Android is an operating system run by Google that competes directly with Apple's iOS system. Understanding the pros and cons of a smartphone that runs on Android will help you make an informed decision on whether it's for you, or not. Some of the pros of Android include their diversity both in software and hardware, the Google-friendly attribute and their handy open nature. Android phones also have some cons such as their vulnerability to malware and lack of accessories.
Pros
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Phone Choice
Android has numerous choices when it comes to type of phone you want to buy -- from high end to inexpensive. Some high end Android phones include Galaxy S6 Edge, Google's Nexus 6 and Motorolla's Moto Turbo. Low end Android phones include Huawei's Snap To, Asus Zenfon 2 and Alacatel's Onetouch Idol 3. Even the low cost Android phones are great, but are no match for the high end one's, especially when it comes to performance (speed of execution), general outlook and durability. Android phone manufacturers include HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Lenovo, which is owned by Google. The iPhone, for example, only has one style of phone, so if you can't afford that phone, you can't own an iPhone, which isn't the case with Android phones.
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Android App Market
There are thousands of free applications you can install on your Android phone, through sites such as Aptoide, Amazon and Google Play. When an Android's app crashes, a user can easily search the error code online and get an explanation on how to fix it. iPhone users may have to wait for the manufacturer to release a bug fix or delete the problematic app.
Open System
Unlike iOS, which is a 'locked' system that is nearly impossible to customize, Android is an open system that lets you customize your device by integrating it with outside software. For example, the 2013 Facebook Home software allowed smartphone users to transform their phones into a Facebook-themed device, but iOS users couldn't integrate the software, and were unable to add it to their iPhones.
Google Friendly
Because Android is a Google-made operating system, almost all Android-based smart phones are integrated with Google's most popular services such as Gmail, Google Reader, Google Docs and Hangouts.
Cons
Lack of Accessories
Although the availability of so many phones provides you with choices, it also means that you have less accessories to choose from. With the iPhone, accessory makers know what style and size to produce for items such as phone cases and charging ports. But with no such uniformity on Android phones, accessories are much more limited.
More Susceptible To Viruses
Android's open system makes it more vulnerable to viruses than the iPhone (See Reference 1). With Android, you can download apps on a wide variety of sites, some of which are created by cyber criminals who want to spread malware. Apple only allows you to download apps from its App Store, which is tightly controlled by security, and is much more difficult for hackers to penetrate.
Apps Limited By Operating System
Although there are hundreds of thousands of apps available to Android users, not all users can run these apps on their phones. That's because Android users often continue to use old operating systems, such as Gingerbread, released in 2010, instead of KitKat, the most recent version. Some of this fragmentation is due to the fact that newer Android smartphones may not have received the necessary upgrade to run those newer apps.