With the release of Android 12 Pixel devices, both Android 12 and iOS 15 have officially come out on top. Beta versions of both iOS 15 and Android 12 were available earlier this year. Companies have now polished their mobile apps into final products, and now it’s time for Android 12 vs iOS 15.
We took 10 parameters in this comparison, and the OS that marked most boxes is the winner. There are also different features on both Android and iOS, and we highlighted them separately towards the end. So here is our comparison of iOS 15 vs Android 12:
1.Fluidity And App Consistency
Speaking of liquid as a whole, it is a mixed bag between Android 12 and iOS 15. Looking up, Android 12 has also been upgraded with a new look and feel and updated Google apps. Android stock apps like calculator, settings menu, privacy, game dashboards, etc. they get a refreshing look with rounded corners and a chart-like display of various figures.
IOS 15 is in a different ballpark when it comes to iOS fluidity already established. It gets a new look for Safari with the address bar below, refined notifications, and an intuitive App Library. This is possible because Apple is a large closed nature system and everything is connected to everything else.
Almost all the apps you can find have the same templates and some level of polishing. However, Android works now and the compatibility of both operating systems looks equally, at least from the top.
Winner: Tie
2. Personalization
Android removes this one directly from the bat. Google has designed Android 12 to suit everything from layout to wallpaper changes. You can customize the notifications panel and make the phone truly personal.
With the advent of iOS 15, the widgets offer a certain level of customization, but it is far superior to Android 12. There is no way you can have a blank home screen on the iPhone by 2021, and it is disappointing. Although iOS has received constant updates under the hood, the framework remains the same or similar.
For example, iOS now has the App Library, collected notifications, widgets, and Siri shortcuts, but customization is still limited to maintaining the real state of iOS. Android 12, on the other hand, has undergone major changes to the theme items in the past, as well as Material You with Android 12.
Winner: Android 12
3. Siri Vs Google Assistant
While this topic could be a different article on its own, the simple conclusion is that Google Assistant is better. Siri is also a good assistant and does basic tasks well, but Google Assistant on Android 12 is more intuitive and versatile.
XDA Developers spotted a “quick phrases” toggle for Google Assistant on Android 12. For instance, if you’re getting a call, you could just say “Answer” and Google Assistant will pick up the call. It means you can skip the “Hey Google” trigger because of Android’s intuitiveness. Siri on iOS 15 has received privacy-related updates, making it more capable for offline usage, but it still misses out on basic commands.
You’re also better off with Google Assistant on Android 12 if you have a smart home setup. There are not many options for Siri-based smart home devices, which limits what you can do with your phone.
Winner: Android 12
4. Privacy
For the first time, Android 12 vs iOS 15 goes neck-and-neck in terms of privacy features. Google has introduced a Privacy dashboard with Android 12. You can perform a privacy check, control app permissions, and reset privacy preferences from the dashboard itself.
On the other hand, iOS 15 privacy features are evenly spread to cover more ground. iOS 15 users can not just control what apps they see, they can also hide email ID while signing up for apps, limit receiving emails from developers, and even remove trackers from their mail. More iOS features like Private Relay and App Privacy Report further contribute to a secure experience.
Both platforms have gotten rid of cookies from their default browsers as a step towards less intrusive tracking. It remains to be seen how Google FLoC competes with Apple’s privacy features.
Winner: iOS 15
5. Updates
From fluidity, we move on to updates. Apple’s iOS 15 is a clear winner here, with all iPhones receiving 5 year updates. While we expected the same from Google in the future, the new Pixel 6 phones also get only 3 major Android updates.
Apple is also winning steadily as iOS 15 comes out of all Apple supported devices simultaneously. In the case of Android 12, you will have to wait for your OEM to update you and that may take months. You can download the Android 12 update to your Pixel right now.
Winner: iOS 15