The debate between iOS and Android has always been going on based on the most disparate reasons: it is precisely for this reason that we have decided to draw up a guide with 40 valid reasons not to buy an iPhone and to choose an Android smartphone. The intent of the guide is deliberately provocative, but we have tried to identify all objective reasons that can be shared by each of us. In fact, it also follows a guide that offers a view from the other side of the coin .
1. Wide range of products
It’s the most important reason when it comes to Android smartphones: the market is full of alternatives that try to meet the needs of each of us. Those looking for a smartphone dedicated to business can choose one model, those looking for a model more dedicated to entertainment will have countless alternatives, just as those looking for more compact smartphones will still have their options of choice. If there is one thing that objectively goes in favor of Android, it is certainly the fact that there is an almost exaggerated range of products , unlike iPhones which are designed exclusively to meet fewer needs.
2. Prices suitable for all budgets
This motivation is as objective as it is perhaps the most real and shareable: those looking for an Android smartphone are no longer obliged to spend top-of-the-range amounts. In fact, he can purchase according to his purchasing capacity, this is perhaps the real reason why Android has spread so much in recent years. There are many smartphones in every price range : from less than 100 euros, up to over 1000 euros. To truly compete and differentiate itself from iPhones.
3. If you buy used or not at D1 you save a lot compared to the list price
Android smartphones tend to depreciate almost excessively compared to the list price and they do so with a frightening speed. Of course, if you buy a smartphone on the day of its release or, perhaps, taking advantage of the installments of an operator, you will see your device devalue almost drastically. But if you are careful about your wallet you can save a lot : the delayed purchase route or the second-hand purchase route are two methods that are particularly recommended for Android smartphones.
4. Android is an open system
How many times have you heard “Android is an open source system, while iOS is a closed system”. This difference is striking and clear for all to see: Android is much more open to third-party developers and an example is represented by the Google suite (Gmail, Google Maps, etc.), which is available to everyone . While apps like Facetime, Apple’s proprietary iMessage remain confined to devices of this brand. It’s a difference in mentality: if you like Apple you can stay in that ecosystem, if you like Android you can communicate with everyone.
5. A basic operating system, but many interfaces
Android is an operating system that was created in a very clean and minimal way and can be considered unique: a big difference compared to iOS is that it is made up of many interfaces that can be customized by the producers or by the users themselves. The interface is how we see our smartphone every day: the icon layout, settings and much more. If you have a Samsung smartphone you will probably be more familiar with the One UI interface, if you have a Xiaomi smartphone MIUI will be your kingdom and so on just to name two of the most famous manufacturers on the market.
6. Themes, launcher and icon pack
Interfaces are certainly a distinctive feature of Android, but graphic customization doesn’t stop there. Each interface can in turn be customized through themes and the latter are a set of icons, wallpapers, graphic customizations that can be designed or created by the producers or by the users themselves. Surely if you have an Android smartphone you will have noticed that almost every manufacturer also provides a market where you can find these customizations. What if you don’t like an interface? What if you want a new customization? Android launchers and Icon Packs (sets of icons downloadable from the Play Store) can provide you with the right tool to avoid having the same screen every day .
7. There are widgets of all kinds
Widgets were initially a big difference between Android and iOS, but over time they have evolved. However, the panorama of customization has not stopped at all on Android and within the Play Store you can find widgets of all types : the latest trend is to take advantage of apps such as KWGT, Kustom Widget Maker, i.e. apps for creating the most beautiful widgets and which we feel the need for most.
8. Android ecosystem: it’s real
Initially we only thought of Apple as an ecosystem, but now we can say that a quality ecosystem also exists on Android and that you can truly live a connected experience: there is Android Auto on new cars, there are smartwatches with Android Wear , there are many developers who are taking the Android experience to another level, integrating devices and making it easier to communicate between them. It exists, it is reality and it is useful.
9.Custom ROMs
Android customization doesn’t stop at launchers or themes, you can also act in a more profound way by installing (or cooking, using the more technical jargon) different ROMs: versions of Android thoroughly customized by savvy users and shared with the community. The ROMs also integrate different functions, capable of giving new life to older smartphones . The world of ROMs is a real godsend for all the most demanding and geeky users.
