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Customisation Options
One of the greatest joys of Android is the freedom that it gives users to change almost everything about their smartphone devices.
Indeed, Android allows you to choose your own levels of customisation, whether it’s live wallpapers, changing themes, alternative keyboards or custom ROM installs. The widgets available are particularly productive and allow you to quickly glance at your home screen at certain information, without having to physically load up an app.
In comparison, whilst the customisation options of iOS are undeniably improving, they are generally stuck to their particular ways. iOS is crafted under the assumption that Apple knows how things should work for you more than you do, which may well be true. But, if you want to take back control of the design of your smartphone, then Android is certainly the way forward.
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Better Hardware
Apple’s operating system only works on Apple phones and you’re therefore only generally given the choice of 3 devices a year. If you’re looking for a new iOS phone in 2020, then your options simply do not extend past the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max.
In comparison, Android is used by a vast array of manufacturers, giving it the greatest variety of mobile devices on any platform. Whether it’s Samsung, Huawei, Google or Nokia, you’re all but covered for a huge range of sizes, features and price points.
This also means that you have the option of more specialised devices, including Dual SIM or rugged smartphones. The possibilities are endless, giving you access to features such as microSD support, a 3.5mm headphone jack and removable batteries which Apple phones simply do not offer.
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Greater Affordability
With a greater array of devices available, it naturally follows that there are more smartphone options available to Android users on a budget.
The iPhone 11 was the ‘smallest’ member of Apple’s iPhone 11 family and you’d be hard pressed to find a device at under £700.
In comparison, Android users have the benefit of choosing from manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Honor that focus on providing high specifications at a more user-friendly price point. Some of our favourite options are listed below.
Google Pixel 3a | From £360 inc-VAT
- 5.6" FHD OLED display, 1080 x 2220
- Best in class 12MP main camera
- 8MP front camera, 84-degree FOV
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 670
- 3,000mAh battery
- Android 9.0 Pie - guaranteed system & security updates for 3 years
Pocophone F1: £189.98 inc-VAT 
- 6.18" FHD display with Corning Gorilla Glass
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
- Dual rear camera: 12MP + 5MP
- 20MP front camera
- 4,000mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0
Honor 10 | From £399 inc-VAT
- 5.84" FHD+ Display; 1080 x 2280
- Huawei Kirin 970
- Dual rear camera: 24MP + 16MP
- 24MP front camera, f/2.0
- Dual SIM
- Fingerprint scanner
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Google integration
Being crafted by Google, all Android devices integrate efficiently and effectively with Google’s highly lauded array of services. These include Google Docs, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Music, Google+ and Google Chrome.
Google is undeniably the online leader and users are using their smartphones more and more to access the web. Whilst these services are now available in iOS, that same level of integration just is not available.
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Google Assistant
AI assistants on smartphones have become commonplace and whilst Ios comes with Siri, Android phones are blessed with Google Assistant.
Google Assistant is extremely intelligent and utilises everything that it has learnt from your smartphone uses to make tasks easier for you. For example, if you have an event booked in your Google Calendar, it can determine whether traffic is bad and subsequently send a notification nudging you to leave earlier.
Siri is always improving and achieves a wide range of tasks without a problem. However, these are far more simple than the tasks of Google’s Assistant.
