iOS is generally considered more stable and more secure than Android, but boy how the tables have turned.
According to new data, the failure rate of Apple’s platform rose significantly during the second quarter of 2016, making it more unstable than Google’s for the first time ever.
During the first quarter of 2016, iOS devices saw a 25 percent failure rate in tests carried out by Blancco Technology Group. During the second quarter, that figure rose to 58 percent. Crashing apps, unstable Wi-Fi, and other performance issues were to blame.
In its Q2 2016 State of Mobile Device Performance and Health report, BTG reveals that the iPhone 6 is the most unstable Apple smartphone with a failure rate of 29 percent, followed fairly closely by the iPhone 6s at 23 percent.
Strangely, the iPhone 6s Plus, which has almost exactly the same internals as its smaller sibling — save for a larger display and battery — had a failure rate of just 14 percent.
Meanwhile, Android’s failure rate fell from 44 percent in Q1 2016 to just 35 percent in Q2 2016, making Google’s platform more stable than Apple’s for the first time since BTG began compiling its quarterly Performance and Health reports.
“Ever since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, Apple’s iOS has been a force to be reckoned with,” said Richard Stiennon, Chief Strategy Officer at BTG. “But our data suggests that the performance battle between iOS, Android and other operating systems is constantly changing.”
While unstable apps were the biggest reasons for failure on iOS — with Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook among the worst for dying during use — the camera and battery charging were the biggest culprits on 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.
31 responses to “Skyrocketing ‘failure rate’ means iOS is less stable than Android”
The iPhone 6 and 6s failure rate against ‘Android’ ? What Android ? Which version ? Which of the thousands devices running it ? This is the sort of sensationalism that is killing tech blogs and reducing them to the sorts of the sun…
“Just” 35% ????
Since when is 35% less than 25%?
Seems legit >>roll eyes<<
This is really confusing. You say “BTG reveals that the iPhone 6 is the most unstable Apple smartphone with a failure rate of 29 percent,”, This is the max failure. so the failure rate of IOS in general is less than 29%. Earlier you claim that the overall failure rate was 58%. Does not compute!
It sounds like you might be confusing a failure rate for a change in failure rates. Kind of like confusing the annual deficit with the total debt.
Can you clarify this point for your article?
Quite right – the figures in this article are very odd. And as Pete has also remarked: which version of Android, exactly? And which phones? And just who is BTG, anyway?! I’d also have to join others here with extensive experience of iPhones (which we use both in my family and at work) by asserting that compared to Android devices (I’ve owned several Android devices, but abandoned the whole stagnating – in terms of regular updates – platform a couple of years ago in disgust), iPhones are rock-solid; I can’t remember the last time one of my iOS devices “failed”. Plus they’re also regularly updated.
Just click the link and everything is much more clear.
Out of the 58 percent of iOS devices that failed, iPhone 6 had the highest failure rate (29 percent), followed by iPhone 6S (23 percent) and iPhone 6S Plus (14 percent).
In analyzing the causes of iPhone performance issues, crashing apps (65 percent), WiFi (11 percent) and headset (4 percent) were found to be the primary culprits.
Despite their tremendous popularity and record-setting growth rates, Snapchat (17 percent), Instagram (14 percent) and Facebook (9 percent) dominated the list of crashing iOS apps.
“While unstable apps were the biggest reasons for failure on iOS”… so the failures on iOS have nothing to do with the OS then. It’s the App developers’ fault.
On Android, “the camera and battery charging were the biggest culprits” – failures on Android are to do with the OS/phone manufacturers.
Hmmmm…. Is iOS really more unstable than Android. Don’t think so.
I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not. They’re both bloody good to be honest. But I do know this is yet another garbage headline and “article” from Cult of Mac.
“While unstable apps were the biggest reasons for failure on iOS — with Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook among the worst for dying during use — the camera and battery charging were the biggest culprits on Android.” – What? So maybe it’s Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook unstable, not iOS? Are you kidding me?
Where did you get your facts and figure and how much did you get paid for it ….
I am using iOS since 2007
Never failed ….
let me end by saying
BULL BUTTER
Oh well thats it then isnt it. Your device has never failed so that means all ios devices dont fail. The arrogance of some apple users is unbelievable. And i own many apple products.
My iPhone never failed either. Just saying. But if everyone who has device that never failed reply to you, this thread is going to exploit.
My iphone 6 plus has never failed either. Im just so tired of apple users making wild claims that because their phone has never failed, that the reports of others who have failed is bull. I am a network admin for over 20 years and have an appreciation of all electronics. To say one device is full proof ibecause you personally have never experienced problems is just arrogant.
The self-loathing of some Apple users is just as unbelievable.
