The smartphone market is dominated by two main operating systems: Android and iOS . In this article, we'll explore why the majority of smartphones come with the Android operating system and how it compares to iOS and other mobile operating systems.
What is a mobile operating system?
A mobile operating system is software that allows you to operate a mobile device , such as a smartphone, tablet or connected watch. It manages the hardware and software resources of the device, like memory, processor, screen, keyboard, camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, battery, etc. It also offers a user interface that allows the user to interact with the device and run applications.
The pros and cons of Android
Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world. According to the research firm StatCounter, it held 72.5% market share globally as of November 2021. Android was developed by Google from a Linux kernel and is distributed under an open source license. This means that smartphone manufacturers can freely adapt it to their needs and add specific features. This explains the great diversity of Android smartphone models available on the market, which cover all price and performance ranges.
The main advantages of Android are:
- Its compatibility with many devices and accessories, thanks to its wide distribution and open standards.
- Its flexibility which allows the user to personalize their experience, choosing from a multitude of themes, widgets, application launchers, etc.
- Its integration with Google services, like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Assistant, etc., which provide convenient and synchronized features.
- Its access to a vast catalog of applications on the Google Play Store, which has more than 3 million applications in 2021.
The main disadvantages of Android are:
- Its fragmentation which makes it difficult to update the operating system on all devices. In fact, each manufacturer must adapt the new version of Android to its own models and obtain authorization from telephone operators to distribute it. This causes delays and disparities between devices. According to Google, as of May 2021, only 31% of Android devices were using the latest version of the operating system (Android 11), while 19% were still using a version from 2017 or earlier.
- Its vulnerability to viruses and malware, due to its openness and lack of control over applications. According to a Nokia study, 97% of mobile malware targeted Android in 2020. It is therefore recommended to use an antivirus for Android and to pay attention to the permissions requested by applications.
- Its consumption of resources and battery is greater than that of iOS, due to its complexity and its multiplicity of background processes.
The pros and cons of iOS
iOS is the mobile operating system developed by Apple for its own devices: iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It was launched in 2007 with the first iPhone and has since gone through 15 major versions. According to StatCounter, it held 26% market share globally as of November 2021. iOS is a closed and proprietary operating system: Apple fully controls its development, distribution and operation on its devices.
The main advantages of iOS are:
- Its consistency which provides a smooth and intuitive user experience on all Apple devices. iOS also benefits from a clean and elegant interface that highlights the applications.
- Its security which protects users' personal data and limits the risk of infection by viruses or malware. iOS has an advanced encryption system and imposes strict rules on developers to publish their applications on the App Store.
- Its quality which guarantees a high level of performance and reliability on Apple devices. iOS is optimized to take advantage of the hardware features of iPhone and iPad, such as the A15 Bionic processor or the M1 chip. iOS also benefits from regular updates which bring improvements and new features.
- Its ecosystem which allows easy integration with other Apple products, such as the Mac, Apple Watch or AirPods. iOS also offers exclusive services like FaceTime, iMessage or iCloud.
The main disadvantages of iOS are:
- Its cost which limits access to Apple devices. Indeed, iPhones and iPads are generally more expensive than equivalent Android smartphones and tablets in terms of technical characteristics.
- Its closure which reduces the possibilities of customization and compatibility with non-Apple devices and accessories. iOS also imposes certain restrictions on users, such as not being able to change the default web browser or virtual keyboard.
- Its access to certain applications which are not available on the App Store or which are censored by Apple for ethical or legal reasons.
Other mobile operating systems
Besides Android and iOS, there are a few other mobile operating systems that have a marginal market share or are intended for specific uses.
Among them :
- Windows 10 Mobile : the mobile operating system developed by Microsoft to succeed Windows Phone. It was launched in 2015 but failed to establish itself against Android and iOS. Microsoft announced the end of support for the system in December 2019.
