why are android apps not as good as iphone?

[james_uk]

I am only going by what i have seen, i have never owned an iphone, i currently have the samsung galaxy s2 after having the htc desire.

I have friends who mostly have iphones and when there is an app out for both we have looked at them on both handsets, the iphone version of a lot of apps seem to always be of much better quality, they feel better, look better, have more options.

I dont understand why both wouldn't be the same if its the same app, and what i find more worrying about this is.. If android is open source then surely the android version of apps should be the better out of the two as it should allow app developers to make apps more in tune with how they want rather than having to make it to iphones specs, it should give them more room to allow settings on android which the iphone may not allow.

Or am i incorrect with this.. as i say i am only going by what i have seen side by side and i just got the impression that the iphone apps just looked better than their android versions.

james

 

[geoffe]

I just switched to a SGS2 Epic 4g Touch after 5 years as a faithful iPhone user. I disagree that games are any better on the iPhone. I have only downloaded a few of my old faithful games so far, but I would definitely say they look better and respond better. For example, Angry Birds on iPhone always lagged when sliding from one end of the screen to the other, so far I have not noticed this on Android.
The only thing I am so far disappointed at is the lack of similar photography apps that Apple offers.

 

[sohguanh]

the iphone version of a lot of apps seem to always be of much better quality, they feel better, look better, have more options

Can I know when you say above, you are judging based on what specific criterias ?

 

[james_uk]

my criteria is personal experience with my eyes plus a lot of websites that also seem to point it out.

i think things have got better as android have cought up i think the developers still put a bit more effort into the iphone version of apps though.

 

[pastafarian]

The reason you're seeing so much mention of quality difference is that it's currently a Apple marketing campaign, along with the "it just seems smoother" bit. Just like previous "iphone has more apps" campaigns, Apple marketing feeds it to the ipress and fanboi network and presto chango... its everywhere. Also like the we got more apps campain, the quality thing now has a very limited lifespan. The assumption by many developers is that iSheep pay for apps (or whatever Apple tells them to) while Android users don't. I think that assumption is changing, though Apple marketing is doing their best to keep it going. Certainly, if you're a developer you have to realize that with Android you now have a bigger potential customer base who's growth is accelerating. Personally, I'm now offended when a developer offers an ios version but leaves out or reduces quality for Android...and every android user should too. Don't forget to speak out and tell the developer how you feel about it!

 

[jerofld]

I have to say that some iPhone apps are higher quality/better than Android apps. Pandora is an app that comes to mind. It has a song progress bar in the iPhone version. Not on the Android version. The differences are small, like that example, but still present in a lot of apps. Another example is, until just very recently, our Facebook app (on Android) was pathetic compared to the iOS version.

But, at least, our apps scale between phone and tablet a lot better. If you try loading an iPhone only app onto an iPad, apparently it gets really blurry because of the resolution difference. I've not seen that between my tablet and phone.

 

[chanchan05]

They look better because they have a higher resolution on a smaller screen. That's about it.

 

[pixaro]

They look better because they have a higher resolution on a smaller screen. That's about it.

yea.
Android phone models are available in different screen resolutions.
Same app in a low resolution Android phone and high res iPhone 4/4s will show quality difference.

 

[itsallgood]

I've never owned an iPhone, but I think a lot has to do with the different Android OS's and model phones too. Think about it, I've been a happy Android user for about 2 yrs now. Android has come out with 4 OS updates. IPhone has had only 4 model phones since their first smart phone came out and I believe only 2 iOS updates. Since all iPhone's are made by Apple and they tell the developers what they want and control how its done. All their apps are uniformed with hardly any changes to the app to run on any of the iPhone's. With Android, not only do developers have to create apps that are compatible to the many different OS's, they have to make them compatible to the many different model phones and screen sizes. (Which can be challenging). That's why Android apps are updated so much. People report problems to the developer, the developer creates a fix for that particular device or suggestions to improve the app.

So I think its because Apple has, one smart phone with the same screen size. There all running the same iOS and they have complete control and testing of their apps from the developers. With Android, you have some many smart phones with different screen sizes, OS's and open source development of apps.

 

[sohguanh]

So I think its because Apple has, one smart phone with the same screen size. There all running the same iOS and they have complete control and testing of their apps from the developers. With Android, you have some many smart phones with different screen sizes, OS's and open source development of apps.

If there are more objective end users like you, we developers will heave a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, most end users judge based on what they see and what they touch. Technicalities design issues are at lowest priority for them. It is this precise end users weakness Apple saw and they exploit it heavily to reap great profits. I believe Google is catching up and start to value the visual candies that end users place upon as topmost priority.

 

[frankz]

This is true for TuneIn Radio (Free). The iPhone version is worlds ahead with features that the Android version lacks. One in particular, the 30 minute pause buffer on the free iPhone version, really burns me, because you have to have the paid Android version to get that same feature. Why is it free for iPhone users and paid for Android users?

 

[jan72]

also could be some of the apps you have been comparing were in development for the iphone long before android.

 

[RazzMaTazz]

There's no reaason why an Android app can't be as good or better than an iPhone app. I think that there are three primary issues at play:

1) Apps are created by developers who have to choose how much of their resources to spend on each OS. Apple had a big head start on installed base of phones so many developers have prioritized on developing for iPhone, but then may have chosen to do a quick port to Android, which they may or may not improve over time.

