Currently the top Android rival to Apple’s iOS smartphone is the Android Ice Cream Sandwich packing, hugely popular Samsung Galaxy S3, but when it comes to these two top range smartphones, which operating system can come out on top ICS or iOS when it comes to the Galaxy S3 against the iPhone 4S?
Well we thought we’d see if we can come up with a clear winner in the OS stakes regardless of who makes the handset for our readers consideration, and no doubt whilst some might agree, some probably will not.
Firstly when it comes to the operating system obviously one must consider apps and their respective application stores, with the Google guys being somewhat lenient when it comes to apps making it onto Google Play, whilst as with all things Apple, Apple simply loves total control over everything including what apps make it into the App Store. Google being more lenient does lead to a more varied choice of apps, but there have been cases of malware found in Google Play, whilst Apple does seem to be somewhat hot on making sure any malware remains out of their store.
Of the two operating systems, iOS does seem the easier to use, as most iPhone users will tell you, the iOS user has the ability to shuffle around icons on the screen or slip them into folders, and of course you can change the home screen wallpaper.
However, Android can also do all the above but much more, for example there are widgets 3rd-party keyboards, 3rd-party apps, along with icons and launchers that the user can opt to change, and then there are also numerous custom ROMs if one wishes to take advantage of, whilst with iOS you are stuck with whatever iOS version until such times as Apple delivers a new iOS update.
When it comes to features on either operating system, well we all know how much both iOS and Android users like to claim the other has copied features, such as the notifications bar first appearing on Android, and then Apple delivering Siri, and Android then following with their won version of a voice assistant.
As for updates to operating systems, Apple does deliver updates to iOS at a fast speed so those loyal to the platform have no worries when it comes to updates, but the Samsung Galaxy S3 does come with the latest Android OS aboard ICS, and it is expected the Galaxy S3 will gain Android Jelly Bean later in the year, although just how quick future updates to the Android operating system will be rolled out is unclear, and of course Apple is expected to deliver the iPhone 5 some point this year along with iOS 6, so the iOS faithful basically know exactly when they can expect an OS update.
When it comes to which is the better operating system, it really boils down to which platform you prefer, most of my friends that own an iPhone 4S say the smartphone is and the OS is the best there is, and better than Android. But on the flip side I do know some that have decided to switch to Android as they are no longer happen with iOS or Apple, but I do have to say that none of those I know who own an Android device have said they will give up Android for the iPhone.
So basically if you are one of the iPhone faithful out there you will probably defend your OS to the death against Android and any other operating system, and likewise the Android faithful will do the reverse and tout Android as best, when really all it is is a matter of personal choice, so neither operating system can really be crowned a clear winner in the mobile space.
So let’s start a bit of a conversion in our comments area below, do you believe iOS is the better operating system or do you come down on the side of Android?