The war between iPhone and Android will wage on for years to come, but in this week’s Friday Night Fight, we’re not going to be bickering about which is best. At least not in terms of design, features, flexibility — and the other things normally discussed during a platform war.
Instead, we’re battling it out over the supposed class divide — the notion that the wealthy only buy iPhones, and the poor only buy Android because they can’t afford that Apple logo. It’s going to be a fun one!
So, join us below for one of our hottest Friday Night Fights yet, and be sure to weigh in at the end!
Luke Dormehl (Writer, Cult of Mac): Last week, you and I talked about the new TAG Haeur smartwatch. One of the things mentioned by myself was the price discrepancy between your average Android and Apple device — leading to an irate comment or two by readers, suggesting that I had no idea what I was talking about. In the aftermath, you and I got talking — and one of the things we discussed was whether iPhones really do end to appeal more to well-off users, while Androids are bought predominantly by poorer ones.
To be honest, I’m still kind of baffled this is even up for discussion. Every study we see suggests that this is pretty self-evident. We have studies showing that Android users tend to live in less affluent areas than iPhone owners, as demonstrated by analyzing 3 billion geo-tagged tweets and locating them on a map.
Others show how much more money iOS app developer makers earn than Android ones because, again, Android appeals predominantly to users with less disposable income. Still, others compare likely holiday destinations for iPhone users, as indicated through travel website searches, compared to Android users. No surprises: iOS users favor more expensive destinations than their Android counterparts.
Photo: Google
Killian Bell (Writer, Cult of Android): I’m beginning to wonder whether we should change the name of this feature to “Luke blindly bashes Android.”
What I and many of the readers took issue with last week was the suggestion that Android devices were designed exclusively with poor people in mind, and only bought by those who couldn’t afford an iPhone. I also take issue with these studies you keep bringing up — and indeed your strange obsession with them. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were printing them out and hanging them around your home.
Here’s why those studies are silly: Android is more popular in less affluent areas and emerging markets because it’s more accessible. The large catalog of devices at a broad range of price tags means there’s something for everyone, regardless of how much money they have in the bank, so it’s only natural that Google’s platform proves more popular among the budget-conscious.
However, it’s not that those with a big budget don’t consider Android at all. Yes, Apple’s iconic brand means there’s a large portion of consumers who will only consider an iPhone, because nothing else carries the Apple logo. But plenty of wealthy people buy handsets from other vendors. If they didn’t, Samsung and others wouldn’t keep making them year after year.
As for developers making less on Android, that should not be blamed solely on “users with less disposable income.” The real problem is piracy; Google makes it too easy for Android users to download and install apps from third-party sources, and only a small percentage of paid apps are actually paid for — the rest are pirated.
That’s a huge shame, but it’s not because Android users can’t afford those apps — they just don’t have to pay for them because it’s too easy to steal them.
Luke: I don’t think at all that Android devices are designed exclusively with poor people in mind — whatever that would mean. There are plenty of Android users who will buy Android devices for reasons other than cost. Hell, there’s not too much difference between buying a new iPhone 6s and buying a Galaxy S6 Edge — and I’m sure that Sergey Brin and Larry Page are Android users, who are certainly far, far richer than I’ll ever be.
But that’s partially because others have “borrowed” Apple’s premium strategy. Anyone doubting that Apple didn’t lead the way when it comes to charging more for smartphones aimed at the top-end of the market should check out this video showing Steve Ballmer laughing himself into YouTube infamy after hearing how much the first-gen iPhone was going to cost.
But the macro story is definitely true. Which is why Android is dominating in developing countries, while Apple has a luxury brand few others could hope to achieve. It’s not as cut and dried as to say that all iPhone users are richer than all Android users, but I don’t see how you can’t argue that this is the average situation when looking at overall mobile usage around the world. And Apple’s very conscious about this, which is why it’s avoided going down channels like making an ultra-low cost handset, as the iPhone 5c was originally rumored to be. It understands that it needs to keep its brand premium, and that chasing market share for the sake of it is pointless.
So here’s a question for you then? Do you think that any of Apple’s rivals are making headway in becoming more “exclusive” brands a la Apple? After all, Samsung has pretty much driven parts of its mobile division into the ground trying to match up to Apple in this department — and Cupertino still makes 95 percent of the smartphone profits.
