Why Android Loses to iOS: Third-Party Apps Are to Blame, Not Google

Flagship Android smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Oppo Find X9 Ultra, and Google Pixel 10 Pro, match or even surpass iPhones in technical specifications. Modern models offer superior displays, cameras, charging speeds, and battery life. Yet, users continue to encounter issues that tarnish the platform’s reputation.

The main problem lies with third-party apps. Despite millions of programs available on Google Play, many perform worse than their iOS versions. For instance, Instagram* on Android loads stories in lower quality, while X* (Twitter**) occasionally freezes, requiring a restart. New features, such as the updated Timeline interface, roll out on iOS weeks before Android.

Another issue is developers ignoring Google’s design guidelines. Apple has already implemented the Liquid Glass style in iOS 26, with apps like WhatsApp* adopting it. Meanwhile, Material 3 Expressive, introduced by Google nearly a year ago, remains unsupported by most popular apps. The situation worsens with foldable screens: many programs still lack optimization for foldable smartphones, despite these devices being available for nearly eight years.

Google is taking steps to address these issues. At the recent Android Show conference, the company announced a collaboration with Meta* to improve Instagram*’s optimization on Android. Plans include Ultra HDR support, enhanced content processing, and better tablet adaptation. However, experts argue that Google must enforce stricter controls on top apps to ensure full compatibility with flagship devices.