The War Between Android and Apple

The war between Android and Apple

Marcus E. Bates II
The University of Northern Iowa

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Abstract
The War between Android and Apple has been raging on since smartphones were first created.
Apple was the first company to put out a touch screen cellphone. They did so by developing the
iPhone. Android was not far behind. It would only be a year before they introduced their first
smartphone. Looking at it all today, Apple and Android are still the top producers for
smartphones across the globe. Samsung is considered by most to be the best Android smartphone
that you can buy. Since time has ran its course, Samsung has become the leading producer and
seller of smartphones globally. Apple has seen sells drop over the years since Steve Jobs death.
Recently, Apple has projected smartphone sells for its newest model to drop by thirteen percent.
An amazing discovery as shown that Apple phones are actually made from mostly Samsung
components. This this leads to the argument of which phone truly reigns supreme over all the
rest.

In 2015, Android sold fifty-one percent more Smartphones than Apple world-wide
(Kantar, 2015). The battle between Apple and Android has been raging on for quite some time
now. Research has shown Android may in fact be the more superior smartphone. According to a
recently conducted survey of mine, the vast majority of my peers own an iPhone. Most of my
peers who own an iPhone have never owned an Android smartphone. My peers were asked to

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construct a valid argument for their colleagues. The argument was to see how they would go
about persuading people about either Android or Apple. It did not surprise me the arguments
contained no factual information, but information based on pure emotion. This is how most
arguments are presented, but this is not the correct way to go about arguing this matter. The
question at this point is, what makes me qualified to persuade colleagues, Android Smartphones
are better smartphones than iPhones?
I have owned both an Android Smartphone and an Apple iPhone. The iPhone provided a
simple, elegant experience that gave way to many fascinating apps and songs right at the click of
a button. I enjoyed the iPhone for a year or so before the screen shattered, and I was forced to
purchase an Android. The Android was very complex, far more than the iPhone. Learning the
new operating system was time consuming, but quite rewarding as I became more acquainted to
Android. Owning both an Android and an iPhone, for a substantial time frame, deems me
credible to provide an intriguing argument. Being an owner of both I can see why others think
the iPhone is a relevant competitor.
The iPhone is a beautiful device. The simple design of the iPhone is very pleasing to the
eye and can snatch the breath from just about anyone. The iPhone was made with a simple
operating system known as IOS. IOS is extremely user friendly, and refrains from punishing
users for not taking the necessary time to learn it to its fullest. The iPhone has an amazing App
Store where you can purchase and download over 800,000 Apps. The ITunes store was the first
of its kind and allows musicians to easily transfer music right to the store. The iPhone integrates
with other members of the Apple family seamlessly and allows users to obtain a family of Apple
devices that can satisfy your every technological need. I know what makes iPhones great and
understand why people love them and rely on them. The Apple iPhone is a phenomenal choice of

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smartphone if you look to see life simply, but for those of us that thirst for more out of life,
Android is the answer. Android is the superior smartphone because of its complexity, features,
and design. Android is a fierce competitor in the smartphone market and I am hoping I can open
your eyes to exactly why Android is the best choice.

Literature Review
It is known world-wide that Android and Apple have created a duopoly in the
Smartphone marketplace. Samsung is the leading seller of the Android platform. Samsung is
known to be Apples biggest rival for monopoly status. The two, have two completely different
views on design, complexity, and features. This can truly be seen in the differences between the
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and the Apple iPhone 6s, both of which are the companys
flagship phones.
The Design of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus
The Galaxy S6 edge is a purposeful design. We wanted to create something for people
who like to stand out (Samsung, 2015). Samsung has a portion of its website dedicated to telling
consumers just what goes into their phone. Samsung states how they have used metal and glass
to create a curved phone display. The curved display allows for the feel of a three dimensional
experience when viewing the phones (Samsung, 2015). Gizmag describes the very specifics of

