iPhone Vs. Android Users: What Are the Differences Between Them?

iOS and Android are the two most popular smartphone operating systems (OS) globally. They exist to serve specific devices, users, and developers, which influences the type and number of applications developed for each OS.

Companies planning to release mobile apps can benefit from understanding the differences between iPhone and Android users. By learning about different user behaviors, needs, and preferences, they can develop commercially viable mobile apps that dominate the market and satisfy users.

In this article, you’ll learn about the differences between iPhone and Android users. Specifically the differences in market share, user behavior, preferences, and app usage. You’ll also learn how to choose the best OS for your mobile app development project.

Key Takeaways:

• iPhone and Android users have different preferences regarding spending habits, user behavior, and security concerns for each platform.
• These differences influence which mobile OS you should develop your app for.
• Cross-platform development has become a popular choice due to using one source code for both platforms.

Differences Between iPhone vs Android Users

Below is a detailed breakdown of the differences between iPhone and Android users.

We’ll discuss their differences in market share, user behavior, app preferences, and brand loyalty. We’ll also cover how users’ privacy and security concerns influence their smartphone purchasing habits.

First, let’s cover the global smartphone market share.

Global Smartphone Market Share

Android is currently the leading mobile OS worldwide, with a market share of about 72% as of Q4 2024 according to Statista. The same study also found that iOS, Android’s closest competitor, had a market share of about 27% in the same period.

Despite Android’s clear global mobile OS market share dominance, some regions favor iOS.

In the United States, about 57.7% of mobile users prefer iOS, while about 42% of mobile users prefer Android. Australia yields similar results, with the iOS and Android split being about 55.6% (iOS) and 43.5% (Android).

Experts suggest that iOS performs better in countries where the dominant demographic is young, high-income earners, and early adopters of new technology.

Spending and User Behavior

Research shows that Android and iOS users spend money on and interact with their operating systems differently.

Even though Android users dominate the global mobile operating system market, iOS users are willing to spend more money on apps. iOS accounted for 68% of app consumer spending in 2024, according to Business of Apps App Revenue Data (2025) Report.

For businesses that want to monetize their free or paid apps, launching an iOS app could result in a more profitable product.

Regarding user behavior, iOS users spend about 5 hours of screen time per day. They typically spend time on text messages and selfies. On the other hand, Android users spend less time on their devices, with an average screen time of 3 hours and 42 minutes. Android users tend to take less selfies than iOS users, too.

For these reasons, iOS is often a better platform for releasing social apps, while Android is best suited for productivity apps.

App Preferences

In terms of app usage, Android and iOS users have similar app preferences. TikTok, Temu, and ChatGPT were the three most popular mobile applications for Android and iOS users in 2024, according to AppBrain and Apple.

Meta’s answer to Instagram, Threads, was the second-most downloaded app on the Apple Store, while being the 11th most downloaded app on the Google Play Store. CapCut Video Editor was the 6th most downloaded app across both app stores. This data shows that Android and iOS users favor social media, shopping, entertainment, and productivity apps equally.

What about shop size? The Google Play Store has around 1.8 million apps and 240 thousand games, while the Apple App Store has around 1.7 million apps and 208 thousand games. Most apps are free to download, with less than 5% being paid-to-own across storefronts.

Brand Loyalty and Satisfaction

Samsung is still the leader in the Android smartphone market, so it makes sense to compare its brand loyalty and customer satisfaction rates to Apple. Admittedly, though, the two companies are tied closely.

While Apple once had historically higher brand loyalty and customer satisfaction than Samsung, research shows this is no longer the case.

A 2024 survey made by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) found that Apple and Samsung had a customer satisfaction rating of 82 out of 100 – a 3% point increase for Samsung compared to the previous year.

Privacy and Security Concerns

In terms of privacy and security, Android and iOS have their unique advantages. Android is known for its customization and open-source nature, while iOS is known for its closed ecosystem and carefully curated environment.

Privacy and Security Features

Both Android and iOS are utilizing emerging technology, such as AI, to bolster their security capabilities.

iOS has Apple Intelligence, an AI-powered system that uses generative models to help users perform everyday tasks. It relies on on-device processing to understand the personal context deeply while protecting user privacy.

Android 15, released in 2024, introduced a range of new privacy and security features. These include AI-powered malware detection and prevention, which analyzes large amounts of data in order to detect patterns of suspicious behavior and prevent unauthorized access. Other Android security features include Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock, which work together to minimize the impact of device theft.

Which mobile OS do users think is more secure? 55% of users chose iOS as the mobile OS that best protects their privacy and security, and only 34% selected Android, according to Tinuiti’s ‘How U.S. Consumers Really Feel About Online Privacy and Marketing in 2023’ report.

Regulatory Environment

Regulatory laws, the GDPR in Europe and the CCPA in California for examples, affect users’ interactions with certain mobile operating systems.

Both Google and Apple are committed to complying with these regulatory environments. Android has regulatory services like Google Play Protect, which helps keep the Android ecosystem safe from malware and other threats. Meanwhile, the Apple Store has Privacy Nutrition Labels, which require developers to disclose their data collection practices.

Despite this, consumers have a preference for mobile OS security. 55% of users chose iOS as the mobile OS that best protects their privacy and security, while only 34% selected Android, according to Tinuiti’s ‘How U.S. Consumers Really Feel About Online Privacy and Marketing in 2023’ report.

Choosing the Best Mobile OS for Your Project

Now that you understand the differences between iOS and Android users let’s discuss how to choose the best mobile OS for your project.

Many factors influence which mobile OS is right for you. These include your target audience, tech stack, development team, and ongoing maintenance needs. You may even develop a cross-platform app where the one source code works in both environments.

Here are the factors to consider when choosing the development environment for your mobile app.

Orient Software’s Mobile App Development Services

Making a selection between Android and iOS to develop your mobile app can be challenging. Partnering with a trusted software development company like Orient Software can help make the choice easier. By evaluating your unique requirements, we can develop and maintain mobile apps that deliver innovative digital experiences.

For further details about mobile app development or our other services, contact us today.