Android vs. iOS: Comparative Analysis of Mobile Operating Systems

This report provides a comparative analysis of Android and iOS, the two dominant mobile operating systems. It explores the core philosophies of each OS, highlighting Android's open-source nature versus iOS's closed ecosystem and the security implications of each approach. The report delves into performance differences, discussing the hardware requirements and optimization strategies employed by each system. It examines the range and personalization options available, contrasting Android's wide variety of devices and customization features with iOS's more streamlined approach. Furthermore, it addresses privacy concerns and memory management, focusing on Apple's emphasis on user privacy and its restrictions on external memory compared to Android's more open approach. The report concludes by summarizing the key differences, enabling readers to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each system and make an informed decision based on their preferences and needs.

In recent years we have witnessed a fierce struggle among many technological companies
for dominating the 'smartphones' markets. Specifically, when it comes to 'software' level and it
needs to mark their differences. After all, it is the soul and what gives life to the machine.
Without denying the existence of other mobile operating systems, major giants are Google
(Android) and Apple (iOS) Raymone (2019). Firstly, the personalization of such operating
system giants is the way to distinguish each one; however, these differences are minimal today.
It has been found that similar has occurred with most of the operating system functions. In order
to help one better understand the subtle variances, I am going to explain many aspects while
taking into account both operating systems. Besides, most of the people are presently willing to
try one or the other, but they do not dare for the 'vox populi' ( Voice of the People) that
sometimes confuses more than helps (Raymone, 2019).
Philosophy and security
If there is something in which Android and iOS are totally opposite, it is precisely their
philosophy: one is an open environment (Android) and the other is closed (iOS). Because of our
human nature when we hear the word "closed" we relate it to something negative. In this case, it
is a guarantee of security (obviously there is part of marketing to encourage sales of your brand).
The 'apps' in iOS must comply with guidelines set by Apple and overcome comprehensive
quality and safety control. In this way, they seek to guarantee the best experience and
performance (Zapata et. al., 2014).
From version 'iOS 7' devices are linked to your Apple ID '. So, no matter how much you
delete or format the terminal, you cannot use it without the account to log in. Another premise
for Apple is to make life easier for the user, giving them everything 'chewed' even while not
having to interact with many humans. As an example of this is to be able to find all the system
settings in the same place, well-ordered as well as well identified. Or the possibility of making a
video call ('FaceTime') as easily as you would make a call without needing 'apps' or additional
accounts. Note the intuitive interface where the 'apps' are automatically arranged in a grid. Here,
it is worth knowing that the operating system’s structure is highly simplified and hence there is
no list of options which one should access within different websites.

On the other hand, Android, being open, is accessible to anyone who wants to publish an
'app'. At first, there were many cases of 'malware' spoiling the terminals or generating
subscriptions with cost to the user. More than one has received subscription charges to
companies for installing certain unsafe 'apps'. With Android 6.0 they have healed, in part, this
vulnerability by giving you control over the installed 'apps' being able to choose what data they
access. In relation to the menus, it offers many more options and buttons to interact with.
Sometimes, you are not sure where you have to press to get a certain function which leads to
confusion or delay. We have two screens: the initial one that works like the desktop of a
computer where you put the 'apps' and 'widgets' at your whim; and another screen, the menu
itself, where all the 'apps' and settings are. This flexibility of Android takes advantage of the
manufacturers, which I will discuss below.
Performance differences
If we talk about 'hardware' and technical level, Android needs more machine power for
supporting upcoming updates, perform as well as run as smoothly as iOS does, which utilizes a
lesser amount of power at the 'hardware' level. It has been observed that most people criticize
Apple products for not utilizing big RAM or cores; however, they do not need it. In this way, it
can be said that Apple works great with less which is an attractive attribute.
Range & Personalization
In Apple, we find a single range, basically: high range. The reason is that its terminals are
made of high-quality materials and developed with the utmost care. At the marketing level, it is
called 'Price Skimming': set the highest price that the customer is willing to pay. After the annual
launch of a new terminal, the only change that occurs in the Apple catalog is that the previous
one drops € 100 (Goadrich & Rogers, 2011).
On the other hand, with Android, there is a greater range of ranges: from low (about € 70)
to the most expensive (about € 800). That is why it is more accessible to have an Android for all
budgets. But this aspect is a double-edged sword: a low-end Android, having low power will not
respond with the same fluidity or quality and will hardly support future updates. You may even
have space problems (Liu et. al., 2013).
Being an S.O. open, each manufacturer installs an interface at will in order to distinguish
itself from others and make it is terminal more attractive by adding different functions (Goadrich

