Every time I make the assertion that Android is the preferred cellular working system on the planet, a sure cross-section of individuals have a look at me as if I’ve misplaced my thoughts. They’ll additionally make statements like, “I don’t even know any Android users.” Those individuals who query my sanity, with out fail, hail from the United States.
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Android vs. iOS market development through the years
You see, there’s a singular development that’s been remarkably constant over the previous few years:
Android holds an enormous market share lead over iOS around the globe.
iOS holds a stable market share lead over Android within the U.S.
According to the most recent stats from Statcounter, the worldwide market share seems to be like this:
Android: 67.56%
iOS: 31.6%
But within the U.S., that market share seems to be like this:
iOS: 62.13%
Android: 37.47%
However, Android wasn’t at all times within the lead globally. Based on Statcounter numbers from the previous 14 years, iOS at one level had a bigger world share over Android. As different cellular working techniques like Symbian OS and BlackBerry OS fell by the wayside, Android began to select up the slack. In latest years, iOS has begun to recapture a few of its misplaced world share, however continues to be behind Android.
Global vs. U.S. market share by OS by 12 months
Month/YrAndroid (world)iOS (world)Android (U.S.)iOS (U.S.)
December 202272.37%26.98%43.75%55.85%
December 202170.01%29.24%40.54%59.15%
December 202072.48%26.91%38.76%61.07%
December 201974.13%24.79%44.29%55.55%
December 201875.16%21.98%42.75%56.91%
December 201773.54%19.91%45.04%54.42%
December 201671.97%18.89%45.14%53.7%
December 201565.9%19.21%45.65%51.86%
December 201459.15%23.51%47.32%49.54%
December 201342.99%21.82%39.25%51.75%
December 201233.19%23.26%40.22%50.49%
December 201121.83%22.71%40.92%42.52%
December 201013.6%23.57%25.46%33.55%
December 20094.07%32.05%10.62%53.26%
In the United States, iOS’s lead over Android has fluctuated since rival working techniques fell off the charts within the early 2010s. But, Apple’s OS has nonetheless persistently been the extra common of the 2 platforms within the U.S. 12 months after 12 months.
However, on a world market scale, Android nonetheless tops Apple by a big margin.
Android and iOS: Cost vs. reputation
Android holds the worldwide market share largely attributable to its affordability in comparison with Apple worldwide. However, Apple’s value spreading along with its branding and presence in popular culture give it an edge within the U.S. market house.
Cost
The major purpose why Android guidelines the worldwide market is value. In many nations (with considerably greater populations than the U.S.), folks have far much less disposable earnings. Because of that, the primary think about deciding on a telephone is value. In that area, Apple merely can not compete with Google.
Run a fast search on Amazon, and also you’ll discover Android telephones beginning at $49.99 with the BLU Advance L5 That’s proper, lower than $50. The most cost-effective iPhone on Amazon is a Tracfone Apple iPhone 7 4G, beginning at $97. Ignoring the truth that each gadgets are practically out of date, you’ll be able to have a low-end model of 1 for reasonable, whereas the opposite system will value you virtually $100.
For some, $100 is like change within the couch. For others, it’s a month’s wages or extra. To that finish, Android is the clear selection. Given the rampant poverty in so many nations across the globe, the existence of low-cost telephones makes Android a greater possibility over iOS.
The greatest issue within the Android maintain over world market share may probably be boiled all the way down to Asia, a continent with a large inhabitants, the place greater than 320 million folks dwell in excessive poverty. That’s practically the inhabitants of the United States (as of 2023, the inhabitants of the U.S. was 340 million).
If it weren’t for carriers distributing funds for iPhones over time, we’d in all probability see the U.S. and world market shares extra in keeping with each other.
Because carriers in the usspread the value of gadgets out over two years, a $700 iPhone turns into a doable buy for many. This is made much more enticing once you’re a flagship system. Just about any American can personal a top-of-the-line iPhone when the value is damaged into month-to-month installments — that equates to value not being an element.
Must-read Apple protection
Brand
Apple is large. There’s no means round it. As a model, Apple has management over every thing with its merchandise. Unlike Android gadgets, the place Google creates the working system and OEMs produce the {hardware}, Apple maintains every thing. Because of that, Apple can hold a stranglehold over high quality management, such that their merchandise (for essentially the most half) take pleasure in a “top to bottom” reliability.
You hardly ever hear of individuals complain about Apple {hardware}. The intersection of Apple {hardware} and software program can’t be bested. Even Google Pixel gadgets don’t take pleasure in that very same degree of consistency.
As a model, folks within the U.S. belief Apple greater than Google. That belief goes properly past telephones and into information, and what’s performed with stated information. Beyond belief, Apple’s model is simply shinier and extra polished than Google’s. Consider the commercials for each iPhones and Android gadgets. Apple by no means fails to launch commercials with the precise hip sheen that customers on this nation wish to see.
Google, then again, tends to lean extra closely on the cuter aspect of commercial. Their emblem is even an cute robotic. So when American shoppers see the 2 completely different commercials, one merely seems to be extra skilled. Apple by no means fails to current itself as a whole model and that’s essential to shoppers in wealthier nations.
Pop tradition
The United States is a rustic always beneath the thrall of popular culture. I’d go as far as to say I hardly ever see an Android telephone being utilized in TV or movie. When you hear a message chime or incoming name on the display, it’s virtually at all times the sound of Apple cashing in. I do see Android gadgets getting used from time to time, however for essentially the most half, TV and movie default to Apple.
That holds highly effective sway over shoppers. The courtroom of public opinion retains a watchful eye on their favourite exhibits and their favourite characters of their favourite exhibits. When viewers see their favourite characters holding an iPhone, they may really feel compelled to purchase one.
The conclusions are straightforward to attract
Around the globe, look and developments aren’t practically as essential as practicality. Those in poverty probably aren’t trying on the model or the options when selecting a telephone. So lengthy because the telephone can place calls and (from time to time) get on-line, it may possibly serve its function. If Apple have been to launch an iPhone that would compete with Android on the low-end market, it will give Google a severe run for its cash. I don’t search for that to occur any time quickly, so Android will proceed to dominate the worldwide telephone marketplace for years to return.