Android Vs iOS – Which Operating System to Choose?

In the mobile world, many executives face a dilemma: Which mobile system to choose for themselves and all employees?
Google and Apple operating systems are struggling with every user’s heart. The remaining question: How to choose the right solution for your business needs?

Many executives and employees now carry out their work anywhere using smartphones. The BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend is gaining momentum, along with the need to decide what types of mobile devices can be inserted into business walls to allow holders to work remotely across business operations, from email to unique business applications. Today, the choice is narrowed between Google ‘s operating system and Apple’s. The old systems are in decline and a fast exit from the mobile market, for example those of Blackberry and Nokia, which were common in the past decade among executives and employees in organizations and business.

The differences between devices running Apple’s operating system – iOS apps and those running Google’s operating system – Android are very evident. Apple’s operating system is a proprietary and closed system. The meaning of this statement is pretty clear: Only Apple manufactures and supplies devices with its operating system. The applications in this operating system are the only ones that have received Apple approval and met the strict criteria that Apple dictates.

Some claim that users get a more stable and secure operating system. In contrast, the Android operating system is an open and free operating system. Any cellphone and tablet manufacturer can adopt it. Therefore, there is a wide range of manufacturers that provide mobile devices with Android operating system. In addition, anyone can develop Android applications, without prior approval or afterwards from Google.

There is one more important difference between these competing systems: the cost. For businesses, this is a very important decision-making process. We will analyze it immediately and even recommend how to make decisions on this issue.

According to Forrester Research, of the one billion smartphone devices in the world in 2019, about 450 million smartphones will be of employees who use them in the workplace for work needs, according to the corporate network. About half of them will be appliances, which employees brought from home (BYOD). Therefore, it is important to maintain employees’ desire to continue to use private applications on their devices, even when the devices are subject to and governed by corporate security policies.

Android Vs Apple – How to Choose an Operating System?

We will try to show the differences between the systems in one centralized table. We refer to the latest versions of operating systems (Android 10, Apple iOS 13).  From this table you can clearly see that the Android operating system is better designed and built to meet business and organizational needs.

In addition, most of the world’s largest companies providing equipment and services to businesses (such as Cisco, IBM, Evia, HP, SAP, VMware, and more) have not yet made iPhone versions for much of their software systems. Therefore, this point should be checked before deciding whether a business need to operate software vendors remotely from the same smartphone.

Note: The two operating systems have features, which are not included in the table, that are almost identical between the two competing systems, including: the latest and most advanced Wi-Fi standards , front and rear quality camera support, powerful processor, high-resolution screen, full 3G support, Facial recognition technology, panoramic photo capability, TV connection, connection to cloud communications services , application store link, email, Advanced Lotus connection, GPS and more.

Other Considerations for Choosing Between IPhone & Android:

1. 1. The Price: The price of iPhones is higher (sometimes up to 2x) from competing devices with the Android operating system. The competing product line with the Android operating system has a wide range of products at varying prices, from a few hundred shekels up to about $ 3,000. Apple does not and does not intend to market cheap devices to it.
   2. The Insurance: IPhone device insurance can be 2 to 3 times higher than Android device insurance. In fact, there is no need to insure the cheap Android devices. Manufacturer’s warranty for the first year. Then, if the device is broken, stolen or lost, it is cheaper to buy a new devicethan to pay for the insurance (plus deductibles). It is suggested to examine the device insurance not in the cellular company, because the insurance rates of the device in the cellular company are high and not economically viable, especially in cases of loss / theft \ Total Loss of the device. It should be noted that insurance in cellular companies does not cover (usually) screen breakage and corrosion. There are no such restrictions in the independent insurers. In addition, there are cellular companies that insure devices from any company such as: YouPhone and Hot Mobile.
   3. Maintenance: Maintenance and replacement prices for Apple products are 2 to 3 times more expensive than Android maintenance.
   4. Operational Considerations: The entire business aspects of mobile devices in business must be analyzed and an organizational plan and clear usage policy drawn up. Operational considerations can be an important element in choosing the types of devices that are right for your business.

In addition, there are some common operational errors here:

1. We recommend avoiding buying separate cellular modems. Because, all smartphones can also function as mobile modems for a desktop or mobile computer, as well as a local Wi-Fi access point that uses the cellular network for browsing, connecting to any other device in the business environment that has a Wi-Fi connection.
2. It is advisable to establish a written, clear, and open policy regarding the use of a business mobile app device. This policy will cover the full range of issues related to mobile use, including at least the following: Costs, Maintenance and Maintenance, Accessories, Safety and Security, Application Download and Run, Remote Work, Policy Enforcement Methods and Measures.

Big businesses are heavily involved in the question: Who will get the device in business? The common tendency in many businesses is to provide the most advanced and expensive devices to management members. The more senior the manager, the more expensive and advanced his device is. It’s a business and financial mistake. It is advisable to consider purchasing more expensive devices precisely for those who really need high-quality Internet services everywhere and need high availability and connectivity wherever they are. For the most part, these are not members of management but: the support, service, engineering, development, marketing, and so on.

In addition, to enable informed choice, which is not necessarily the choice of just one device type for the business, it is advisable to hire at least one device (one month, or at most 3 months) for at least one device of each type and to provide these devices to employees and managers who know how to derive the desired business benefits from the devices. They will also be able to experience a professional opinion from a personal perspective, whether or not the user experience and use of the device for business needs were appropriate. Hiring a device for a short, limited period for trial and error adjustment is a very small expense in relation to a wrong expense, if done, in choosing the device that is right for the business and its employees. In addition, there are importers who would be happy to provide devices for a trial period at no cost (except for the current usage costs, which the business pays to the cellular provider), if they feel that they expect an opportunity for a large order from the business after the trial period.

Hence, it is advisable to beware of a light and fast fall to the ‘honey trap’ in the field of buying mobile devices. Testing, testing, and experimenting with devices is the right way to make the right and right decision for your business.