Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), has finally announced the release date of iOS 12, the next version of its operating system. Therefore, and with all the news on both fronts already presented, it is the turn of the comparison: Android Pie vs. iOS 12.
Android Pie vs iOS 12: after several months of testing, the final versions are here
Android vs iOS it is one of the oldest battles in technology. Both operating systems are the flagship of software when it comes to mobile telephony. No rivals who even try now - if not, tell 10 Windows Mobile -, both continue to incorporate new features to outdo each other. Sometimes one follows in the wake of the other and sometimes it happens the other way around. Both are, in a way, a reflection of the other, and it took each other to get to where they are now.
But there are both similarities and differences, and sometimes the same problems are approached from different directions. For this reason, and after the announcement of the release date of iOS 12, it is time to highlight some key points to discover not which one is the best - we know that Android -, but what the outlook will be like for the next twelve months until the arrival of Android Q and iOS 13.
Android Pie vs iOS 12: key points
Availability: Android Pie can now be downloaded, but we have to wait for iOS 12
Apple introduced iOS 12 last June, while during the month of May it had already been possible to enjoy the first beta of Android P. That same difference in the initial dates carries over to the final ones. Android 9 Pie was released in its final version last August, while iOS 12 will be available next September 17, within 4 days.
Compatible devices: the same old story?
When we talk about compatible devices, the usual story is that Apple offers great support and that the fragmentation of Android causes each version not to take off for many months. And, yes, generally speaking, it stays the same. In the case of the apple, the iPhone compatible with iOS 12 are:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone X
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- 6 iPhone Plus
- iPhone 6s
- 6s iPhone Plus
- iPhone 7
- 7 iPhone Plus
- iPhone 8
- 8 iPhone Plus
In the case of Android Pie from the day of its launch it can be downloaded not only on Pixel mobiles, but also on the Essential Phone marking the first time that you can enjoy the latest version of Android from day one on a non-Google mobile. A milestone that, although not a miracle, does show that Project Treble improvements are a reality. The companies are gradually announcing their plans, but some of the devices that have confirmed the update from day one are:
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
- Oppo R15 Pro
- OnePlus 6
- Sony Xperia XZ2
- Vivo X21
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Xiaomi Mi A2
- Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite
- Xiaomi Mi A1
- BQ Aquaris X2
- BQ Aquaris X2 Pro
- Nokia 8 Sirocco
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Nokia 6
- HTC U11 Life
- Motorola Moto X4
Performance and battery: Apple seeks to benefit older iPhones
Continuing that idea of greater software support, Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), ensures that it will improve the performance of older iPhones. The figures are: launch apps 40% faster, improve keyboard response by 50% and improve the camera by 70%. For its part, Google It did not give figures regarding performance improvements, but each new version of Android has improved performance significantly. During the beta period, the lack of bugs and how well Android Pie worked in general stood out.
In terms of battery, Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), It has integrated new predictive graphs regarding the general energy consumption and by application, basically imitating Android. Google It has incorporated improvements thanks to the adaptive battery, which takes into account the usual use of the device and learns when to dedicate more resources and when it can be lazier. An improvement that uses artificial intelligence to offer more autonomy.
Digital Wellbeing: Google Goes One Step Further
Both companies have opted with their latest versions to introduce a method to control the time we spend using the mobile. With Android Pie we have Digital Wellbeing and with iOS 12 we have screen time. In general, both have similar functions. They provide details on the usage time of each application and allow to block use based on time limits set by the user.
Even so, Android takes the power lead set up Digital Wellbeing, through its special modes of Do not disturb, which allow the screen to become monochrome before sleeping and to automatically activate Night Light. This takes digital well-being a step further by worrying about sleep hours.
Video calling: Apple allows you to use FaceTime with up to 32 people
One of the big ones? news of iOS 12 is that FaceTime will allow video calls of up to 32 people, and even use Animojis in them. On Android You don't even need to resort to Android P to be able to have video calls with up to one hundred participants, as we told you in the following article:
IOS notification improvements: still behind Android
To date, iOS notifications were a complete disaster. One after another, it seemed more like a social network than an information center. Apple has done the logical thing and has arranged to group them in the Android style, taking note of what Google has done over the years. Yes indeed, Android keep up the lead. The notification channels introduced in Android Oreo allow almost absolute control of everything that passes through our mobile.
The experience, like the rest of the system, is customizable, and that's a bonus. So iOS 12 it gets a little close, but not close enough. In addition, in Android Pie, the system will detect which notifications you delete frequently and will offer the option to block them forever if you wish. In this way, the system will also care about the digital well-being of its consumers.
Changes in Digital Assistants: Google Assistant integrates throughout the system
Google Assistant it is a tool that continues to improve every month. For Android Pie, artificial intelligence takes the hand throughout the entire system, something that is noticed with the new shortcuts in the application drawer. If, for example, you are about to leave home to go to work, when you open the drawer it is possible to see a shortcut to request an Uber to take you. Or, if it detects that you are home on the weekend, it can offer a shortcut to continue watching a series on Netflix. The mobile adapts to your use to be more intelligent and that you have to think less to do more.
Crab, for its part, also receives news on iOS 12. Siri Shortcuts are also shortcuts, but they must be customized by users to do what they want. For example, set that when you say "Weather", Siri informs you of the weather. This same example can be done on any mobile with Google Assistant without the need to configure anything extra, which clearly establishes the differences that still exist between the two assistants. Do not skip the iOS apps for Android, and vice versa.
Other minor details
- Apple introduces MeMoji, Animojis with our face.
- The app Apple Photos improved by adding features that have been present in Google Photos for a long time.
- The Android Pie interface is one of the biggest changes to the system, including the new gesture navigation inspired by the iPhone X.