Apple vs. Competition
This was originally written as a persuasive essay for school. Originally it had a proper references page, bibliography, and cover page. I have adapted it for the web and tried to link everywhere I would’ve used an end note. The following is the report.
I believe Apple is better than its competition because it has a coherent ecosystem in which each device works perfectly with the rest, its App Store has better quality apps, and they focus on privacy more than the competition.
Apple has a very tight and coherent ecosystem. Each device works perfectly with the rest. The phrase “It just works” isn’t often said about Android. If you want to transfer a file from one Apple device to another, they just have to click the AirDrop button and select the recipient. You can iMessage between devices using just your email. You can also use things like Walkie Talkie between Apple Watches. When you get a new device, all you do to transfer is point your old device at a code on the new one and follow the prompts. Apple’s best phone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 1 terabyte of storage is around $1600. Samsung’s most expensive phone is the Galaxy Z Fold5 at around $2160 with the same amount of storage. According to this article from digitaltrends, the Apple Watch and an iPhone give better and easier to use data than their Samsung equivalents due to Apple’s app design and better seamless integration between devices.
Apple is also very easy to use. In testing, the iPhone 15 Pro Max was about 3.1 times faster at transferring from a solid state drive than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Overall, Apple has fewer glitches. This article from Global App Testing says, “77% of customers who tested both iOS and Android apps received more bugs on Android. With their Android apps being on average 24.7% buggier than the iOS equivalent.”
Apple devices retain their value better than that of the competition. Apple typically has higher trade in/resale value when it comes time to upgrade. Apple typically supports their devices with iOS updates for five to six years with Android only supporting their devices for only 2 to 3 years. You may pay more for the device up front, but it will most likely last longer. According to ReHack, both devices have comparable durability, but iPhones usually survive corner and edge drops because they don’t use the wrapped glass screen that Samsung does. Apple tends to have a more quality look and feel due to its minimalist design and over-engineered packaging.
Apple is also very customer friendly. If you have a problem you can just walk into an Apple Store, talk to a staff member, and talk to a Genius. The whole thing doesn’t cost you as a customer anything unless they have to replace something. One time we had a set of AirPod Pros that we had bought used and we found that the noise canceling function wasn’t working quite right. We took them into the store and they sent them off, figured out it was the earbuds, and replaced both of them for free because they were under warranty. They didn’t ask for a receipt or anything. When in an Apple Store instead of waiting through a long and painful checkout line you can talk to most any employee and they can check you out. If you trade in a phone at an Apple Store it is really simple. All you have to do is enter your Apple ID password and your device password, and they will scan some codes and trade it in. I had an older phone and I traded it in and the whole process took about 10 minutes. I am always amazed at how fast and efficient their employees are. Their stores always have more than enough employees.
Apple also has a better app store than its competition. Each app is reviewed before it is placed in the App Store which means there might be less apps but each app is better quality. According to this article from 9 to 5 Mac, Apple users are worth 7.4 times more than the Android user in terms of app revenue. Apple also doesn’t install as much bloatware as Android, and when they do you can delete it (quoted from here)
Apple is more privacy focused than the competition. Whenever you store your cards in Apple Wallet the information never goes to Apple. When you use Google Pay your wallet information is stored on Google’s servers. I found that in this article. Apple is generally more secure than Android is. A study reported that when hacked, 75% of Apple users are able to fully recover their data compared to only 55% of Android users. The same study said of Android users considering switching to Apple, 49% are considering it because Apple seems more superior in security and privacy.
In conclusion, I believe that Apple is better because their devices work together well, are easy to use, retain their value, their employees are customer friendly, have a better app store, and are more privacy focused. For some time I have had this prejudice and opinion biased toward Apple and their products. My research has only served to reinforce my position.