When I say, the time’s changing there is nothing new with it; it has been changing since the dawn of the planet.
However, if I call this changing time, as an era of mobility, we have a lot to look into.
Mobile applications are the one playing a major role in same. Be it a business house, or an individual with a great app idea, mobile applications are ruling the tech world.
We all know that building a mobile application is a very crucial decision and the platform for which it is to be released is another vital section of the same. This is where the quest of Android vs iOS arises.
Why can’t I build on both the platforms?
For a guy next door, it might not make big difference, but ask a tech savvy and he’ll keep a bundle of differences between android and iOS in front of you.
Talking about the reason, as in why you can’t build on both the platforms initially, it depends on many factors.
This includes your target audience, revenue model, the cost of creation, features, etc
Some recent statistics
Recently a data stepped out from the files of Kantar Wordpanel ComTech, highlighting the differences between android and iOS and its user base.
The study reveals that by August 2016, in the quest Android vs iOS, both, Android and iOS faced growth of 78.1% and 17.3% respectively in their smartphone segment.
The study was just about the EU5 countries (Spain, Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom) while for the US market alone iOS touched 30.9%, marking a hike of 2.5% leaving behind Android which faced fall of 1.7%.
Did you know this about Instagram?
When launched in 2010, Instagram story as an application came for only iOS users. Need to be mentioned that to everyone’s surprise, it made over 30 million users in 2 years only and over this single platform.
Despite such a massive love and acceptance from the audience, it took them 2 years to come with an Android version of same.
On 11th march 2014 (4 years after their initial release) they came with the Android application.
Android vs iOS?
Being quite frank the race is primarily between these two only as they cover most (almost entire) of the smartphone market.
However, we can’t deny the recent statistics, which narrate the Android saga.
According to the study, 87.6% market is dominated by Android, while the iOS takes 11.7% (the remaining goes to Windows and others).
Let us have a look at some of the facts and figures linked with the iOS vs Android fight, which might help you choose one out of the two operating systems:
1. Location
We all know that Apple’s concentration is much upon the premium customers, that are having higher income while Android concentrates upon the having the masses.
When we talk about the developing markets like Asia, South America, Africa, the ratio share of Android is larger than that of its premium sibling.
So if you have any particular country or region, this factor might help you in making the conclusion as in which platform you’d like to go with.
2. Revenue
We all are well aware that iOS applications are paid. Despite this, it has been noticed that in comparison to Android users, iOS users download more applications.
With Android applications being largely dependent on the ad-support, the revenue generation for iOS application is much better in comparison to Android.
According to a survey done in late 2015, the data collected by iOS applications is far more (45% more per consumer) in comparison to the one done by Android application.
So if earning revenue is your primary focus and reaching masses comes second. In this match between iOS vs Android, you may give iOS the first try.
Also according to a study, iOS users are 10% more likely to make in-app purchases in comparison to Android users.
3. Features
What features you want in your application and accordingly the people that you look ahead for.
A market research shares that in comparison to android users, iOS users are 15% more likely to visit eCommerce stores.
Not only this, it has been noticed that 23% Apple users prefer purchases through their phone, in comparison to 17% in case of Android.
So if you are planning a retail application, out of iOS vs Android, try one for Apple; figures show they are ahead of the Android.
4. The cost
This is a vital point. Though at an initial level the cost of building an application largely depends on upon the features you want to include.
However, this might surprise you but at a certain point, after comparing Android and iOS applications, Android apps are costly.
The primary reason behind this is a large number of devices that the OS works for.
Apart from this comparatively Android applications need more time to build due to the increase in a number of codes.
The android applications are written in Java which is little more verbose when compared to Swift or Objective-C.
5. Enterprise applications
These are the preferably secured output of codes. Long back, Blackberry used to be the first option for the enterprises (Call it once upon a time).
However, iOS has commendably replaced it and has become the top priority for enterprises with Android nowhere standing close to same.
The facts proving it includes, the recent partnership that they made with IBM for enterprise mobility solution, the Developer Enterprise Program, and the volume purchase program.
6. Release cycles
Talking about adoption rate of latest OS version, iOS seems to be ahead of Android. It’s because although Android is an open source, it’s locked down by the OEMs and the carriers.
Most of the users approximately 95% of them who iOS are on the its latest versions. If we compare this with Android then less than 20% of its user are using its latest version.
These stats prove that you can focus on supporting the latest versions of the OS with an utmost certainty that it will have a broad reach.
This focus plays a significant role as it allows the developers to build new APIs, to restrict the support to the older devices, and finally to reduce testing and the development cycles.
7. Tablet market
Let’s talk about the tablet market which is a very important market for both Android app development and iOS app development.
iOS has complete dominance in this sector over Android especially when we talk about the business users.
Since the tablet sales have decreased, you’ll hardly see an Android tablet on the desk of any executive personnel.
Usually, those who possess fair technical knowledge seems to use the Android tablets. Interestingly it’s not an uncommon scenario for an Android smartphone user to prefer iPad over any Android tablet.
Before signing off, I would just suggest before comparing Android and iOS applications, you go through your requirements, or speak to your iOS application developer Android application developer to understand things better. However, here are the situations to make it easy for you to understand:
Should it be android Application first?
If your study shares that your target audience is focused on Android. Also if you are planning to add a feature, which might not be accessible on iOS, you may choose to have Android application first.
However, whatever the decision lands, you also need to keep in mind that due to the time it consumes in creating and approval, the developer might at times get irritated.
Should it be iOS application first?
Generally, I would suggest that the first platform for your application should be iOS. However, factors like country, cost, and the time in which you want also impact.
If you are willing to target enterprises or the people from high earning society, iOS is a better option. But if you have plans to cover more people, than android app development will be more helpful.
When should it be android and iOS together?
First thing’s first. Choosing both android and iOS initially will suit you best only if you are someone already established and have ample amount of resources.
But being logical, even the big names consider the above points first, before they decide to build an application.
Conclusion
So which operating system would you choose to build your app first? The answer of this question depends on many factors that we have discussed here in the blog.
If we consider few factors then iOS seems superior to Android and vice versa.
Like if you’re looking to build an app for American audience then iOS is a preferable choice.
Similarly, if you want to build an app for global audience then Android is a better choice.
However, the common thing in two is that in both the processes will take a long time, it will cost you a massive amount of money.
But you must make a final choice after having a look at all the factors carefully. After that you can hire iOS app developer or hire Android app developer as per your requirement.