- KaiOS : the mobile operating system based on Firefox OS which equips feature phones (or basic phones). It allows access to certain applications like WhatsApp or YouTube on inexpensive and resource-efficient devices. It is especially popular in emerging countries such as India or Africa.
- HarmonyOS : the mobile operating system developed by Huawei to replace Android on its devices following American sanctions which prohibit it from accessing Google services. It was launched in June 2021 in China but is not yet available in the rest of the world.
Mobile operating systems comparison table
| System | Benefits | Disadvantages |
| Android | Compatibility Flexibility Integration Access | Fragmentation Vulnerability Consumption |
| iOS | Consistency Safety Quality Ecosystem | Cost Closure Access |
| Windows 10 Mobile | Continuity with Windows 10 Cortana | Few devices Few apps End of support |
| KaiOS | Simplicity Accessibility Connectivity | Limited features Variable quality |
| HarmonyOS | Independence Innovation Interoperability | Uncertain availability Uncertain compatibility Uncertain security |
FAQs
What is the best smartphone operating system?
There is no universal answer to this question because the choice of operating system depends on the preferences and needs of each user. Some criteria to take into account are:
- Budget: Android devices are generally less expensive than iOS devices, but there are also high-end models that can compete with iPhones in terms of price and performance.
- The ecosystem: if you already own Apple or Google products, it may be more practical to choose an operating system compatible with them to facilitate synchronization and use of associated services.
- Customization: If you like to change the way your smartphone looks and works, Android gives you more possibilities than iOS, which is more locked down and uniform.
- Security: if you are concerned about protecting your personal data and preventing risks related to viruses or malware, iOS offers you more guarantees than Android, which is more exposed to attacks and leaks.
- Applications: if you are looking to access a wide choice of applications, Android and iOS are equal in terms of quantity and quality. However, some applications may be exclusive to one or the other operating system or have different functionality depending on the case.
What is the difference between an operating system and an overlay?
An operating system is the basic software that makes a smartphone work. It manages the hardware and software resources of the device and provides a user interface.
An overlay is a set of modifications made by the smartphone manufacturer to the original operating system. It aims to personalize the appearance and behavior of the smartphone, to add specific features or to differentiate it from other models.
For example, Samsung offers the One UI overlay on its Android smartphones, which changes the appearance of icons, menus, notifications, etc. It also integrates Samsung-specific applications, such as Bixby or Samsung Health.
What is rooting or jailbreaking?
Rooting or jailbreaking are operations that aim to circumvent restrictions imposed by the manufacturer or developer of the operating system on a smartphone. They allow the user to access administrator (or root) rights on their device and to modify or delete system files.
Rooting concerns Android smartphones, while jailbreaking concerns iOS smartphones.
The advantages of rooting or jailbreaking are:
- The ability to personalize your smartphone beyond normal limits, for example by changing the theme, fonts, sounds, etc.
- The ability to install apps that are not available on the Google Play Store or App Store, or that require special permissions.
- The ability to remove applications pre-installed by the manufacturer or telephone operator, which may be unnecessary or unwanted.
- The possibility of improving the performance or autonomy of the smartphone, for example by modifying the processor frequency or battery management.
The disadvantages of rooting or jailbreaking are:
- The risk of losing the smartphone warranty or technical support from the manufacturer or operating system developer.
- The risk of damaging the smartphone or rendering it unusable in the event of an error or mishandling.
- The risk of exposing the smartphone to viruses or malware which could exploit security vulnerabilities created by rooting or jailbreaking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the majority of smartphones are equipped with the Android operating system due to its compatibility, flexibility and integration with Google services. iOS, meanwhile, remains a premium alternative offering a consistent and secure user experience. The choice between these two operating systems mainly depends on the preferences and needs of each user. For example, if you want to block pop-up ads on Android and iOS , you will need to use specific apps or browsers. Other mobile operating systems exist but have a marginal market share or are intended for specific uses.
