Every time I make the statement that Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, some people look at me like I’m crazy. They also make the statement, “I don’t even know any Android users.” Those who question my sanity almost certainly come from the United States.
See: Samsung announced the integration of Google’s generative AI into its devices earlier this year.
Android vs iOS market trend over the years
Contents
You see, there’s a curious trend that has remained remarkably consistent over the past few years:
- Android has a much bigger market share over iOS worldwide.
- iOS gains strong market share over Android in the US
According to the latest data from StatCounter, the global market share is as follows:
- Android: 72.17%
- iOS: 27.16%
But in the US, this market share is as follows:
- iOS: 55.86%
- Android: 43.82%
However, Android wasn’t always the global leader. Based on StatCounter numbers from the last 14 years, iOS at one point had a higher global share than Android. When other mobile operating systems like Symbian OS and BlackBerry OS fell behind, Android started to gain ground. In recent years, iOS has started to regain its lost global share but still lags behind Android.
| month year | Android (Global) | iOS (Global) | Android (US) | iOS (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2023 | 70.48% | 28.8% | 38.21% | 61.3% |
| December 2022 | 72.37% | 26.98% | 43.75% | 55.85% |
| December 2021 | 70.01% | 29.24% | 40.54% | 59.15% |
| December 2020 | 72.48% | 26.91% | 38.76% | 61.07% |
| December 2019 | 74.13% | 24.79% | 44.29% | 55.55% |
| December 2018 | 75.16% | 21.98% | 42.75% | 56.91% |
| December 2017 | 73.54% | 19.91% | 45.04% | 54.42% |
| December 2016 | 71.97% | 18.89% | 45.14% | 53.7% |
| December 2015 | 65.9% | 19.21% | 45.65% | 51.86% |
| December 2014 | 59.15% | 23.51% | 47.32% | 49.54% |
| December 2013 | 42.99% | 21.82% | 39.25% | 51.75% |
| December 2012 | 33.19% | 23.26% | 40.22% | 50.49% |
| December 2011 | 21.83% | 22.71% | 40.92% | 42.52% |
| December 2010 | 13.6% | 23.57% | 25.46% | 33.55% |
| December 2009 | 4.07% | 32.05% | 10.62% | 53.26% |
In the United States, iOS’s lead over Android has fluctuated since the rival operating system fell off the charts in the early 2010s. But Apple’s OS has still been the more popular of the two platforms in the US year after year.
However, on a global market scale, Android is still far ahead of Apple.
Android and iOS: Cost vs. Popularity
Android’s global market share is due largely to its affordable pricing compared to Apple. However, Apple’s cost spread, as well as its branding and pop culture presence, give it an edge in the US market.
Cost
The main reason Android rules the global market is cost. In many countries (which have a much larger population than the US), people have very little disposable income. Because of this, the first factor in choosing a phone is cost. In this area, Apple cannot compete with Google.
Do a quick search on Amazon, and you’ll find Android phones starting at $49.99, with the BLU Advance L5. Yes, even less than $50. The cheapest iPhone on Amazon is the Tracfone Apple iPhone 7 4G, which has a starting price of $97. Ignoring the fact that both devices are nearly obsolete, you can get the low-end version of one for cheap, while the other device will cost you around $100.
For some people, $100 is the equivalent of money put in the couch. For others, it’s a month’s salary or more. In this sense, Android is the obvious choice. Given the poverty that prevails in many countries around the world, the availability of cheap phones makes Android a better option than iOS.
If US telecom companies hadn’t delivered payments for the iPhone over time, we would likely have seen US and global market share move in line with one another.
Because carriers in the US spread the cost of devices over two years, a $700 iPhone becomes a viable purchase for most people. This becomes even more attractive when you’re looking at a flagship device. Almost any US person can buy a top-of-the-range iPhone when the price is split into monthly installments – meaning cost is no longer a factor.
Brand
Apple is huge. There’s no other way. As a brand, Apple controls everything with their products. Unlike Android devices, where Google creates the operating system and OEMs produce the hardware, Apple maintains everything. Because of this, Apple can keep a tight grip on quality control, making their products (for the most part) enjoy “top to bottom” reliability.
You rarely hear people complaining about Apple hardware. The interoperability between Apple hardware and software can be nothing short of perfect. Even Google Pixel devices don’t enjoy the same level of stability.
As a brand, people in the US trust Apple more than Google. This trust goes beyond phones to data and what you do with that data. Beyond trust, Apple’s brand is more shiny and polished than Google’s. Consider ads for both iPhones and Android devices. Apple consistently fails to release ads that have exactly the polish that consumers in this country want to see.
On the other hand, Google puts more emphasis on the attractive side of advertising. Their logo is also a cute robot. So when American consumers see two different ads, one of them looks more professional. Apple never fails to present itself as a complete brand and this is important for consumers in rich countries.
pop culture
Apple consistently appears more in American pop culture than Android. I would go so far as to say that I have rarely seen an Android phone used in TV or film. When you hear a message ringing on the screen or an incoming call, it is almost always the sound of Apple making money. I do occasionally see an Android device being used, but in most cases, TV and film default to Apple.
This has a huge impact on consumers. The court of public opinion looks to their favorite shows and their favorite characters. When viewers see their favorite characters holding an iPhone, they may be compelled to buy one.
It is easy to draw conclusions
Around the world looks and trends are not as important as practicality. People living in poverty probably don’t look at brand or features when choosing a phone. As long as the phone can make calls and (sometimes) go online, it can serve its purpose. If Apple launches an iPhone that can compete with Android in the low-end market, it will give Google a tough competition. I don’t think that will happen soon, so Android will continue to dominate the global phone market for years to come.
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