rights can create a lot of problems. An operating system that is too open is susceptible to many attacks and is also not protected from data theft. In addition to the regular application store, Android also has third-party ones, a significant part of which are usually developed by independent companies. At first, the user may be pleased with the expanded list of applications, however, as practice shows, this aggravates the situation. The situation is completely opposite in iOS; access to the system will be prohibited, because the App Store is the only source of software new products.

Conclusion

Despite the security and software issues, this OS is endowed with excellent customization capabilities and has improved usability and ergonomics. This total makes it attractive for the buyer to choose it.

Smartphones and tablets with the Android operating system have many significant differences from similar Apple devices (iPhone, iPad).

1. Limitations of Apple (iPhone, iPad) compared to Android

Apple devices have a number of limitations due to considerations of information security, operating system reliability and marketing policies.

1. Most modern smartphones and tablets with Android can be connected to a computer and downloaded any files to them as if they were on a flash drive. Apple devices can also be connected to a computer, but file exchange is carried out only using a special iTunes program, through which photos, videos, music, and books of only certain formats are transferred. iTunes is tied to the user's account (Apple ID) and limits the ability to share files with other users.
2. Most modern Android smartphones and tablets have support for memory cards, which can be used to increase internal memory and transfer files between any devices. Apple devices do not support the installation of memory cards, and Apple smartphones and tablets with large amounts of internal memory are much more expensive.
3. Many modern Android smartphones and tablets are equipped with a USB connector and support connecting a flash drive via a simple and cheap OTG cable for viewing and copying files of any type. Apple devices do not have a USB connector and you can connect a flash drive to them using an expensive card reader (Camera Connection Kit), which allows you to view only photos.
4. All Android smartphones and tablets can exchange any files between themselves, computers and other devices via Bluetooth. Apple devices can use Bluetooth to exchange certain file formats only with Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod, MacBook).
5. On smartphones and tablets with Android, you can install programs not only from Google Play Market, but also downloaded from any website. Apple devices can only install programs from the Apple App Store.
6. Smartphones and tablets with Android have much more flexible settings; you can easily replace the graphical shell and customize everything to your taste. Apple devices are well and conveniently configured from the beginning, have a beautiful graphical shell, but you can’t change anything.
7. The choice of smartphones and tablets with Android is much wider and you can choose the ideal device for you.
8. And finally, a good Android smartphone or tablet can be bought cheaper than an Apple device and it will have a larger screen. The same applies to the cost of accessories (cases, chargers and various adapters), which for Apple devices are many times more expensive.

iPhone 5s

2. Advantages of Apple (iPhone, iPad) compared to Android

Despite so many limitations, it cannot be said that Apple smartphones and tablets are worse than similar Android devices, as they also have some advantages.

1. Apple smartphones and tablets have consistently high quality, good cameras and sound, but with Android devices, you'll be lucky.
2. The iOS operating system is more stable and Apple devices support its updates much longer than Android smartphones and tablets.
3. Programs in the Apple App Store are carefully controlled and moderated, so they are of higher quality, while from the Google Play Market you can even install a program with a virus, not to mention a huge number of simply low-quality applications.
4. Despite all the limitations of the iTunes program, it allows you to synchronize your Apple smartphone or tablet with your computer completely, including photos, videos and all applications. Android devices only sync contacts, calendar, mail, tasks, and browser bookmarks with your Google account.