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the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. They elaborate on the build of the phone by describing how the frame
is aluminum and the back of the phone is made with glass. The display stands at 5.7 inches in
length and a resolution of 2560 x 1440, making this a Huge Phablet in a small package
(Gizmag, 2015). They then tell of how the new design of the phone gets rid of the removable
back. Gizmag describes the removal of this means the battery can no longer be taken out of the
phone and extra storage by way of microSD card is a thing of the past (Gizmag, 2015). The new
design did give way to some new colorways for the phone. The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge come in
4 colors each, from the popular White Pearl, Black Sapphire, and Gold Platinum, to the unique
and trendy Blue Topaz for S6 and Green Emerald for S6 edge (Samsung, 2015). The design of
the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus has been recognized and has many positive reviews.
The Complexity of the Android
No phone is better than another, it is what the buyer wants, and it is a fact of opinion
(Pocket-lint, 2015). This is a claim the website Pocket-lint made when they decide to post a
comparison review of the iPhone 6s and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. After reading the
entire review the central theme was Android UI is a much more complex operating system than
IOS. They spoke of how Androids home screen has much more clutter than the iPhone home
screen, due to some features Android offers that IOS does not (Pocket-lint, 2015). The home
screens both support apps, but in two different ways. Pocket-lint compared how the apps are laid
out for the phones. The app layout for the Samsung Phone was within an App Drawer, while the
Apps for the iPhone were plastered to the home screen. Accessing the apps and home screen
requires the use of the buttons of the phones so, the button Layouts were also addressed (Pocketlint, 2015). The Samsung Phone has six buttons that can be pressed compared to the iPhones
four button layout. The buttons on the Samsung Phone consist of a home button, two volume

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buttons, power button, multitasking button and a back button. The iPhone only has a home
button, power button and two volume buttons. Both the Samsung and the iPhone use the home
buttons for the lock screen the lock screens are both functional and quite frankly look the same.
They both can also use the home buttons to scan your finger print thus allowing you into the
device. (Phone-arena, 2015). Phone-arena then goes on to describe how the Samsung phones
uses an Amoled display compared to Apples IPS display. The sources did an amazing job at
giving unbiased facts about the two smartphones.
The Features the Samsung Galaxy S6 offers
If you're a "phablet" user, plan to be one in the future or you're just interested in the
latest and greatest gadgets, you're likely aware of ..the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus
(CIO, 2015). CIOs article is based upon features Samsungs latest phone has over all other
competitors. CIO talks firstly about the edge of the phone, and how the edge is a Samsung
exclusive no else can replicate. The edge gave way for Samsung to then implement new features
made just for it. The Samsung phone can get notifications that will allow for the edge of the
security to light up. The edge has a display on the side that will stay on while the phone is off
and allow for you to view the time and battery percentage without ever turning the phone on
itself (CIO, 2015). CIO also describes how the phone can charge wirelessly via a charging pad
that is sold separately. Samsung has also featured Samsung pay into these new wave of devices.
Samsung pay is a means to pay for things without a debit card due to your debit card being on
your phone (CIO, 2015). Another source, Gadgets, talks about the insides of the device. Gadgets
describes how the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus has a 1.5GHz octa-core processor with a make
of Exynos 7420 (Gadgets, 2015). They exclaim how this allows for a much faster experience and
quicker menus. They also state how it is equip with 4GB of Ram and 164GB of internal memory.

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The front facing camera comes in with a 5MP Camera and the rear facing camera is 16MP.
Lastly, Gadgets explains what allows the phone to connect to the internet as well as the android
5.1.1. Software it runs. Read write goes into the UI of the phone, Touch wiz. Touch wiz is
Samsungs take on Googles Android. Touch Wiz, as described by Read write, is functional and
gets better by the years. They have S-voice which acts as iPhone's Siri and they have widgets.
It also states how the Samsung phones will be the last to receive the new Marshmallow update in
2016. The features on the Samsung phones are rich (Gadgets, 2015).
My first argument toward the superiority of android is the fact android is more complex.
Now some may feel this can indeed be a huge disadvantage, due to customers having to take
more time to learn how to use the phone. I see this as an advantage because it will allow for
creators such as Samsung, HTC, LG and many more, to create whatever they want in their
phone. Androids complexity gives way to variation, Apples simplistic nature makes for a very
stale experience over time. Androids variation gives customers choices in the phones they buy.
The heart of android complexity comes from the creator of android, Google. Google
created android to be an operating system anyone could use and build upon. If you were to look
at every single android device, you would notice they all have very simplistic traits, among the
complexity, all of them share. Someone who owns an LG smartphone will be able to switch to a
Samsung phone and learn it, in much less time. Android conditions you for many different types
of devices, and the majority of devices on sale run some form of android operating system. Apple
conditions you for more Apple. Apple does so, so they can begin to build a trust among them and
their consumers.
Apple does have a huge following among them, but it is odd how their customer are not
among some of the most loyal. Eighty-two percent of previous Android owners decided to stick

