Android Continues to Have More Loyal Customers Than iOS

[dampfnudel]

Really? Walk into your preferred cell carrier or Apple store, and for $0 down you can walk out with a new iphone X(or your preferred iteration). Either phone is quite "affordable". This of course is under the assumption that you are on a payment plan. Which seems to be the case for many Android and Apple users.

If you could go back in time and tell people that phones would become so expensive that monthly payment plans would become “necessary” for some people, they would laugh. Now, I suspect a significant number of them are “loyal” Android users. Personally, I dislike payment plans and prefer to pay the full price. It doesn’t matter if you pay now or pay over time, the price is still a mental obstacle that can be hard to overcome for some. So forget about affordability and let’s talk sensibility. My prediction - Apple comes to its sensibilities and lowers their prices.

 

[LovingTeddy]

In other news.....

People who eat at McDonalds continue to eat at McDonalds.

BTW, shouldn't this make Android users the sheep? Since they are supposedly more loyal? And they have the greater numbers?

We Android users are not tied to one single company that dictated everything. I jump between brand all the time. Overtime, I have had Motorola, L.G. Huawei, Xiaomi, ZTE, bunch of Nexus, Asus etc. Unlike iOS users, just tied to Apple and no other choices.

I think this element plays a pretty significant role in this measurement. A huge portion of Android's market share are budget to mid range phones. If one wishes to stay in this price range, not really comparable options in iOS.

Even budget to mid rang Android phones provides smooth user interface and almost 95% of iPhone X functionality. I don’t need spend more than one and half grand of to get iPhone X, where 400 dollar Android phone does as much as iPhone X would do.

 

[Baymowe335]

Jobs never cared about money, once he was already a millionaire.

Haha, that incredibly false. Jobs was

Yes, it’s ALL about money isn’t it. But once any company becomes more about making money than anything else, more times than not the money eventually evaporates.

And besides - what gives? Youre bragging on Apple as if you’re proud about it, like you somehow we’re a key player in their financial success.

And then there’s the flaw in your argument anyway: if someone said macdonalds hamburgers suck, so would tell them how financially successful McDonald’s is? And thats somehow proof that their hamburgers are great?

I participate in Apple’s success quite directly as I own a very small portion of their profit. Proof the pursuit of money doesn’t generally create the best results? After all, that IS capitalism which has generated the best standard of living in human history.

McDonald’s is a fantastic company.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Perhaps you should start with “hooked on phonics” before you ask dumb questions.

I’ll give you a hint. I’ve been an iOS user for the past 6 month. Now I’ll give you time to do the math. Good luck.

I stop using iPhone since iPhone 6S. Now permanently Android phone users (note Android phone, still using iPad). iOS to be is the one that is below low class. To each own, if you prefer iOS, than that is great. That doesn’t mean Android is below low class. I dislike iOS and think iOS is below low class, that doesn’t mean iOS is actually below low class.

I would never go back to iPhone. I just cannot find a justification for shelling out 1500+ for a phone where 400 dollar Android phone do almost all iPhone X does. It just doesn’t worth the cost.

 

[obamtl]

Actually, considering that iOS basically has only one brand (iPhone), whereas Android has so many, 85% for iOS is rather impressive because it means people are sticking to iPhones. 91% for Android means effectively 9% of them switch to iPhone alone (given that all the other platforms are now effectively dead) and within that 91% people are almost certainly switching between brands. So it's very possible (if not probable) that people are switching within brands within Android.

 

[ipponrg]

A better comparison for this article would be the iPhone to Samsung Galaxy.

There are many users (myself included) on this forum who have contemplated currently or at many points of iPhone ownership in switching from iOS to Android for a multitude of reasons. Being lazy is actually a very overlooked factor.

 

[tkukoc]

I had to laugh at the “power users” comment. No such thing as a power user on a consumer smartphone.

Then you obviously just use the phone for what it is to you.. a phone. Those of us who use their devices for more want a lot more. Power users such as myself have to find other ways to make IOS better without using stock.. and I'm not talking about jailbreaking or side loading.

