Why Android users consider iPhone Essay

Why Android users consider iPhone Essay

Why Android users consider iPhone Essay

Android and iOS are the most popular operating systems powering smartphones in the world. However, both operating systems have underlying architectures and models of business that are different. It is extensively believed that the corresponding user communities around the world different a lot from each other. There is a list of differences between both Android and iOS users, and they range from different sources of the press and personal communication preferences. In this case, a typical user is perceived to be tech-savvy and is more likely to be male, while iPhone users are likely to be women, and non-tech savvy (Lin et al., 2012). Furthermore, iPhone customers and users are considered to be loyal to the Apple brand and are more likely to engage their iPhone devices. The differences between Android and iOS systems and architectural designs are connected to the differences in their behavior and brand perception (Jain & Shanbhag, 2012). The differences also tend to center on various aspects of privacy and security. The argument as to why Android users consider using iPhones is based on their privacy and security awareness, as well as customer behavior, brand perception, and functionality.

Android Users preference for iPhone (Previous Approaches)

           There is an aspect of the App markets and platforms. According to Smith (2020), Apple’s iOS software is tightly designed and integrated with the iPhone hardware. Furthermore, the Apple brand has constantly maintained strict control over the development of their apps for the last two decades, in addition to distribution (Swappie, 2020). It has been established that iOS applications can only be developed by subscribers to the iOS Developer Program (Reinfelder et al., 2014). These apps can only be distributed via the iPhone App Store. The Android operating system by Google runs on different platforms of hardware. Recent research shows that anyone can create and distribute an Android app (Moore-Colyer, 2020). As much as there is an official Google Play store, the applications can also be distributed on other platforms. Notably, app developers for either platform can generate money through the integration of advertisement networks in their apps.

Fig. 1: Global smartphone duopoly (Source: Statista)

           There is the aspect of app security that influence users’ preference for either an Android or an iOS smartphone. According to Swappie (2020), Android malware is rampant since anyone can create and distribute apps from the Android operating system. As much as scanning apps from Google Play Store to get rid of malicious functionalities began as early as 2012, Swappie (2020) emphasized that it is not been effectual, thus explains customers preferring iOS smartphones, especially the United States smartphone customers. Additionally, Google went ahead to introduce the security app termed as “Verify Apps” in the Google Play Store.

The primary goal is to monitor apps during the installation process for the presence of malware (Reinfelder et al., 2014). This is one aspect of the smartphone with Google Play Store that resonates well with Android users. The setting is likely to be further used to monitor every app during the run time while checking apps already downloaded from third-party platforms (Lin et al., 2012). This security setting, however, can be switched off by users during run times. At the same time, using “Verify Apps” functionality, one has to, first, provide a lot of information to Google such as URLs (Moore-Colyer, 2020), log files, and other information about the smartphone device such as the IP address, device ID, and the operating system version (Reinfelder et al., 2014). 

           Lastly, there is also the handling of personal or user data by different smartphone apps. Jain & Shanbhag (2012) determined that Android permissions transmit to passive warnings, which are generated automatically. This is the case when the app manipulates or accesses certain data, for example, messages, contacts, and system settings. The user receives the warnings during the process of installation. The users have to agree with every permission request if they are to install the app. Here, the users are forced to make the “all-or-nothing” choice.  

Why Android users consider iPhone

           Before iOS 6, the iOS required content to carry out runtime from the users, especially if apps sought to determine the actual location of the data for the very first time. A lot of data types users use could easily be manipulated and read without their consent. The introduction of iOS 6 radically changed how personal data is handled. Users have to provide consent for runtime for a lot of various data types, for example, calendar, photos, and contacts. Research shows the potential visibility of permissions by Android, which also tends to restrict the use of personal data by developers of apps (Reinfelder et al., 2014). The apps available for both iOS and Android appear to access more sensitive data when programmed for the iOS architecture.

One of the reasons why Android users consider an iPhone phone is information security. Smith (2020) established that information security firms unanimously agree that Apple devices (iPhones) are more secure for its users than Android devices. A report by Forbes indicated that 96% of smartphone malware targets Android devices (Lin et al., 2012). Android users have this information which explains the shift whenever a new iPhone enters the market. The considerations is also evident in the market share; for instance, both Apple iOS and Google Android has 98% of the global market share among the OSs. By 2022, it is expected that the market share of Android will have hit 86% from the current 30% (Moore-Colyer, 2020). Apple iOS’ is expected to grow by 20% by 2022.

Recent research has also shown how careful Apple is when selecting specific app developers to allow access to its ecosystem (Reinfelder et al., 2014). The ecosystem, in this case, is a network of devices, developers, and apps. Therefore, for Android users, the information available is that their data when using iPhones are more secure, and is practically impossible to suffer from malware attacks. Android users have devices with Google Play Store, which is an ad-supported free environment, but their security is at risk of external attacks. 

Fig. 2: What sets iOS apart (Source: Statista)

           Accordingly, Android users consider shifting to iPhones because of Apple’s ecosystem. The number of Apple products has increased in recent years. The company has begun developing computers, in addition to tablets, music players, and smartwatches to increase its portfolio (Swappie, 2020). Today, Apple offers a wider range of devices and services for different purposes. What attracts Android users is the seamless functioning of the Apple devices with the iPhone. The users understand they don’t have to download or install separate apps to connect them (Swappie, 2020). The closed ecosystem also attracts Android users in terms of the user safety it provides. The operating environment iPhones provide means the users’ devices are secure.

           Another aspect is the ease of use. iPhones are known to be easy to use. Their usability aspect attracts even Android users. The usability comes from the simple operating logic – all Apple apps are launched from the phone’s home screen. At the same time, every setting can be found under a single menu. Even when iPhones are upgraded to newer models, the OS (operating system) still functions similarly, thus the functionality and taking it into use becomes easier (Swappie, 2020). Therefore, Android users are attracted by the functionality of the iPhone; this is the case since Android phones are easier to modify and customize in different ways, but the basic features of the OS may be more confusing and complicated than the iOS system. 

Fig. 3: Android vs. iOS Market Share (Source: Device Atlas)

           Lastly, another feature found in iPhones that influences Android users is Apple Pay. Apple Pay is a payment system by Apple that enables making debit and credit card payments using the phone (Swappie, 2020). The payment process works the same was as contactless payment using a plastic card, for example, the placement of the phone by the card reader. The card is protected with Touch ID, Face ID, or the passcode, which allows payment information safe and secure from online scammers and attackers. Therefore, when Android users consider this feature, which is unavailable in Android phones, they start considering using iPhones. 

Conclusion

           The white paper established that the differences between Android and iOS operating systems and architectural designs are connected to the customer behavior and brand perception, as well as their functionality. The differences also tend to center on various aspects of privacy and security. At the same time, the argument as to why Android users consider using iPhones is based on their privacy and security awareness, as well as customer behavior, brand perception, and functionality. Additionally, the preference for either Android or iOS smartphones is based on various individuals have; some of the reasons why Android users are considering iPhones is because of the security of their data and the Apple Play feature among others.

Why Android users consider iPhone Essay