Picking Android or iOS

Introduction

In the current landscape, both Android and iOS platforms have reached a level of maturity that renders the “best platform” debate largely obsolete.

• Recent operating system updates have yielded only marginal improvements, lacking the transformative impact of past innovations like Android OS 5 Lolipop’s Material Design.
• While users remain drawn to the latest OS versions for extended support and security, not having the latest version does not mean users are missing out on much.
• Contributing to this is the reality that many features are locked behind specific hardware and software integrations, independent of the OS version.

NOTE: The potential for HarmonyOS to abandon Android app compatibility presents a more substantial challenge.

While iPhones are often seen as symbols of top quality, you can find equally good Android phone at similar prices.

• Remember, you generally get what you pay for.
• Do not compare flagship iPhones to the many capable mid-range Android phones in the RM1000 to RM 1500 range.

Hardware Choices

While Apple remains the sole manufacturer of the iPhone, the simplicity of choosing between a current and older model has diminished.

• In 2022, the feature disparity between the iPhone 14 standard and Pro models notably increased, raising questions about camera resolution (12MP vs. 48MP) and processor performance (A15 vs. A16).
• The Dynamic Island, initially a Pro-exclusive feature, is now standard across the iPhone 15 series.
• The relatively incremental updates in recent iPhone iterations, coupled with reduced pricing, particularly between the iPhone 15 and 16, make previous models increasingly attractive.
• In 2025, a budget-conscious iPhone 16e, focusing on core functionalities, was introduced.

In contrast, the Android market has always been saturated with phones across all price ranges (flagship, midrange and low-end) from various companies like Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei, Oppo, LG and Nokia.

• While midrange Android phones now boast improved processors and cameras, their prices have also been steadily rising, driven by both general price inflation and the rising cost of enhanced hardware.

Operating System and Support

When buying an iPhone, you are assured of at least several years of iOS updates and security patches (depending on features).

• Androids phones, on the other hand, are often criticised for poor OS support. Traditionally, only flagship phones received updates, and software updates were often delayed.
• However, companies like Samsung are starting to offer longer support periods.
• This trend is followed by Qualcomm's announcement that Android phones with new 8- and 7-series Snapdragon chips can now receive up to 8 years of updates.

Imagine your phone as a calculator; it has a limit on calculations per second. Newer operating systems can require more processing power, potentially slowing down your phones with software updates.

• It is important to consider the practical value of new features before prioritizing updates.
• After all, phones with processors that barely meet performance requirements are particularly susceptible to overheating and rapid battery drain due to increased CPU demands.

Innovative features often land on Android phones first (e.g. wireless charging, fast charging, NFC, in-screen fingerprint sensors, water resistance and multi-lens camera) because Android manufacturers compete by offering more features than their rivals.

• Nonetheless, smartphone innovation appears to have plateaued, with recent advancements offering incremental improvements rather than revolutionary leaps.

App Ecosystem

Switching between Android and iOS requires some time to refamiliarize yourself with system settings like notifications, location services, camera settings, sound control, themes and customisation.

• Apple's closed ecosystem ensures a more consistent and secure experience across all iOS devices, but limits app flexibility.
• On the other hand, Android users may need to adjust to different manufacturer interfaces.
• However, in iOS 18, Apple followed suit with Android by offering customization options for app icons and the control center.

Fortunately, all popular mobile apps (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) are available on both the Android Play Store and iOS App Store.

• Some apps appear first on iOS before eventually making their way to Android.
• However, I personally do not consider this as a deciding factor.

A key differentiator is that Android allows installing apps (APK) from non-Google app stores.

• However, sideloading apps can introduce malware risks.
• The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) forces Apple to permit sideloading of apps outside the App Store. However, the potential spread of this policy to other regions is uncertain.
• On the other hand, Google is increasing the difficulty of sideloading and stressing the importance of using trusted sources like the Play Store for app installations, driven primarily by security concerns and the desire to create a safer Android experience.

File Manager and Photo Management

One key feature that distinguishes Android from iOS is the existence of a file manager.

• This allows users to browse files and folders in a way very similar to using File Explorer (previously known as Windows Explorer) in Windows.
• With a file manager, you can easily move files around storage and delete any caches or leftover data from an uninstalled mobile application.
• Unlike Android's open file system, iOS devices keep files within "silos" of individual apps. The Files app allows some management of these files, but true browsing across all apps is limited.

Android's Gallery app can access and manage all pictures on the phone, including those from Downloads, WhatsApp, Facebook and the camera.

• In contrast, Apple Photos on iOS functions primarily as a photo management and editing application specifically for photos taken with the camera.

Summary

The development of Android and iOS has become an indefinite game of phone software.

• Each platform constantly borrows and improves the best features introduced by the other.

The best phone for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.

• These are some key considerations to help you choose the right smartphone.