I’m one of the few people on the planet who have tried iOS, Android, and Blackberry. After trying all three, I’ve discovered their strengths and weaknesses. Today, I welcome you to why Android is simply better.
Sideloading
While Apple has technically allowed alternate app stores on the iPhone, you have to be in the EU to access them, and the choice of alternative app stores is currently just one. Plus, with the crazy rules and fees Apple has put in place for developers to offer third-party app stores and sideloading—such as requiring them to have $1 million—you’re not going to see something like F-Droid anytime soon. For those who don’t know, F-Droid is a marketplace for open-source apps.
Some of my favorites from F-Droid are AntennaPod for podcasts, Pulse Music for music and Clima for weather. The reason I like downloading open-source apps for these smaller tasks is that they’re usually free to use, don’t have any ads clogging them up, and it’s less likely that they’re spying on you. Not impossible, but less likely.
With some of the bigger apps, I’m not too worried about downloading them because, well, at least I know who’s stealing my data. But with the little things, like a free calculator or Torch app from the Apple and Google Play stores, who knows how many people are spying on you with those?
Privacy
Would you believe that Android can actually be more private than iPhone? First off, because of sideloading, you can install apps from the internet without creating an account with all your real information. Plus, with apps like NetGuard, you can block other apps (those dodgy calculator ones) from accessing the internet.
Heck, because the whole operating system is open source, if you really wanted to, you could even install whole versions of Android onto your phone, with all the Google stuff taken out. I mean, could you imagine an iPhone without any Apple on it? Impossible. And so on iPhone, you’re stuck with Siri, your phone data can be given to the feds, and your Bluetooth is used to track other people’s AirTags.
Variety
With Android, at least there’s variety. The iPhone only comes in iPhone big and iPhone bigger, and you can choose whether you want the expensive model or the other expensive model. But with Android, there are options. Let’s say you want a good small phone, well, you’re out of luck. But if you want a good phone with a keyboard, then forget about it. And if you want the classic headphone jack back, then look somewhere else.
Android does have options, but I’ll admit it’s only the options that are popular right now. For instance, do you want a folding phone? Well, you’ve got it. Whereas I doubt Apple would ever have a folding phone because it would eat into their iPad sales. This is the iPad Pro. Want a phone with a stylus? Well, Android says you’re in luck, while Apple says you’re out of luck.
And if you do want those quirky features like headphone jacks and SD cards, well, you can get them—but probably on slightly not-as-good phones. But hey, at least you have the option. I mean, if you use an iPhone in America, you’re not even allowed to have a SIM card anymore. But fair is fair—Apple does need that space for nothing. Oh, it’s just plastic. Interesting.
Oh, and the most important part of why Android is better was pointed out by JerryRigEverything—how when you tap on a word, that’s where the cursor goes. Why can’t Apple make that happen? Plus, with software options like menu buttons, customizable shortcuts on the lock screen, and different launchers, you can make your phone work the way you want it to.