2) Android phones have much more variance in the hardware capabilities (some of which are inferior to the worst iPhone, and some of which are superior to the best iPhone) so some Android apps may be written to the lowest common demoninator.

3) I've heard some people say that there are Android apps that don't look as good on the iPhone, so I think that the OP's sample size was probably not big enough to make a fair comparison.

Android is now beating iPhone badly in market share. As Android's market share begins to dominate, more and more developers will develop first for Android, and then port to iPhone.

Android Is Destroying Everyone, Especially RIM -- iPhone Dead In Water

 

[Doctor Shifty]

There's another consideration about the smoothness comment in the OP. This is not from my experience, but from a similar comment on another forum somewhere, maybe another thread on this forum.

The smoothness issue relates to the priority level set in the display's use of CPU. On the iPhone, the display has priority over other functions, whereas Android gives all functions equal CPU use. The effect of this is to allow scrolling and finger input on the iPhone to be executed without interruption. On Android, scrolling and finger input has to share time with background functions.

The example given in the newsletter was to consider a browser opening a website. On the iPhone you can scroll or zoom the page as it is loading and the downloading actually stops until you finish. On Android the zooming etc shares time with the download and the zooming might not look to be running as smoothly.

 

[LucyCaboosey]

I've always found that apps on my samsung galaxy s run pretty much the same as my sisters iPhone4. The only niggle I have with Android apps is what another poster mentioned, we don't get as many different photo apps as the android and I'd really like it if I could have a video app similar to the iPhone's Super8 video app.

 

[Vic W]

This is true for TuneIn Radio (Free). The iPhone version is worlds ahead with features that the Android version lacks. One in particular, the 30 minute pause buffer on the free iPhone version, really burns me, because you have to have the paid Android version to get that same feature. Why is it free for iPhone users and paid for Android users?

What's really weird is that the Blackberry version is better. Who woulda thunk that?

The Blackberry version allows you to pause for hours. It also has user defined (up to a minute) fast rewind AND fast forward buttons. The Android version just has the 10 second rewind button.

 

[Seanette]

If there are more objective end users like you, we developers will heave a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, most end users judge based on what they see and what they touch. Technicalities design issues are at lowest priority for them. It is this precise end users weakness Apple saw and they exploit it heavily to reap great profits. I believe Google is catching up and start to value the visual candies that end users place upon as topmost priority.

Please be aware that there are users who are more interested in how functional the app is than in the "pretty" factor. I'd rather use something visually blah that does what I need it to well and dependably than eye candy that's crashy or inadequate at functioning.

 

[kct1975]

Please be aware that there are users who are more interested in how functional the app is than in the "pretty" factor. I'd rather use something visually blah that does what I need it to well and dependably than eye candy that's crashy or inadequate at functioning.

:dito: I completely agree!

 

[Deunan]

Bump....

I realize this is an old thread but is it still the same? Has the android apps improved a lot since this thread was started?

 

[Rxpert83]

Bump....

I realize this is an old thread but is it still the same? Has the android apps improved a lot since this thread was started?

There's nothing wrong with androids app market or app quality. Any perceived difference is a marketing gimmick


I actually think we have better apps in some areas because Google doesn't stifle competition like apple does.

In apples store, if you have an app that does the same thing as one of apples, you don't get to have your app in the store, even if its better (or free versus their paid service)

 

[sudbury78]

I agree that iphone apps run and look better. I'm a new android guy and the biggest gripe for me is the cnbc real time app. Ios is smooth as butter and provides real time on the app. Android doesnt display real time unless you click on the stock and it opens the web site. Minor nuisance but I always compare now.

 

[CrockettGTO]

In my opinion and experiences, most of the apps I have used on both OS versions have minor nuances/differences. Although, on the GS3, I think some apps look better vs my iphone 4 did.

I started with iPhone 3, then 3G, then HTC Incredible running Cupcake (if I remember correctly) then switched back to the iPhone 4, now back to GS3 with ICS. I have to say even after 2 months with my GS3 using Swiftkey 3, what I miss the most is the iOS keyboard. Hands down in my opinion, far superior to ICS, Cupcake and Jellybean 4.2.1 (using this on my nexus 7 now). I really can't narrow it down to one or two differences between the two. Maybe it has just the right size keys with the right spacing that happens to fit my hand size the best. I dunno, but even trying different row, column and key size changes in Swiftkey 3. It just doesn't "feel" the same.

 

[andrejhoward]

It's a give and take.

There are some apps that do look better and have a bit more functionality. Pandora definitely better on iOS.

But having apps like podkicker pro, and widgets where I can scroll through my TV shows, customizable gesture controls from launchers like Nova.

I had the 3g, 4, 4s and I still own an iPad (music production, Android doesn't even come close here)

But for my phone the Android functions and customization are just out and out more plentiful. I won't go back to iPhone.

 

[iwin]

Go for S3, you will not come back to S2 or iPhone.

 

[alicemenezes]

Angry Birds on iPhone always lagged when sliding from one end of the screen to the other, so far I have not noticed this on Android.

iPhone lags and android doesn't...??? That's really surprising. I have never used an iPhone so can't say. Kind of an android loyalist.