Survey reveals why iPhone users look down on Android, but many complaints are actually Apple's fault, not Android's

Hindustan Times

01-07-2025

No matter where you live, the phone in your hand can say a lot about you - or at least, that's what people seem to think. The friendly rivalry between iPhone and Android users is a global phenomenon, but a recent survey of Americans by Secure Data Recovery shows just how deep those feelings can go. The results might feel familiar, no matter which side of the smartphone divide you're on. But look a little closer, and you'll see that many of these complaints don't hold up as much as people think. The smartphone rivalry isn't just about technology - it's about perception, habits, and the stories we tell ourselves about our devices.(Unsplash)
Here's what the survey found are the biggest reasons iPhone users look down on Android phones:
The frustration that tops the list is all about image quality. Nearly 60% of respondents said they get annoyed by the low-quality photos and videos that often show up when messaging across iPhone and Android. The irony? This is mostly a problem with Apple's own iMessage system, which compresses media sent to non-iPhones. On Android, sharing high-quality photos and videos is seamless through apps like WhatsApp, Google Photos, or even RCS messaging, but many iPhone users stick to SMS and blame Android for the downgrade. 2. Group chats that fall apart
Group messaging should make life easier, but mixing iPhones and Androids often does the opposite. About half of those surveyed said group texts get messy, with messages splitting into separate threads or not showing up at all. It's enough to make some people avoid group chats with friends who use a different phone. It's important to note that this is only true for iMessage puritans who don't try other apps that offer seamless texting experiences like WhatsApp, etc. 3. Emojis that don't translate
Emojis are a universal language, but they don't always look the same from one phone to another. Nearly 40% of people said the mismatch in emoji style and variety is a real annoyance. A simple smile or thumbs-up can look totally different, and sometimes the meaning gets lost along the way. But the 'problem' is mostly about style, not function, and Android users rarely notice or care. If anything, the diversity in emoji design is a feature, not a bug. 4. The blue vs. green bubble divide
If you've ever heard someone talk about 'blue bubbles' and 'green bubbles,' you know this one. Messages between iPhones show up blue, but texts from Androids are green. For almost 39% of Americans in the survey, this difference is more than cosmetic - it can shape who gets included in conversations and even lead to a bit of phone shaming. But this colour-coding is only visible on iPhones. Android users don't see it, and messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram don't create these divides at all. The bubble drama is a product of Apple's ecosystem, not a technical failing on Android's part. 5. No read receipts or typing indicators
Read receipts and typing indicators help people know when their messages are seen or when someone is about to reply. These features work seamlessly between iPhones, but not with Androids. About a third of respondents said this lack of feedback is a real drawback. Yet, Android's RCS messaging offers both features - just not when communicating with iPhones, because Apple doesn't support RCS. On Android-to-Android chats, these updates are already standard.
The rivalry endures, but many of the so-called 'dealbreakers' are more about Apple's closed system than any real flaw in Android. The divide is as much about perception as it is about technology and that's not likely to change soon.