Mobile apps have opened a new avenue for business organizations to market their services and products. And rightly so, because mobile apps have proved themselves to be a better medium of service delivery than other conventional ways, such as web-based apps. Talking of the current era, we witness that there exist two mobile platforms — Android and iOS. Despite the numerical superiority of Android users in the market, there is a strong tendency among businesses first to choose iOS for their app idea realization. Many factors contribute to the same, one being the better lead conversion ratio of iOS compared to Android.
We live in an era when the adoption of digital trends is going at a very exponential speed. So, it is no brainer that more and more organizations are coming into the venture of mobile app development. Indeed, they fall into making a difficult choice among Android and iOS to be used as the first platform of app launching. In almost all the cases, they go for iOS, as it undeniably is a better choice on almost all parameters. It is despite the fact that they can create a cross-platform app that could be run on both the iOS and Android platforms using technologies such as React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin.
Looking at the statistics, we find at Apple’s devices alone contribute to more than 16% of all the smart devices’ sales worldwide. While on the other hand, there exist 1300 + companies that make devices for Android. One can gauge the popularity and the reach of Apple's ecosystem by the fact that iOS takes up the lion's share in sales among all smart device manufacturers. How Apple manages to do this, what factors contribute to the massive popularity of its iOS operating system, and why businesses prefer it — we shall see in this rundown piece. Let us read 7 reasons for Apple's (and iOS’) success over Android:
Apple's Impeccable Brand Reputation
Android does not even seem to be contesting in the race of brand reputation against Apple's iOS. Apple is the unchallenged champion in superbly futuristic innovations, unmatched engineering, aesthetically pleasing designs, and out-of-the-box offerings. Apple's engineers ensure that the design principles of every tiniest of the components remain synchronized with the overall product.
Whenever Apple launches a new product, consumers show unprecedented interest. Any launching event fills its fans with irresistible anticipation to wait in long queues. Apple users no longer like to call themselves just users but fanboys and fangirls! It has only become possible because of the groundbreaking technology and brilliant innovation in Apple computers and phones.
Its hardware systems and securely integrated software provide an experience, which is, to date, not outdone by any of the competitors. Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem and superior quality standards of code don’t let any rogue apps be hosted on iOS' app store. iOS holds such customer-trust that it compels businesses to choose iOS over Android for any premium offering first.
The Powerful Narrative of Core Apple Values
Steve Jobs has built a compelling narrative of core Apple values that prioritizes a user-oriented positioning. The company lets no stone unturned in any aspect of its operations to prove that it stands for Apple’s central tenants and value system. People perceive Apple's products as things that would truly enrich their lives. A significant part of this narrative is how the company and its mentor Steve Jobs overcame the problems in the very starting days when Apple was a small startup. It focuses on how Apple, led by Steve Jobs, built a great company through out-of-the-box innovation. The narrative pulls the heartstrings, and people get emotionally connected with the brand.
Top-of-the-League Security and Privacy
Talking in terms of security and privacy existing on the Android and iOS platform, Apple users get the better side of the bargain. All studies and surveys point that a far greater number of malware and viruses exist for Android than iOS. One of the reasons is an open approach and far greater fragmentation of Android devices. In contrast, Apple remains in tight control of its ecosystem by not letting any app getting hosted at its app store without rigorous testing. It does not allow any rogue app or malware to get through. Thanks to the fragmentation of Android’s smart-devices spread across the versions; malware makers get encouraged to become more creative. Apple, on the other hand, quickly filters its every release to the users. In fact, iOS updates become significant events that prompt massive upgrades all through the spectrum of devices that significantly lessens security vulnerabilities.
Apple's 'Walled Garden' Ecosystem
The software of Apple devices come from a single vendor — Apple itself! By tightly integrating the supply chain of hardware and software, Apple's products are far better equipped for compatibility issues. Compared to Android devices, where we have more than 1300 manufacturers in the market, added efforts are required for the absorption of divergence. Apple's integrated offering enables it to become a tough target for privacy and security attacks.
People end up buying more and more Apple products not just because of the quality of the built but also because Apple consciously puts efforts for making its devices — be it iPod, MacBook, iPad, or iPhone: to work together. Right from the synchronization and backup of photographs and other data to clutter-less messaging services, all Apple offerings act as a cohesive system.
During product announcements and keynote speeches too, Apple’s executives never forget to make it a point that no smartphone offering can come close to the highly sophisticated and evolved ‘walled’ ecosystem of Apple, which is valid to a large extent.
Close-Sourced iOS Vs. Open-Sourced and Forked Android
Android is an open-source project. By the very definition of an open-source project, third-party developers are not only allowed but encouraged too, to contribute to its source code. It has led to the forking of the project, and non-compatible Android forks not adhering to the Android's Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) have also crept in. Android has become fragmented and messy due to the multiplicity of forked Android versions across manufacturers. It becomes significantly distressing for consumers as well as developers because apps execute differently on different phones.
On the flip side, iOS is a proprietary software system where the entire source code is behind the closed walls. By having better control over the software side, Apple devices are unfragmented and provide a consistent user experience.
No Bloatware and Permissions Mess
Apple does not preload its devices with nonsensical apps that you would never use. It is quite unlike the Android system where every manufacturer bloats the user experience by pre-installing a loathsome load of apps, which cannot even be uninstalled. Apple provides a clean user experience without littering on your screen and without the precious memory resources wasted, thus optimizing the device for maximum efficiency.
Have you ever wondered why the Compass app on Android device need to read SMS and contacts? Why the Notes app require you to divulge the detail of your location history? Is not it the case of Apps secretly spying on you? Even if the app claims otherwise, how would you verify?
This permission mess is not possible on iOS. Apps are only granted that many permissions that enable them to do what they are intended to do. No less, no more, and no sneaking around!
OS Updates When You Would Like Them
Except for flagship Android offerings such as Pixel and Nexus, the Vivos and OnePluses and Samsungs and Asus of the world have to go through a lot of hooplas to update the operating system with the latest versions! For not-so-reputed Android OEM brands, this is far worse. They drag their feet for bringing an update on older devices.
To give you a perspective, the latest version of iOS is being run by 1.5 billion devices, amounting to approximately 80% of iPhones and iPads launched recently. Simultaneously, the adoption rate of the latest Android version is abysmally low at 15%.
People having a compatible iPhone can update to the latest iOS offering on the day of its release. In contrast, Android users have to remain dependent upon their manufacturers for tailoring the Android as per their hardware.
Wrap UpThe ownership of an iOS-powered Apple device is a very convenient and more straightforward experience. You do not have to worry much, as Apple stands towering high in the world of smartphone innovation. Because of its vast popularity, support is available all over. Additionally, if you consider privacy and security to be the cornerstone in this connected world, nothing can beat iOS. The integration of software and hardware enables Apple to provide a uniform user experience across all spectrums of its devices. All these factors sum up in its high popularity, and a massive preference by businesses to foray into the app launch with iOS.