Regardless of which side you’re on, people are incredibly loyal to their smart phone operating system of choice. Are you team Android? Team Apple? Stop in to let us know and learn about some of the quirks on both side!

Smartphones have long been growing in popularity. Just about everyone has a device like this nowadays, and this provides a huge amount of value to the world. Of course, though, a massive debate has been sparked thanks to the different devices available on the market. Which is better; Android or iPhone? Rather than answering this question, this article will be exploring the quirks of these different devices, giving you the chance to know what to expect when you buy a phone from either side of this argument.

Android Quirks

Android operating systems are the most popular on the market. While it is unfair to compare this to Apple, as Android is used on phones from loads of different companies, it shows that this OS is ubiquitous. Despite this, Android is far from perfect.

Custom Skins: Thanks to the open-source nature of Android, phone manufacturers are able to do whatever they want to it before they load it onto their devices. This will often mean creating custom skins for their phones, adding apps and changing the appearance of the system you’re using. While this can be good, it can also be frustrating for those who are used to their phone looking and operating in a certain way.

Compatibility Issues: There are a lot of apps on the Android app store, though this doesn’t mean that you will be able to use all of them. Depending on the hardware and software on your Android device, you may not be able to use certain apps that have been developed for newer or older devices. 

Differing Hardware: Unlike iPhones, the hardware found in Android devices can differ wildly. Some have special cameras, while others will have features like wireless charging, and it can be hard to know exactly what you’re going to get without some help or research along the way. This doesn’t cause issues for every user, but it can be frustrating to deal with when you need a hardware feature that your phone doesn’t have.

iPhone Quirks

While Android devices can come with quirks, Apple iPhones don’t escape this issue. Despite being incredibly popular, iOS is riddled with small issues that make life hard for users. You can find a few of these below, though there are more to consider if you want to make the best of your device.

Locked Down Apps: You can’t install apps on an iPhone without the App Store or iTunes. Apple heavily regulates the apps that are allowed on these platforms, and this means that users are restricted to sticking with the apps that are approved. This has resulted in Android devices having a far larger array of apps available for them, despite plenty of developers working hard to produce options for iOS.

Proprietary Formats: Apple works extremely hard to optimize its devices, and a big part of this comes down to using the right file formats. A .heic file, for example, will be created whenever you take a photo on your iPhone. Other devices can struggle with formats like this, forcing users to convert their files before they use certain transfer methods. Thankfully, Apple is working to automate this process whenever you need to move a photo to another device.

Limited Support: As with a lot of technology, support for iPhone models isn’t available forever. Your shiny new phone will eventually be unable to receive updates or tech support, and this means that you could be left with issues with an otherwise perfectly functioning phone. This is very frustrating for many users and is something that many countries are looking to change with new laws. Of course, though, you will have to deal with this quirk until laws like this are passed.

Retaining Value: This final quirk of iPhones is actually a very positive one. Unlike Android phones, Apple devices don’t depreciate very quickly at all. Old iPhones are worth far more than their counterparts from other companies, enabling you to make up for the high price you paid when you bought the phone. Of course, though, you have to go through the effort of selling your device for this to work.

People will be debating about Apple and Android devices for many years, but there isn’t really much point. While these devices have their own quirks, most people will get the same level of value and use out of their phones no matter what they buy. Gone are the days of ruthless competition in this market, and many of the phones you find are almost identical.