Globally Android is WAY more dominant than iOS and is even gaining in market share slowly. So it's certainly not in decline. Honestly I think it's that people have gotten over the whole "iOS vs Android!" battle and have been content just using the OS they prefer and leaving others to do the same.
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Android in Decline?
- Thread starter xxray
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I’m not talking about apps but getting the next version of Android. It’s well known that many android phones never see an update to a newer version.
Here's two snapshots and it shows a fragmented picture where the the last version of Android 11 is only in the 20 percent mark where as iOS 14 is 90% and that's my point exactly. With the iPhone you can expect annual updates. that's not the case for many (most?) android phones.
Better notifications, customizability, file storage and access, 3rd party app access, innovative features arrive on Android first, Google Assistant, better quick access, multi-window software, true multitasking, stylus support, etc. These are all user experience enhancements, nothing to do with specs, and are all things that Android does better than iOS (some of which iOS doesnt even support).
For some of us iOS offers enough of a good user experience not to need to switch. I switched from Android in 2012 and never looked back. I’m sure it’s light years better 9 years on but I’ve been so content with the iPhone I’ve never really cared. We are just in an era now where both are great choices and we use what we like and prefer. 
Apple also needs to update because the core apps such as mail, calendar, contacts, etc., are built into the OS, whereas on Android all those AND the phone dialer app can be updated through the Play Store.
Agree…I don’t think Android as an OS is in decline, actually far from it. There are alot of changes over the past few versions that really improved the OS and brought to parity in some ways with similar functionality on iOS. And as many have mentioned, they’ve led iOS in many areas as well since it’s inception.
For me personally, speaking from the perspective of a US consumer, my lack of interest in trying new Android devices is the hardware, or lack there of. Samsung plays the part of Apple here in the US and I just don’t find their devices compelling (not an objective statement but rather my personal opinion and preferences, to be clear). After that, the choice for quality phones is next to nothing. Pixels have compromises every single year, and after OnePlus (which have their own issues, IMO), there’s nothing noticeable to choose from.
What keeps my interest in Apple and iPhones is the entire ecosystem. Look at how much of the new features announce at WWDC are ecosystem plays—things that offer advantages when you’re using multiple Apple devices. I realize that’s not everyone by a long shot but it does apply to me and creates an experience greater than the sum of it’s parts. The minor tweaks to Android don’t compare to the changes I’ll experience across iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, etc.
Just my $0.02.
Most of those make no difference to me, if they did I would have a Galaxy…which is why I say specs.
Some of the list is wrong or inconsequential to be. Google assistant for example, meh. Innovative features on android first is plain wrong.
As with all, YMMV.
IMO, that’s a generalized statement with no basis in reality.
Those things I listed aren't specs, they are user experience and software features. If those things don't matter to you then great, stick with iOS. Nobody is trying to convert you. But to say android is all specs and no features just because they don't matter to you is wrong.
And yes, Android is more innovative than iOS and has been for years. That's really not even up for debate. What features have iOS added in the past 5 years that android didn't already have first?
Android really hasn’t been more innovative than iOS over the years that’s flat out wrong. More options aren’t necessarily better all the time. It’s not about who did it first, it’s about who did it best. For example…Touch ID, Face ID. Android has very few firsts. Most of what is implemented has been somewhere else first.
Now you're moving the goalposts. I asked for examples and the latest you could give me was FaceID which was introduced in 2017. Funny thing is, I agree that it's the last innovative thing Apple have introduced to iOS.
We’ll you did say innovations, and many of androids “innovations” have been invented elsewhere. So there is that.
Are you under the impression that Apple invented fingerprint scanners or face unlock technology? If so, I have bad news for you.
Did android (Google) invent these? They may have used them first in a phone, but until apple rolled out Touch ID…it became the gold standard. Did android invent under the screen fingerprint reader?
I won’t say Android is in decline.
However, as Apple continues to build up their ecosystem, it becomes clearer and clearer that simply having a “good” smartphone just isn’t enough to compete with Apple these days.
For example, you can point to the periscope camera that the huawei phone has, or the 100x zoom of the Samsung S20, or try to use some feature that a new android phone has to show that the iPhone is somehow lagging behind, and my answer is and always will be the same.
Sure, and what about the rest of the ecosystem?
Moreso than ever before, Apple is increasing leveraging its ability to integrate hardware and software to create unique experiences that customers have demonstrated that they have no qualms paying for.
This poses a serious problem for the competition because as Apple continues to aggregate the best spenders in the world, that increasing leaves less and less money on the table for everyone else.
Which in turn means more R&D money for Apple, and less for the rest.
It’s a trend that’s becoming more and more apparent as we see more smartphone manufacturers exit the market over time because they simply haven’t been able to turn a profit.
In the end, one bets against Apple to their own detriment.
However, as Apple continues to build up their ecosystem, it becomes clearer and clearer that simply having a “good” smartphone just isn’t enough to compete with Apple these days.
For example, you can point to the periscope camera that the huawei phone has, or the 100x zoom of the Samsung S20, or try to use some feature that a new android phone has to show that the iPhone is somehow lagging behind, and my answer is and always will be the same.
Sure, and what about the rest of the ecosystem?
Moreso than ever before, Apple is increasing leveraging its ability to integrate hardware and software to create unique experiences that customers have demonstrated that they have no qualms paying for.
This poses a serious problem for the competition because as Apple continues to aggregate the best spenders in the world, that increasing leaves less and less money on the table for everyone else.
Which in turn means more R&D money for Apple, and less for the rest.