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with the android operating system when they purchased a new smartphone, as dictated by market
researcher Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP). Apple trailed behind with a loyalty
rate of only seventy-eight percent (CIRP). All descriptive statistics were based on quarterly
surveys of four-thousand customers across the U.S. What hurts Apple even more, CIRP statistics
shows twenty percent of previous IOS owners decided to purchase an Android smartphone
during the time frame in which it conducted its research. In comparison, sixteen percent of
Android users switched to IOS, which ultimately boosted Android's market share over Apples.
The CIRP also discovered that about seventy-nine percent of previous Android owners would
stick with the operating system if they were to decide to switch to a new service provider. Only
fifty-one percent of iPhone owners would continue to use the Apple iPhone if they found a new
service provider. These statistics speak on what customers want. It is saying Android has
something Apple lacks, and it all begins with the complexity of the operating systems.
A survey conducted by the creators of survey monkey, found Apple to have the secondhighest customer loyalty rate of any technology firm. The company with the highest loyalty, was
none other than, Samsung--Apple's fiercest competitor in the smartphone market. Samsung is the
leading producer of android devices. Samsungs Touch Wiz is one of the highest praised android
operating systems. Touch Wiz reviews have stated they find it to be complex and confusing at
times (Pocket-lint), but rewards users for taking time to read manuals and learn new shortcuts.
Apple has some shortcuts, but lacks many necessary features android has had for quite some time
now. Android is atop the industry because it gives users a variety of choices with its complexity
and has the most loyal owners. Complexity is not the only thing android has over Apple. Paired
with Androids complexity, is its design.

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My second argument toward the superiority of android is the fact android has
accomplished a design second to none. To be fair, iPhone has had some great looking phones.
The iPhone 5s is arguably the best looking iPhone. It may be weird how I stated a model that was
not the current generation. YouTuber ZONeofTECH has stated his opinion on the design of the
latest iPhone and how he wished it was like the previous generation. He also said he hopes the
iPhone 7 does not resemble the iPhone 6, but with recent news via patent leaks, the next
generation iPhone is said to be exactly identical with some minor adjustments, such as the
headphone jack. As far as the design of the iPhone 7 is concerned, the customers are leaping in
on the argument. The comment section was full of comments such as iPhone 7: No audio jack,
iPhone 9: no camera, iPhone 13: No power off button, iPhone 15: no battery, iPhone 20 no
phone, just sell the name. Here the customer clearly states Apple is getting rid of key features
within their device and soon they will have nothing left besides the name of the company. Now,
while this is extremely exaggerated, the customer is hinting at something very important. The
customer views what Apple sees as innovation as taking away features from the customer.
Apple is not the only culprit when it comes to taking away features. Samsung has also
taken features away from their customers, so much to the point they lost sales. Look at the
Samsung Galaxy S6 for instance, the phone received great reviews from many customers and
even a highly respected electronic review company, Cnet. There were some things they did not
find innovative about Samsungs newest phone. Samsung not only got rid of the removal battery,
but they also extinguished the SD card slot out of their phone. The iPhone has never had any of
these, so their customers have never known the luxury of having these features, but to Samsung
owners, this was a step in the wrong direction. The truth is though, people got used to it. Yes, a
few features were taken away, but at the end of the day people still bought the device and loved it

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more than their previous generation phone. Samsung heard the cry of their customers, and the
Galaxy S7 is the tissue to wipe away those tears.
The Galaxy S7 not only has the innovative design that was seen in the Galaxy S6 but it
also has the return of the SD card slot via an extend Sim card slot. The removable battery will
not be making a return this year, but to compensate they have added a much larger battery to the
phone. Compared to the 2850 mAH battery they had in the Galaxy S6, the Galaxy S7 now
enforces a 3000 mAh battery, and the Galaxy S7 edge enforces a 3600 mAH battery. This has
upped the thickness of the phone, considering Samsung now makes their own batteries, but only
by .2 mm. They have added a curved backing to both the phones to add better grip to the phone,
for an overall better holding experience. The Camera protrusion that was seen on the Galaxy S6
has been addressed and is much slimmer this time around on the Galaxy S7. The Galaxy S7 is
equipped with an aluminum body and a glass backing. The front also has an aluminum body and
a glass Amoled display.
The design of the Galaxy S7 has gone back to the core of what Android was built upon.
Android was built upon wanting users to be able to enjoy the operating system without any
limits, and when Samsung took away those key features the android community felt betrayed.
Now that Apple is committing a similar sin as Samsung, their users are beginning to panic. As
stated, iPhone will be getting rid of the 3.5 mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7. Though they see
this as innovation, the world may view it differently. History, has also stated people will adjust
eventually, if given time. Samsung saw their subtractions as an error in the equation, and
therefore, made corrections. Considering Apple is subtracting a key feature that has been around
since the 1960s, they may have to fix this come next year, or maybe the world will adjust. If one
thing is true though, Samsung has caught the eyes of all this year.

