iOS vs. Android vs. Windows 10
iOS – Stable, secure, compatible
Pros:
The strengths of iOS lie in its stability, security and compatibility. Apple has been berated for its closed-garden attitude to its ecosystem but it has paid off in the lack of viruses and malware for the platform. Every now and then a security issue is found but it is often swiftly patched.
Pretty much every app is available on iOS with some being exclusives to iOS. Apple’s own apps, such as Garageband, iMovie, Pages, Numbers and Keynote amongst others, offer a great deal of value.
iOS updates are controlled by Apple directly and not carrier or manufacturer based and are therefore available to all compatible devices instantly. This means you always get the latest features and security patches on Day 1.
Services such as iMessage and Facetime are iOS exclusive and offer a great deal of value to the iOS package. If you own a Mac or another iOS device then Handoff and Continuity make working with and switching between all your devices much easier.
Cons:
iOS is secure and stable because it is a very closed system. If you like to fiddle with low-level settings or customise your phone to the maximum extent possible then Android is a better bet. Widgets in iOS are found exclusively in Notification Center and not on the homescreen.
In order to use iOS you must have a compatible device and these come at a premium. For professionals the security of the platform is definitely worth the price but if you’re a consumer you may find yourself priced out of iOS.
Android – Customisable, compatible, cheaper
Pros:
Android is an open platform and the system is deeply customisable. If you enjoy tinkering with every aspect of your device and hate the idea of not being able to change certain aspects of the OS, then Android is for you.
Android devices range greatly in size, price and capabilities. If you want a cheap smartphone then there will be an Android device for you. If you want a phone with a massive screen then you’ll find an Android with one.
Most app providers will have an Android app either in the Google Play store or from their website directly. You can also get some types of apps that Apple won’t allow onto iOS such as emulators.
If you’re in the Google ecosystem then Android will seamlessly integrate with all Google’s online services.
Cons:
Android is not a secure system. By the virtue of it being an open system it also means it is open to viruses and malware. Even when not being attacked by hostile 3rd parties, your data and privacy are often being breached by Google or the manufacturer themselves.
You are the product. Your search history, messages, location, purchases etc. are all provided to Google’s partners to target advertisements at you.
Updates to Android are slow to roll out across devices and even brand new devices are not guaranteed to get the latest updates. This can massively affect security and device capabilities.
Windows 10 – Simple, distinct, not ready (From the future: DEAD)
Pros:
Windows 10 is a clean-looking and simple-to-use OS with large tiles that provide easy touch targets and information at a glance.
In future your phone will be able to connect to a display via a specialist dock to provide a PC-like experience with some universal apps like Office.
If you use Onedrive and Skype then they are seamlessly integrated into the system.
If you like to be different and distinct then rocking a Windows 10 device will certainly make you that with only 2 out of every 100 smartphones being a Windows 10 device (although this is higher in the UK).
Cons:
The real Achilles’ heel of Windows 10 is the lack of apps. An example is Snapchat who have refused to build a Windows 10 app citing its tiny 2% market share. This may seem like a minor thing but the whole experience is built around apps and even if they are available they are often a much poorer experience.
Windows 10 is not ready for primetime. On many devices it is not publically available yet and on those that come with it pre-installed there have been a large number of stability issues. It may turn out to a good platform in the long-run but right now it isn’t mature and it lacks the support of the dev community.