The battle of iOS vs Android: Is there ever a right choice?

Keeping up with the latest devices or phone trends in the GCC region is necessary, but we also find ourselves feeling protective over our phones as a badge of honour as they have quickly become part of our identity. So we end up asking each other, “are you an “iPhoney” or “Androidy” as we say it here in the GCC.

Let’s take a closer look at the six considerations users will think about before switching from one system to another.

Design
This is usually the first appeal to any consumer. Smartphone makers have always competed to excel at the design of any device. Offering a one-of-a-kind tailored look and feel for each of their phone launches. iPhone users are known to enjoy the consistency of the Apple design when it comes to smartphones – something that is a trademark to the brand, and if they wish to switch it up, they will have to wait for the next release in the coming year. But when it comes to Android users – they have more variety in design. Users have plenty of choices with smartphone makers such as Samsung, Huawei, Oppo, Xiaomi, and Motorola launching multiple devices across the year. As a result, they can experience different options, from flip phones to foldable phones.
 
Software
There is no doubt that the Apple 15 bionic chipset is a masterpiece in software and performance. It serves all your needs to fit your daily tasks such as gaming, social media consumption, taking pictures or making phone calls. However, you are more in control with Android software as you can choose the processes you want and decide on the RAM storage. The deciding factor for software in this scenario is value for money. For example, with the iPhone’s performance, you can get up to five years of iOS usage, but it will be up to three years or less when it comes to Android.
 
Camera
Many users might not be familiar with this, but the quality of pictures you take on smartphones is directly related to the software. So it’s not just about the pixels or camera lens, but the device’s overall performance that contributes to a better quality picture or video. When it comes to different camera modes such as night mode, zoom capabilities, micro and macro shots – recently launched devices for both iPhones and Android have excelled in this category, and it all comes down to the user’s preference. However, one clear advantage the iPhones have over Android is its compatibility with social media applications. Posting images and videos through your iPhone will result in higher-end quality because of the algorithm compatibility with the social media application.
  
Applications and battery life
With iPhone, users get a smooth experience with the App Store to download all the various applications they need. But with Android, on some devices, you may use the Play Store, but on others, you may need to install more applications directly online, which would often present a risk and would need a few more installation steps to ensure you have all the applications available to you.

Regarding battery life, there are two considerations to think about: the charger and the battery. The race started over two years ago with Android devices that presented a charger with a speed of 65W, followed by 66W, and it kept increasing to a recent Android device that launched a month ago that is equipped with a 68W charger that is capable of charging the phone in less than 30 minutes with a battery capacity of 4,500 mAh as the average speed.

But when it came to the iPhone’s strategy of “no charger in the box” – this was a a strategy that surprised all users and consumers across the world but was widely successfully when up to three other smartphone makers adopted this strategy for their launches post that. It presented companies with lower costs, smaller boxes, and saving space during shipment.

When it comes to battery capacity and longer battery life, the average iPhone user will stick to the battery that will stay up to three or four years with average charge speed or choose to enjoy the fast charge and keep the charger with you all day in case you are losing your battery fast.
 
Value for money
After considering both hardware and software options, the most significant decision will always be the value for money. No doubt that even after two years of launching the iPhone 11, people are still looking to purchase the device. But when it comes to Android, the variety of options provide you with a broader spectrum of choices, but they can differ across countries and markets, as the same phone will be sold at a different price range.
 
Customer service
Smartphone makers have recently put many efforts into offering their users the best customer service. Whether it’s a quick and efficient service or ensuring customers are receiving faster responses, this element is a massive factor in the decision-making process between smartphone companies and is also a reason they will come back to purchase more devices.

In short, there will never be a suitable choice when choosing your smartphone operating system. It could take years getting used to one system, and then you find out you prefer another. But choosing the one that fits your needs will answer whether you are an “iPhoney” or “Androidy”.

Ihab Salem ( also known as Mr Tech) is a tech influencer