Android vs iOS, this is the more than ten-year clash that inflames all technology enthusiasts. In particular of the mobile one. On the other hand, when it comes to smartphones and tablets, one can only think of the two operating systems of Google and Apple, in fact two different philosophies of thought applied to the sector. When purchasing a new mobile device, we all found ourselves having to choose between one or the other: this is because the performance, functionality and peculiarities of the device we choose and that we will probably keep depend on the operating system. for the next few years.
In this guide we want to analyze in detail all the peculiar characteristics of iOS and Android, so as to understand which OS is best for us. And which one might meet our needs. In fact, it cannot be established whether one is better than the other, but certainly drawing a profile made up of advantages and limits can help above all those who are completely unrelated to the subject.
Better Android or iPhone?
The world is full of rivalry, and the reality of smartphones, after the failure of Windows Mobile, is characterized by that of Android vs iOS. A rivalry that has led the public to wonder at each new generational change whether Android or iPhone is better. As already mentioned, it is not possible to give a univocal answer to the question: both very valid, the two mobile OSs offer their own characteristics and exclusive options, which are well suited to the needs of a large and particularly varied user base. The very nature of an operating system explains why those developed by the Cupertino and Mountain View giant respond so differently to consumer requests: as happens for computers, it is a basic application that allows us to issue commands, execute various operations, and use the functions of the device, using a graphical interface that is as intuitive and interactive as possible.
Before investigating three similarities and differences between Android and iOS, it is good to clarify some myths that have been created and spread over the years about the two rival mobile operating systems. In fact, you may have heard that iOS is a completely closed system and that it does not allow you to download anything outside the AppStore, that Android is full of viruses, or that Android is for the cheapest devices and iOS for those who he has too much money to spend. Well, these are completely wrong ideas, often driven by a few too many "fanboys" and distorted communication.
The features of Android
Android is currently the most used operating system in the world, due to its open source origin. Before being purchased by Google, it was in fact a completely open project, a software not protected by copyright and therefore absolutely editable by the users themselves. Today, although there is no longer the possibility of freely editing the main code, the Big G OS is compatible with very different devices and platforms. The company allows the use of Android to different smartphone manufacturers, we think of Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, Asus or Sony, which can use it in compatibility on their devices both by changing its appearance and customizing it, on certain occasions even with accessory features in exclusive.
Customization is one of the strengths of this operating system, often used by supporters of the Google ecosystem in the Android vs iOS comparison. Anyone, including end customers, can adapt Android to their smartphone or tablet with a personal touch, perhaps by modifying the graphics, purchasing apps from digital stores other than the Google Play Store, and even installing modified versions of Android, known as Custom ROMs. . Consequence of so much freedom, is the presence in the Google Play Store of a disproportionate number of applications, suitable for any type of pocket, many are free !, and need.
An open source operating system, open in itself, however, also exposes itself to some risks, which could alienate a certain range of potential buyers. Among these, first of all we have some protection disadvantages, considering that there is a higher exposure to viruses and malware, linked to the greater diffusion and to the many customizations that can be made. The critical issues also concern possible drops in the performance of the devices, in particular for the cheaper ones. If you do not have enough cutting-edge hardware, in the long run Android can be heavy, and particularly prone to bugs and slowdowns of sorts, in any case it depends on the brand in question.
To close the list of cons, a mention on system updates: when a new version of the operating system is released, the brands that use it for their smartphones must necessarily adapt its features based on specific needs; a process that can take some time and lead to malfunctions or compatibility errors.
The features of iOS
iOS is Apple's proprietary mobile operating system, which Tim Cook's company uses on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, with a dedicated and customized version for the range of wearable products. Considering the exclusive use unlike what happens for Android, it is the second most used OS in the world, demonstrating how much the articles of the bitten apple are appreciated both by the geek public and by the more casual one. Hardware items for other made hand in hand with the software, creating a harmonious and harmonious combination. If Android must necessarily adapt to a myriad of devices with different performances, on the contrary the Apple operating system was born with and for its devices, making it more performing on a practical level.
This also translates into apps that are always optimized, since developers can easily adapt them to the "closed system" of iOS, with updates that are solid and long-lasting. The differences with Android are also felt in terms of security, as the iPhone apps can only be downloaded from the App Store, and before publication they are all checked. It is therefore practically impossible that you can run into a virus or download harmful apps on your phone, using iOS. In addition, the updates are instant, without having to wait for the period of "adaptation" typical of the Android universe we mentioned earlier.
The Apple operating system is on balance even simpler and more intuitive to use, even for those who are not really a "geek." The privacy issue, then, has always been at the center of attention of the stars and stripes company: thanks to the 'uniqueness and exclusivity of the operating system and hardware on which iPhones and iPads work, it is possible to resort to powerful technicalities capable of combining software and hardware guaranteeing an enormous security standard on various fronts. iPhone philosophy is also appreciated for its efficiency, speed and fluidity, with minimization of bugs and slowdowns. To date, Apple's is a compact ecosystem, in which devices can be synchronized instantly and data can be shared in real time. against, however, there is no lack of disadvantages, from personalization reduced to a minimum to tools and accessories compatible only if they are Apple-branded, also passing through prices that are not exactly within the reach of i all.
Android vs iOS: which one to choose?
The Android vs iOS challenge cannot then end with a definitive winner. The factors to be taken into account are disparate, and very often they depend on the price range and exquisitely technological of the hardware in question. Let's think for example of the design or the screen, the battery and the construction materials, or again the ease of use, performance and price. To want to give an opinion at all costs, we could say that iOS is notoriously appreciated for its simplicity, while Android can be a bit more cumbersome for those who are not familiar with technology.
Given that the choice is subjective, in principle you should opt for the Apple operating system if you are approaching a smartphone for the first time and are not very familiar with electronics. In this way you will find yourself part of a safe and intuitive ecosystem, without equal from a practical point of view. And which remains practically identical even when changing devices.
Conversely, given its open source "character", Android is proposed as a more suitable OS for those who want to use the mobile phone to do everything they could have done at home with a PC. A smartphone equipped with the operating system of the robot offers all 'users hundreds of apps more than iOS, in addition to an extreme flexibility with files and folders and a greater possibility of customization on much more than one aspect. Not only that, thanks to the continuous expansion of the Chinese smartphone market, there is more access to low cost technology, and you can take home a terminal with discrete features starting from a hundred euros. On the other hand, the performance will suffer: those of Apple products are usually superior to almost all the mid-range offered by various brands in circulation.