 

[fairuz]

I had to laugh at the “power users” comment. No such thing as a power user on a consumer smartphone.

Maybe once you have 1000 Instagram followers, you're a power user?
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Then you obviously just use the phone for what it is to you.. a phone. Those of us who use their devices for more want a lot more. Power users such as myself have to find other ways to make IOS better without using stock.. and I'm not talking about jailbreaking or side loading.

Then I hope there's some specific reason you need to go to all that trouble, like if you're a dev who deals with the low level stuff. Most people don't have that reason.

 

[I7guy]

Freedom is the reason.

Tim Cook says no headphone jack for YOU!
Tim Cook says, no 32 bit apps for YOU, poof, they are gone!
Tim Cook says, NO, you cannot continue to use IOS 10! UPGRADE or BEGONE!
Tim Cook says, NO, you cannot fix your phone. Buy a NEW ONE!
Tim Cook says, no Touch ID for you! Face ID a problem driving? Just drive OFF the road!
Time Cook says, Buy a $1000 phone and people said no.

Basically, Tim Cook, The Mobile Phone Soup Nazi! Samsung is loving Apple and Tim Cook right now.
Apple is creating all their marketing for them.

Steve Jobs is probably rolling over in his grave.

PS: The thing that really ticked me off is that I sent my old iPhone 5s back to Apple for repair and they sent it back in not much better condition. The iPhone 5s cannot really take advantage of the latest IOS 11 features. It only slows it down and that's the reason I sent it into Apple running IOS 10! That is just INSANE!

The iphone 5s is great on 11.3b4. Better than ios 10,9,8,7.

BTW. Tim Cook is a wise man.

 

[fairuz]

if all Android devices were comparably priced to iOS devices, then I think this would be more relevant.
But there are so many cheap Android devices out there that people have just because they are cheap and this doesn't mean "loyalty" to me.

Well since people are generally getting richer in the parts of the world where smartphones are common, I'd expect the opposite effect if this were the case.

 

[bopajuice]

I think some are equating inexpensive, more reasonably priced phones with cheaper quality phones. I see plenty of quality Android phones out there with similar features to iPhones. Seems with some Android phones you get more for your money. May not be quite as fast in some cases, but the build quality, battery life, OLED screens, memory, etc., seems to be in the same ballpark.

 

[fairuz]

Very flawed data. So if you switch from a Google Pixel 2 to a Samsung Galaxy S9, you’re more loyal than an iPhone user that switches to Google Pixel.

I’m curious who the most loyal phone brand is.

Does it matter? Basically the same software on each Android phone.

 

[Nugget]

Judging from this thread, Android users are definitely more loyal. I, as an iPhone user, have never once been tempted to visit an Android web forum and argue with the users there over their choice of phone. I guess I'm just not loyal enough.

 

[code-m]

All this proves is that Android users are cheapskates.... they go through phones like water, because they don't last or they cannot get Android upgrades..

I would not lump Android users as cheapskates, sure there are many entry/budget models from many manufacturers for those who are on a budget and it provides a great opportunity for future loyalty as this reports states. Most of those entry/budget models only run the OS version it was released with few if any updates after purchase, however it hooks these users in early. There are also many high quality hardware options as well.

To me even though I have no loyalty to either OS, I use what fits my requirements. I use iOS presently due to security concerns and the iPhone gets OS updates for years along with the phone being usable. It’s a good balance, that being said even the most affordable iPhone SE model compared to the entry/budget Android phones are not cheap. This is where Apple should really focus on lowering the 4” iPhone price to $150 USD or less, it would not surprise me if Apple produces these phones for $100 USD or less.

Before people chime in here and state that this is a market that Apple does not make money or want to focus on due to profits, think of it this way. Apple stands to make up the loss in revenue by selling services it offers. Once a user is invested in the Apple Music Store, App Store, learn the OS, etc, their are less likely to drop it for its competitor. Apple understood this back in the day with the iMac, iBook, eMac. Then their seem to just give-up on the student, budget user and focus on the medium to high end customers. If a child is familiar with a specific OS environment during its developmental stages, majority of the time they stay loyal to that platform. This is just human nature.

