The rivalry between Apple and Google is legendary and continuous in the tech world. Legions of devoted fans from both Google and Apple spark debates, a more heated debate than a summer afternoon in Arizona. But if you peel back the layers, it’s clear that Google has the advantage.
Here are ten reasons why Google’s products are better than Apple’s, with a little history, marketing facts, and a sprinkle of shade.
Google wasn’t always the tech behemoth that we know it to be today — it started off small. Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who were born in a tiny garage in Menlo Park, California, founded it in 1998. “To organize the knowledge of the world and make it accessible and useful to all” was the founders’ stated goal. They basically created a digital encyclopedia which made a wealth of knowledge just one click away. If you’re old enough to remember having a set and having to take the book off the shelf and thumb through pages. Google was a welcome tool. Fast forward to 2024, Google has morphed from a search engine to tech titan that affects pretty much every aspect of our lives.
Apple, although undeniably innovative, is a habitual perfectionist, often releasing polished, sometimes overly controlled products. Meanwhile, Google embraces and cultivates the spirit of continuous innovation. Whether it’s the introduction of Google Glass (let’s just agree to forget that one) or the ambitious Google Gemini AI project showing that Google isn’t afraid to fail and experiment. This culture of relentless innovation means Google often leads the way in tech trends and functionality.
Apple’s iOS may have its fair share of loyal, cult-like followers, however, Android is the undisputed champ of the smartphone arena. As of 2024, Android holds a staggering 72.6% of the global mobile operating system market share, leaving iOS trailing at 26.9%, according to Statista. This dominance isn’t just a numbers game; it reflects Android’s versatility and accessibility. In the words of Clifton in the horror-comedy The Blackening, “We all know that Androids have the superior operating system.”
Android powers a vast range of devices, from budget smartphones in developing countries to high-end flagship phones. This flexibility allows users across different economic strata to access cutting-edge technology without breaking the bank, something Apple’s premium pricing strategy doesn’t accommodate.
If Apple is the strict parent who warns you to come home before the street light comes on, Google is the cool big brother or sister who lets you stay up late. Android’s open-source nature allows for an unparalleled level of user customization. Android owners can tweak almost every aspect of their devices, from the launcher to system fonts and more. Are you a Star Wars fan who wants your phone to play a lightsaber sound every time you get a notification? You sure can.
Apple’s iOS is aesthetically pleasing but has limited personalization options, much like a lovely garden enclosed by a wall. Yes, you can rearrange your app icons and change your wallpaper, but you shouldn’t do anything more than that. Your phone becomes genuinely unique to you when you use Android, customized to your tastes and peculiarities.
Apple’s Siri is arguably the sophisticated British butler of digital assistants, Google Assistant is the sharp — witted companion since it got their degree and knows everything. It truly knows how to accomplish tasks.
Thanks to its deep integration into the Google ecosystem, Google Assistant has a more feature-rich and user-friendly interface. Whether you need a recipe, book hotel or restaurant reservation or translate a sentence into French, Google Assistant has your back. It’s like having an eager to assist genius on speed dial.
As a 2019 study by Deepwater Asset Management found, Google Assistant bests Siri in practically every virtual assistant performance category. From general knowledge, to commerce to command execution, Google Assistant outshines Siri. To enhance its digital assistant, Apple is expected to bring AI to Siri and it will likely be announced at Apple’s WWDC 2024. According to a report from Bloomberg back in March, Apple acquired Canadian AI Startup DarwinAI.
5. Google Maps: The Unquestioned Navigator
Before Google Maps, getting lost was a regular part of road trips and driving into a lake like Michael on The Office was an unlocked fear. With Google Maps being the ultimate navigation tool that it is, you can get real-time traffic updates, public transportation schedules, and even information about the busiest times to visit certain locations.
Following its rocky start at launch, Apple Maps has seen improvement but it still doesn’t hold a candle to Google Maps. Whether you’re finding your way around a foreign city or just want to avoid rush-hour traffic, Google Maps is the Gandalf of navigation — it always knows the way.
When Google decided to enter the hardware market with its Pixel line of smartphones, it wasn’t just making another Android phone; it was also creating a standard. With no bloatware or customized skins like other manufacturers often add, Pixel phones offer a pure Android experience. Better performance, faster updates, and a more intuitive user interface result from this.
Additionally, Pixel phones have very good cameras. Their incredible computational photography magic and features like Night Sight make them some of the best smartphone cameras out there. Although the cameras on Apple’s iPhones are excellent, Pixels use a small amount of Google’s AI magic to produce stunning images with less effort.
You’ll be grateful for Google Photos if the storage on your phone has ever suddenly run out at an inconvenient time. Google Photos guarantees that you never have to erase priceless memories by providing free, limitless storage for images and videos (albeit with slightly lower quality). In contrast, Apple’s iCloud only offers you a meager 5GB of free storage before requiring a monthly payment.
The clever organization and search capabilities of Google Photos are likewise excellent. Searching for that old photo of your dog with sunglasses on? Google Photos can quickly locate an image by simply typing in “dog with sunglasses.” It’s similar to having a highly efficient AI-powered picture librarian at your disposal.
Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, and other services from Google’s suite function flawlessly together. Similar to a well-practiced orchestra, every service enhances the others to produce a flawless user experience. With Google’s integration, it’s simple to schedule meetings, work together on documents, and exchange photos.
Although Apple’s ecosystem is remarkable in and of itself, it is more exclusive. Things can become clumsy if you venture too far from the Apple universe. For users who prefer not to be tied down, Google’s open approach guarantees that its services work well with a variety of platforms and devices.
Let’s face it: Apple goods are pricey. It will cost a lot of money, whether you’re buying a MacBook Pro or the newest iPhone. On the other hand, Google provides premium goods at a range of price points. With products like reasonably priced Chromebooks and Pixel phones, Google makes sure that advanced technology is available to a wider range of people.
Google products are inclusive because they are affordable, not because they are less quality. Google offers affordable devices without sacrificing quality because it recognizes that not everyone can afford them or wants to.
Let’s revisit the numbers. With a significant market share of over 72% as of 2024, Google’s Android OS is the leader of the global mobile operating system playground. This is a testament of Android’s adaptability and user-friendliness in addition to its popularity. Apple may dominate the US market in particular, it can’t match Android’s worldwide reach at the moment.
Thanks to its ongoing innovative strategy and dedication to progress, Google guarantees itself as a major player in the tech sector for years to come. With projects like Google Gemini AI, research into quantum computing, and sustainable tech initiatives, the future is bright for Google and its ecosystem.
Google has many advantages over Apple which makes its products more appealing to a majority of mobile users. Its fleet of products and services are designed to improve the overall user experience, from customization to affordability to excellent digital assistance and navigation tools.
Though they are expensive and have limitations, Apple products are unquestionably stylish and of excellent quality. Google approaches product development in a more open-minded, creative, and user-friendly manner. This formula ensures that its devices and services are cutting edge and easily accessible.
So the next time you find yourself arguing with an Apple fan about which team is better, keep these ten points in mind. Tell them to put some respect on Google’s name as the tech giant that’s more than just a leader in search engine optimization, it’s actually influencing the direction of technology.