Killian: Apple wasn’t the first to adopt a premium strategy, and others aren’t “borrowing” it; they’re just adapting to the market. Samsung didn’t follow in Apple’s footsteps this time — it simply had to up its hardware game because it was being panned so much for making cheap smartphones, and fans eventually got fed up with that and sales started to decline.
Apple may have been the first to introduce a wildly overpriced smartphone, but let’s not forget that just a year later, it reduced the price of the iPhone significantly. Balmer was laughing because the original iPhone was $500 on contract, which still seems crazy even today. It’s a lot cheaper to buy an iPhone now, and I don’t think Apple’s sales would be anywhere near what they are if it was still $500 fully subsidized.
I don’t think Apple has a luxury brand — luxury smartphones are the ones that come covered in crocodile skin and diamonds, and cost tens of thousands of dollars — it just has an iconic brand that’s cool, thanks to excellent marketing. Other manufacturers sell smartphones around the same price as the iPhone, and Samsung is one that’s been very successful at it — but its marketing isn’t as good. It’s not as hip to own a Samsung phone.
That’s the real difference in established markets: It’s not price tag or platform in many cases — we’re not comparing Fords and Ferraris — it’s that consumers buy an iPhone because it’s what they’re used to. It’s what their friends have, and it’s cool. Many won’t even consider a high-end Android because, again, they don’t have Apple logos on their backs.
I don’t think we should be referring to Apple as an “exclusive brand,” because it’s not. You can’t sell as many products as Apple does and be exclusive. I think the important question is whether any of its rivals are becoming as iconic, and I’d have to say no to that. But others will have their time; Apple can’t and almost certainly won’t stay top forever.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Luke: I’ll agree that there’s a fine line to be walked between being an exclusive luxury brand and a mass-market one, but I think most people would disagree with your assessment here. We see Apple repeatedly featured on lists with other exclusive brands, while the likes of Samsung languish in the background.
Again, let me reiterate my starting point — which is that Apple’s successfully sold as an exclusive, premium brand for people who have the means or the willingness to spend a bit more money on tech. Android has been successful around the world predominantly because it is accessible to less affluent consumers. Are there going to be exceptions here? Of course there are. Am I wrong about observing these larger trends? I don’t think so.
But let’s turn it over to readers. Do you side with myself or Killian? Leave your comments below, and have a great weekend.
Friday Night Fights is a series of weekly death matches between two no-mercy brawlers who will fight to the death — or at least agree to disagree — about which is better: Apple or Google, iOS or Android?
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
32 responses to “Is there a class divide between iPhone and Android?”
I would have to side with Luke on this. We’ve all read study after study. iphone users live in nicer areas, are more educated, have more sex, buy more apps, and make more money. Just like he said….On average….obviously not all android users are poor and ios users rich.
Based on a few visits at the Verizon store you can see the nicer dressed people checking out the iphones, and I always see the not so nicely dressed people checking out android phones. Ya I know, i can’t know for sure who makes more, but that’s all just based on my limited observations. Even in my group of friends/family. It seems like the “cooler” “adventurous” ones have the iphones, and the annoying and/or cheap ones will grab the cheapest or free android phone..
Once again, that is all based on MY observations in a small town in the midwest ;)
If you have one guy who sells Oranges for $10, and one guy who offers a range of Oranges from $1 to $10, then one of those guys is going to attract more budget-concious people than the other. It’s not that hard to understand, and it doesn’t mean the $10 Oranges are worse from the guy who offers lower priced options, or that only poor people would buy them.
What I’m curious about is if Like understands what “moving the goalpost” means, as he starts out saying nonly poor people buy Android devices and then when challenges shifts to an unrelated strategy of saying Android devices steal from Apples design. What is your point and how does it relate to the discussion? Luke is just grasping at anything he can to nscore points against Android, regardless of relevancy.
Grasping at anything to score points against Android???? Really.???
Which Android manufacturer are you talking about? Which of hundreds of versions of the software are you talking about. ??
Apple iPhone owners can expect to get 2-3 full iOS versions for free during the life of the phone. Android users can expect to get….. ZERO. The problem is that everyone out there tweaks the software so …. you are stuck with what you get. No nasty against android… just facts.
I have an HTC One M7, which runs a tweaked version of Android. Since I got it, it has received three major Android version upgrades for free, and four if you count minor versions. Not to mention, it continues to receive security updates. And it’s a 2.5 year old phone (iPhone 5 era).
