Instead of touting the advantages of the user’s preferred desktop platform, the bragging and nagging now surrounds the apps and features of the iPhone and Android. Unsurprisingly, social media and networking experiences are in the forefront of the battleground. Here’s a rundown of who’s using what platform and which offers the best user experience.
The Big Boy: iPhone vs. Android on Facebook
On the surface, it appears Android has an advantage over the iPhone on Facebook. But dig deeper and you’ll find a different story. There are a total of 192 million Android Facebook users compared to just 147 million iPhone Facebook users. However, add in the 48 million iPad users (hey, they’re mobile too) and it evens the playing field.
Then we look at active users – 66 million Android users access Facebook mobile regularly, compared to 91 million iPhone users who do so. In fact, 90 percent of iPhone users are regular mobile Facebook users, compared to only 63 percent of Android users. Why? Part of the issue is Chinese Android users who are blocked from using Facebook. The social media giant is also hindered by customers’ slow acceptance of Facebook Messager and the pitiful experience of Facebook Camera when compared to Instagram.
iPhone vs. Android on Other Social Networking Platform Apps
How do the iPhone and Android stack up on other social media platforms? 22 percent of iPhone users access Twitter from their phones regularly, and a slightly higher 25 percent of Android users do so. Google Plus sees the most discrepancy between the phone platforms, where a mere 8 percent of iPhone users access the site on-the-go compared to a whopping 35 percent of Android users.
LinkedIn and Foursquare don’t fare as well. Only 8 percent of iPhone users and 7 percent of Android users access LinkedIn. Foursquare comes in at 8 percent users for each phone platform, and Facebook Messenger lures just 4 percent of the users of both the iPhone and Android.
The Final Score: iPhone vs. Android
Apple’s App Store boasts 230,000 apps compared to Google’s measly 70,000. However, social networking consumers know that Google’s apps are free, whereas Apple charges for most of their premier social networking apps. Some consumers go for more; others prefer free. The real scale-tipper lies in the iPhone’s inability to use widgets, which make the social networking experience far easier and more enjoyable. The iPhone can get Facebook and Twitter alerts, but many third party apps (Boxer for instance) charge for the privilege. If you want to compare the iPhone and Android at T-Mobile online there will be a great layout about the differences in these phones and plans associated.
It’s easier to browse the feeds from Android, but Apple devotees receive a higher quality of stable social networking apps, due to the rigorous process Apple puts their developers through. The real winner comes down to whether you want more apps but have to pay for them, or want a smaller selection that’s all free. Social Cast and other newly developed apps are available for both the iPhone and Android, streamlining the process of accessing multiple social networking feeds from a single app.
Windows 7 Phone may be the social networking leader, allowing users to assign panels for each of their friends, then browsing all the updates instantly from each panel without even opening an app.