Buy an Android mobile phone or an Apple iPhone? This is the question that many users ask themselves when buying their smartphone, that cool little device that has finally become an essential part of our lives. Unfortunately, we can’t put more variants into the equation, because after the download of Windows Phone and the lack of support for Linux Mobile, apart from Android and iOS, there are no real alternatives.

A few months ago we celebrated 15 years since the launch of the first Android, the HTC Dream. A significant anniversary where we explored the background of its creation, the purchase of the system by Google and the formation of the consortium Open Handset Alliance which led to the system being supplied (no license fees) to many manufacturers with the idea of ​​offering an alternative to the iPhone which revolutionized the market as well as Apple’s proprietary model.

The goal is accomplished. After an epic court battle (Steve Jobs considered Android a “stolen product” and said he was willing to spend the $40 billion Apple had in cash to destroy Google’s system) Today, the situation around the duopoly has stabilized. Android dominates the mobile market with shares of over 80% and is licensed by hundreds of manufacturers. Opposite, Apple and only Apple. Apple maintains a closed ecosystem, does not license systems, and if you want to use its iOS, you have to buy an iPhone.

10 reasons to buy an Android phone

Very few iPhone owners switch to Android. Apple has the most brand loyalty in the industry and its terminals lose the least value at launch. Construction and finish quality; functioning; OS; application, software and hardware integration; updates and security… There are many reasons to choose Apple in mobility, and we will talk about it in another article. But today it’s Android and that’s it There are several reasons to bet on the Google system like the ones we’ll point you to:

A bigger offer

The catalog of Android devices is overflowing and has no possible comparison with the iPhone, limited to the new anniversary series with variants that are more or less the same in terms of performance. With Android, you’ve got everything you’re looking for in terms of features, screen size or price through Google’s large number of partner manufacturers.

Although not all offer the same level of software ecosystem, and most are far below Apple, the layers added like user interface and corresponding apps offer a degree of customization that Apple doesn’t have. It also doesn’t have an innovative design like the dual screen or flexible screen that you only find on Android.

Best prices

Judging the price of an electronic product (as with almost anything you buy) is always subjective, as there are several aspects to consider, many of which are intangible. But just like pound for pound in boxing, Android terminals win out in terms of features/price, although it’s worth reiterating that iPhones lose less value after launch, which is something to consider if you’re considering a bargain.

If buying the latest iPhone model requires at least 959 euros, with Android you have models under 100 euros. And you have a very wide offer in all the price ranges you are looking for.

Integration with Google

Alternatives to Google applications exist in all areas of use, but if you bet on the services of the Internet giant, Android is clearly more attractive than iOS, taking into account the better integration of Maps, Gmail, Calendar, etc. Google Assistant is also built into Android devices and deeply integrates with other company products. Using Google apps on iOS is possible, but the software is isolated, which limits its functionality.

ROMs and sideloading apps

The ability to use custom Android ROMs, developments created by third parties as an alternative to those installed by manufacturers using the system’s capabilities as open source, is one of the best strengths of the Google platform. And sometimes the only option is to keep your smartphone from becoming obsolete because of the software and to extend the lifespan that the hardware allows.

Additionally, Android has the ability to install apps from sources other than the official Google Play store. Just like on PC, you can download Android app from anywhere online and install it using APK file. Something that cannot be done on an iPhone unless you practice increasingly complex jailbreak techniques in the face of Apple locks.

Multitasking

While iOS technically has multitasking, Android allows users to take things to the next level. In the latest versions of Google’s mobile operating system, Android 14, you can use multiple apps at once in split-screen and windowed modes, bringing the smartphone experience closer to a desktop computer.

Manufacturers like Samsung go a step further with features like Samsung DeX, which transform Android into a Windows-like experience optimized for keyboard and mouse when the device is connected to an external display. iPhones don’t have the ability to display multiple apps at once. And that’s not because of the capacity, but rather a conscious decision that Apple has made in terms of its user experience.

Google Assistant

Every year, YouTuber Marques Brownlee puts mobile voice assistants head-to-head, timing them as they try to complete common tasks like checking sports stats, checking the weather forecast, and setting phone timers. This year, like most of the previous ones, the winner was clear: Google Assistant beats the competition by providing more functionality than others, including Apple’s Siri.

USB type C

Apple maintains Numantine’s defense of its proprietary port lightning on iPhone mobile phones. There was no technical reason to justify this, and in fact Apple already had other USB Type-C devices in its catalog. Ultimately, it had to be part of the iPhone 15 due to the approval of the Single Charging Port Directive by the Council of the European Union.

Apple had to jump through hoops if they wanted to be able to continue selling mobile phones in Europe, but it must be said that they only have their latest generation. As of the iPhone 14, they are still stuck in a closed connector that is already 10 years old. Android users, meanwhile, have long enjoyed the convenience of an open standard, technically superior, and most importantly, enormous flexibility for use with a single cable for a laptop, tablet, phone, wearable or headset.

Notification

Android has stood out for its notification system since the beginning, and Google has improved it over the years. Even though iOS has significantly redesigned notifications, it still falls short of the sheer depth of control that Android offers. In the latest version (v14), users can reply to messages directly from the notification panel, a feature that iOS does not offer yet. In addition, Android also allows for much more detailed management of notifications.

Home screen

It’s one of the main parts of the user interface on mobile, and if you’re looking for customization, Android beats even iOS here. It lets you place apps wherever you want on the screen instead of limiting them to a grid, and it also has multiple interactive widgets that can be endlessly customized. In addition to the official Google, we need to add alternative launchers, such as the popular Nova Launcher and others, which allow enormous customization.

Plug & Play files

If you want to manage files from your computer, you can connect your Android and manage its file system like any other flash drive. On most devices, this works exactly the same as connecting a flash drive or portable SSD. Plus, you can manage your Android device’s file system from the device itself, making it much more like a handheld than an iPhone.

Some Android phones have expanded storage using microSD cards, which means you can move files between the device and the card, or store files and run apps directly on the card. You can even connect a flash drive or SSD to your Android device’s USB-C port and use it like a computer.

As you may have read, there are good reasons to buy an Android phone over an iPhone. But there are other reasons to bet on Apple and we will discuss them soon in another article so that you have more arguments when buying.