This is the case with every high end Android. You can expect to receive major updates for about 2 years. The only devices that have ever received “ZERO” are the low end, sub-$300 (off contract) budget phones.
A “tweaked version of Android”?????????? oh, OK. Whatever you say… Does everyone have a “tweaked version of Android”?
Yes.
Except in the case of Nexus phones, everyone has a tweaked version of Android. A tweaked version of Android means that the manufacturer, in this case HTC, has added their own software to the phone. In this case HTC Sense (which is pretty good). Likewise, Samsung adds TouchWiz (which is terrible imo).
Regardless, both generally receive updates for around two years.
My question is: Why try to create categories for phone users? I’ll buy the type of device I want as long as it does what I want. I’ve been with the Mac/iPhone/Apple ecosystem since I bought my first Mac back in 1989. I’ve tried other computers and phones, but I like Apple’s products the best of anything else I’ve tried, so I stick with them. I get vary few problems with Apple’s equipment and great productivity and usability. I’m not rich, but I do work my ass off–and because I work so much, I need equipment that doesn’t give me a lot of trouble.
And that Len is exactly why people in the know buy Apple. They don’t want to spend tons of time working to get the product to work, they just want it to work. :-)
That’s why I use Apple. I used to work in an environment where I had both a Mac and PC side by side. The Apple I used that I actually got my work done and the PC was just the most annoying pile of garbage. Nothing but problems and it was just not the fun to use. Macs make my work seem a little more like fun because of little to no problems.
What’s the point of discussing this? Nothing to be learned or gained from it either way.
When I bought the iBook G4 back in 2001, class had nothing to do with it. Now I have a second generation iPad, Sony Vaio notebook, Galaxy Note 4 and drive a VW CC. I wonder what class that puts me in? It is ridiculous that anyone would place that much emphasis on these devices. Buy what works for you. I really despise Samsung’s Touchwiz, but the S-pen is so useful to me that I continue to deal with Samsung. Same thing applies to Apple, I hate their walled garden, but when it comes to useful apps optimized for tablets, there really isn’t any competition.
The point that isn’t being fully illuminated in this conversation is that iPhones are simply better devices. It’s like the difference between a bmw and a Kia. Yes, both will accomplish the same goal of delivering you to your destination, but one will clearly do so with more comfort, convenience, and user-friendly design. Such perks cost more, and thus the SES divide begins to reveal itself.
Not quite. Many Android phones offer more than the iPhone. Take the new Nexus 6P, for example: great design, sharper display, terrific camera, excellent software.
Even Samsung’s latest devices offer more. I know a lot of people don’t like TouchWiz, and to them the software is a con. But the pros include a better camera (not just my opinion — proven in tests), sharper and better displays, wireless charging, and arguably better designs.
If we’re comparing BMW and Kia, then the iPhone is the Kia, only someone in the showroom keeps putting the wrong price tags on it. Yes, iPhones are great devices, and iOS is decent. But almost every high-end Android gives you more for your money.
The iPhone is the Kia lol. Android can do way more than an iphone
The sad thing is the Android tax: to ensure you’ve got the latest and most secure version of Android, you often times have to toss the old phone and buy a new one because the carrier or manufacturer refuse to port it to the old handsets, even with phones released just a few months ago. iOS supports ancient hardware from 5 generations ago with the current release, no extra expense involved, with the latest features and security included.
Alphaman64….. BINGO!
Not if you buy a Nexus. The new Nexus 6P delivers great design, a sharper display, a better camera, and it gets the latest Android updates as soon as they’re available for years to come.
Almost all Android flagships receive software updates for AT LEAST two years. Admittedly some manufacturers take longer to roll out big ones, and users have to wait, but they get them.
The discussion was the same when it was PC or iMac. Simplicity of setup and use sold me — iMac hands down. Cell phones? I dunno, I heard iPhone users discussing setup and apps and it didn’t seem all that intuitive and easy like the iMac was. Android? Easy, intuitive, less bloatware, too. I love my Nexus 6 and Google’s Project Fi!
jkt.. “Android? Easy, intuitive, less bloatware, too.” I have to totally disagree. First of all, you are talking a top of the line 700$ phone and not a 45$ cheapo android phone.
Cheap phones will perform standard functions but after that, it can get chancy very quickly. My android friend too 3 days of research to see how to get songs off her dying phone. I plugged my iPhone into my computer and bingo. Done. Put the new iPhone into the computer and BINGO, its transferred. Easy.
