iPhone software: 5 things iOS does better than Android

July 24, 2018

The internet is full of words about Android and iPhone software, iOS, and why one is better than the other. These discussions can be highly entertaining you might say, even flattering, as it is very nice to hear that the software you have chosen is better than all the others out there.

However, it is absurd to say that one software is perfect at everything. All of them excel in something compared to the competition and lag behind accordingly.

In a perfect world, hypothetically speaking, Apple and Google could come together (under the name Gapple???) and make the perfect software in every respect. But since that's never going to happen, in this article we'll look at 5 things that iPhone (iOS) software can do much better than Android.

Upgrades - Updates

The way iOS and Android are updated is completely different. Google uses "Play Services" to handle many of the security and app compatibility portions of Android, with the iPhone software not including every feature for older models. Of course, no one denies that iOS has a better update system than Android's.

When Android is updated, only currently supported Google devices can accept the newest version of the operating system. These devices make up a tiny percentage within the endless world of Android smartphones. It is very difficult after all for Google to force another company to send an update, for the simple reason that Google does NOT manufacture Android. It just gives the source code to other companies to build themselves from there. Once the code is updated, Google can't do anything more.

This of course doesn't change the fact that most Android devices use an older version of software. The fault lies with the companies that make the devices, but the blame lies with Google.

Apple, for its part, is the one that makes iOS, the iPhone software. The key to its success, as we have highlighted in other articles, is that Apple has made the perfect combination of software and hardware, resulting in the best performance. It doesn't sell its software to third parties but keeps it for the devices it builds itself. This gives it the advantage of having a more direct relationship with users, since there is no middleman (company) as there is with Android, as well as providing frequent updates, more immediate solutions to problems that arise, and support for the devices for at least 5 years.

junk apps

If we buy an Android device from a store of a mobile telephony provider, we may notice the existence of some applications, which only succeed is to hinder the smooth operation of the device since they are of no use. The only devices that are excluded to "carry" such applications, are the devices of Google. One would say that Google is not responsible for the fact that users are confronted with unnecessary applications (Junk Apps) but still has a share of responsibility, since this happens through Android.

The main problem with these applications is that they collect data which they send to the provider. In most cases users are not aware of this and have no idea how this data is used.

On the other hand, Apple offers "pure iOS" to the user. The iPhone software comes pure, with no additions from any provider. Wherever we buy an iOS device, it will be exactly the same. So, Apple guarantees us the purity of its operating system as well as the fact that it will not be "loaded" with unnecessary applications.

Support

AppleCare is simply unique. When you have a problem with your iPhone software or any Apple device in general, you simply go to service. Apple takes it from there. In the U.S. and in countries where there are Apple Stores, service is even more immediate. In our country there is a longer delay, since we do not have Apple Stores but only authorized resellers and dealers.

Android devices (except for a few) generally do not enjoy the same privileges. There are so many manufacturers, each with their own policies regarding customer service. We don't mean to say that anyone won't figure it out, but the Apple Care experience is something special. Sure, it costs.

Note that Apple devices in Greece are covered by a two-year warranty, if the seller has a Greek VAT number.So, this service is of interest after two years, if someone is interested in making an extension.

iMessage

Apple's iMessage service is probably the worst and at the same time the best messaging service ever created. It's the best because it's fast, you can send everything but, only to one Apple device. That is, it is a service in the iPhone software that is specific to Apple devices. If for example someone tries to send a message from an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy, then it will just be an SMS that will be charged normally by the provider. iMessage is not charged by the provider. All you need is a network connection (Mobile or Wi-Fi).

For its part, Google has tried to do something similar, but without much success. The biggest reason why this is not feasible is because they wanted to build a service that would work everywhere. Not just on Android, but also on iPhone (iOS) software, etc. One such app seemed like it would be Hangouts, but the awkward interface combined with the fact that the app has to be installed manually, takes users away from an immediate experience.

Allo is a very good app that allows for conversation between those using the app. However, it does not include SMS. This means that it passes unnoticed by users who use the iPhone, since they have iMessage that already works and that also works as a messaging (SMS) app.

Google could forget about those who use iPhone software and make an app that works perfectly between Android devices and Chrome OS. So manufacturers could integrate it and have it as pre-installed on the devices for instant user access.

Security and Privacy

Apple collects data from anyone who uses the iPhone (iOS) software and we can say that it does an excellent job of keeping it safe with complete anonymity. Google does the same, despite what we have heard and read from time to time. On the other hand, that doesn't mean that Android doesn't have serious issues when it comes to security and privacy.

Updates are part of the problem. A Google device (the Pixel, for example) may have the right defenses in place to prevent any attempted data theft. BlackBerry does the same. But any other model, including the devices sold by the hundreds of Android device manufacturers, is not protected as it should be. Google takes care of our data, without of course worrying about a hacker stealing our bank details because we have an older version of the operating system installed.

Google understands internet security and privacy, but some of that knowledge is lost when it comes to Android.

Now we will talk about the licences. Android does a relatively good job of letting you decide what an app can or can't do, but it doesn't explain at all what those permissions actually mean. At the very least, IMHO. When an app can create accounts on our device or read our data, we probably need some explanation of how and why that happens. Google should get a little tougher on developers to force them to have a clear attitude towards users.

Apple for its part is something completely different. There is a clear control of the apps listed in the App Store, and before they are uploaded, they go through "torturous checks". Of course, developers also follow a specific policy that the company has set out.

We conclude

Both operating systems have their positives and negatives. In this article we saw 5 points in which iOS (iPhone software) is superior to Android. We think that the area of security and privacy, as well as that of updates, are the ones where Google should put more emphasis, since these are "thorns" that have plagued Android since its birth until today.