In 2019, and the neck-to-neck battle for supremacy between iPhone iOS and Android doesn’t seem to be slowing. Each of this renowned smartphone operating system yearns to dominate the market share.
According to Device Atlas, as at the end of 2018, android lost its share in countries such as- France, the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Colombia, Russia, and Italy. On the other hand, iOS in Sweden, 17.5% in Malaysia and 4% in Australia.
For the techie, it can be easy to choose. However, if you are not a techie, you are covered in this piece of informative article. You are going to learn about the trends of market share and the specific factors that affect it.
These are the features that cause these smartphones OS to have a different amount of preferences among smartphone users.
Battery life
Battery life plays an essential role in comparing the two. Apple on releasing its iPhone XR came with a smaller 2,942mAh battery, which lasts 1hour 30 minutes longer than its predecessor iPhone 8 plus. That beats the rival, Note 9 that the comparison was made with using the Geekbench 4 Battery Benchmark test.
Other android phones heat after 3 hours of constant use, an occurrence absent in iPhone XR. Both Android and iPhone allows you to identify apps draining your battery. You can then optimize these apps.
Charging
While both the iOS latest smartphones and Android phones charge faster, you will need a third-party plug or dig deeper into your pocket to acquire a fast charger. This trend puts Android phones better placed for customers who want fast charging smartphones.
Despite Android leading the pack on the wireless and fast charging end, the cut-throat competition doesn’t seem to slow down anytime soon. Apple’s iPhone 8 and the following series adapted the same too.
Security
On security, Appels iPhone X, and iPhone XR comes with Face ID for identification. To match that trend, Android introduced fingerprint sensor in OnePlus. Though slow and less reliable, Note 9 has an iris scanner that takes security to whole other level.
With these fantastic features, the competition for market share on the security front is on. iPhone seems to be better placed when it comes to security; most users buy an iPhone because they feel it’s more secure.
User-friendly
With some interested users lagging in technology, it could be a brilliant idea to have easy to use smartphones. Android phones such as Samsung has an easy mode for you if you are a technophobe. However, it’s notable that iOS’s uniformity in all devices gives it an upper hand.
If you buy an iPhone for the first time, you will realize it’s super easy to use. Apple understands that customers want devices that solve their problems easily. They take care of this by making sure their iOS is user-friendly.
This feature has earned an iPhone an upper hand.
Display
A smartphone is as good as its display. After all, who wouldn’t like to have a smartphone with a crisp display? With that in mind, each of these operating systems is developing screens that befit these fancy phones.
In comparison, Samsung’s OLED screen display beats Apple’s iPhone XR’s LCD screen. Samsung has additional display options that enable adjustment of resolution and brightness.
Camera
Do you want more explicit pictures and videos? The trend in smartphones guarantees you that but not equally. More people would want a smartphone with a better camera in the near future. If a company fulfils this need, it can dominate the smartphone market quite easily.
While OnePlus 6T is better on paper, in usage, Pixels 3 XL outshines it and iPhone XR. It has a portrait mode and the ability to capture clear images in the dark.
Voice assistant
Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant offer you help when you need similarly. This trend hugely affects market share too.
The smartphone manufactures know that you are occupied. Hence, you would like a phone you can issue commands using your voice. On this front, Google Assistant has the upper hand as it offers useful suggestions, captivating games, and information based on your device activities.
A voice assistant is useful to people who wouldn’t want to type on their phones; it is a user-friendly feature that shouldn’t miss on modern smartphones.
App store
Smartphone applications are useful in your life. That is why both Android and iOS are in a race to equip their app store with valuable apps.
Both the iOS App Store and Google Play store contain useful apps. However, most developers prefer the latter because of Google policy that all applications should be free. That’s why Google Play store comes as a second option to app developers.
On the other hand, iPhone’s Touch ID enables you to buy applications on the iOS App Store using your fingerprint. That trend Google Play store is yet to adopt; hence, iOS beat it on usability and content.
Cloud services
If you want to store your content without restrictions, then Google is your to-go-to place. Google Drive gives 15GB free with support for both platforms, a feature not yet available for iOS. This feature puts android ahead of the pack.
For an upgrade, Google Drive offers 100GB for 2 dollars per month. Despite Apple slashing its upgrading price to $1 for 50GB, Android is still most comfortable to use.
Photo backup
Would you want to lose the wonderful photos you took with your friends? No. With that in mind, Android comes with Google Photos which has unlimited free storage; that is a contrast of iPhones iCloud that offers a maximum of 5GB storage.
Despite Google Photos compatible with iOS, iCloud is the default feature hence Android edge iOS on photo storage.
Calls and SMS
Communication forms the basis of acquiring a smartphone, that’s why iPhone makes it easier to do so by availing easy-to-use Facetime and iMessage.
Unlike Android that confuse by putting the communication apps on Hangout then developing Allo and Duo, iOS maintains its apps for easy use.
Email services
Gmail happens to be default email application for Android, while iPhone has iOS’ Mail. With Gmail’s growing popularity, Gmail app is more popular and gives Android smartphones added advantage on emailing.
Customizability
Since you have your display preference, having a smartphone with easy customizability will be handy. Android comes with the freedom to do exactly that; a feature that iOS also has but limited.
Android OS allows you to set third-party applications as defaults.
Storage
Both iOS and Android operating systems offer at least 64GB of internal storage, but the difference comes in in upgrading price if you need more space.
While iPhone charges $50 to upgrade 64GB to 128GB, Google takes $100 for the same storage upgrade. On this, iOS gets a better market share for those with the need for more space in their smartphones.
Sound
On sound, Galaxy Note 9 headphone jack. On the other hand, the iPhone has earbuds with an adapter available for purchase separately. For better audio, Pixel 3 XL tops with its front firing speakers.
Design
Another major player in the market share trend is the design these premium smartphones come in.
While Android phones have camera notches, iPhone XR has different design. It has a glass back with additional colors apart from the standard black and white. With it is also anodized aluminium that’s less prone to scratches.
Despite those features, Android’s OnePlus 6T has the best-designed notch, able to accommodate one camera and curved design that entices customers.
Rooting and Jailbreaking
If you have tried rooting your android smartphone on your own, then you know that it isn’t easy. Advantages that come with rooting include but not limited to access to more apps and latest updates.
While you can do that on android, it can’t happen on iOS. Instead, you will have to jailbreak- downloading and installing apps outside the iOS app store which indeed comes with limitations.
Updates
iOS offers consistent software updates that boost its market share among users. Unlike Android OS that has the feature on specific Google Pixel phones. So, for bug fixes, security updates, and new features, iOS has the upper hand.
Performance
When it comes to performance, iPhone XR beats Android hands down because it boasts of proper use of its memory. Despite Android OS having more RAM, iOS keeps up to 15 applications ready for switching without making you wait.
Price
For so long, the iPhone has been known to be pricier. That changed with iPhone XR. Created to be alternative to iPhone XS, iPhone XR goes for $749, cheaper than Note 9. However, OnePlus 6T gives Android an upper hand as it’s cheaper- $ 549 and still offering the best features.
Conclusion
Statcounter’s report puts Android worldwide use at 75.33%, followed by iOS at 22.4% then followed at a distance by kaiOS, windows, and Samsung. Nevertheless, since we are still in the first quarter of the year, the other developers are working on more amazing features, and the trend will continue.
