Often, it gets difficult to jump the gun on whether you should chase Android for app development or iOS due to the awesome features that both technologies offer.
If we compare both the architecture and the UI of iOS and Android, they’re relatively similar. However, they incorporate different development and maintenance processes and strategies.
Besides development, the two technologies also differ in marketing and design. Also, there are a wide array of significant differences between them.
For instance, Android offers the best customization, while iOS is relatively more secure.
On one hand, Android, ruled by Google, is a mobile operating system based on the Linux kernel. On the contrary, iOS is ruled by Apple.
 When we compare the market statistics for Android and iOS, it is clear that Android applications are thriving.
According to Statista, Android smartphones dominante the 70% of the mobile market, implying that Android is in high demand.
If you’ve stumbled upon this debate of Android vs. iOS too, make sure you get along with the blog to know which overtakes the other.
What’s an Android?
Android is an open-source mobile operating system that’s based on the Linux Kernel. It was designed to run on touchscreen mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. It’s developed in different programming languages such as Java, C++, C, and many more.
The first Android version was released in 2008, and the latest version ruling on Android smartphones is Android 13.
Benefits of using android
1. Popularity
Considering the stats of Google Trends, it’s no wrong to say that Android is in massive demand and has been searched by more than 80% of people. Most people highly gravitate toward this technology for mobile development.
2. High ROI
Android comes with a high return on investment. You don’t have to pay a bomb for the entire app development cycle, and in return, it results in a high ROI.
Furthermore, its development cycle involves app design and development, app testing, and app deployment.
3. Open Source
Being an open-source technology, most companies get smitten by this technology. Its standout features make it the edge in the smartphone industry.
The open-source feature of Android makes it easy for developers to get the source code and change it.
4. Diverse market
Due to differences in devices, the market for Android is quite fragmented.
 In a nutshell, you can easily develop Android mobile applications for many devices, such as smart TVs, in-car systems, different gadgets and wearables, and many more, and can also port the features of devices to a new version.
5. High customization
The foremost reason behind creating the android was to offer extensive flexibility with ease of modification.
With its awesome customization feature and UI, developers can build a host of compelling applications with diverse features.
Drawbacks of using android
1. Mobile device fragmentation
Although Android offers fragmentation, it can be an issue with device fragmentation.
Often, to battle the issue, either the number of support devices is reduced or the app’s quality is compromised, eventually resulting in a poor user experience.
2. Lack of security
You must be wondering what the drawbacks could be to android development as it has got a lot to offer.
Its security update is a hassle for most Android users, which makes the device more vulnerable to hacking. Google comes with frequent updates and most users aren’t aware of them.
3. Cumbersome Testing process
It’s not easy to test all Android devices as they run on different Android versions and use different hardware.
It’s challenging to test the application quickly on all the platforms. Often, it’s observed that QAs have to invest more time and effort into testing an application across all the platforms.
What’s new in Android 13 for developers?
Android 13 brings intrinsically appealing features for developers that can enhance productivity, making it easier to improve the user experience.
 1. Privacy and security
The privacy and security features make Android 13 more likable for developers as the photo selection gets more secure with the APK signature and more.
2. Event Permissions
The developers get access to the user schedule to be aware of users’ likeability and preferences.
It helps developers cater to personalized experiences for users based on their preferences.
However, it often leads to misuse of the data as the app might use it for unintended purposes.
 Hence, Google has provided extra safety by auditing frequently on the Play Store and re-checking the permissions, which also gives companies a chance to remove applications that abuse the permissions.
 3. Runtime receivers
Broadcast receivers have always played a paramount role in app development. It gives the latest updates on the application.
Before Android 13, the developers had to protect the registered devices with signature permission to ensure that the devices were safe from the unprotected broadcast.
It was a hassle for developers as the entire process was tedious. However, with Android 13, it makes the entire process safer by enabling developers to select a particular broadcast receiver. It should be visible to other applications.
Also, if the broadcast receivers accept the broadcast from other applications, they will quote it.
In addition, it also gives you an option of customization where you don’t have to go through the entire bothersome process of signature permission.
4. Themed Icons
With Android 13, the material YOU feature is upgraded with some more additional features. One such feature worth mentioning is the themed icons.
Themed icons enable you to adjust the app’s appearance from the library in resonance with the device’s wallpaper.
Once you enable the themed icons, you’d be amazed to see that the entire user interface feels uniform as the icons discreetly blend into the background.
5. Settings Tab
If you remember, in Android 12, Google gave the option to developers to extend quick actions from the application in a similar way as the toggles work in quick settings.
However, it was done manually, which didn’t make it much preferred among the developers.
Android 13 emphasizes more on enhancing the quick settings of apps with the introduction of the quick setting placements API.
It enables developers to include the API within their applications. It allows users to instantly add the app’s quick actions to the quick settings panel without putting in any effort.
iOS
iOS is a mobile operating system that was launched by Apple in 2007. It runs on Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads. It’s based on the Darwin (BSD) operating system and is written in Objective-C, C++, C, assembly language, and Swift.
Benefits of using iOS
1. Popularity
Considering the stats of Google Trends, it’s evident that more than 40%of people search for iOS.
