Android VS. iOS: Which is better?

Being direct competitors, Android and iOS are often compared and have been known to release their latest operating systems at the same time. Their recent offerings, iOS 8 and Android 5.0 Lollipop, both released this fall, are both improvements on their predecessors, but which is better?

Design-wise, iOS 8 follows traditional Apple styling. The flat designs are back and recognizable to any previous Apple device user. Android, however, has given its OS a huge overhaul, focusing on material design and featuring colorful, minimalistic new icons and themes. Both systems are well designed, responsive and functional, so ultimately it’s down to you to decide which you prefer visually.

There are apps on both operating systems that are obviously designed to rival one another, such as Apple Pay vs. Google Wallet, Apple Health-kit and Google Fit and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fact the systems offer such similar features make it even harder to choose between the two. A deciding factor could be looking to see which OS offers an app you’re particularly interested in, as some iPhone oriented apps are unavailable on Android and vice versa.

Stereotypically, iOS is known for having better battery life than Android and this isn’t just a myth. Android 5.0 Lollipop features vastly improved battery life compared to its predecessors, resulting in battery life of up to 36% longer. The iPhone 6 battery life may not be outstanding, however this is due to its small battery which has a capacity of 50% less than its Android based rivals. Despite this, the battery should last 3 – 4 days with light usage.

The iPhone 6 comes with an 8 megapixel camera with FocusPixels, offering auto-focus and exposure control, however the range of Android devices on the market mean there are phones using the Android platform that offer higher quality cameras. The Samsung Galaxy S5, for example, has a 16 megapixel sensor and lightning fast autofocus time, offering higher definition for those who take mobile photography seriously. If rumors in the tech industry are to be believed, the upcoming Galaxy S6 features an outstanding 20 megapixels, however this has not been confirmed by Samsung.

Overall, it’s up to you which side you choose as both platforms are widely used and represent high quality. Android has a huge variety, offering something for every user, however if the iPhone is more your thing, you’ll likely have a soft spot for iOS. Compare the features before making a purchase and choose the model and OS that are right for you.