iPhone vs Android Phone: “CAN’T GO WRONG” Hypothesis
iOS or Android?
It’s a battle that I have been following for a long time and I’m lucky enough to have used both OSs (iOS and Android) for around 12 years now. Since 2016, my primary device has been an iPhone.
Using both OSs, I have come to one simple conclusion: choosing between an iPhone and an Android phone is like choosing between mountain and beaches; it’s a personal preference, and no one is the winner.
But still, as I have started this blog, I will tell you my perspective on iPhone vs. Android phones.
Why I FEEL iPhones are better
Whenever I think of iPhones, the first thing that comes to my mind is:
Consistency
Doing any task successfully 9,999 times out of 10,000 times — that is an iPhone!
I can say this after 12 years of using iPhones. Apple is known to have one of the best customer satisfaction ratings, and it shows in their NPS — which is always greater than 50 (In 2007, it was 58, and currently, it is 68).
The major reason for the consistency of iPhone is that Apple totally controls the software and hardware that goes into the iPhone. Even Google apps run better on iPhones, and the crash rate is lower than on any Android phones.
Even if you take the example of idle battery drain, Apple has always been way ahead in this.
5% battery is not a worry for me on iPhones; I can rely on that 5% battery, but if you have 5% on any Android phone, that can be equal to 0.5% as well.
Software update support and features
A typical iPhone gets new software versions for six years (since launch). Also, it gets security patch updates and bug fixes for around ten years. That is incredible; even iPhone 5s got a security update in Mar’23, and this phone was launched in Sep’2013.
Do you remember Samsung’s 2013 phone? Samsung Galaxy S4 — It got its last update in Jan’2017.
Not only do iPhone updates last long, keeping your device new and updated, but also updates come on time across the world.
Talking about features of iPhone, they do come late, but they are much more usable and better-implemented than Android. All the features on iPhone are well-researched.
Dark mode, widgets, 120Hz display, live text feature, etc.
All of these features are much more usable on iPhones than in any Android counterpart.
Ecosystem
Ecosystem is basically a biological term, and in tech, it means the devices of same brand talking to each other seamlessly.
Assume that you are working on your MacBook, and you got a cellular call on your iPhone, and it’s not near you, but your iPhone and MacBook are connected to the same Wifi. Then you will get that same call on your MacBook also, and you can take that call. This is the Apple ecosystem, which is the main reason I shifted my primary device to iPhone and not Android.
None of the Android-using brands are near to Apple in this, and now it is very tough for any brand to catch Apple in this game.
The ecosystem makes your life so simple and intuitive, which you can only feel and realize when you use it.
I will write a separate blog on this topic “Walled Garden by Apple.”
Why I FEEL Android Phones are Better
There are a few things that Android phones do better than iPhones.
Customization
Android is the real king of customization, and iPhones are not in the same league. Everyone wants their phone to reflect their personality or preference as phones are an extension of themselves.
With Android, you can change almost everything with a wide range of options such as:
- Themes
- Icons
- Ringtones
- And much more
In the iPhone, you have a limited number of options. As a result, you hear the same type of ringtone on most iPhones.
When it comes to notifications, you can only allow or disallow notifications from a specific app on the iPhone. In Android, you can select the type of notification you want from the app. For example, if you order food from a food delivery app, you can stop the app’s marketing notifications while still receiving tracking details notifications.
Missing Features on iPhone
Fingerprint Scanner
After the iPhone 8 (2017), Apple stopped making fingerprint scanners (Touch ID) in their iPhones. I miss them a lot when my iPhone is on the desk, and I just want to glance at a notification. But most Android phones have both options — face recognition and fingerprint scanner — which is very useful.
Reverse Wireless Charging
Most of us use earbuds, which can be wirelessly charged. Most Android phones come with the option of reverse wireless charging, which means you can charge any of your devices (iPhone, earbuds, etc.) from the back of your Android device, making it very handy in some tight situations when you travel. iPhones still lack this feature.
Multitasking
Although I don’t support multitasking because humans are not designed for it, sometimes you have to do it when you are doing some important research or taking an online class. Android phones have a multitasking feature that allows you to open two windows simultaneously. There is no such option on iPhones.
Affordability
This is the main reason why Android still exists and will continue to do so. You can buy a brand new Android phone for ₹5,000(USD 60) in India, but you cannot even get an Apple original case for that amount.
Smartphones have made us more intelligent human beings. You can go to any remote place and see people using Google for various things, and it is only possible due to Android. Imagine if Android weren’t there — how would you connect with your daily help (maids, security guards, vegetable vendors, etc.)?
Even the cheapest iPhone will cost you a kidney, for sure.
I feel that this is the best thing that Google has done for every human being present in the universe.
Conclusion — My Hypothesis
If your budget is ₹50,000(USD 600) or less, don’t go with iPhones; simply buy a good flagship Android phone and enjoy a high-quality phone at this price.
If you are a school/college-going student and financially dependent on your parents, go with Android phones. The reason is simple — it is affordable, and switching to iPhones later in life will make you feel awesome. Doing the vice-versa isn’t an ideal state.
If you are taking iPhones, don’t fall into the trap of EMIs. If you want an iPhone, make sure you pay the full amount in cash. Make your budget according to that and not according to EMI, which can fit into your monthly expense.
Please tell me which side you are on (iPhone or Android phone). Tell me the best thing you like about it. I will be happy to read your responses.
