iOS Vs. Android, Which Side Are You On?

What do you like better? Chocolate ice-cream or Vanilla? It’s really hard to choose especially that both have their own savoring and exquisite flavor. The same goes when choosing a mobile platform, is it going to be iOS or Android?

ios-vs-android-Tragging

Whether you’re an iOS  or Android user, there are certain things that drew you to one and not the other.

iOS and Android have been in a very tough competition for the last few years. Samsung, the leading manufacturer of Android handsets, sold about 308.5 million units in 2016 but Apple, the sole manufacture of iOS, though came in the second place at 215.5 million iPhones, generated a substantial amount of profits (80% of worldwide smartphone profits.)

So, to which clique do you belong? Did you convert? Or have you always been loyal to one of the platforms?

Here at Tragging, we claim the throne of “Android” though I’m not one, I stand behind my iPhone and reckon that iOS is the best mobile operating system currently available. Only 25% of the company’s employees use iOS whereas all the others use Android platform. This percentage insinuates something, given the fact that Tragging is a programming company, it seems that Androids are better for app testing or whatever (I’m not quite knowledgeable about technical aspects of technology.)

I will present to you a list of the major differences for both iOS and Androids to help you choose a clan. I’d be glad to hear what you have to say about this topic, so feel free to share your views and thoughts in the comments.

iOS-vs-Android-Tragging

1. Security

iOS is a more secure platform than Android. If you think that iOS is impenetrable you’re wrong but just 0.7 percent of malware threats were aimed at iOS and while this is partly because Androids have more users, it’s mainly because it’s simply an easier target.

A fraction of the issue is that Android users don’t regularly update their smartphones to the latest version which makes is it prone to hacking.

2. Privacy

“Apple has pushed privacy a little bit further than all of its rivals, beside the passcodes and fingerprints, end-to-end encryption for iMessage, Apple has introduced Touch ID, and with that iPhone became the first smartphone to feature a security measure called the Secure Enclave, a sub-section of the processor chip that stores the fingerprints and other security-critical data. It is also a crucial part of the encryption setup. The Secure Enclave means, in effect, that Apple itself cannot break into an iPhone if it’s a 5s or later and has been protected with a passcode. This fact came to light near the end of 2015 when the FBI asked Apple to open up the iPhone 5c that belonged to one of the shooters in the San Bernardino attacks in America. If this had been one generation later, it simply wouldn’t have been possible, Apple said – but because it was ‘only’ a 5c, the firm’s engineers could in theory have created and installed a custom build of iOS without the security measures that ordinarily prevent brute-force bypassing of the passcode.”

3.       Customization

Androids win in this domain. You can customize Androids to the way you like, you can change the homescreen or lockscreen, the default fonts, etc. It’s still much harder to customize the user experience in iOS than in Androids since Apple has fiercely control measures.

Each of the Android handsets has their own different take on the operating system, and this enables you to pick the software “flavor” you prefer. But Androids are far more flexible when it comes to changing the way the interface looks, installing widgets in the middle of the home screen though iOS does allow widgets these days, but they’re kept in the lock screen.  If you happen to be a tech-savvy and opinionated about the way you want the software to work then Androids allow you more scope to mold the experience to your tastes since you get more options with Androids phones in terms of both hardware (Samsung, LG, Motorola, Huawei, Sony, HTC, Google ) and software.

4.      User-friendly

In my opinion, I think iOS is easier and more convenient and enjoyable to use than Androids; although it would appear that a lot of my fellow smartphone users disagree with me. I tried using an Android and switched back to iOS within a couple of days. Turned out that iOS users are more loyal to the platform than their Android counterparts. Once people have tried the iPhone they tend to stick with it, just like I did!!

5.      Better apps

There are many applications that are not available on Google Play due to piracy concerns like the mighty Infinity Blade 3.  Apple has better applications since developers are forced to follow stringent rules before getting their software approved for release, meaning that everything you’ll find on App store has been subject to some degree of quality control. In essence, it’s easier to find good apps as an iOS user. Since, Android users are less inclined to pay for apps, this means that developers have less incentive to put the effort in.

6.      Prices

Androids are by far cheaper. This is another factor to consider when choosing a smartphone. Apple has a small number of very good phones, and they cost a good sum. So when choosing an Android you can purchase a smartphone according to your budget really. However, I personally think that the higher prices of iPhones are definitely worth it.

7.      Specifications

When it comes to specs Androids tend to have better specs. Androids screen resolution are impeccable, whereas Apple’s is not quite as good. In terms of the camera’s mega pixels, storage, battery life, Androids seem to have better specifications than iOS does like the crucial NFC.

8. Updates

As I previously mentioned, Androids users don’t get notified of new updates unlike iOS users. Apple makes sure that iOS updates reach every user as soon as it releases a new one.  And that’s because Apple has complete control over when its operating system updates are released. As a result, any security threats, glitches or bugs are fixed with ultimate efficiency within the iOS ecosystem.

9. Innovative hardware features

This one goes to Androids. Due to tough competition amongst Android smartphones, manufacturers go the extra mile to innovate on hardware. So, you’re offered a smartphone with nifty useful features like an IR blaster, which lets you control TVs, VR set, dual SIM card etc. Apple being the sole manufacturer of iOS has fell short in this particular area.

10. Expandable storage

Some Androids smartphones have better cameras than iPhones like Sony Xperia, while others have higher-resolution screens, or additional features that you don’t get with iPhones, such as NFC, heart-rate monitors and most essentially expandable storage.

It’s possible to buy iPhones with a lot of storage, but Apple charges a lot for that extra storage. With many Androids phones, you can insert a micro SD card (64GB card can cost as little as £13).

11.  Virtual Assistants

iPhones have Siri, Android phones have Google Now. Both do a similar job, but their capabilities differ. Google Now isn’t really a virtual assistant you can have a conversation with, whereas Siri does at least try. Both can be used to set alarms, reminders, get directions, check cinema times and more and can send text messages and emails using dictation.

However, Siri tends to do a better job at understanding the task in hand. Siri has a brutal sense of humor, try asking her what’s zero divided by zero.

12.  Flexibility

With Androids you can install software from unknown sources (so you can install the TubeMate, for example), but on an iPhone you’re limited to what’s available in the App Store in your country.

Plug an Android phone into a PC, and it acts like a hard drive. You can view, copy and delete files just like you would on a USB flash drive. That makes it supremely easy to transfer videos, music and documents from any computer. Not so with an iPhone. Plug it in to a PC and it’s as if you’ve connected a digital camera. You can copy off photos and videos (through iTunes), but that’s it.

Ultimately the iOS vs Android debate will never end. It’s all about personal preferences. If we were talking about a lifestyle or a political philosophy then Android would be hard to beat. However if you just want a smartphone that’s safe, easy, reliable and enjoyable to use, and connected to the best-quality app store around then iPhone is your call.