I see this as a loss to Apples eroding userbase and to compensate it basically releasing new iPhones by increasing the entry price point. The loyal users who have that kind of disposable income are very limited and some who do have that kind of income will still not purchase due to value and to send a message. Is it hurting me, nope. At the end of the end I have nothing to loose and more to gain if that message is received by Apple and it starts to lower its prices for its products.

Once Android has the security of its OS figured out, I will jump ship. I am very farmiliar on how to use both OSes, and there are many Android manufacturers that are rivaling Apples hardware build quality. Without loyalty the war chest of billions will vanish, this happens to Apple previously and if their don’t smarten up, history is going to repeat itself. At present their will be fine, however it does not take much to turn the tide in this sector.

 

[fairuz]

A better comparison for this article would be the iPhone to Samsung Galaxy.

There are many users (myself included) on this forum who have contemplated currently or at many points of iPhone ownership in switching from iOS to Android for a multitude of reasons. Being lazy is actually a very overlooked factor.

Being lazy is probably my only reason, and I'd guess it's the biggest reason for everyone. And I consider that a good thing. I should be spending the least possible amount of time fiddling with my phone, switching phones, trying new phones, etc. The closed-mindedness can be pardoned cause it's a phone we're talking about, meaningless anyway, not something like dating or work experience.

 

[827538]

That depends on how you measure loyalty...

I'd say that Apple iOS has the MOST loyal clients on the planet. No in the entire Solar System....

That they still have ANY clients at all after what they put they clients through with iOS 11 speaks fathoms about loyalty

As someone who’s been using iPhones every day since the 3GS I can say this hits pretty close to home. I even had a good play around with a Galaxy S8 the other day.

Between £1000 phones and crippling my phone with iOS 11 my patience has started to wear thin with Apple. I didn’t really like Android much when I used it but I feel close to giving it a go after all of this.

 

[KGB7]

Study is flawed because it doesn’t take into account income. Some, nay, many Android users can’t afford to make the switch to iPhone and the generally more expensive ecosystem, like iCloud storage, to store their photos whereas iPhone users are already at the top of the cost spectrum so switching to Android may be a way for some of them to save money.

You can buy an older iPhone model that is new or refurbished at an affordable price.
You can also buy a used iPhone at affordable price.
Unless you are homeless or your income is too low, then you get a free Android phone through a government program.

 

[code-m]

I used to work in a phone store and the problems the pixel had that people were returning them for was enough for me to stop recommending them.

The pixel is a second generation Google product. What I like about Google is that their incorporate new hardware and software rapidly. What I dislike about them is that their abandon a lot of their hardware and software products after a few year. I am surprised that Android OS lasted this long, look at all their other products their release them like crazy and then within a couple years its either replaced or abandoned.

This is something that really annoys me about Google, it’s a lack of focus. I don’t mind that their relabel, or merge or incorporate features into its main product lines, just take your ADHD meds and focus. I don’t know if a Google product I buy or use today will be around 2 years or more from now.

 

[fairuz]

Really? Walk into your preferred cell carrier or Apple store, and for $0 down you can walk out with a new iphone X(or your preferred iteration). Either phone is quite "affordable". This of course is under the assumption that you are on a payment plan. Which seems to be the case for many Android and Apple users.

Uh, there are plenty of things people can buy for $0 down that they can't afford. And they do it all the time.
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Haha, that incredibly false. Jobs was

Have you read a biography on him? His words and actions would indicate otherwise.

 

[code-m]

Apple could put a much more significant dent into Android, if they chose to "open up a little", and offer more customization for its devices. After 10 years of iOS, we still can't have weather on the lock screen, app icons can't be interactive, ie a weather app cannot show what the current weather/temp is, and still the stale-ass grid of icons that cannot be resized or changed how many icons appear on the grid...

on a 12.9" iPad you could have easily have an extra 10 icons at least.

