Android dominates market share with 70.8% global usage and offers customization across multiple manufacturers, while iPhone commands 29.2% share with tightly integrated hardware-software ecosystem and superior resale value. The choice depends on whether you prioritize flexibility or ecosystem cohesion.
Android vs iPhone — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Google's open-source mobile OS powering 70% of global smartphones with integrated Google services
Proprietary iOS-based smartphone by Apple with 29% market share and premium positioning
Global Market Share. Price Range. App Ecosystem Revenue. Average OS Update Support. Customization Options. Average Device Lifespan. Manufacturer Diversity
Choose Android if you value choice, customization, affordability, and access to devices at every price point from multiple manufacturers. Choose iPhone if you prioritize long-term software support, ecosystem integration across devices, superior resale value, and consistent user experience across all models.
Android: $150-200 (budget models) | iPhone: $899
Android: 50+ manufacturers | iPhone: 1 manufacturer
Android: 3.5 million (Google Play) | iPhone: 2.2 million (App Store)
Android: 6-12 months (varies by OEM) | iPhone: Same day iOS release
Android: Samsung Galaxy Z, OnePlus, others available | iPhone: Not available
Android: Varies by manufacturer | iPhone: Apple Intelligence processes on-device
Android: 1000+ models actively updated | iPhone: N/A
Android: Extensive (ads, analytics, personalization) | iPhone: N/A
Android: Requires unlock (manufacturer dependent) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 2-3 years (most brands) | iPhone: N/A
Android: ~15% human reviewed by Google Play | iPhone: N/A
Android: 200+ manufacturers worldwide | iPhone: N/A
Android: $1,000-$1,500+ (Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra) | iPhone: N/A
Android: Monthly (Google); 3-6 months (OEMs) | iPhone: N/A
Android: Extensive (telemetry, location, usage) | iPhone: N/A
Android: Bootloader locked on most OEM devices | iPhone: N/A
Android: 0 (software only) | iPhone: N/A
Android: Extensive (advertising profile, location, usage patterns) | iPhone: N/A
Android: Limited (OEM/Knox restrictions on Samsung) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 1-4 years (varies by manufacturer) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 200+ global manufacturers | iPhone: N/A
Android: Launchers, widgets, default apps, file system access, icon packs | iPhone: N/A
Android: ~1,800 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) | iPhone: N/A
Android: ~5,200 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 3-5 years (varies by OEM) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 3.6M+ (Google Play) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 9/10 (launchers, widgets, mods) | iPhone: N/A
Android: $150 (budget options available) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 3-7 years (varies) | iPhone: N/A
Android: Extensive (launchers, widgets, system mods) | iPhone: N/A
Android: Full (Gmail, Drive, Maps, YouTube, Play Store) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 200MP (various manufacturers) | iPhone: N/A
Android: 12+ (flagship devices) | iPhone: N/A
Android: From $100 (various manufacturers) | iPhone: $429 (iPhone 16)
Android: $38.6 billion | iPhone: $72.3 billion
Android: Extensive (launchers, themes, defaults, widgets) | iPhone: Limited (lock screen, home screen layout only)
Android: Factory pre-installed | iPhone: N/A
Android: N/A | iPhone: 2556 × 1179 (FHD+)
Android: N/A | iPhone: iOS 18: 82% adoption (88% on 4-year devices)
Android: N/A | iPhone: Apple Neural Engine (optimized)
Android: N/A | iPhone: A18 Pro optimization
Android: N/A | iPhone: Dual rear (vertical alignment)
Android: N/A | iPhone: Annual major releases
Android: N/A | iPhone: 15+ Apple Intelligence features
Android: N/A | iPhone: A18 Pro (6-core CPU, 6-core GPU)
Android: N/A | iPhone: Yes (standard, 5G on all models)
Android: N/A | iPhone: Limited split-view on iPhone 16 Plus/Pro Max only
Android: N/A | iPhone: 4,685 mAh (iPhone 16 Pro Max)
Android: N/A | iPhone: 2,850,000 (A18 Pro)
How to choose between Android and iPhone
Android vs iPhone — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Android vs iPhone. Contains 108 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Android vs iPhone — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Android vs iPhone.
Why is iPhone more expensive than Android?
iPhone pricing reflects Apple's vertical integration (hardware + software design), premium build materials, longer software support (6-7 years vs 2-3 years), and higher profit margins. The ecosystem integration and resale value justify the premium for many users. Android phones span $100-$1,500+, so the price difference depends on the specific Android model chosen.
iPhone has fewer malware incidents due to stricter app review (15,000+ apps rejected weekly) and closed ecosystem, while Android is more vulnerable due to sideloading and fragmented security updates. However, Google Play Store screening has improved significantly. Enterprise security data shows iPhone has 3.4x fewer reported vulnerabilities per year, but Android's open-source code enables faster community-driven patches.
Which has better app quality: Android or iPhone?
iPhone typically receives premium apps first (developers earned 2.8x more per user in 2024), but Android's Play Store now has 3.5+ million apps vs Apple's 2.2 million. Developers prioritize iPhone for paid/premium apps; Android dominates free apps. For games and professional software, iPhone maintains a quality advantage.
iPhone models receive 6-7 years of major OS updates (iPhone 6S from 2015 still receives iOS 18). Android varies dramatically: Google Pixel gets 7 years, Samsung flagships 4-5 years, budget phones 2-3 years. This is the single largest longevity difference between platforms.
Can I use Android apps on iPhone or vice versa?
No, the two ecosystems are completely incompatible. Apps must be developed separately for each platform. However, cross-platform apps (built with Flutter, React Native, etc.) work on both. Switching between platforms means potentially losing app purchases and repurchasing paid software.
How to Choose Between Android and iPhone
Global Market Share: Android has 70.8%, while iPhone has 29.2%.
Price Range: Android has $100-$1,500+, while iPhone has $429-$1,599.
App Ecosystem Revenue: Android has $38.6 billion (2024), while iPhone has $72.3 billion (2024).
Average OS Update Support: Android has 2-3 years (varies by manufacturer), while iPhone has 6-7 years.
Customization Options: Android has Extensive (launchers, widgets, defaults), while iPhone has Limited (lock screen, home screen layout).
Average Device Lifespan: Android has 3.2 years, while iPhone has 4.7 years.
Manufacturer Diversity: Android has 100+ (Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc.), while iPhone has 1 (Apple only).