It’s a trend that’s becoming more and more apparent as we see more smartphone manufacturers exit the market over time because they simply haven’t been able to turn a profit.
In the end, one bets against Apple to their own detriment.
As an iPhone user I’d say Android probably is more innovative from a software point of view and firsts do tend to define that. Apple tend to copy others but do it better from what I’ve seen and you’d hope so seeing as they often bring things to the iPhone years later. I remember wireless charging finally came to the iPhone 8, some 6 years after it was first seen on an Android device. TouchID and FaceID were probably Apples most notable innovations. I can’t say I thought they were the most exciting though but certainly improved the user experience.
I love the iPhone overall and after a few years on a very buggy Android, it was a breath of fresh air.
Some of the prepaid retailers sell the current SE for $50-200 now, typically locked to their service for some number of months, so at least here, a lot of the budget market is already covered. I don't know of anything Android side that really beats that at the moment. I do like Android's software and interface though.
They all do that. Samsung and others have tweaked Android to their liking with every revision. It's not particularly different.
Neither platform is going anywhere, anytime soon.
Bit of a ridiculous thread really, there's no sign of ios or android slowing down, developing markets are there to tap into, and the established markets crave new products.
If this were Apple vs HTC then fair call.
Bit of a ridiculous thread really, there's no sign of ios or android slowing down, developing markets are there to tap into, and the established markets crave new products.
If this were Apple vs HTC then fair call.
so basically your complaint against android is that you want the latest version of android on your phone, why? If your android phone works with what it currently has, why are you looking for updates? Just because Apple updates iOS, it does not mean Google has to follow suit with android. My 2 year old Motorola works fine with the android version it has on it, no issues with battery charge or battery drain (apple has had to release numerous updates to fix battery issues in iOS), no wifi or bluetooth issues, no audio issues, no screen issues. As the saying goes 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and that seems to be the way Google has gone with android, it's not broken so why keep messing with it like Apple does with iOS.
This is a really bad mindset that somewhat propagates amongst Android enthusiasts. It creates an excuse for Google and the rest of Android OEMs to ignore security and accountability. Motorola just announced a $399 Moto G stylus 5G phone, and they only promised 1 year of OS update. Only 1 year of OS support for a $399 phone! Worse, it comes with Android 11, so the only update it would get is Android 12, which is already coming out later this year. And that's it. That's beyond ridiculous, and not any better than a $100 Xiaomi phone. Talk about e-waste.
Let me ask you, do you stop patching your PC? Do you refuse any security updates, any Windows defenders updates from Microsoft? Do you run old versions of your browsers, unpatched? Do you expect a PC to only have a year or 2 of security updates? None of these are acceptable, yet we are okay with it on our most personal and advance computer in our pocket?
This is why I'm biased towards Samsung. Samsung is not a saint, but at least they are brave enough to promise 3 years of security updates on roughly their whole lineup, albeit some only getting it on a quarterly basis. That's better than the 1 to 2 years tops other OEMs are offering, even for their expensive phones.
Just exactly why is it a bad mindset? If there are security issues found within android OS then I expect secuirty updates to occur. If there are no issues then why would I want to update android? If it works, leave it alone.This is a really bad mindset that somewhat propagates amongst Android enthusiasts. It creates an excuse for Google and the rest of Android OEMs to ignore security and accountability. Motorola just announced a $399 Moto G stylus 5G phone, and they only promised 1 year of OS update. Only 1 year of OS support for a $399 phone! Worse, it comes with Android 11, so the only update it would get is Android 12, which is already coming out later this year. And that's it. That's beyond ridiculous, and not any better than a $100 Xiaomi phone. Talk about e-waste.
Let me ask you, do you stop patching your PC? Do you refuse any security updates, any Windows defenders updates from Microsoft? Do you run old versions of your browsers, unpatched? Do you expect a PC to only have a year or 2 of security updates? None of these are acceptable, yet we are okay with it on our most personal and advance computer in our pocket?
This is why I'm biased towards Samsung. Samsung is not a saint, but at least they are brave enough to promise 3 years of security updates on roughly their whole lineup, albeit some only getting it on a quarterly basis. That's better than the 1 to 2 years tops other OEMs are offering, even for their expensive phones.
Your windows example is idiotic because I had already stated that android updates should take place if secuirty issues are found.
Unfortunately not, had 3 people I know switch from their samsung to a iPhone, asked them for their verdict 3 month later, told me they're never going back.
There is a certain polish and consistency that you get with iOS that for some reason has never been the case with android.
That'll be why after using a Droid Incredible, Samsung S3, HTC M8 and then a Nexus 6, and years of instability, constant random reboots, simply awful battery life and inconsistency in GUIs that I moved to the calmer, stable calm waters of Apple.
In the same time I ripped thru 3 Android flagship that all failed in one way or another, my iPhone 7plus has held the course.
And you know what, for as much as I played with customization and all that jazz: I miss almost none of it.
You still seem to think that your dislike of iOS means something. It doesn't.
Such dangerous and tiny mindset. Unfortunate, as it gives Google and the OEMs zero accountability.
Google has monthly security updates for Android. If there's no security issues, why Google do this in the first place? sheesh.
Funny that this is the usual reply I read from your side here & follows a very familiar pattern:
1} Is this a new feature only on Apple?
Remind Apple users where it came from originally, irrespective of the type of device.
2} Is it a new Apple feature originally on Android?
Remind Apple users that Android had the feature first.
3} Is this a new feature only on Android?
Ignore any previous versions of the feature on other non smartphone devices (also negates rule 1 for Apple) and remind Apple users just how amazingly innovative and great Android is.