In the world of mobile app development, the user target is still pretty much the king. Before starting creating apps you need a comprehensive knowledge of your target and the kind of apps they might download if they are willing to pay for the app and continue with in-app purchases, and many other questions. Understanding this will also help you reach an important decision; which mobile operating system the users prefer. Also understanding how behaviors vary between the iOS and Android users will enable you to establish which user group is the most suitable for the product you are trying to launch, and ultimately help you select the platform that is perfect for your project.
Smartphones have literally become small extensions to many people. Mobile phones are now an integral part of our lives, and according to reports by US Mobile App Reports, people spend 50% of their digital media time in mobile apps, and time spend opening mobile apps dominates time to spend on the mobile web.
Currently, there are two major giants that rule the landscape of mobile app development; Apple and Android. Statistics show that these completely dominate the mobile market with a 99.54 % share between them. So, how do you decide between the two?
Thankfully, there is plenty of information about the user than can help you determine which platform to adopt.
In this article, we will be taking a closer look at iOS and Android platforms, as well as their user behaviors.
The Operating System Market Size
A recent study has indicated that there are around 3.2 million apps on the Google Play Store alone while the Apple App Store has over 2 million apps.
From the figures above, it is easy for one to be tempted to go with apps on both operating systems. To even strengthen this argument, the number of downloads on both platforms is increasing with each passing day.
The latest data shows that the percentage of app downloads on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store increased around 30 folds in last year (2018).
However, the most crucial thing is user interest, followed by the main aim of your mobile app. In the question of which platform to go for over the other, if your main goal is user acquisition, the numbers suggest that Android is the way to go. But if your first agenda is to revenue generation, then Apple is a great option.
Device Compatibilities
There are some distinct dichotomies between iOS and Android devices that affect the user experience as well as impact the reasons you might go for one over the other.
For instance, Apple is usually strict on app submissions to its App Store, while Android allows for much more freedom when it comes to submitting apps to the Play Store. In iOS, apps also may take longer to develop as well as pass the necessary verification process, which results in a more reliable, secure and intuitive app experience. The Google Play Store is also fragmented across a number of smartphone manufacturers such as HTC. LG, Samsung, and Motorola, which means the user gets a customizable experience.
But that doesn’t mean these two scenarios make one platform better than the other. They both have advantages and disadvantages.
Apple users are known for being faithful to the consistent experience across all iOS devices as well as any updates that would follow, while Android users swear by the freedom and customizability that their devices offer.
So, while all smartphones are similar as far as their core purpose is concerned, it is clear that each set of users see their own platform in a unique way.