Instagram’s CEO Adam Mosseri recently ruffled some feathers by claiming Android phones are now better than iPhones. When asked for his best tech insights, he just said it– no elaboration. Seeming to imply that he once thought the opposite was true. His remark was hot enough to spark contentious debates all over the interwebs.
The clash of Android and iOS has been going on ever since the invention of smartphones. Both have achieved tremendous success since the launch of the first iPhone and Android gadgets in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Although, which one is more beloved depends on where you’re located.
In the US, iOS is dominant, and data from Counterpoint Research indicates that iPhone sales will surpass those of Android handsets in September 2022. According to estimates from the first quarter of 2023, Apple held a 52% share of the US smartphone market, Samsung was second with 27%, and the other brands included Google, Lenovo, and others.
Android is the market leader on a global level. There are a startling 3 billion Android smartphones that are actively used worldwide, according to the 2023 Google I/O developer conference. As of July 2023, according to Statistica, Android held a commanding 70.8% of the global market, making it the mobile operating system of choice for the majority of phone manufacturers. Apple’s iOS, in comparison, controls 28.4% of the market and is the second-most widely used OS.
Interestingly, during the launch of Threads, Instagram’s text-based counterpart, Meta confirmed its availability on both iOS and Android. However, iPhone users enjoyed a slight advantage as they received the latest features first, while Android users had to wait for an update.
Despite Mosseri’s statement, the debate between Android and iOS will likely persist among tech enthusiasts and users alike. Both operating systems continue to evolve and introduce new features, striving to attract and retain a loyal user base. Whether Android truly has the edge over iOS is subjective and largely dependent on individual preferences and needs. As technology advances, the rivalry between the two giants will undoubtedly remain an exciting and ongoing aspect of the ever-changing smartphone landscape.