That’s just as easy on Android, and you don’t need a piece of software (iTunes) to do it. It’s as easy as plugging your phone in, finding where the music is stored, and copying it to a folder on your PC. It’s no different to copying something from a memory stick — it couldn’t be easier.
Luke definitely for the win here. I mean all celebrities I see on Twitter use iPhones, and the people who Samsung payed to use their phones still used iPhones. Most celebrities use iPhones. All of the AGT panel did last year and just so many more. The security benefits of iPhones is why most rich people with personal data chose Apple. That and they are smart remember.
I think both people have too tight a focus. I use iPhone cause it just works (hardware and software) and because I can sell it for much more than a similar android phone (retains value).
But I will provide some facts to consider. Many people I know use cheap android phones. They do not THINK about which brand does what, they buy cheap. They lose their phones, who cares get a new one. They drop and break their phones, who cares get a new one. I guess if you do not care to take care of your phone, and you plan on buying 3-4 a year, you should get a cheap one. Right??
Then there is the “I can’t figure out how to get my photos / videos / music off the phone so they are stuck there. I will have to take more with the new phone… “.
These people are not dumb, but they just do not care what they buy, what they use. Price RIGHT NOW is the only focus. So they buy 3-4 phones a year and never get full usage out of it. (PS, FREE seems VERY important to them. Getting FREE songs for their phone, using a FREE app, etc) I want a good deal, I use iTunes Match(25$ per year) and get access to all 1600 songs I have anywhere I go with only 16 Gig on my phone, iPad, etc.
So, I say, use what you like… like what you use. PS, I hear Apple is making 90+% of the WORLDS PROFIT in smart phones. Hmmmm, sounds like the way to go.
Does anybody have numbers on how many exclusive android phones (in the iPhone price range) have being sold around the world? I think comparing that number with the iphones sold may give a different tone to this discussion.
Hmm, interesting conversation. Why do customers / users buy what they buy?
It is worth keeping in mind that it has become fashionable to think poorly of Apple lately. Funnily enough I don’t ever recall anyone very much complaining when Microsoft had their hands in the pockets or on the credit cards of millions of home and business computer users and hardware manufacturers, while they enjoyed arguably world domination for years. Something they openly achieved by questionable business activity and not because their product had special merit. Apple was on of a few companies who weathered the storm, with Jobs early anticipating the the benefits of the Internet, with home computers as family communication, entertainment and learning hubs. They simply developed products that meet those needs with continuity, style and elegance in use. While many rejected them at first we are where we are.
Is it really a class war then or conspicuous consumption?
Its an opinion that I think is only partially valid. In any high value market there will always be people who are encouraged to purchase by appealing to their ‘self image’ (marketing vernacular for vanity) alone. These sales are a bonus for the manufacturer but far from the reliable dripping roast or cut and come again source of revenue that they need. So these customers apart, why do people buy top end capital product? It is only and always the comfort factor, in this case comprising two components.
Firstly because it meets and addresses all their needs in one purchase, reliably, agreeably, enjoyably and if it looks good, what’s not to like.
Now I know we’re discussing phones here but as an aside, the example of comparative cost of PCs makes the point. Based on my own experience over 25 years or more and like most, beginning with a DOS driven, 5″ floppy drives, weary IBM desk tops this is what I’ve found.
You can always buy a cheaper machine, usually Windows driven but in terms of what it can do for you out of the box it simply doesn’t compare. It may come with ‘bundled’ software from disparate manufacturers but they are in the main bottom end, ‘light’ version or ageing product and have little common ground and certainly were not developed to work optimally with the operating software. So additional extras still with little in common, need to be purchased driving up the initial outlay.
In defence of the Windows PCs in general many argue strongly for their flexibility, open platform, access to developing bespoke software etc. Many people love tinkering with cars and computers. These have never been attractive qualities to me or I guess others who simply want to be able to be productive without needing to know why something works. Jump in and drive away, usually buying Honda, VW, Toyota etc.
