HoFo Blog

I'm an Android user and, despite the fanboy graphic you see above, I come in peace.

Yesterday I came across a list of 10 reasons why people buy iPhones instead of Android phones. As a student of smartphone history it piqued my interest; while it's an inescapable fact that Android is currently the world's most popular computer OS (and that includes Windows on desktop computers), it also seems to be true that in certain parts of the world—Japan, the U.S. and Canada are immediate places that come to mind—you still see more iPhones than Androids in people's hands.

Why is that?

There are undoubtedly many answers to this question; I've added my own to the list that I found, and I'm hoping that you'll do the same...

1. They like iOS better than Android

I've definitely some firsthand evidence to support this. I remember showing my niece whatever Nexus phone I was using at the time and she promptly handed it back, saying that it was "too confusing". With home screen widgets and app drawers versus screen after screen of app icons (with folders for advanced users) I can appreciate that.

2. iPhones support all of the apps that most people want

It's not nearly as much of an issue as it was a few years ago, but with some game titles—Super Mario Run, for example—it's still very much the case.

3. They’ve heard all kinds of things (true and false) about the security of iOS

I would think the opposite, that iPhone users have heard all sorts of bad things about Android security. To some extent it's a fair point.

4. iPhones play well with other Apple devices

Hey, in for a penny, in for a pound, right?

In all seriousness, just as the Linux-based Android OS makes for a good fit with my desktop Linux computers, the tight integration between iOS and Mac OS makes a good case for why you'd use both.

5. They’ve already owned an iPhone

I'll admit that I completely missed the boat when the iPhone 3G came to Canada; at that time I was still a Mac user, but also a cheerleader for Team Nokia. In fact, I only really bought a Nexus One in 2010 to try out a new carrier (Mobilicity) and also because Nokia decided not to lend me an N8.

Bad move, Nokia.

6. iPhones are easy to recognize

I think what the list is trying to say is that iPhone is a safe, dependable choice—which until Google's Pixel didn't really exist in the Android ecosystem.

7. iPhones aren’t packed with bloatware added by the carrier

With a few exceptions Android is guilty as charged; no argument here.

8. They think an iPhone will last longer than an Android phone

I would say that the opposite is true—depending on the phone, of course. With a good custom ROM I could still use my 2014 Nexus 5 or OnePlus One as a daily driver if I wanted to.

9. iPhones seem easier to resell than Android phones

Can't deny that. I would further say that getting a subsidized iPhone might even be worth locking yourself into a carrier contract if you plan on selling it right away.

10. They aren’t comparing phones based on raw specifications

Even if they were, iPhone hardware is made to run iOS, so you'd still have a solid case for the iPhone being the better choice.

When all is said and done the only really important thing is that you use what's right for you. Nonetheless, any comments you add below will help us Android users understand you better.

Source: Cheat Sheet

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