Apple's iOS 13 Goes Against Google's Android Q To Gain Users' Love, Who Wins?

The battle between Android and iOS seems to go on forever, they always work to come up with innovations so as to win over global users. In March, Google released Android Q’s public beta, giving users more control over privacy and system-wide dark mode. And this week, Apple made its move by announcing iOS 13, its huge update to the operating system on iPhones, including a load of changes to optimize the user experience and system-wide dark mode too.

And now, let's put Android Q and iOS 13 side by side, based on we’ve known about them, and see how they compare.

Dark theme: iOS 13 wins

Earlier this year, Google brought a dark mode to Android Pie, but that didn’t cover the whole operating system. With Android Q, however, the dark theme has a wider coverage on the phone. But some apps still lack this feature, including Chrome and Gmail.

Apple, on the other hand, rolled out a dark appearance to users of MacOS Mojave operating system last year. With iOS 13, the tech giant is bringing this feature to iPhones. During WWDC 2019, it listed the places where the dark mode will present, including notifications, widgets, wallpaper, Messages, Calendar, etc., which seems that the feature is system-wide.

Running mobile apps in other places: iOS 13 wins

At WWDC 2018, the Cupertino-based company said that it would move some apps from iOS to MacOS using Marzipan developer tool.

At WWDC this year, it mentioned Project Catalyst, in which it would start moving apps in iPads to Mac. This will help developers more easily create apps for Apple’s desktop and mobile platforms, and Mac users may have more apps to choose from.

Google does the same thing by giving Chromebook owners the ability to access Android apps via the Google Play Store. But the limitation here is that they need an Internet connection, and users won’t find popular apps from MacOS and Windows like Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office.

Gaming: no obvious winner

Apple Arcade lets users play games on Apple TV, Mac, iPad, and iPhone devices. It’s worth noting that the company said during the 2019 WWDC that Arcade will work with both Playstation Dualshock 4 and Xbox One S controllers.

Meanwhile, Google Stadia is dedicated to game streaming, which also allows users to play games anywhere as long as a Chrome browser is available. It has its own controller but also works with third-party ones.

Both Stadia and Arcade won’t make their official launch until later this year. But based on existing information, Stadia would be a good option for console gamers with a good Internet connection, and Arcade could do well with casual gamers that play mobile and indie games to relax.

Messaging and Video calling: iOS 13 wins

For these tasks, Apple uses Messages and FaceTime, with end-to-end encryption. Its messaging handoff between MacOS and iOS appears seamless, users can also create Memoji.

Regarding Google’s Android, the options for texting and calling are more varied. For video and voice calls, we have Hangouts and Duo; just for voice calls, we have Google Voice. Meanwhile, business communication is aided by Hangouts Meet and Chat; and for texting we have Messages. Users can use the web version of Hangouts and Messages on Windows or Mac devices. However, the web version it not flawless though useable as it sometimes forget it’s connected to the service’s mobile app.

Voice assistant: Android Q wins

With the introduction of Siri in 2011, Apple was the first to have a voice assistant, available for users of MacOS, iOS, WatchOS, as well as the HomePod. And Siri in iOS 12 lets users create personalized tasks that the assistant can perform.

Meanwhile, Google didn’t release its own digital Assistant until 2016. Despite being the latecomer, it didn’t take Google Assistant long to surpass Siri. After the launch to Google Home smart speaker, the assistant has also come to Pixel smartphones, Google Home Mini, Google Home Max, and cars with Assistant Driving Mode.

For some time, Google Assistant and Alexa has done better than Siri regarding the usefulness. But at WDC 2019, Apple announced several new useful features for Siri, including the ability to search for WatchOS apps on the Watch Series and to read, respond to messages via AirPods as well as stream radio stations. Siri will come preloaded in iOS 13.

User privacy: iOS 13 does better

Of course, Apple talks a lot about protecting user data. Back in 2014, with the open letter from CEO Tim Cook, Apple made user data privacy a selling point. Unlike Google, the iPhone maker doesn’t make profits from targeted ads using user data, it earns from selling hardware, services, and apps. During the conference, it promised to give users more control over location permissions with apps and introduced a new method for signing in for more data privacy.

Google also talks about protecting user data, but the company relies on this to make a large part of its revenue, like what videos users watch and what they search for. And Android Q has taken a big step on the way to better privacy: it allows users to better control what info is shared through services and apps.

What’s to note here is that Apple and Google have different approaches when it comes to privacy. While Google’s upcoming update of Chrome browser will hobble ad-blocking and privacy extensions, Apple said last year that Safari would block third-party trackers from monitoring users’ activities on the Internet.

Swipey keyboards: Android Q may win this one

For those who prefer swiping to typing, iOS 13 comes with a swipable keyboard. But Google has Gboard, which does more than just letting users swipe to type. Users can apply various themes, insert GIFs easily, and even use different languages.