10. Apps from third-party sources
A debate could be opened on the safety of installing apps from sources other than the Play Store, but on Android it can be done: this means that you can install, after making sure of the source, even the famous apks (executables) without downloading from the famous applications market . Don’t immediately think badly or about piracy: some software houses have made a precise choice, I cite Epic Games with Fortnite as an example, and this certainly brings benefits in the variety of the apps on offer.
11. Integration of Google services everywhere
Google has created a series of services that are easily usable and available to everyone: if you are working with your smartphone or tablet you will certainly have your Google suite available. Are you working on a document and need to stop? No problem, you can access via browser even from your PC or Mac: the integration is absolute and the quality of the work benefits greatly .
12. Full View Display
The trend of Android smartphones is quite clear: evolution towards increasingly larger and more enjoyable displays, perfect for viewing your favorite Netflix or Amazon Prime multimedia content even on the move. There is no longer any need to carry around bulky tablets when you have an Android smartphone with minimal bezels and fantastic technologies like when you have a Galaxy S10 or a OnePlus 7. Why is it superior to the iPhone? Thanks to the (secure!) FaceID technology, Apple is forced to maintain the much-maligned notch which takes up space for its contents.
13. Google Assistant
Siri doesn’t hate it, but as things currently stand, the race for the virtual assistant sees the Google Assistant as the undisputed winner. More ready for Italy, more capable of helping us on different occasions and more open to interacting with third-party devices or services. Starting from music services, Siri only ensures support for Apple Music, unlike Google Assistant which has no scruples in this regard. Continuing with the general questions, we notice a more extensive general knowledge, as well as the ability to recognize natural language. It’s definitely a developing topic, but at the moment the winner is clear.
14. Google Maps is ready
With iOS13 a lot of attention has been paid to maps and new features, but let’s be clear: on an Android smartphone you absolutely won’t miss them. Google invests heavily in Maps and the results are clear: reliable in finding the best routes, navigating on foot, creating multi-stage itineraries, reporting traffic in real time, etc. These are just some of the key points that make Google Maps such a fantastic service .
15. Google Drive is a certainty
Remaining in the area of services, it is necessary to mention Google Drive: the Cloud service works excellently for backing up your data, it provides 15GB of free space for each account and each space upgrade costs less than the competitor iCloud (just think of 100GB for only €1.99/month). An undisputed advantage is portability since it can be used on any platform and content can be shared with multiple users without difficulty, in an intuitive way.
16. Unlimited photo backup with Google Photos
Last report and then I’ll stop: Google Photos on Android is a godsend. Especially for those who buy a smartphone with pure Android, it is one of the services I appreciate most. You won’t need a photo gallery because with just one app you will have many very convenient services available: free and unlimited backup (subject to small resizing to save space) of all our photos, an assistant that will bring to mind memories of past experiences, to edit our photos as you wish.
17. Free games and apps
The Play Store is a vast market, it offers a range of apps that are difficult to compare with the Apple Store. For a long time there has been conflict over the issue of quality and which store developers prefer to work on: but it is a fact that on the Play Store there is a much higher number of free applications and games than that of the competitor Apple . If you don’t like paying for some app, rest assured that there is another app on the store that offers you the same for free. Remember this factor when choosing your next smartphone. As confirmed by multiple sources , the Play Store is experiencing a growing trend.
18. How many keyboards for a single smartphone?
On iPhone you have one keyboard and only one: excellent and certainly functional. But what if it’s not right for you? What if you don’t feel well for any reason? With an Android smartphone you will be spoiled for choice and you can choose the one you prefer : the minimal Google keyboard, the SwiftKey keyboard with gestures and swipe, the customizable Cheetah keyboard and many others. As always, the only limit for an Android smartphone is your imagination.
19. Display settings
Android has often been criticized as a confusing operating system: let’s take the colors of the display for example. Easily on an Android smartphone you will open the settings, select the display ones and you will be able to act on many parameters such as color temperature, preferred white point, font size and much more. All in a simple and intuitive way, while the same cannot be said about iOS which instead offers a lot of versatility but in a more confusing way .
