Editor’s note: This article looks at the iOS vs. Android rivalry beyond market share, from device profits and monetization models to regional preferences. Specializing in software engineering for demanding industries, including healthcare, insurance and investment, ScienceSoft develops apps for both platforms and helps companies decide which one to launch on first.
The Apple vs. Still, there was not so much fascination to come. As Gartner said in their February 2017 report, the use of Android and iOS platforms currently accounts for 81.7% and 17.9% respectively, leaving only 0.4% for Windows, Blackberry and other platforms. Tech experts returned to the fancy metaphor and declared the end of the “platform wars”.
..Is that it? No roller coaster jumps or tug of war? No great climax? As well. Nevertheless, this does not make the fighting platform less competitive, and if we connect all the dots, it is clear that the “war” was more than simple declarations.
iPhone7 vs Pixel
Since the iPhone’s debut on the market, Apple has tried hard to make it flawless on its own. However, long-term iPhone sales are reportedly in decline, especially since Q3’16. Already disappointing in 2016, iPhone7 sales are predicted to be even lower in 2017.
Android, on the other hand, has long been represented in the market by many manufacturers. But after Google delivered its own Android device, they couldn’t come close to Apple’s sales. In fact, according to Morgan Stanley financial agency, Pixel is half as profitable for Google as iPhone7 for Apple: while Pixel generates 22-25% gross profit margin, iPhone7 makes about 41%.
In-app purchases vs. in-app advertising
Android mobile development is mainly focused on monetization via in-app ads, which is logical since Android users initiate 17% more app sessions per month than iOS users. Meanwhile, iOS developers prefer to get financial profit from paid apps and in-app purchases, which are 32% more likely to happen compared to Android. Overall, Swrve statistics showed that even though Apple owns a market segment that is about 5 times smaller, it still surpasses Android in terms of revenue per user.
East vs. West
The popularity of each platform is very different around the globe. While the West favors iOS devices, Asian countries except Japan show a visible preference for Android, and in Europe Apple and Google platforms are almost equally popular. This leaves no possibility to talk about the dominant global popularity of either.
Platform wars are over.. or are they?
Although they may not be easy to see at first glance, the “crises” of mobile platforms have actually happened and some are not over yet. With all the differences between Apple and Google’s monetization policies, their devices and audiences, it is difficult to determine neither losers nor winners. Maybe it’s not the right time to graduate. Or maybe there is no need to do it – the mobile development market feels good with two alternatives.