Smartphone OS Android vs iOS
There has always been a hot debate among smartphone enthusiasts about which operating system is better, Android or iOS. Both these operating systems have unique features, which make them popular in their own ways.
Let's compare Android and iOS on various parameters to understand which one comes out on top.
Market Share
Android has been dominating the smartphone market for quite some time now. According to Statista's report, as of Q2 2021, Android holds 73% of the market share, while iOS holds only 26.7%.
Customizability
Android's biggest advantage over iOS is its customizability. Android allows users to modify almost every aspect of their smartphones, from changing homescreen layouts, icon packs, widgets, and live wallpapers to installing custom ROMs. On the other hand, iOS has limited customization options, and users are locked within Apple's ecosystem.
App Store
Both operating systems have their own app stores, but Google Play Store has more apps than Apple's App Store. As per the recent reports by Statista, the Google Play Store had 2.87 million apps in Q2 2021, while the Apple App Store had 1.96 million apps.
Security
Apple's iOS is known for its excellent security features, and it has always been ahead of Android in terms of keeping user's data secure. Apple's closed ecosystem ensures that users are downloading apps only through its App Store, and every app goes through a strict review process before it is available for download. Android, on the other hand, is open source, which makes it more vulnerable to malware attacks.
Fragmentation
Fragmentation is a major concern for Android users. With so many hardware manufacturers building Android devices, it becomes difficult for Google to maintain uniformity in the OS. As a result, many Android devices are running older versions of the OS. While Apple manages its own hardware and software, it offers its users seamless updates.
Price
One of the most significant advantages of Android over iOS is the price. Android devices come in a variety of price ranges, which makes it accessible to everyone, while iOS devices are generally expensive, putting them out of reach for budget-conscious buyers.
After analyzing the various aspects of Android and iOS, it's difficult to say which one is better. Both these operating systems have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preferences, and users should choose the OS that suits their needs the most.
References:
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Statista. (2021). Global market share held by the leading smartphone operating systems (OS) from 2012 to 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/266136/global-market-share-held-by-smartphone-operating-systems/
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Statista. (2021). Number of mobile app downloads worldwide from 2016 to 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271644/worldwide-free-and-paid-mobile-app-store-downloads/