Returning to the conversation on phones….reasons for buying top end…
Secondly, reliability linked to reassuring (low or no cost) after sales, play a major part and these I think, are the factors which Apple uses to makes itself crunch proof. Their demonstrable commitment to taking care of their product, hardware and software, in the stores is a joy. I’ve experienced full replacement on two items both out of warranty because they take the sensible view that their product should last longer than any nominal warranty period. I’m not alone in these experiences which makes for good word of mouth, another indirect benefit of building a better mousetrap. I have colleagues who have had a motherboard replaced in an ageing desktop because it was a known problem, another had an iPad 2 replaced after 2 years by simply paying £75 for a ‘new battery’. It came with a new warranty. Remind me again where you can take your Lenovo, or Toshiba, or Samsung…
Yes you’ll pay more but receive more bangs for your buck. Quality costs.
Without having built the better mousetrap in the first place no amount of marketing would have people beating a path to their door. You can always buy cheaper, like the oats that have already been through the horse or you can buy well. I’m running several elderly apple products which they take care of for me long after any guarantee has expired. At no additional cost. Just like eh, eh, Nexus, Samsung, hmm,right!
Finally cars are in my opinion a better allegory than beer. I mean really, does anyone buy a beer because it’s expensive and looks good? With cars however you can buy a base model mini or a well equipped family MPV. In which would you prefer to drive from Aberdeen to London, and back? It’s whatever meets your need.
Finally without having built the better mousetrap in the first place no amount of marketing would have people beating a path to their door. You can always buy cheaper, like the oats that have already been through the horse or you can buy well. I’m running several elderly apple products which they take care of for me long after any guarantee has expired. At no additional cost. Just like eh, eh, Nexus, Samsung, hmm,right!
With Microsoft, they were dominating because companies forced their employees to use PCs. This all started back when PCs in the home was not that common. PCs in the home actually started in the late 90’s when the internet emerged because it actually gave people an actual method to communicate with others through email, browsers, text messaging, etc. There was an upsurge in Anti-Microsoft at one point, but it’s not as wide spread as the anti-Apple group. Why? Because there are a lot of kids/teenagers that can’t afford to buy Apple products, so they spam everywhere trashing them, some of them get paid to do it, some are just afraid that Apple’s going to dominate the market when in fact, they don’t have the majority of market share in any market. So they are partially jealous and afraid so they have to put Apple and Apple users down to feel superior. I run into a lot of them and many of them have fictitious facts that aren’t even true, or they are outdated nonsense that doesn’t exist anymore, or they just bring up ridiculous reasons. Either way, I buy all Apple because I ditched the PC and decided to stick with Macs over 15 years ago for personal use, and since Apple released the iPhone and iPad, I have no real reason to use anything else because I like a one brand ecosystem as long as they continually make good products that aren’t problematic, easy to use/integrate together, and I get great support. All products are pretty close to each other if you look at similarly priced products. An Apple laptop isn’t that much different in price that a similar configuration Top Tier PC, and the same goes with Smartphones and tablets. I just know I can get my products to work together will less issues along the way than if i bought a Android phone or tablet with my Mac.
I also do not consider Google to provide me with an operating system since it’s not their main source of buttering their bread so to speak. Their main source of revenue is Ads and Ad clicks, not selling hardware or software. They aren’t motivated to make their products work and i quite frankly do NOT want to be a Android geek where i have to play with the OS so much of my day just to figure out how to use it. I’ve got better things to do with my life. I guess if I was a teenager and nothing better to do but to play video games and geek out with smartphones, maybe I might have gotten into Android, but I’m not a teenager with video game mentality.
This is all complete bs for the most part, I’m a very successful income wise guy in his mid–ish 40’s I can buy any iPhone or several and twins of each ipad, but that’s not my choice my choice is android and Windows and because of my career choice ( I’m in construction management ) I could wear expensive suits/clothing everyday, but that’s not my choice Carhartts n timberlands, why? Because I can and because I choose to, I haven’t cut my hair in almost a year, I routinely choose not to shave for weeks at a time, why? Because I can.
I don’t like being slapped with labels from hipster d/bags no-one does so this so- called piece of journalism by at least one of the authors is a direct slap in the face to a large percentage of the population who may or may not have the disposable income to purchase a iPhone, does that make them bad people?????, choice is a beautiful thing and that’s what I like, going along with the crowd is for suckers, BE TOGETHER, NOT THE SAME.
I like nice things, I buy nice things and I’ve been fortunate to have the upward mobility and disposable income to do so, I’m not trying to be a braggart I just like being myself and don’t judge people by the externals.
iPhone has snob appeal, Android doesn’t. iPhone is the aspirational brand, Android isn’t. Yes, a lot of it is image and marketing but a brand can sustain snob appeal and aspirational status only if it maintains category-leading product quality. To see what happens if product quality is allowed to deteriorate, just take a look at Cadillac.
