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Significant Differences Between iOS & Android Mobile App Development

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Developing a mobile application is a difficult task. There has been a growing demand for smartphones between end-users and businesses. Mobile applications have become so widespread that it is impossible to imagine life without them. This led to an increase in mobile applications' iOS and Android devices. For amateurs, the iOS and Android platforms might look like, but they have their peculiarities. There are many dissimilarities between iOS and Android in the technical basics of mobile application development and the creation of an application.

The platforms differ not only in terms of technical expertise but also from the perspective of design and marketing. In other words, the whole concept will be based on the chosen operating system. Top Application developersin 2020 from one OS to another with a completely different programming language will notice the differences.

This article will focus on the significant differences between the development of iOS and Android apps to know the fundamental changes and decide on a more appropriate platform for app development for your business.

1. Language Development

Java is designed for mobile application development on Android. It needs a lot of scripted code. The last Swift was designed to create mobile applications based on iOS. Coding on Swift's much faster than Java. It takes more time for Java programmers to code Swift. Swift appeared in 2014, and mobile applications are built faster because writing code less.

Java can be switched with the Kotlin coding language that is incompatible with Java. It was created as an improvement of the Java language: intuitive, easy to read. Also, Kotlin is considered the main language to develop an Android-compatible application.

2. Availability Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Once engineers implemented the tool Eclipse as an application development environment based on Google. Later, Google launched in the studio and all the engineers have started to use because of its excellent possibilities: single package, multi-platform, high functionality, and debugging.

IOS developers use Xcode while building iOS applications based on Apple. It is an effective environment for developing incredibly fantastic applications for Mac / iPhone / iPad devices. It can even find errors in logic and syntax and get the fixed code.

3. Design Philosophy

They are principles to consider when designing an application.

Screen sizes and resolution: iOS devices Apple has made two screen sizes with over 3 possible resolutions for iPhone and iPad for some. resolution iPhone 4 is even used for iPad. Meanwhile, equipment-based Google Android running on a large number of screen sizes which leads to a wide range of screen resolutions.

- Navigation: Android-compatible devices have a navigation bar on the left while iOS has moved up. Android prefers colorful icons, while iOS retains its icons gray or blue navigation by default.

- Menu: Devices based on Google prefer a drawer menu, which usually places on the left gesture tap-and-pull, while iOS prioritizes the tab bar, which is usually placed at the end of easier access to hidden menu icons.

- Alerts and Pop-ups: These tabs appear suddenly and instant action is required. Thus, there are some minor differences in the alerts and popups. Android users must submit an action to avoid alerts by typing "Agree / Disagree" or "Do not leave / OK" for Apple-based users. There are 2 types of alerts for compatible iOS devices: alert and sheet action. They look, and their work is the same, but a sheet of action is implemented if necessary on 2 actions.

- Back Button: Apple platform does not have a real button "back", while Google-based users can return to the previous page open earlier. However, iOS users can use the top button to return to the order of the previous screens without having to navigate through the entire application.

4. The Audience

Vital statistics can provide more useful information about users that use gears compatible with Android / iOS. The Google platform currently holds the largest share of the platform worldwide.

Android users are male, employed in energy services/IT between 18 and 34; their annual income is an average of 50K – 100K. In comparison, iOS users are female, over 35, with a total annual income of 200k and work in the marketing/media/business industries.

5. The complexity of development

The distinction between Android and iOS is not so complicated in coding language that fragmentation of the operating system. Apple has a limited number of devices, which operate iOS, while Android-compatible devices have a wide range of systems that run on the devices.

Therefore, the creation of gears is supported by the most complex applications, moves more slowly because of a wide range of operating system iOS-enabled gear with a narrow range of operating systems.

Android gears have a wide range of screen sizes. This should be considered when developing. This is also on systems that run on devices that must be taken into account when creating mobile applications.

6. Development of speed

the development of the Android platform is supported by more time and take slow in terms of OS fragmentation. It takes 30-40% more for programmers to develop an Android-compatible mobile, unlike iOS.

7. Development Cost

To set the application taking cost based on business needs, you must decide the platform. Choose the development team and ask for a rough estimate. It would be helpful if you have considered the application development cost depends on the time needed to develop it. The fact is that the longer requires application, the more it costs. It is therefore necessary to read the cost of other applications such as Uber or Snapchat.

Final thoughts

There are some aspects you need to pay attention to while choosing a platform for mobile application development. We evaluated the key elements to define the difference between the iOS and Android platforms. Most critical is to evaluate the elements that differentiate the two platforms and consider them for your business application.

DxMinds Innovation Labs has strong technical experience in the development of productive and effective applications running on application stores. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us to transform your unique ideas into reality in case of questions.

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