iPhones are more popular than Android devices among young people. That’s not good news for Google, so the following things need to change.
Android is not popular among young people
In the United States, 9 out of 10 teens use an iPhone. We do not know whether those figures in the Netherlands are just as dramatic for Google. Except that research by Telecompaper (October 2022) shows that Android is also losing ground here. In four years, the number of young people with a Samsung dropped from 29 to 23 percent. Of young people, 61 percent indicated that their next device will be an iPhone.
That is bad news for Google because if young people are already flocking to the iPhone, they are less likely to buy an Android device later, especially if people around them also have an iPhone. What has to happen?
Work on better communication tools
One of the biggest reasons to choose an iPhone over an Android device is Apple’s Messages app (also known as iMessage). You’re probably familiar with the problem of green and blue messages. If you, as an iPhone user, receive a message from another iPhone user, it will be green. From an Android user, the message is blue. This may change when Apple offers support for RCS (the successor to SMS).
But it’s not just about color; it’s also about functions. iMessage has been around for a long time and is expanded annually with new features that make it more fun to send messages to people who also have an iPhone. You miss that when you chat with an Android user. Apple also recently introduced new features that make calling another iPhone owner more pleasant than calling an Android user.
In addition, it is super easy to send files between iPhones via Airdrop, while this is a lot more difficult with Nearby Share on Android, for example, because you first have to create an account.
Create more unity between devices
Once you’re in the Apple ecosystem, you can purchase a variety of devices that integrate seamlessly into your experiences. Think of AirPods for music, a Mac as a computer, and an Apple Watch on your wrist. Everything works together immediately without any hassle.
On the Android side, this is all a bit more clumsy. There are good smartwatches, excellent earphones, and it is possible to synchronize your device with Windows, but it doesn’t really work well together. Samsung comes close with its ecosystem, featuring earphones, smartwatch, smartphones, and tablet on which you can attach a keyboard. Other manufacturers are also working on their own systems, including Xiaomi with their recently presented HyperOS or Huawei with HarmonyOS.
Fix the image
The biggest problem is that Android still has a bad image. Whenever an ugly photo or video is uploaded to social media, you always read the joke: was this filmed with an Android? Android cameras are better than iPhone cameras in some areas. Ultimately, teenagers just want to fit in, and then you want to use the ‘cool brand’ that the other kids also have.
Make things simpler
Something Apple is known for is the user experience. Everything should flow smoothly and be easy to understand. This sometimes goes wrong with Android. For example, setting up a new Android device feels messier and more complicated than setting up a new iPhone.
More attention to marketing
Apple is very strong in marketing, and not just in the usual way with advertising. Just think of how often iPhones appear in popular series and films and how many influencers and celebrities use iPhones. You influence young people more with that than with advertisements.
Emphasize your own strengths
Android also has many advantages compared to iPhones, which could be emphasized a bit more. Just think of the endless possibilities to personalize your device. In addition, the concept of repairability should be extra emphasized because young people are more concerned with the future world.
From iPhone to Android
Are you thinking of switching from iPhone to Android? We are, of course, happy to help you with this. We explain how switching from iPhone to Android works and give the best alternatives to the iPhone 15.