Operating Wars: Android v. Apple

Apple and Android are the two biggest players in the smartphone industry. Comfortably. Obviously they are differences beyond the purely cosmetic. If you "lift up the hood" there are clear differences. Historically, Android has offered a greater range of choices for customising the arrangement of phone apps, widgets, and the interface as a whole. However, Apple has recently made progress in this domain by introducing new options for arranging widgets and phone layout with the release of iOS 14. This was revamped even further with the redesign of the Home Screen layout in iOS 16.

The main difference between the two operating systems is Android's 'open' system and Apple's 'closed' system. A software system is considered "open" when its source code is publicly available and can be accessed by anyone, whereas a "closed" system does not make its source code available to the public. Android devices operate on open operating systems, while Apple devices operate on closed systems. If you value the ability to modify your phone's software, then an Android phone may be more suitable for your needs.

iOS overview:

The operating system that powers Apple iPhones and iPads, as well as a specialized version for the Apple Watch, is the Apple iOS. It is a multi-touch, multi-tasking system that responds to user touch, enabling functions such as opening programs, adjusting image size with finger pinching, and page-swiping.

However, the iOS is exclusive to Apple products and cannot be used in third-party systems. The system includes pre-installed features such as the Safari web browser, Apple Music app for music playback, and Apple Mail for email management. The iOS also has access to millions of applications through the App Store, which range from recipe books and guitar tutorials to various games.

Android Overview:

The Linux kernel powers the Android OS, which is owned by Google and can be found on a diverse range of devices. Android is an open-source operating system that allows developers to access unlocked hardware and create new applications. Consequently, this enables anyone interested in developing apps to have unrestricted access and the ability to share a vast array of free content.

Android is currently the leading smartphone platform as it attracts a broad range of users. Among its most prominent features is the ability to customize multiple home screens with helpful widgets and applications, allowing for quicker and easier access to essential functions and content. Additionally, Android excels in multitasking, enabling users to close programs by merely swiping them away.

Finally, the Google Play Store, which is Android's counterpart to the Apple App Store, hosts millions of applications, many of which are free of charge.

Naturally, there are similarities between the two. These can be seen in voice assistants, pinch/zoom/scroll capabilities and of course privacy and security hardware. Additionally, they both ensure the capability of 4G/5G networks.

Finally, there is a notion that Android have spread themselves a bit thin, especially when it comes to the cheaper mobile options that are operated by Android. And this isn't wholly incorrect. This can be seen by the recent news that Oneplus and Oppo are pulling stock out of Europe due to declining interest in their models. Due to iOS being strictly controlled by Apple, only their models can use it, and due to their being fewer models, quality has never been an issue.