Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS are operating systems used primarily in mobile technology, such as smart phones and tablets. Android, which is Linux-based and partly open source, is more PC-like than iOS, in that its interface and basic features are generally more customizable from top to bottom. However, iOS uniform design elements are sometimes seen as being more user-friendly.
| Features | ANDROID | iOS |
| Customizability | A lot. Can change almost anything. | Limited unless jail broken. |
| Developer | Google, Open Handset Alliance | Apple Inc. |
| Initial Release | September 23, 2008 | July 29, 2007 |
| Source Model | Open source | Closed, with open source components. |
| Operating System Family | Linux | OS X, UNIX |
| Widgets | Yes | No, except in notification Center. |
| Internet Browsing | Google Chrome (or Android Browser on older versions; other browsers are available) | Mobile Safari (Other browsers are available) |
| App store , Affordability and interface | Google Play – 1,000,000+ apps. Other app stores like Amazon and Get jar also distribute Android apps. (unconfirmed “.APKs”) | Apple app store – 1,000,000+ apps. |
| Available Languages | 100+ languages | 34 Languages |
| Video Chat | Google Duo and other 3rd party apps. | Face Time (Apple devices only) and other 3rd party apps. |
| Voice Commands | Google Now, Google Assistant | Siri |
| Maps | Google Maps | Apple Maps (Google Maps also available via a separate app download). |
| Open Source | Kernel, UI, and some standard apps. | The iOS kernel is not open source but is based on the open-source Darwin OS. |
| Rooting, boot loaders and jail breaking | Access and complete control over your device is available and you can unlock the boot loader. | Complete control over your device is not available. |
| First Version | Android 1.0, Alpha | iOS 1.0 |
| Security | Android software patches are available soonest to Nexus device users. Manufacturers tend to lag behind in pushing out these updates. So at any given time a vast majority of Android devices are not running updated fully patched software. | Most people will never encounter a problem with malware because they don’t go outside the Play Store for apps. Apple’s software updates support older iOS devices also. |
| File Manager | Yes. (Stock Android File Manager included on devices running Android 7.1.1) | Not Available |
| Calls and Messaging | Google Hangouts. 3rd party apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Google Duo and Skype all work on Android and iOS both. | iMessage, FaceTime (with other Apple devices only). 3rd party apps like Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Google Duo and Skype all work on Android and iOS. |
Software Upgrades
Although Google does update Android frequently, some users may find that they do not receive the updates on their phone, or even purchase phones with out-of-date software. Phone manufacturers decide whether and when to offer software upgrades. They may not offer an upgrade to the latest version of Android for all the phones and tablets in their product line. Even when an upgrade is offered, it is usually several months after the new version of Android has been released.
This is one area where iOS users have an advantage. iOS upgrades are generally available to all iOS devices. There could be exceptions for devices older than three years, or for certain features like Siri, which was available for iPhone 4S users but not for older versions of iPhone. Apple cites hardware capability as the reason some older devices may not receive all new features in an upgrade.