20. Autonomy
This is one of the parameters that is closest to my heart: Android offers a vast choice in terms of devices and you will certainly find many models that guarantee better battery life than that of the iPhone , considered by many to be an Achilles’ heel. Among Androids there are battery phones like the Moto G7 Power , but also models for which it is not necessary to give up performance and still have more than decent autonomy.
21. Connectivity via USB: more choice in accessories
Android smartphones have always been characterized by a microUSB port which has made their interaction with other devices of the highest level. Thanks to the transition to the USB-C standard, various benefits have been obtained in terms of speed and reliability , but above all there is a compatibility that Apple’s Lightning standard is not able to guarantee. Do you need to borrow a powerbank from a friend? Do you want to connect an external HD? A portable keyboard? The overview of devices that can be connected to an Android smartphone is truly vast.
22. The Audio Jack
Apple started the trend by eliminating the audio jack from its devices, followed by many manufacturers. However, lovers of wired headphones or users of wired microphones will certainly appreciate the possibility of finding Android smartphones (with all types of budgets) with a 3.5mm jack.
23. Simplified notification management
On Android smartphones, the issue of notifications is very simplified: one arrives, pull down the notification bar, if you’re interested, pull down again and perhaps reply directly if required by the app in question or by the system interface. Conversely, all you need to do is swipe to delete the notification and never think about it again . The same cannot be said about iOS where there is actually still a lot of work to be done for notifications and this is demonstrated by the recent additions relating to the notification center. But to simplify things a lot: if you want to respond from notifications, on an Android smartphone you can.
24. Navigation gestures
Using an iPhone requires learning some gestures to move through the menus. With Android smartphones we meet everyone’s needs : if you like gestures you can move through the menus and windows with swipes comfortably, vice versa from the settings you can easily activate the classic navigation buttons (back, menu and multitasking).
25. Battery and energy saving management
If you buy an Android smartphone you know that you can obtain improved performance in terms of autonomy, this is possible thanks to the presence of advanced energy saving modes : depending on the manufacturer you can certainly act on the basic settings, on the display resolution (lowering it save energy), but also on making the smartphone black and white or leaving active only the connections you feel you need at that moment. Progress has been made for iPhone, but battery management is certainly one of the strong points of Android smartphones.
26. Google Digital Wellbeing for digital detox
An Android smartphone also allows you to keep your digital passion in check: Digital Wellbeing is available, developed by Google and designed specifically to avoid spending hours and hours with your smartphone in your hand. Is it an advantage? Certainly yes, because sometimes we don’t even realize how many hours we spend on social media, surfing the web, always connected to the world. Sometimes it’s good to unplug a bit .
27. Focus mode to concentrate
That nowadays there are thousands of reasons for distractions is clear to everyone: for this reason Google has decided to integrate a new mode designed precisely to maintain concentration on what you are doing. In fact, Focus mode will allow you to enable or disable notifications (and in general the use) of apps that we find particularly distracting or annoying . After Digital Wellbeing, we have yet another demonstration that you can use an Android smartphone without exaggerating.
28. The AlwaysOnDisplay or MotoAction system
This is one of the advantages that I appreciate most in an Android smartphone, in fact you can activate the AlwaysOnDisplay or MotoAction function or other similar systems (depending on the manufacturer) to have the main notifications even with the screen turned off . A simple notification icon paired with the watch and you won’t even need to turn on the display to control your smartphone. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, learn more here .
29. Search function in settings
If you are fiddling with your Android smartphone and don’t remember which settings submenu, Android will allow you to search directly in the settings and you will be catapulted exactly to the place you want . This Android feature is exceptional and comes in handy even when perhaps you have changed smartphones and are not yet completely comfortable with the new interface.
30. The Google Camera
Google never stops investing time and money to improve and the proof is represented by the Google Camera: the app dedicated to the camera for recording photos and videos that will allow you to obtain exceptional shots , also aided by the sensational Night Mode. But what if you don’t have a Google Pixel as a smartphone? Search online and surely the most famous developers (like XDA ) will have created a version compatible with your Android smartphone. The yield is guaranteed, try it!