2. Outstanding performance
The silver lining of using iOS for app developers and why people are head over heels for this technology is its outstanding performance. The iOS-based applications serve excellent performance due to their high quality and usability.
3. Awesome user experience
The iOS applications run seamlessly on the iPhone, serving the best user experience with its flawless software, hardware, and customer support that are sufficient enough to attract users from across the world.
4. Less Development time
If compared with the development of android applications, the android application relatively requires more time in development than iOS as android applications are tested on multiple devices ending up consuming more time than iOS.
5. Easy testing process
The device fragmentation isn’t as high as in Android as Apple merely brings an update to its OS once a year.
While Android brings nearly two updates a year, In addition, there are fewer Apple devices than Android devices, resulting in easy testing for iOS-based applications.
Drawbacks of using iOS
1. Exorbitant development process
The flip side of using iOS for app development is its exorbitant cost compared to Android.
The Xcode IDE on the Mac hikes up its cost before kick-starting the development cycle. The developers have to use Apple devices, which are quite expensive than android devices.
2. Less customization
The stringent guidelines and restrictions in iOS applications make them less customizable, which often sways away the developers.
3. App release
The app’s release on Apple’s app store isn’t an easy deal due to the hardcore Apple store review policies.
It may also reject the application based on a lack of security or poor performance. You have to submit the application a few days prior to real-time testing, which is not appreciated.
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What’s new in iOS 16 for developers?
iOS 16 brings great cutting-edge features to iPhones, which can be highly appreciated by users. Besides, it’s a great sigh of relief for iOS developers as well.
1. App Intent
It’s a new Swift framework that’s explicitly designed to make it easier to develop new app shortcuts.
It enables users to quickly complete tasks with just a mere tap or voice. You can easily launch applications with the assistance of these shortcuts, such as Siri or Spotlight.
2. In-App Purchase
You can enhance the new in-app purchasing by using the new APIs and updates. You can control the activities, such as when you want the store kit messages to appear,sync the in-app purchases from the app store connected with Xcode.
You can also make the most of these awesome added testing tools such as requiring test notifications, testing in-app purchases, and many more to enhance the user experience. Undoubtedly, all thanks to iOS 16!
3. Machine Learning
You can make the best use of XCode 14 to optimize and assess the core ML features and can create performance reports without any dire need for coding.
The Core ML also supports the Float 16, which, when combined with APIs for output buffer backings, allows for efficient control of data from Core ML models, in-memory model instantiation, sparse weight compression, and computing limitation to the Neutral engine.
You can also develop an ML app to inquisitively learn about the model’s accuracy, discover key metrics, and analyze the use cases to improve the model’s quality.
4. Swift UI
SwiftUI is the best way to develop an outstanding user interface on all Apple devices.
Once you’re well-versed in it, you’re good to play! With iOS 16, Apple claims it to be more dynamic, powerful, and adaptable.
You can create the layout with diverse options of custom layouts and can also take entire control of the app’s navigation with its API.
5. XCode
Developers should take leverage of SwiftUI’s enhanced app experience and double their coding speed with the upgraded editor features.
You’re ready to deploy from XCode Cloud to Test Flight and the App Store.
6. WidgetKit
You can use WidgetKit to develop widgets for the iPhone’s lock screen and witness a splendid experience with SwiftUI.
Just write the code once for iOS 16 and you’re good to share the infrastructure in ease with the existing home screen widgets.
Is Android easier to develop than iOS?
Inexperienced developers would also find it relatively easier to develop iOS applications as it requires less development time and is easier to maintain.
Android uses programming languages such as Kotlin and Java, while iOS uses Swift and Objective-C.
When considering native mobile app development, Swift is easier to learn and use as it requires less code work, which saves time.
Which is easier to learn?
If you just want to target a customer base, it’s wise to chase learning iOS development, while if you want to target varied customer bases, go ahead with learning Android.
Swift, which is used for developing iOS applications, is a beginner-friendly language that’s easier to grasp and is exclusive to Apple products, which is rare to find outside of iOS application development.
Android applications are based on Java and Kotlin, where Kotlin is primarily used for developing Android applications.
If you’re already a Java developer and are inquisitive to get out of the confined world, it’s wise to learn Android as you can develop various kinds of applications with it.
Which integrated development environment is the best?
When you kick off developing an application, the first question that may pop up in your mind will be which IDE is better ( Xcode or Android Studio) and which one should you prefer?
When you develop an application, you get the same leverage and control regardless of which one you’re using.
However, if you use XCode, you get the UI Kit Libraries and SwiftUI, which you don’t get in the Android Studio.
But if you’re an Android fan, don’t get disheartened as the Android Studio offers great additional features.
The design tools in Xcode work great. When it comes to source editors, both Android Studio and Xcode work equally well.
However, Android Studio has an advanced code editor with a better layout designer.
Conclusion
Deciding which is best between the two is is a tough bet as it highly depends on individual preferences.
It’s a win-win situation when it comes to selecting one platform for your app development.
Both iOS and Android have advantages to offer. Furthermore, it also depends on your target market, the features you want to incorporate into the application, and your business goals.