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My third argument toward the reign of Android is that they have innovative features
iPhone lacks. This is not to say Apple has not provided its products with features that have made
the lives of its user easier. The fact of the matter is Android has given its users a set of tools
Apple has yet to give to its users. Android is open to allowing users to manipulate the system,
while iPhone has closed the doors to all possible user innovation. Android built its system on the
belief users must be able to take advantage of the operating system in order to push it to its full
potential, while those at apple are only using themselves to push their devices to their full
potential. The features are so important because these are the building blocks of the device.
Information provided by Dogfight: How Google and Apple went to war and started a
revolution (Dog) tells an in-depth story of the creation of both Android and Apple. The book
also tells of the future projections of the phone market and where it is headed. iPhone was built
by Steve Jobs and his Apple team with the hopes of bringing you the first mobile computer.
When Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak began designing the Apple 2 they at first disagreed on how
the operating system should have work. Steve Wozniak wanted an open concept so users could
change the system, but Steve wanted a close concept so the users could have as simple an
experience as possible. This concept has lived many years and this can be seen through all of
Apples products they have released thus far. The Apple devices when worked with, all have a
very familiar feel. Dog talks a lot about why Apple has kept the accessibility so low for iPhone
users. Dog goes on to explain how they have done so because they want to make it virtually
impossible to hack into Apple software. To this day there is no reported hacking of the Apple
software. Also, Apple devices are able to go into files some devices could never dream of doing
because they do not get viruses! It is impossible to get a virus on an Apple device. Apple has
done well in protecting themselves, but they have forgotten what it really means to be a

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consumer, and what consumers want.

Android is a phone made for the people, by the people. Android is featured packed, and
this can be very intimidating for many users. When people are given too much control they tend
to become scared. Android has done this, so people may become accustomed to that which they
need them to be. Samsung for instance, has given its users not only two completely different
models of phone, but features Apple would never include in any of their smart devices.
Downloading music from anywhere but the iTunes music store is a huge hassle, many users feel
needs to change. The App store is heavily filtered and only allows for what apple deems great to
be on their store. Samsung allows users to not only download music from anywhere, enjoy an
open app store, but it allows users to completely change the layout of the phone into basically
anything they want. The Samsung phones can display different launchers that allows you to
make your phone look like a windows phone or iPhone in seconds. The functionality is so great,
people sometimes mistake them for the other device. Most importantly Samsung allows users to
take risk with their device! Users are free to download what they please and also are free to build
and employ whatever they so chose into the device. Many times iPhones must be jailbroken in
order do the things android phones do, and by doing so you run the risk of destroying your phone
forever. iPhone has many great things about it, but when it comes to the features and openness of
the device Android is unmatched.
Clearly Apple and Android have a lot of things in common, but it is the similarities they
do not share that makes them truly unique device. The Apple iPhone provides the user with not
only a simple design and user interface, but with a family of devices that are easily integrated
with one another. The iPhone is not only a household name, but a name that is known worldwide.

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It was never my intention to show any dislike toward the iPhone, but to inform the reader of the
other options, that may be viewed as better.
The Android family are great competitors to the iPhone. Android shows superiority in
complexity, design and features. Though Android has been around for a much shorter time,they
have seemed to innovate a much faster rate. Android was not only the first to create the phablet,
which is a considered to be a very large smartphone, but they were the first ones to also introduce
curved screens. Throughout this argument I have used Samsung as my conduit for android.
Samsung is considered to be the best of the best in the Android market and has proven this with
their latest phone, the Galaxy s7 edge.
During the course of this argument we have spoken on exactly why Android is the
superior smartphone because of its complexity, features, and design. If i have still failed to
persuade you on choosing Android over Apple then I challenge you to open your mind new
possibilities in general. The fact of the matter is I used Android and Apple because I do believe
Android is the superior smartphone, but what I really hope you get out of this, is to go and try
something, life is too short to be stagnant.