From courtroom clashes over patents to competition for global market dominance, the Apple and Android rivalry has shaped the mobile industry for over a decade, and transcends to consumer loyalty and identity.
The rivalry between Apple and Android phones has existed since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, quickly followed by the release of the first Android phone, T-Mobile G1, in 2008. In 2011, Apple filed lawsuits against Samsung and other Android companies, accusing them of theft, marking the beginning of legal battles. Meanwhile, a rivalry between Android and iPhone consumers began to intensify, sparking a battle for global market share between the two companies.
In 2011, when Apple sued Android with complaints about infringed patents, trademarks, and designs, it started off an on-going back-and-forth of accusations and dirty looks from opposite sides of the court. The initial dispute was fierce, drawing in harsh, confrontational remarks and drew in shocked reactions from the public.
“I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong,” said Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, in Isaacson’s 2011 biography, “Steve Jobs”. “I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product.”
Nevertheless, Android holds the worldwide majority shares of around 72%, while Apple has around 28%. Unlike the Apple iOS, Android has a larger variety of hardware options, vast customizable services and can seamlessly integrate with Google softwares. As the more economical and flexible option in the mobile industry, it is easy to see why the Android is a preferable pick.
“They are much more customizable than iPhones,” said Madelyn Chung (’28). “There are a lot more options and flexibility when setting it up.”
On the other hand, in America, Apple holds over 55% of market shares, while Samsung has around 25% of market shares. According to an article from Financial Times, Apple dominates over Android in the mobile industry due to Apple’s powerful ecosystem and brand loyalty in the United States.
“It’s easier to connect to other people with iPhones, and with other things, like MacBooks, AirPods and Apple Watches,” said Eloise Smith (’29). “I like the aesthetic of an iPhone better too.”
The iPhone is also perceived to be a higher status item compared to Android phones. Even within iPhone users, there are varying levels of prestige.
“[Many] people ask what type of iPhone you have,” said Smith. “If you have older phones, like below ten, people could be judgemental and ask why you don’t have a better phone.”
In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit, with accusations against Apple for illegally monopolizing the smartphone market. It claims that Apple reportedly makes cross-platform messaging between iOS and Android mobile devices difficult in order to make consumers switch to or stay with the iPhone.
“I wouldn’t be opposed [to getting an Android,] but it would be harder to communicate since more people have iPhones,” said Smith.
This ongoing war covering design patents to dominance of the mobile market, legal battles have been fiery, users have been divided and the mobile industry has been changed forever. Though the two have a turbulent relationship, with serious allegations and lawsuits, in reality, both Apple and Android could not have been where they are today without the work of the other.
“Both have their own benefits and flaws,” said Chung. “Android is more customizable and budget-friendly, and iPhone has more stability and higher performance.”
