iPhones have some of the best smartphones currently available in the market, but they are not without disadvantages. For example, i) high cost, ii) limited compatibility, iii) lack of external storage, iv) limited models, and v) user rigidity, etc.
These drawbacks have initiated a debate over iOS-operated iPhones vs. Android-powered smartphones. You must know the iOS issues to make a fair deal between an iPhone and an Android device.
My experience say some drawbacks of iPhones are technical, and some are personal. Because the thing about the iPhone is that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Meaning what I would see as a major advantage, you may not feel the same way. So, your experience will differ from mine.
Have a deep dive into this article to learn more disadvantages of an iPhone compared to Android smartphones.
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iPhone Vs Android: Some Selective Disadvantages of an iPhone over an Android Smartphone!
Undoubtedly, iPhone models are available with all the latest features to make life easier. Its performance is lightning fast, camera top-notch, and has a lifespan that beats most Android devices. Nevertheless, the iOS operating system has various shortcomings over the Android operating system.
Here, a comparative study is about the disadvantages of an iPhone over an Android smartphone.
Operating System Accessibility
Android operating system is open source-based, whereas iOS is a closed operating system. Therefore, the Apple operating system isn’t massively accessible like the Android operating system. You will get less developer support, iPhone wallpapers and themes, customizability, and community support with an iPhone operating system than with an Android smartphone operating system.
Customization Availability
With open-sourced programming, Android smartphones offer users more customization options and features than iPhones. Android users enjoy more icons, widgets, and gestures on their smartphones than the iOS interface. Moreover, you will enjoy more flexibility in default app using, web browsing, and navigating on Android smartphones than on iPhones.
For example, you may replace iOS default messaging apps with third-party messaging apps but it won’t work unless the recipient has the same app
. On the contrary, you are lucky with a bunch of messaging apps on Android smartphones to pick the best for a better experience. So, iPhones are lagging behind in the customization availability race with Android smartphones.
Apple Ecosystem
The Apple ecosystem is more rigid than the Android ecosystem. Though the iOS ecosystem is safer than the Android, users may feel bored due to rigidity. The iOS ecosystem tightly integrates Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apple Watches, and TVs) with Apple’s in-house services (iCloud, iMessage, iTunes, and iOS app store). You are merely free to get out of the integrated services as an iPhone user.
On the other hand, the Android ecosystem integrates services across the devices by different brands and names. It offers users flexibility and freedom to find their services on different platforms.
App Store Availability
An iPhone lets you access limited apps and games from the Apple Store over the Android Play Store. The Apple App Store has 1.6 million apps for its users, whereas the Google Play Store contains more than 2.87 million apps. Unlike Apple App Store, you can source third-party Android apps from Amazon or other platforms as well.
Web Browsing
Android beats iOS when browsing speed is a big deal. Google claims that on average, Chrome is now 7% faster than the current Safari versions. Meanwhile Chrome beats the Apple browser to up to 15% in fast graphical performance.
The thing that surprises me also is Android’s faster browsing on non-mobile sites. However, it may vary based on bandwidth volume, browser versions, and device updates.
Storage Capacity
iPhone users cannot insert SD cards into their devices for external storage like Android smartphones. Besides, an iPhone lets you use only 5GB of iCloud storage for free, whereas an Android device offers you 15 GB of Google cloud storage for free.
Additionally, if you want more iCloud storage, you need to subscribe to the plan of 50GB for $1 each month. You can use the storage only with iOS, Mac, and Windows. On the other hand, you can purchase an additional 100GB of Google’s cloud for $2 with cross-platform support.
Multitasking
Undoubtedly, multitasking matters in modern-day devices like iPhones or Android smartphones. In this regard, iPhones are still lagging with multitasking mode over Android devices. For example, iPhone users cannot place one more app side-by-side on their devices’ screens like Android users.
Fortunately, iPhone multitasking is now pretty advanced with the latest models like iPhone 12 or later. However, the feature is still limited compared to the Android 9 Pie with recent buttons, dual-icon windows, and more. Unlike iOS multitasking, Android multitasking is available on tablets too.
Broadcast (FM) Radio
Android users are fortunate to find a built-in FM radio on their smartphones. Unfortunately, iPhones do not have built-in radio like Android smartphones. Though, you can enjoy thousands of broadcast radio stations on your iPhone using Siri. You need to activate Siri and search your favorite stations like ESPN Radio and enjoy the streaming.
Built-in Headphone Jack
The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack seems a bit of a downfall for the latest iPhones and Android smartphones. For example, you will miss the headphone jack on the latest iPhone, Google Pixel, One Plus 6T, and more. So, you need wireless headphones on these smartphones to enjoy audio or video streaming without annoying anyone.
Alternatively, you can use a 3.5 mm jack to type-C converter for both iPhone and Android. They don’t cost much and you can easily plug in your wired headphones without a worry.
Battery Life
iPhone users can be happier with their devices’ battery life than Android users. Though both competitors come with high-quality batteries based on their models and specifications, Android smartphones consume more power than iPhones with numerous widgets and customizations. Here, we can compare between iPhone XS MX and Samsung Galaxy S4, where the former beats the latter with battery life.
Price
Undoubtedly, an iPhone costs more than an Android smartphone. Besides, a used iPhone sometimes seems pricey over a brand-new Android phone. At the same time, an iPhone’s repairing accessories are more expensive than an Android smartphone. So, think about the budget before switching to iPhone from Android.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for iPhone Vs Android!
A question book can come to your mind when living in a state of ambiguity between iPhone and Android. Let’s pick the most related questions with the most relevant answers to eliminate all confusion.
Which Is Better Between an iPhone And an Android Smartphone?
The answer to the particular question is relatively different from one user to another. And it involves multiple variants to validate the best one. For example, if you want performance-driven services for years, you should choose an iPhone over an Android smartphone.
Again, if the budget comes to the spotlight to choose between an iPhone and an Android phone, the latter would be an ideal choice. However, both variants are valued with their own features and functions. So, have a bit more study about the classes to purchase the better one for the best user experience.
Is It Worth Buying an iPhone for Security Concerns?
Apple never compromises users’ privacy and security. Therefore, it doesn’t allow third-party apps and settings to iOS devices like iPhones, iPads, or iPods. With close-sourced software, an iPhone is better than any other smartphone for security concerns.
An iPhone is more secure with the most reliable app store, manufacturing process, iOS source code, social networking, and connectivity. The sophisticated hardware-software integration makes the iOS device more secure from security threats. So, it seems worth buying an iPhone for security concerns.
Witty Words
iPhone users enjoy the most exciting features with all the latest editions except for the disadvantages mentioned above over Android smartphones. However, some cons seem compromising to go with the iOS device. And some limitations are deeply disturbing for a better user experience with an iPhone.
Fortunately, Apple has addressed many issues for making iPhones more user-friendly than ever. And iPhone lovers are exploring new features with the all-latest iPhone editions.
However, I suggest you take these disadvantages to consideration to make a better buying decision between an iPhone and an Android smartphone. Have a happy deal!