In-depth comparison between Android vs iOS

Calls and messaging

Both platforms offer a good call and massaging functionality, however, the messaging is a little confusing in android. It seems that there is no single built-in message app in Android. Once the default messaging app was hangouts, then Google changed to Allo and Duo, now it's retiring Allo too.

In contrary, call and messaging in Apple is a lot simpler. You can comfortably connect to friends and family using FaceTime and iMessage. These easy-to-use apps come pre-installed on the iPhone and iPad and work well when used to send and receive messages between iOS devices.
So, it's obvious that we should declare iOS as the winner in this category.

Winner: iOS

Security and Privacy

iOS has gained its reputation as the most secure mobile operating system, but Google is gaining the ground too, especially with Android 10. Apart from security flaws in the operating system, the biggest threat for mobile devices comes from malware apps. Apple overcomes this problem by allowing only app installation from the strictly controlled App Store.

Android users can get the same security benefits if they disable unknown sources and limit the app installation to Google Play. The problem starts when users want to install apps from a dozen of third-party app stores available in the market. Knowing that Google responded to this issue and greatly improved app permissions in Android 10, but it's not the final cure. Malware still can piggyback on the apps you afforded them permissions and access your phone's resources and sensitive data.

While we are going to announce iOS as the winner in this category, Android is not out of the race here.

Winner: iOS

Hardware Choices and Affordability

Your choice between Android and iOS is similar to choosing between Windows and macOS. With iOS, you have only one vendor to choose from and the limited product choice. You get a top-tier product from Apple but, you should pay much for almost the same functionality.

On the other hand, Android is an Open-Source operating system, meaning that any phone maker can use it. So, you can pick your device from a dozen of phone vendors with a wide variety of quality, price and performance level. Because of the competitive environment in the Android market, An Android device is usually more affordable than an iOS gadget with the same options.
Therefore, in the section of Hardware choices and Affordability, our prize goes to Android.

Winner: Android

Apps

Both Google Play and the App Store are packed with millions of apps in different categories. While Android encompasses more than 2.8 million apps, for iOS this number is only 1.8 million. Besides, there are more free apps in Google Play than the App Store.

The other side of the coin is the app quality. App Store contains more high-quality apps and updates for popular apps and game first appear in the App Store and then make its way to Google Play.
Believing that quality beats quantity, our vote goes to iOS for better apps and update options.

Winner: iOS

Maps

Apple Maps shipped first with iOS 13 intended to fix problems and bugs in Google Maps but it did not have a great start. Nevertheless, it's features improved later and offered almost the same options you can get from its competitor. In addition, Apple has improved the performance of its map application to be more compatible with iOS devices hardware.

On the other side, Google has long been acknowledged as the most powerful mapping service and a larger database as well as better integration to the local businesses. On advantage of Google Maps that it offers driving directions, along with direction for biking, walking and public transportation.

Considering the marginal advantages of Google Maps over the recently launched Apple Apps, you can see that Google Maps has still the edge in providing location services for mobile users.

Winner: Android

Battery Life and Charging

Because of different hardware, it's very difficult to compare the battery life of Apple devices with those running Android. While Apple is designed to squeeze the last of battery, with the same money you can buy an Android phone with a big battery that outlasts more than iOS devices.

Winner: Android

Email

The default app on iOS and android is both intuitive and easy to setup. You can connect other email accounts to the inbox if you want. There are also a huge number of third-party email apps for both Android and iOS.

Google has a more popular and stronger mail platform and offers more options for free. You can also add email addresses from other email providers with a few clicks. So, it makes sense that Androids' default app would be our winner in this category.

Winner: Android

Camera

In the past, it was argued that in iPhone has the best cameras and no Android phone can even come close to it, but that's no more. While iPhone X and iPhone 11/Pro deliver a very high-quality camera system, some high-end Android phones such as Google's Pixel 4 and Pixel XL excel them in capturing lighting, colours and picture details.
With advanced lenses and fast and reliable camera apps, it's very difficult to decide which ecosystem offers a better camera system. So, this has to be a tie.

Winner: Tie

Voice Assistant

Two always-listening assistants of your phone, Apple's Siri and Google's Assistant let you do the same with your voice, but thanks to the large data samples, Google Assistant tends to be more intelligent and perform requested tasks more precisely.

But this comes at the cost of fewer personality results than Siri which offers shortcuts and automation for multistep action recipes and automatically triggered action based on your location, events, etc.
Besides, you can use Siri on Apple products only, where, Google Assistant is compatible with most devices including the iPhone.

Winner: Android

Cases and accessories

Apple users are expected to spend more money on cases and peripherals than an average Android user. The result is a great ecosystem of accessories built up around the iPhone and iPad. Besides, Apple products such as iPhone, iPad, MacBook and HomeKit all work together in perfect harmony, they work well with accessories and third-party devices too.

At the same time, Samsung is closely following Apple in the accessories and peripherals market and has well adapted to new mini-USB or USB-C. But this is not the case with all android phones that come in a range of quality, price and accessories.

Winner: iOS

When we compare Android and iOS, Apple wins 4, Android gets 6 upper hands and there is one tie. But it doesn't mean that this platform is better than other or way around. Not all categories are equally important and the weight of each feature is different in the eye of different people. And, the final decision is up to you.