Which is best, Android or iOS?
Android or iOS Which operating system is better? It is one of our times’ essential technological questions, one that has been asked by Apple users and Windows Phone and Blackberry users for several years now. Android users have a somewhat different experience, though. To figure out which is best, we need to understand why they are using their phones in the first place.
Android and iOS
So, what is Android, anyway? What does it stand for? The short answer is “Android is Open Source” mobile operating systems. The big advantage iOS has over Android, compared to other smartphone running systems, is its regular updates: Apple usually provides regular updates for all these devices for five to seven years straight, and all these phones get the same updates in the same manner. You also get frequent security updates, new features and applications, support for new media and image formats, and patches for significant security flaws. Pretty much everything you can find on iOS as well.
As per Operating Systems
So, which one is better, Android or iOS? In reality, the answer depends on how you use your smartphone operating systems. If you use his/her phone for essential functions, then Android might be the best choice. Suppose you are someone who frequently uses his/her smartphone operating systems, especially if you are addicted to one particular social networking platform (such as Facebook). In that case, you might find iOS the winner.
However, this doesn’t mean that one platform is superior to the other. Different manufacturers, each with their unique designs, features, and applications, have produced impressive smartphones. So which one is the best? That depends on what you are looking for in a smartphone. You may want a phone that has the most basic features such as email and text messaging, for example.
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As per Development
The Android platform is designed for developers and designers, whereas the iOS mobile app development is more suited for business users. The iPhone, on the other hand, is more of an entertainment smartphone. Its big screen and user-friendly touch-screens make it easy for people to browse the internet. But in terms of apps, both platforms offer hundreds of different apps that cater to all needs.
As per App store
Another thing about Android that some people don’t like is that it has the Google Play Store, which lets third-party companies create and publish apps for its users. The most famous example of this is the favorite app-downloading app, Google Maps, which is not available for the iPhone. Although Android offers a more significant number of apps, iPhone has a bigger selection of top-notch apps in its app store.
So which is the winner between iOS and Android? While Android would be considered the winner due to the large selection of apps and the fact that it has the Google Play Store, iPhone is regarded as the winner due to its larger memory capacity and better battery life. So if you are planning to buy your next mobile phone, consider which one has the best feature set.
Difference Between Android and iOS
But before you decide which operating system to use on your device, it would be helpful to understand how each of these platforms differs from the other. Android has been designed to be a mobile operating system that runs directly on the hardware. That means that apps can run without any need for downloads.
On the contrary, iPhones are designed to run on a mixture of hardware and software. Hence, apps that run on the hardware need to be accessed through iTunes and from specific third-party sites, while applications that require installation need to be installed on the iPhone’s hard drive through iTunes. Android devices differ in their approach because of their unique user interface.
Functionality
Speaking of functionality, Android comes out on top here, too, primarily because of the way it has taken advantage of the openness of the mobile platform. Android apps are available for free on most devices, while most iOS apps can cost anywhere between $5 and $99. This price difference can mean the difference between a good app and a good service, and it helps Android enjoy a more extensive user base than its competitor. One of the biggest complaints about iPhones is that many of the apps are buggy and have low user reviews. Meanwhile, Android continues to develop apps faster than its competition, and those bugs are quickly fixed.
User Experience
In terms of user experience, iOS continues to trail behind Android. Android users enjoy overall better functionality on their devices, though overall, iPhone users continue to enjoy slightly better performance from their devices. Android, however, continues to edge out iOS with its robust security system and additional apps. That’s another big difference: While iPhones have been susceptible to hack attacks for several years, Android devices have had even more issues with unauthorized third-party applications and intrusions.
Platform
In terms of platform features, Android dominates with more apps than iOS devices. The Android operating system is also more open, allowing developers to write code for several different platforms. Apple, however, has long held a monopoly on its devices’ operating systems. There are only two platforms to choose from with iOS: Mac OS X and Windows. Android, meanwhile, offers users five different operating systems to choose from.
Software Updates
The final difference between the two platforms revolves around software updates. As of now, Apple devices tend to be subject to regular software upgrades. Some of these updates, like the latest iOS 6 upgrade, are exclusive to iPhones. However, for users who own older iPhones or any other iOS devices, the only way to get the latest operating system is to purchase an additional iPhone or iPad. With most iPhones being made compatible with the newest version of iOS, it is harder to choose which is best.
Usability
In terms of user experience and usability, Android still rules. Android apps provide a cleaner, more intuitive interface than their iOS counterparts. Android devices also run a lot faster than Apple’s iOS devices, making it easier for small business owners to handle their business. However, there are a few notable disadvantages to Android. For example, Android devices are typically not supported on specific devices, like the iPod touch or tablets.