& Rogers, 2011). Hence the menus have different designs from one brand to another, although
the operation is the same.
iOS, is a closed operating system, is fully controlled by Apple without intermediaries. Any
incident or failure would be quickly resolved. Android, after launching an update or patch,
manufacturers have to adapt it to their terminals so it will take a little longer to arrive depending
on the model and country (Ahmad et. al., 2013).
Privacy and memory
In this context, Apple products always serve a greater level of privacy, which is being
impossible to decrypt an iPad or iPhone. One of the proofs can be seen with the news revealed a
few months ago. In this news, the FBI requested the Company Apple for collaborating with an
investigation case. The request was related to unlocking as well as accessing the data of an
iPhone. At that time, Apple incorporation clearly refused because of their premise of
guaranteeing the privacy and thereby the security of the Apple customers. It does not mean
Apple Inc. accumulates info or data anonymously for diagnostic as well as development
objectives for upcoming updates (Ahmad et. al., 2013).
In the context of the memory of the Apple devices, they cannot be fitted with SD card as
described by their business philosophy. In this way, Apple devices only use internal or virtual
memory, while hiring a few plans provided in the cloud with 'iCloud'. Apart from this, some
alternatives to utilizing SD cards or memory cards with the adapters are connecting the
'Lightning' port. However, they are not used many times as they are not highly comfortable or
practical for specific purposes.
Here, Apple strongly believes in not extracting the memory of their devices so that the
security and privacy of the information can be guaranteed. In addition to that, the memory cards
often get damaged and hence lose information and important data. It is well-aware that, Android
belongs to Google. Since Google always has a more open as well as a transparent approach to
data so as the Android has (Ahmad et. al., 2013).
In the case of Android, the brand philosophy suggests that they allow the utilization of
memory cards despite some exceptional model. Even, it has been found that Android offers the
possibility of encryption for greater security. Moreover, it is necessary since Android takes up
enhanced internal memory space as compared to 'iOS'. In this way, one must add different

interfaces and customization functions of all operators and manufacturers. On the contrary, when
'iOS' is pure Apple then there will be no intermediaries. Apart from this, some famous operating
systems include the terminals 'Nexus' (it is rumored that they will be called 'Pixel', here you have
a link) that carry only Android without intermediaries’ interfaces. It has been found by the
researchers that the result of agreements amid Google and the main current manufacturers is
Nexus. Therefore, the Nexus Company is the first to acquire new updates. Simply put, both
operating systems are good and neither is perfect. It already depends on taste, use and what you
are looking for in a cell phone.

References
Ahmad, M. S., Musa, N. E., Nadarajah, R., Hassan, R., & Othman, N. E. (2013, July).
Comparison between android and iOS Operating System in terms of security. In 2013 8th
International Conference on Information Technology in Asia (CITA) (pp. 1-4). IEEE.
Goadrich, M. H., & Rogers, M. P. (2011, March). Smart smartphone development: iOS versus
Android. In Proceedings of the 42nd ACM technical symposium on Computer science
education (pp. 607-612). ACM.
Liu, Y., Li, F., Guo, L., Shen, B., & Chen, S. (2013, March). A comparative study of android and
iOS for accessing internet streaming services. In International Conference on Passive
and Active Network Measurement (pp. 104-114). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Norton. (n.d.).Android vs. iOS: Which is more secure? Retrieved
from https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-mobile-android-vs-ios-which-is-more-
secure.html
Raymone, A.D.(2019). iOS and Android patched 440 security vulnerabilities in 2019, so far.
Retrieved from https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ios-and-android-patched-440-
security-vulnerabilities-in-2019-so-far/
Zapata, B. C., Niñirola, A. H., Idri, A., Fernández-Alemán, J. L., & Toval, A. (2014). Mobile
PHRs compliance with Android and iOS usability guidelines. Journal of medical
systems, 38(8), 81.