Ask HN: Which is Better–Android or iOS?

For development Android can be a nightmare. Especially, if you try to make a long-running app. Each OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) like Samsung, Honor, Xiaomi, etc has its way to keep the OS up and running, in good shape, performance and with low battery usage. To do this, they have mechanisms that stop applications that they might think are redundant: - if you use too much battery - they might kill it; - if you use too much CPU - they might kill it; - At night the devices goes to 'doze mode' - they might kill it; - It the app is not opened for a long time - they might kill it;

Some of the 'optimizations' you can disable/enable. Each device has its own menu and naming. But not all of them. And even if you make all configurations good, at some point it is possible an update of the OS to reset your configurations silently.

I don't know how it is in iOS, but in android, long running apps are not something that is 100% doable.

After I struggle for months with my app, I have my preferences for iOS right now. It might be difficult as well, but at least the manufacturer is only one. ;)

You are asking for a heated debate.

I would say its pure preference at this point. Both operating systems have converged towards each other in the last few years, where nowadays it really just comes down to your taste, the ecosystem you are in (or want to be in - ), and whether you value having potentially a bit more freedom (with some devices that make it easier to flash custom ROMs/Kernels).

What should be mentioned though: Android is not anymore as tinker-friendly as it was 5 years ago, a lot of OEMs make it hard to even unlock your bootloader's, Google made it almost impossible to run anything custom (due to Play Integrity) without you losing access to half of your apps - so in practice, I feel like Android has not even anymore that specific anymore.

If you have special preferences, there might be a specific OS/Phone that can accomodate you better but that is something you'll need to know.

I personally prefer iOS but Android is on a much more interesting trajectory technically, building in desktop mode, x86 emulation and virtualization have some really exciting possibilities. There's videos on YouTube of Android phones running Steam and Windows games, this stuff will be on par with a Steam Deck soon enough.

I don't think there's anything to be excited about with the future of iOS, just more of the same for as long as regulators can be kept at bay. Maybe even sillier if the rumours are true the folding iPhone is blocked from running iPad apps lol.

Hopefully Ternus will be less uptight about ancient iOS restrictions, I want my iPhone to be every bit as useful as a MacBook Neo if I connect a monitor/mouse/keyboard.

If you want to buikd and distribute something B2B or just to friends or colleagues outside of the app stores, it's a nightmare on iOS. Sideloading isn't as simple anymore for Android, but it's way easier. It's for that reason and for more open hardware and software that I exclusively work on Android now. Too bad about iOS as generally I like Apple hardware, just not interested in the hassle with everything else.

Better for privacy? iOS.

Better for voice search/assistant? Probably Android.

Better for voice dictation? Android.

Better keyboard? Android.

Better integration with other same-os devices? iOS.

Better UX? Likely whichever you’re used to.

Better for what?

I have to imagine the takeaway from comments in this thread would be a big old "it depends." Which is the best almost certainly depends on what you are looking to optimize for and which trade-offs you are willing to accept. Is a long-time iOS user who has been casually eyeing other options, I'm curious what other folks will have to say.

Aside from all the debates one can certainly have about Apple in principle, there’s one reason that personally makes working within the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, Mac) a pleasure—it just works! Minimal hassle, an occasional update, and the rest runs smoothly (at least for me).

Is this thread some kind of AI bait?

If you're earnest with the question, I suggest trying both to see which you like.

iOS banned NES/SNES emulators back in the day. Android has many options for NES/SNES emulators for portable gaming. Works well for turn based RPGs where imprecise touch input doesn't ruin the game.

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