Apple versus Android. The age-old struggle surrounding the mobile industry since smartphones became a thing. Before making the purchase, choosing which platform to go with is the first thing any smart buyer needs to consider. Unfortunately there is no easy answer to which one is better. That’s not to say that both don’t have significant benefits over the other, however. Let’s take a look at a few things that Apple and Android get right, and some that they don’t.

Hardware

Before discussing hardware it’s important to understand that Android is just an operating system. They key difference is that all Apple phones and tablets use iOS, while any number of different brands can use Android. Why is this important? Because apple devices are tailor made to run as smooth as possible with their operating system. While this is becoming less of a problem as technology advances, there is the occasional Android device that’s performance is less than ideal.

In terms of raw hardware, this too can be seen as a blessing or a curse for either side. While Apple devices benefit from each version having the exact same hardware components, Android devices benefit from the several different brands competing to make the best device. If you go with Apple you know exactly what you’re getting. If you’re a fan of Android then you’re going to have a lot more options when it comes to power and features. On the other hand, it makes picking out the best product more difficult as they can be vastly different. Luckily, this does give you a bit more wiggle room when it comes to price. This is something that Apple just can’t compete with.

OS Upgrades

Android is an open-source software, therefore any developer can get the license to customize it. Different cell phone companies often modify the contents of Android to suit themselves. However, when Google releases a software upgrade, it’s not always available right away. In some instances it never is.

This isn’t the case with Apple. Any updates are immediately available for all devices. If you love staying up to date, then you might be better off with Apple.

Apps

This is where Apple has an undeniable edge. Because Apple devices are so similar in terms of hardware, developing apps for them is relatively simple. Developers know exactly what they are working with, unlike the countless Android devices with different hardware and features. Not only that, Apple has become such a staple in the mobile industry, that its popularity alone makes developing apps for it much more appealing.

Also consider that while Android and iPhone have about the same number of total apps, Apple’s standards and policies are much more strict. Because of this, the apps on Apple devices are better filtered, making for more junk to sort through with Android.

Display

In terms of display, which to get depends on your preferences. If you enjoy higher resolutions and definition, the famous retina display of the iPhone is certainly nice. However, for some people screen size is more important. After all, there is a limit to the resolution that one can notice on small screens. HTC, Sony, Samsung, etc. are all companies that manufacture smart phones and tablets with varying screen sizes and resolutions.

Upgrades

Android devices win this round. Unlike their Apple counterparts, they allow you to expand memory via micro SD cards, and replace and upgrade batteries. That means that you don’t have to worry about whether your phone or tablet is 16GB or 32GB because you can upgrade the storage whenever you like. Also as mentioned, if your battery goes bad or you aren’t satisfied with it, you can always purchase a bigger and better one. This is an option not present in Apple devices.

Gaming

Move aside Sony and Nintendo. Phones and tablets have become serious contenders in the mobile game market, and this is another instance where Apple tips the scales. As with apps, because Apple devices are so similar in terms of hardware, it’s much easier for developers to make games for them. This is why you almost always see game developers give more support to Apple devices. It’s very difficult to develop a graphically intensive game for multiple devices when you don’t know if they are powerful enough to run it. Because of this it’s often not cost effective for many developers, which leads to Apple exclusive games. 

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