iPhone vs. Android App Development: Which is the first to build your App?
If you are planning to build an app, Choosing the right platform is the first decision you need to make.
Isn't it?
Because, as we all know, it is very critical situation for every entrepreneur to choose the appropriate platform to develop a mobile application.
Are You Aware of this?
Mobile applications have become the basic need of everyone. From food orders to shopping, we all rely on mobile apps. Frankly speaking, the app stores of Google and Apple are the most visited shopping malls.
Nowadays, mobile application development is one of the fast-growing industries globally, and there are multiple things that you need to know about mobile app development.
Deciding whether or not to develop an Android or iOS business app mostly depends on five factors: the demographic, the project schedule, the App's necessary functionality, budget for app support, and sales targeting.
But, firstly, let's understand the significant difference b/w Android and iOS development.
What's the typical difference between iOS and Android App development?
As we know well, the most popular operating systems in recent days are Android, iOS, and Windows.
There is already a considerable growth in the number of smartphones using iOS and Android. According to recent research, 97% of the whole mobile growth market is governed by these two platforms.
These channels are the preferred option for the production process for such a target audience. The efficiency of the technology was calculated based on the market share.
There are some core variations, as both operating systems provide the same level of messaging, searching, and device comfort. To devote themselves to one smartphone operating system or another, startups should understand their target market.
1. Audience
Android may be the OS of choice for consumer preferences depending on your industry. For example, 3 billion geo-tagging tweets indicate that Android phone users are more likely to live in deprived areas. This may be critical insight for consumers seeking to target smaller disposable incomes or save costs such as train ticket sharing and voucher code applications.
In comparison, iOS devices are becoming more popular among business users. This is perfect for file-sharing or other business-oriented apps, mainly when security is a concern. The sand boxing system introduced by iOS helps every app run smoothly without worrying about unexpected events.
It states that most android users work in technical fields. iPhone users, on the other hand, are more affluent. They're also younger than Android users, with a higher proportion of people aged 18 to 24. The majority of Android users are men, while women choose iOS.
They're also more likely to use their mobile device to shop online. Overall, It will be suitable to conclude that the mobile app production of business on Android is complicated and expensive but can be beneficial long-term.
2. Project Timeline
How quickly do you want to launch your App?
Your timeline will play an essential role in deciding which platform should first be developed. It usually takes more time to develop for Android because of longer update times and platform fragmentation.
It takes longer to develop an app that works on several Android devices because there are thousands of Android devices with different screen sizes and operating systems.
Even though Apple controls all hardware and software, and iOS devices are far less than Android devices, iOS devices are becoming less standardized than previously. Since the iPhone X series release, developers have had to contend with a broader range of screen sizes and UI constraints.
Although developing for iOS is sometimes faster, it may take longer for the App Store to approve products under the premise of strict regulations and quality expectations. On the other hand, Android applications usually take a day or two to be accepted, and updates can be pushed out within hours.
3. Development Costs
There's a popular misconception on the Internet that iOS apps are more costly than Android apps.
But, What's the truth?
According to Cleveroad, the average number of hours required to develop a primary, medium, and complex mobile App is as follows;
- Basic App - 300 hrs.
- Medium App - 600 hrs.
- Complex app - 800 hrs.
Now, we can understand the cost and time of developing an application from scratch.
Android apps may be more expensive and time-consuming because of the wide range of devices and platforms. But it's a good thing that Android Studio can run on any modern PC instead of Apple's Xcode development platform, which only runs on Mac systems.
Android uses Java, whereas iOS makes use of Swift, Apple's programming language. Swift appears to be more convenient and tailored to the needs of iOS developers regularly. This cut costs by reducing the amount of time spent coding.
Note: When comparing iOS and Android for app development, keep in mind that both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store charge fees to publish apps. You will have to pay a one-time registration fee of $25 for Android apps. You must pay $99 per year to publish your App on the Apple App Store.
4. Performance testing
When it comes to testing, iOS takes a strict process by checking the App, before being allowed in the Apple store for battery drain, memory leaks, and general performance. Performance is one of the foremost factors to provide the best user experience.
This guarantees iOS users a high-quality application, which will not crash unexpectedly and run smoothly on all platforms and devices.
It is common for unreliable applications to be published that Google Play Store has no stringent testing policy. You feel that the market can automatically weed out bad apps by leaving poor reviews and ignoring them.
5. Revenue
The revenue structures behind Android and iOS reflect a few of Google and Apple's approaches.
There is a range of considerations, including the network on which the mobile App will produce a profit. If you consider that since Android has a higher market share, you should think about it again.
Though Android apps and customers are more numerous, Apple's app store generates a lot more sales than its competitors. Google Play earned $38.6B in revenue in 2020, while the App Store reached $72.3B in income, which is very high.
Higher publication prices on the App Store are the most significant reason.
Android consumer markets have generally outperformed iOS revenues - the App Store is projected to be the most profitable store in 2021. About 60 billion dollars in total consumer spending is expected in the next five years.
In short, Android is a suitable device for long-term investments to select from.
iOS also has the lead in terms of immediate sales.
The Selection of Platform Based on Android vs. iOS Users
We will discuss the following two crucial cases to determine our target users to choose the right platform.
Case 1. For Target Audience Who
- Live mainly in North America and Western Europe;
- Prefer creative and business profession;
- Spend more on the Internet and mobile apps;
- Focus on apps of the business, education, and lifestyle categories;
- Interested in more app purchases.
Case 2. For Target Audience Who
- Lives mainly in South America, Asia, Eastern, and Central Europe;
- Prefer professions of technology;
- Immensely enjoy the value for money;
- Be more careful with applications in the categories of tools, entertainment, and communication;
- More faithful to in-app advertising.
Android vs. iOS - So, which Wins?
If you're still having trouble identifying your concept and aren't sure which platform is best for your product idea, I suggest you consider the top 5 factors below;
- User location
- Targeted audience
- Budget, requirement, and project timeline
- Making decision
- Monetization
The battle between Android and iOS appears to be intensifying. Without a doubt, each platform has advantages and disadvantages.
Getting me or not?
If you want to create a money-making e-commerce app quickly and cheaply, iOS is unquestionably the best platform to use.
However, if you want to target your audience globally, especially Latin America and Asia, and the features you want to implement are not supported by Apple, Android is your best bet.
Similarly, enterprise mobile application creation will benefit from Apple's simplicity and dependability without compromising feature diversity or cross-platform functionality.
As you can see, there is no universal solution for any given situation. Before making a final decision, you should consider all options. I am optimistic that you will succeed. And I hope that this article has helped you get one step closer to your goal.
Take your chance and good luck.