By Holly, Mozillion Team
Are more Android users heading to Apple?
In order for a smartphone to continue to work year on year, it needs software updates. Assuming then that the phone itself stays in good working order (the hardware), you can get a good 5 or 6 years out of an iPhone after its release.
This means that you do not need to replace it or upgrade it as security and functionality continues to run at a high level long after its release. A great shout environmentally, to save money and for ease of use, as a smartphone can become as familiar as a limb for some people.
The story is not as positive for Android. For example, Samsung phones only offer 4 years of software updates and 5 years of security updates for even the top of the range devices and Google only offer 3 years for older Pixel users, whilst this has been increased to 5 years for the Pixel 6 models and later.
Android models are clearly starting to increase the number of years they support phones with updates so its clearly something manufacturers realise consumers care about.
Philip Berne, US Editor at TechRadar pleaded;
“We respect things that are reliable. We respect products that last and last, proving their value. We respect devices that exceed our expectations and don’t let us down.”
“If I buy an iPhone 14 today, I know that Apple will support it for five or six years to come, maybe more….That’s long enough to be a hand-me-down, which is game-changing when a phone costs so much. I can use my iPhone 14 Pro for 3 years, then give it to my child to keep for another few years. I know that I’ll have the same parental locks and protection that I have today because Apple will keep updating.”
“If I buy a Samsung or Google phone today, the best I can hope for is four years of updates, and that’s only if I buy the best phones. If I buy anything less, that lifespan for support gets cut considerably.”
Needless to say, Philip is (was?) an Android fan until recently.
Resale Value
It is becoming more and more fashionable to buy a refurbished phone these days as you can get far more for your money and it is the perfect solution for people that like to change their phone as often as they change their outfits.
Devices that have a longer shelf life obviously hold their value for a lot longer and have become a better investment. They are also easier to sell on. The iPhone 13 series, for example, has held around 75% of its value after two years which is remarkable. A lot like buying a car, we want value for money as well as great functionality and style.
iMessage
In a similar way to Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, iMessage uses WiFi to send messages, photos and videos rather than the customer’s data which can save a fortune. You can also react and reply to iMessages, translate them and even send money using Apple Cash. None of this is possible through basic SMS messaging which is why you will find most Android users on WhatsApp as they cannot access iMessage as an alternative.
iPhones Are Cooler
To young people that is. The Wall Street Journal has declared that it is Generation Z that is driving Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market. Could it be that all their friends have one? Favourite celebrities and influencers? It is difficult to say but similar to the iPod back in the day, it is probably a combination of functionality, style, great branding and now, perhaps, the resale value.
Winning back users to Android
So is there a way for Google to close the gap and stop the mass migration from Android to iOS? One of the unique selling points of an Android phone is the fact that it can be more programmable, customisable and versatile than an iPhone (a bit like the PC vs Mac debate) but this shouldn’t come at the expense of customer experience
The Apple experience has always been one renowned amongst its users for seamless flow and customer intuition, like the device seems to know what you want to do before you do.
Android users don’t tend to like this user experience but it has proven extremely useful to people who aren’t super technical but still want to be able to make a video or edit a photo for example. The iPhone works straight out of the box and in these days where we just don’t have the time or the inclination to spend hours setting up our phones, it does what you need it to immediately so you can get on with your life.
Also there is the fact that several different phone manufacturers use the Android platform which means that you can’t be 100% sure which version you will get and when. With iPhone, you can upgrade to the latest iOS (assuming it is less than 6 years old) whichever model you have which makes the whole experience much more consistent on that level too.
User-experience and convenience are key and that is what Apple seems focus on when winning over Android users. Don’t count Android out though, it’s huge and supports a staggering number of devices around the world, with new mobile phone brands such as Nothing bringing new, cleaner experiences to the Android operating system.