Why Android Is Better Than iPhone: The 15-Year Rivalry

The last 15 years and the struggle between the two Operating Systems have made many people question why Android is better than the iPhone. 

Android has always been neck-to-neck with iPhones, and the users of the various platforms always come forward to express their advantages.

It comes down to speed, features, and accessibility, and this article will go into more detail about the topic to help you understand all the advantages. 

There are reasons for and against both options, so here are more details to help you know if you should switch to Android; 

Why Android Is Better Than iPhone

Android is the most popular operating system for mobile devices and there are many good reasons for it. 

It is an old platform that has evolved with newer devices and is always up to date with recent changes. Here are some of the most significant selling points for Android;

1. More Devices To Choose From

Android is the more popular version, and more companies manufacture devices with Android OS. All big names will install Android by default, including Nokia, Samsung, Xiaomi, Techno, Itel, and many other phone brands.

This means you will have more devices to pick from if you want Android, and they come with many specifications, designs, visuals, and prices. You can easily find a device that can match your specifications at a fair price.

IPhones use iOS, which is limited to devices used by Apple alone, making it harder to get a well-suited device. There aren’t many variations, and the best you can hope for is a more expensive phone upgrade.

2. Android Offers More Customization Options

Android gives its users creative freedom that is unmatched by the iPhone. Android users can install new launchers that will overhaul the interface and appearance of the apps, menu, font, wallpaper, and other aspects of the system.

This allows users to create a unique experience that will enable them to connect with their phone better. They have additional widgets and options that help personalize the experience, which isn’t something Apple has ever been able to match.

3. Android Has More Apps 

As of 2021, the iPhone’s App Store featured approximately 1.8 million Apps, which seems impressive until you learn that Android’s PlayStore had 3.53 million Apps simultaneously. 

Regardless of your preference, you will get a much more comprehensive range of Android options than iPhone options.

Software and game developers often outsource their work and ensure they focus on Android compatibility for maximum profits. You will, therefore, find many Apps that can’t run on iPhones but work well on Androids.

This is partly due to Apple’s policies that create a walled garden, making it harder for developers to make products for them. Android also offers flexibility that allows for installing third-party apps not on the App Store.

4. Android Offers Better File Management 

Android gives its users more freedom and access when organizing data than iOS. You can create, delete, and move files and folders as you please, just like on a computer. You can select storage areas and change them as you wish, making it easier to find files when needed.

You can plug an Android device into a computer and share files with one click to change the connection; no setup is necessary. Sharing files, videos, music, and other data between your devices is as simple as it gets with Android.

5. More Device Control and Features

Android gives more options for what you can do with apps, the permissions for apps, and processes that run in your device’s background. 

You can go into specific apps and change all their permissions to limit their background activity and data safety.

It will protect your privacy, keep your device smoothly running and extend your battery life as there will be less background consumption. Many Android phones also have features and functionalities that are absent in iPhones.

A good example is the headphone jack that is standard for Android, and it allows you to connect to most speakers. Android devices also have IR blasters that give you remote control over electronic and home appliances. 

USB-C and Micro USB connectors in Android devices are cheap, easy to find, and more flexible than iPhone cables. 

6. Android Devices Are More Affordable

You will purchase a new iPhone at a significantly higher price than an Android device with the same specs. 

The availability of many devices makes companies create more affordable pricing to get an edge over the competition, which isn’t the case with Apple.

Android also takes care of all price points, making the final product more accessible to its users. This creates a situation where you can get a high-quality phone without going into your piggy bank.

7. Android Has More Storage Options

Storage is one of the most significant advantages of Android since iPhones don’t have expandable storage options. 

You will sometimes have issues with the iPhone storage and its connection to iCloud when storage is full, and it can be annoying to deal with if you have many files.

With Android, you have a slot for microSD cards that will allow you to expand the internal storage and keep more files offline. 

Users can increase their storage cheaply, which isn’t an option for iPhones since Apple doesn’t add this feature to their devices.

Android also offers many cloud storage options to keep your data online. You can use Google Drive, which will integrate with your Android and Windows devices seamlessly. They are more straightforward than iCloud, and you get more storage for a lower price. 

What Is The Android Operating System

Google developed the Android OS to be their primary OS for mobile touchscreen devices like cell phones and tablets. 

Android was the perfect OS with a design that allowed users to intuitively manipulate their devices with their fingers.

They can use motions like swiping, pinching, and tapping to toggle mirror reactions from the screen, which makes it a straightforward interface. Google has revolutionized Android, and they use its software in smartwatches, cars, and TVs, each with unique interfaces.

Android OS was the brainchild of Android Inc., a small software company in Silicon Valley. Android Inc. was acquired by Google in 2005, which paved the way for how mobile devices would operate in the coming decades.

Android allowed Google to take the mobile phone industry by storm and expand rapidly. Android’s popularity sold it, and soon, many phone brands added it to their devices by default, further growing its popularity and features.

Software developers adopted the platform and created many apps that run using Android technology, and it became an industry standard. You can get the apps on Google Play and other app stores or download websites.

The partnership with Google has allowed users to link their phones to all other Google services, such as email, video services, cloud storage, and other accounts.

Downsides To Using Android OS

Using Android OS isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Several significant concerns have made many users shift to iPhones, and here are some of the most common ones;

1. The Hardware Quality Is Inconsistent

 One of the biggest advantages of Android OS is that many manufacturers use it, so there is a wide range of devices. This creates a problem since the crowding and unlimited access to the OS make it easy for subpar phones to come to market with Android.

Some devices might have poor hardware that can barely support the latest OS version, which damages performance and ruins the user experience.

2. Android Updates Are Patchy

Android is inconsistent in how it updates its security patches, especially on older devices. iPhone will support their old phones for years after production, but you will get only 2 or 3 updates for Android. 

The biggest problem is that the failure of older phones to get security patches leaves them vulnerable to hacking. Some manufacturers will be more diligent, and you’ll get monthly updates, but most will wait several months.

3. Android Phones Have Bloatware 

Android manufacturers will install their Apps on the phones, and sometimes they are useless to the buyer. You could have multiple browsers you didn’t use, but you can’t remove them since they are in the phone by default.

This makes the phone use storage and memory on apps that don’t serve any actual use, and this can cut down on processing power and battery life.

Worse, most Android apps are crowded with ads that make them nearly impossible to use. Some of these ads could be scams or links to malicious sites that further put your device at risk.

Conclusion

You now know why Android is better than iPhone, and you can decide whether to switch. Android has a good history regarding mobile OS, which is currently the most popular choice.

It offers many storage and customization options that allow users to create a personalized experience that iPhones can’t match. Its easy-to-use interface and wide range of devices make it an affordable and convenient choice, keeping it at the top for almost 2 decades.