iPhone is easier to use than Android phone. Or, flipping that around, Android phone is too hard for the average user to figure out. Read on as we discuss the main reasons why iPhones are easier to use than Android phones.
Top reasons why iPhones are easier to use than Android phones
iPhone is one of the easiest smartphones to use. One of its primary design characteristics is user friendliness and simplicity of basic system tasks. Its ease and lack of difficulty is considered a positive by users who want their device to work. With that in mind, here are the real reasons why iPhones are easier to use than Android phones:
iPhone don’t require extensive customization
The ability to tweak Android has for long been one of its strong points. But, just like other times, too much of anything is bad
Sometimes, what we love about Android makes it a less enticing platform to the general consumer. Users prefer Android platform because of the flexibility and level of control it provides in terms of customization and personalization. This is in stark contrast to Apple’s iOS which pretty much restrict any customization. While there are some clear benefits of customization, there are some problems too.
While Google and its partnered manufacturers have been getting better at making Android more intuitive, especially after Android 12, the truth is it can still be a bit confusing. Dealing with random icon placements, endless settings, and full customization isn’t for everyone.
An android phone can be modified and customised in various ways, but the basic features of its operating system are much more complicated and confusing than the iOS system.
Apple fans love their operating system’s simplicity, and it is arguably one of the things iOS does better than Android. There isn’t much to iOS, and that’s part of the allure. Many iPhone lovers don’t want a phone to mess around with and customize. They want a device that works well, is easy to use, and can take them to their content with the least amount of effort. This is what the “it just works” expression is all about.
iPhones have simple user interface
The iPhone’s interface is intuitive, which makes it easy to use. Their usability comes from simple operating logic: all the apps are launched from the home screen. All the settings, for example, can be found under one menu. And even if you upgrade your iPhone to the newest model, the operating system still works the same way and taking it into use is easy.
The user experience for iOS is intuitive enough to have almost no learning curve. I have seen kids who have never used a smartphone figure out the basics in 10 minutes. Similarly, if you already own an iOS device, you can switch to any other and immediately know exactly how it works.
With iOS, you get home pages with rows and columns of icons, which you can organize as you wish, but there’s no app drawer to hide things — it’s all laid out in front of you. The settings are straightforward, and the experience is always the same, no matter which Apple mobile device you’re using.
iPhones sports advanced technology under the hood, such as a global search feature and multitasking capabilities, yet the basic day-to-day use of the device is so easy that most people are able to jump right into using it.
Apple doesn’t clutter the main screen with clocks and widgets and other features you may not want. Instead, the main screen is filled with apps—the main reason you purchased the iPhone. Tap an app and it opens. Click the Home button (on iPhones that have one), which is the only physical button on the front of the iPhone, and the app closes, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen on iPhones that don’t have a physical Home button. Swipe from right to left or from left to right, and you move between screens. It’s that simple.
Android device fragmentation
Many interpret this term in the narrow sense, believing that, with regard to Android, it means the simultaneous coexistence of updated and non-renewable smartphones. In a broader sense, fragmentation means dividing something into many disparate fragments. In the case of Android, fragmentation is a consequence of the use of the operating system by different manufacturers who cover it with their own shells rather than develop a custom platform.
Few people understand that due to the fragmentation, our smartphones are equipped with functions that are not available in the original version of Android.
In fact, Android is considered the most fragmented operating system that has ever existed. Google’s natural desire to develop and improve its mobile OS has led to the emergence of one of the key shortcomings of the Android platform. The most common operating system for smartphones and tablets is present on hundreds of millions of devices, which at the same time operate on many different versions of the system, differing from each other not just by serial number, but by features, functionality, and compatibility with applications.
Inconsistency between phone makers creates a learning curve, as most Android phones look and feel different from one another.
I’ve been using smartphones for quite some time now. I primarily use an iOS device, but have also dabbled with android devices which my family members/friends use.
The core issue seems to be the software overlay put on by OEMs. To each manufacturer, his own. Android’s greatest strength, which is being open to all, is also one of its major weaknesses, I would say. This results in some parts of the UI not remaining constant throughout (while the rest does remain the same). Samsung has a different way of showing things to you. HTC has another way, and, Sony has something different for you.
The basic issue is, you have hundreds of OEMs, and thousands of SKUs/phone models, each with its own set of unique features. Android has to cater to all of it. And each manufacturer will also try to add his style and taste to the OS. All of this ends up in a slightly varied experience across android devices
In short, the problem with Android is that you’re never quite sure what user experience (UX) you’re going to get.
When purchasing a flagship product with Android from a reputable manufacturer, the end-user can expect a fast, stable and ergonomic machine, which in turn, is reflected in the price. On the other hand, Android’s licensing is quite permissive and allows just about anybody to manufacture Android-equipped devices. Inexpensive machines, however, can have a very different UX with steep learning curve.
See also: Why are iPhones Faster Than Android Phones? Here’s The Truth
Conclusion
Compared to competing Android smartphones, iPhones are easier to use, more stable, and works more smoothly. In terms of overall user experience for a non-technical user, Apple’s iOS has a distinct advantage over Google’s Android OS. It’s a robust, user-friendly operating system with a simple UI. Because its features are simple to understand and use, it makes the iPhone appealing to many users.