Why the iPhone vs Android phones argument is pointless

You’ve heard it before – “Apple simply isn’t innovative” or “They are seling outdated tech at a premium price”. Though these observations may be true to a certain extent, in general, this argument is only valid from an Android user’s perspective. Unlike Apple, the Android ecosystem consists of a plethora of manufacturers, each vying for your hard earned cash.

Since the underlying operating system of each Android smartphone is identical, smartphone companies resort to creative ways to stand out. And that is why each of them tweak the look and feel of their versions of Android, hoping to edge out the competition by looking a little different.

A more eye catching interface with bright and vivid coloured icons as well as innovative animations will certainly entice younger buyers. Custom animations and productivity widgets also help to enhance the user experience, allowing you to do more with modern eye-candy.

Multiple drawers, gestures and multitasking features are also thrown in for good measure. Each variation differs greatly from the next, and to the untrained eye, even an obsolete version of Android may seem new.

This strategy has worked out well in the past, but that seems to be changing, and at a rapid pace. As of late, the smartphone market has become exceptionally crowded. And as such, merely tweaking the software, simply isn’t enough anymore.

The differentiation factor then becomes progressively less pronounced, and the pursuit of it, leads to higher R&D costs and razor thin profit margins. That is why companies hurriedly push in-screen fingerprint readers, thin screen bezels, face unlock and multiple cameras, with the latest generation of smartphones.

A few manufacturers have even resorted to integrating pop-up cameras into their phones bodies.The mechanisms differ somewhat but serve the same intended purpose – raise or lower the camera. Xiaomi and Vivo prefer simple pop-mechanisms while Asus, Samsung and Oppo have resorted to more innovative methods of raising their ‘hidden’ cameras.

Several of them manage to accomplish this with a single rear camera assembly that can be flipped forward for selfies. Though long term reliability is still unproven, these devices, no doubt, will appeal to people who appreciate such cutting edge tech.

Admittedly, underneath their bubbly user interfaces and fancy camera mechanisms, lie hardware that is similar in terms of power and capabilities. And, as these phones continue to saturate the market, more innovation is needed to entice the would-be buyer. Herein lies the cycle of innovation of the Android model. It needs to constantly evolve to remain relevant.

Now, as far as Apple is concerned, this is a non-issue, because its loyal following are tied down to its impressive ecosystem of apps, books, music and TV programmes. Apple users have heavily invested in the platform over the years, which makes the thought of jumping ship, seem somewhat debilitating.

And even if they did, iOS apps that have been purchased over the years, would no longer be useful. The extensive iTunes music library would not be accessible unless physically transferred to an Android device. Basically, they would need to start from scratch – purchase the same apps as before, but this time for Android, and spend countless hours learning how to interact with them.

And unlike Android users, Apple fans are more than content with the incremental upgrades bestowed upon them with each new iteration of the iPhone. This is most apparent when examining the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. In terms of design and aesthetics, very little changed from the time it was introduced till 2017, when the iPhone X was introduced.

It didn’t matter that the screen resolution wasn’t that great, AMOLED screens weren’t that important either, and neither were thin bezels and custom one-handed UIs. What mattered was reliability, security, privacy, excellent cameras and adequate social media integration. The iPhone, ticks all those boxes. It doesn’t matter that Android phones had AMOLED screens in 2012.

Android users want endless customization options and the freedom to do so. iOS users on the other hand, only seek stability, ease of use and robust security. Have you ever tried to explain to an iPhone user of the importance of a 90Hz display? You might as well be speaking to a brick wall.

They treasure the ’emotional connection’ with their devices, a companion in their palm. Not a complicated machine that offers less than stellar reliability and UIs that feel like layer upon layer of afterthought. Apple’s brilliant marketing campaigns and exceptional level of craftsmanship, have been instrumental in making this perception stick.

Comparatively, the construction and overall design of Apple products, are leaps and abounds head of the competition. This is true for the iPhone as well as the Macintosh line of products. Most often than not, from a design perspective, Apple’s competitors are usually playing catch up or shamelessly copy its products’ design aesthetics – because they are that good.

This thought to design is carried into the software as well. iOS, arguably, is less complicated to use compared to Android. What you seek, is usually just a sub menu, or two away. Though Android has improved significantly since 7.0 Nougat, it still isn’t as polished.

More often than not, finding exactly what you want requires swiping through trivial and redundant menus. It can be infuriating at times, trying to turn off certain notifications or killing background processes. And because no two android UIs are alike, this problem is exacerbated from one phone to the next.

Apple users won’t stray from the well worn path, because Android can’t offer the same user experience. And, with the introduction of Apple’s services such as Apple TV+, its credit card, iTunes etc, the allure of the iPhone has become just that much stronger.

But with that said, we have all chosen sides, and though a small number of defections occur from both camps each year, most of us will remain entrenched in our loyalty to either iOS or Android.

Photo Credit:

Photo by Hardik Sharma on Unsplash
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash
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