31. The Galaxy Note’s stylus is unbeatable
If you really work with your smartphone and don’t want to carry around an oversized device, on Android you can (and perhaps should!) buy Samsung’s Galaxy Note. It is the most business-oriented smartphone ever tried, especially thanks to the functions incorporated into the stylus (S Pen): a tool with many levels of pressure, perfect for taking notes or drawing, for cutting, doing and undoing on your smartphone .
32. LiveCaption on Android Q
Here we are a bit ahead of our time by referring to one of the most interesting features of the new version of Google’s operating system. LiveCaption allows you to add subtitles to each video without needing to be connected to the internet thanks to an artificial intelligence algorithm: finally we are no longer talking about AI just for marketing, but also to offer truly useful features to smartphone users.
33. Top-of-the-line displays have surpassed Apple
The AMOLED technology of the displays of the Samsung Galaxy S10+ or the OnePlus 7 Pro has definitely surpassed the quality of the excellent screens of the iPhone XS and XS Max: it is a thesis supported by the most experts , but also a quality that can be seen with the naked eye. Brilliant and vivid colors, high brightness to be seen in all circumstances, depth of colors capable of captivating the eye and guaranteeing multimedia that has reached very high levels. If the eternal Android vs iOS conflict produces these results, let the war continue.
34. Internal memory
If you buy an iPhone you have a certain amount of memory, often with exaggerated jumps which also involve a significant jump in price. Just think of the memory cuts from 64GB to 256GB which have a significant impact on the wallet. What if they aren’t enough? The memory is not further expandable via external microSD. If you buy an Android smartphone, however, you will have the possibility to choose the model that best suits your needs : memory reduction and expandability or not.
35. Wireless charging
If you want to get away from cables, if you want to experience quality wireless charging then know that with an Android smartphone you will have faster charging . The real limit is having a quick charger to connect to wireless charging and on Android you will have an excellent selection starting from Fast Charge up to Quick Charge: all this is not possible on iPhone because the latter has a maximum limitation of 7.5W , although Android smartphones can reach 15W (not all!).
36. Unlocking your smartphone is easier
Here we are not talking about security or privacy, but more about convenience: an Android smartphone is easier to unlock even when it is placed on a surface such as a desk. It is a fact that Android smartphones continue to integrate many unlocking methods: be it PIN, pattern or face recognition or fingerprint . To unlock an iPhone you are forced to look at it (therefore perpendicular) or use the PIN. Comfort, sometimes, comes first.
37. It is easier to remove useless data
If you have purchased a smartphone with little memory, on Android you can easily free up the cache and useless data . The operation is very intuitive and you just need to navigate through the options to free up memory on your device. The same does not apply to iPhone where, to free up space, you will be forced to delete the app in question and then reinstall it. If this system means greater opening speed, from another point of view you will be forced to have occupied space.
38. The Multi-Window on Android
Android smartphones always have increasingly larger displays and this also means having more space available to use your apps. For several years now, on Android you can activate Multi-Window (first only for top-of-the-range devices, then over time also for other lower-end devices): you can use two apps at a time and have greater productivity or entertainment , perhaps by combining the web browsing to videos on YouTube. This feature is not present on the iPhone and will only be present on the new iPadOS.
39. Multiple Accounts
It’s a fact: our smartphone tends to remain ours alone, while we often borrow a tablet much more easily. But in general on Android you can set up a multiple account to guarantee everyone their own personal space and, in the case of children, use parental controls to limit the use of apps that we don’t want for our children. Many of you probably won’t know the Multiple Accounts feature, but it is present on Android and is very convenient if you want to share your smartphone with other people (even in Guest mode ).
40. The Alarm Clock app
Few will understand this: but the default Android alarm app is as simple as it is intuitive . Also set multiple alarms, you will automatically be notified in how many hours you will have to get up and, obviously, it is also programmable for the individual days of the week. The Alarm Clock app on iPhone won’t give you a countdown before getting up early and will require a whole series of additional taps to change each alarm. What if you don’t like the Alarm Clock on Android? Download Timely and try another one!