I agree, after 10+ years of iOS, I believer its time to rethink some of the groundwork along with another facelift. It feels stale/dated because we are farmiliar with it, however still feels like its built for a non-techy customer who does not want to spend anytime learning all the features available to them.

I see so many iOS users who do not know how to use they phones, and they have owned them for years interacting with them on a daily basis. When a new iOS version is released, these users get frustrated if something they are used to is relocated or changed.

iOS should have three modes, novice, intermediate and expert. You heard it here first people, don’t steal my idea Apples without providing proper recognition.

 

[mistasopz]

We use iPhones for work and I've been using Nexus/Pixel phones since the Nexus 4. Since that time I've used the iPhone 5 all the way up to the iPhone 8. If I had to use only one phone starting tomorrow for everything I'd pick the Pixel 2 hands down. I wouldn't consider any other android phone or manufacturer. Stock android on good hardware is just such a joy to use. Infinite customizability without all the restrictions.

 

[Worldspinning]

I'm genuinely curious about what the many other things are that Android users say can be done with that OS compared to iOS. I understand the screens and icons / widgets / whatever can make for a more custom feel (which is appealing)... but I can't think of anything else that's truly different. What are other non-subjective things that make Android OS more flexible?

 

[oldguy]

Android customers continue to be loyal to the Android operating system than iOS users are to the iOS operating system, according to new data shared today by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

Android saw a 91 percent loyalty rate in 2017, compared to 86 percent for iOS, with loyalty rates for the two operating systems remaining largely steady since early 2016. Android loyalty has hovered at 89 to 91 percent since January 2016, while iOS loyalty has been between 85 and 88 percent.

Operating system loyalty for the year was measured by the percentage of customers that remained with each operating system when activating a new phone over the twelve months ending in December 2017. CIRP says its findings are based on quarterly surveys with a sample of 500 subjects each.With the Android operating system, customers have access to a range of different smartphones that are all able to run Android, which may explain why it has a higher loyalty rate. Android devices are also typically more affordable than iOS devices, with a wider range of low-priced options available.

As CIRP points out, with fewer and fewer first-time smartphone buyers available, poaching customers from competing operating systems is becoming increasingly important. Apple regularly aims to lure Android users to iOS through trade-in options, videos, a Move to iOS app to make transitioning simple, and a "Switch" website dedicated to explaining all of the reasons why the iPhone is better than competing smartphones.These loyalty rates are not equivalent to switcher rates, where iOS wins out. With a larger Android customer base, more customers are switching over to iOS devices on a regular basis. During earnings calls, Apple CEO Tim Cook always touts the high number of Android switchers Apple sees, with each quarter setting a new record.

Article Link: Android Continues to Have More Loyal Customers Than iOS

 

[ipponrg]

I'm genuinely curious about what the many other things are that Android users say can be done with that OS compared to iOS. I understand the screens and icons / widgets / whatever can make for a more custom feel (which is appealing)... but I can't think of anything else that's truly different. What are other non-subjective things that make Android OS more flexible?

For me it's native integration with Android apps like Gmail (push instead of pull), Calendar, Maps, etc. Apple's 1st party apps are abysmal in comparison. At work, we use a lot of Google apps or Microsoft apps. Before they separated themselves from Google in previous iOS versions, I was actually pretty happy with the iPhone.

 

[KGB7]

I stop using iPhone since iPhone 6S. Now permanently Android phone users (note Android phone, still using iPad). iOS to be is the one that is below low class. To each own, if you prefer iOS, than that is great. That doesn’t mean Android is below low class. I dislike iOS and think iOS is below low class, that doesn’t mean iOS is actually below low class.

I would never go back to iPhone. I just cannot find a justification for shelling out 1500+ for a phone where 400 dollar Android phone do almost all iPhone X does. It just doesn’t worth the cost.

I paid $360+tax for Apple certified refurbed iPhone 6s Plus and I do enjoy it far more then my last Android phone Galaxy S7 Active.