Which is better: Android or iOS?

This question was submitted by our reader. You too can you ask your question to Lifehacker - if it is interesting, we will definitely answer.

Hello. Many buyers of gadgets are asking this question, but it cannot be answered unequivocally. The choice of one of these systems depends only on your preferences and priorities - each platform has its own strengths. Let's list the main ones for smartphones.

Pros of Android

The advantages of the operating system Google was devoted to separate material, where we identified 9 reasons to choose Android:

• Wider selection of smartphones.
• The presence of truly affordable devices.
• Support for microSD cards.
• The ability to use two SIM cards.
• The presence of a 3.5 mm audio jack in smartphones.
• Ease of downloading and using media files.
• Interface customization.
• System openness.
• Accessory availability.

Agree, today some of these benefits can be called completely insignificant. For example, support for microSD cards and the convenience of downloading media files in the era of development

cloud services are no longer so important. And not everyone needs an audio port in smartphones, especially when TWS headphones can be bought for about 1 thousand rubles.

In the bottom line, the indisputable advantages of Android, I would call a large selection of devices at various prices and a wide range of customization options for the interface: there are many customizable skins for your choice, launchers and utilities, allowing you to sharpen the interface to suit your needs. This is really what Android should be preferred for.

IOS pros

IOS has a lot of advantages too, and for many, they may seem much more significant. Here is some of them.

Long-term support and hot updates

Each new version of iOS is supported on 3-4 iPhone generations. This means that even three years after buying a smartphone, you will definitely receive a new version of the system with all its improvements and patches. Moreover, you won't have to wait long for an update: Apple releases updates on almost the same day for all compatible devices.

On Android, even the most expensive flagships can only get two major updates, not to mention affordable smartphones. And a new version of the system may come six months after its release by Google.

Uniform application development standards

In terms of a simple user experience, iOS looks more intuitive. All applications are developed according to the same standards, and the same functional elements in them look identical. Installing a new program, you can always quickly understand its interface.

In Android, even application icons can have different shapes, not to mention the "interior". Of course, there are quite a few developers who update their programs to meet the changing requirements of Google, but most of the applications in the store are very heterogeneous. You will often notice completely different menus, navigation, and designs.

No pre-installed "garbage"

It should be noted separately that only standard system applications are installed on iOS and nothing else. You don't have to clean up memory from garbage and all sorts of partner programs, which on Android, moreover, cannot always be deleted.

Face ID

Smartphone unlocking via face recognition is now available even in budget Android devices, but none of the implementation reaches Face ID. This system projects and analyzes over 30,000 invisible points onto the face. With their help, a detailed structural map and an image in the infrared spectrum are built. The system automatically adapts to changes in appearance such as makeup or unshavens, and takes into account hats.

All this makes Face ID one of the most secure biometric authentication methods. And this method is available only on iOS devices.

Unified ecosystem

And at the end of the list of iOS pluses - a single and living Apple ecosystem. If you have a Mac at home, then you definitely need an iPhone. Together, these two devices offer many new possibilities. For example, you can easily receive incoming calls and read notifications from your smartphone right on the iMac screen. or MacBook, start typing an email or edit a document on iPhone and continue on Mac. You will also have access to a universal clipboard, which allows you to copy text on your smartphone and paste it into a document on a macOS device.

This "seamlessness" is one of the main advantages of Apple devices in general. And you can't argue with this plus - at least if you constantly work on a laptop or PC.

What is the result

Both Android and iOS have undeniable advantages that are foolish to argue with. Each OS has its own development path, which is great. If one can say that any of the systems is better, then one should always add "for me". Because we all use gadgets in different ways, and we all have different priorities.

Which system do you prefer and why? Write in the comments.