Killian has a valid point, android users steal :)
People buy iPhones because it gives them status. The Apple Watch is even more of a status item. In turn Apple gives their customers a safe, easy to use and elegant solution which seems like an equitable bargain. Once Apple customers drink the cool aid they are inclined to spend even more. I know plenty of iPhone users who don’t have an IRA or home with a mortgage but they do have this or last year’s latest Apple products. Rich people, people who are wealthy or those seeking to become wealthy are more prudent with their cash. In some ways Apple is about a transfer of wealth from consumers to Apple. Phones are phones. One at $300 makes the same calls as one at $998. Apple buyers value the status more than personal wealth. Looking at how people vacation is a poor indicator of wealth since those vacations are largely funded by credit card debt.
That is one of the silliest things I have ever heard. Based on how you mentioned “wealth” and “investing” so much…I am assuming you are wealthy and invest…which you clearly want to share with the world. Just because both devices make phone calls doesn’t make them the same. It is strictly a matter of settling and whether or not someone is willing to settle. I dont buy products because they just work. I buy products to do what I want them to do exceptionally well. Settling is in no way in the cards for me. If I want a great steak I will go to a steakhouse…not a buffet line. Both have steak but one CLEARLY provides a better experience. This point is valid regardless of the brand. The whole “status” perspective is just complete ignorant garbage. Newsflash, if you find something you like you will probably continue to purchase from that brand. Yes it is a brand…but what that brand has done is something that can carry on beyond the logo.
I have owned both Android and Apple and prefer Apple. Sure Android is more open in terms of customisability, however the Android platform is generally horribly designed, customisations are terrible because they rely on developers to create new artwork for so much content, the achievement of being complete is impossible, then there is the App Store, App availability and also all the adverts on both free and paid apps.
I do agree that Apple cannot stay top forever, however the only way this will happen is if either Google gets stricter on Apps, makes a better default UI that is central across all devices and not dependant on carrier updates, and sorts out the issues with downloading latest OS versions and take it out of the hands of carriers and manufacturers to update. All this should be managed by Google and Google alone.
The alternative, each company should stop relying on Google for an OS and actually do their own work for once. Users would benefit from this as a real choice would have to be made, and it would no longer be a ridiculous Android vs, Apple war where every Android manufacturer is combined into one company in the eyes of fanboys who don’t count sales figures and device usage by individual company – which is the obvious issue when people state that there are more androids out there than apples, even though there are less htcs, less sonys, less samsungs etc
Until the iphone 6, there was a window where people were willing to pay iphone prices for an android phone because they wanted a 5″+ size screen. That window is closed now. Apple makes 94% of the profits in the ENTIRE SMARTPHONE market – Samsung makes 11% AND yep, Apple actually grew that from 92%. That’s very simple. People value the iphone at the price Apple sets. Samsung, 10% of an iphone and NO ONE ELSE has a product that is worth to consumers. It doesn’t matter what the reason is and of course, 10 YEARS means it’s not just some fad. People have looked and decided. Of course, no android user or android seller likes to think they are using/buying a downmarket product but price + #sold says everything that needs to be said. If it was just price, the iphone would sell like a typical luxe product, great margins but constrained by the # sold – after it crosess that threshold, it is no longer deemed “exclusive.” But the iphone is the world’s FIRST MASS MARKET LUXURY PRODUCT – for a myriad of reasons.
And telling stat – Android has 8 times the download of apps but Apple iphone makes 90% of the revenues in the app store marketplace. 800% the volume, 10% of the revenue. Same with the hardware – pennies per transaction.
And of course, it’s telling that no android smartphone seller has EVER announced specific sales numbers – ust too embarassing when matched with the numbers that Apple announces EVERY QUARTER.
It’s ALL in the numbers. It’s not a fad or transitory. 10 YEARS of revenue in hardware and apps. Believe it or not, Apple is actually gaining market share on android as android is a starter choice – those that can afford it move onto the iphone. And it won’t change for years – unlike other industries, Apple creates their own chips and their own OS so there’s no hope of Android ever catching up ,,, android is simply a java emulation of IOS in order for its owner to sell more ads. Apple is a hardware-software company. They are simply too different companies.