I’ve never had instability issues with any iPhone, ever.
Having used both devices and having used many Android phones, I do not believe one word of this article. Plus I also question what Android phone they used. Also, I am running iOS 10 and things pretty much never crash so are they even considering everything? If I wanted security and stability, I would still pick an Apple iPhone over any of the rest!
“Skyrocketing ‘failure rate’ means iOS is less stable than Android”
“…failure rate in tests carried out by Blancco Technology Group?” Riiiiiight.
With respect, this article is total BS.
in your face ifaggots!
Butthurt sheep. Ahh, can’t stop laughing at you guys. Especially the ones that say “I’ve owned apple devices for years, never once have they crashed!” Yeah sure mate, we believe you. As someone who owns Apple, Google and Microsoft products, I can tell you that every one has their issues. None are perfect, and to suggest Apple is, clearly highlights your fanboyism.
Nothing defines an idiot more than using the word “butthurt” in a sentence.
You poor, sensitive, precious little flower. Did I hurt your feelings? Awww, my apologies. What defines an “idiot” for me is, one who religiously defends a brand through Herd Mentality. You may also wish to look up the term “Sheeple” to see where you fit into society. As for this idiot, I’ll continue to earn my 6 figure paycheck each month, drive my two BMW’s, spend time on my boat, enjoy my beautiful home, spend quality time with my family and buying whichever tech I desire because I can. All while laughing at “idiots” like you on the internet.
Yeah you definitely seem like someone who is definitely not lying about the stuff that you own. Because only real winners go online and try to brag about their possessions.
Nah I’m kidding…I think you’re a total loser who’s lying about everything. Because you definitely sound like a total loser, and your language is that of a total loser.
Well. I own many Apple products and Microsoft and Android as well. True, they all have its issues and nothing is perfect, but Apple products are by far more stable and efficient than the others two.
But it makes sense though:
– Apple not only gives the hardware, they also gives you the software especially designed for them to “talk nice”.
– Android makes the software but it works on several hardwares with different components. It’s obvious that is going to be less reliable and in order to compare, one would have to establish both hardware and software used in the comparison.
It’s the same matter as Mac OS vs Windows. Which computer are you using windows on? Model, year, brand? etc
Article lacks of this very important variables. Personally, I’m not planning on switching to Android any time soon but… never say never
It’s well publicized regarding Apple’s security flaws as well as their iOS instabilities (that’s what we’re talking about here.) You can try to make out that iOS is 100% secure with no glitches or bugs, but you’d be lying obviously. Just type into Google “iOS issues” or “iOS bugs” to see the huge list of problems. The same goes for searching “iOS security flaws.” In fact, there’s a new one from just yesterday, so maybe you want to check that. The great thing about being platform agnostic, is I don’t feel the need to defend a particular brand even when I know I’m wrong. I can objectively see the merits of each tech company and their products and criticize based on real life usage every day. Anyways, I often find it amusing how bent out of shape Microsoft, Apple, Google, Samsung, (insert any popular brand here) fanboys get these days.
No one will say 100%, if they do – hit them for me. I – as a lead iOS, and Android developer can easily tell you that this article is bullshit, and that iOS is plain simply more stable. Yes iOS has bugs like every OS. But it is way less than android I mean come on. Yes some people are sheep but it’s easy to be a sheep for Apple. They made their company that way. They don’t release a feature until they perfect it, that’s why android has so many features that iOS simply does not. You have been rude, pulling straw man and other arguments, going away from the fact of what’s really objective. I really do love both platforms but objective is objective.Not hating on all people who love a particular one, because you are a rude ass. Cheers
I don’t know what BTG did to their iPhone to get it to fail like this but in all the years I’ve own an iPhone I’ve never experienced anything close to a 29% failure rate.
This must be one of the shittiest journalism I’ve ever seen
Owned a iPhone 6 and had zero issues, the headphone port screwed up once but a quick reboot fixed it. This test should have been against several phones on the most popular android version
Why do you commenters have the need to defend your device? You know you had more than usual stability problems.. My iPhone 6 was a pain after getting iOS 9. Until 9.3.1 came out I was wondering what the hell did I pay 750 bucks for. Now my phone has almost no ‘drops’ though
how does 35% failure rate makes android more stable than 29% of ios?
There are some “”iDIOTS”… in here who dont know the meaning of a technical term and have no idea what is being said… All they see is someone saying something -ve about apple… and they start acting as they are bitten by a rabid dog… Failure means crash, to a NORMAL person, sometimes you dont even realize an app has crashed, it is that fast brought back to the screen… but if you are observing this technically you will have a lot of data points indicating the failure of the device… I have noticed in recent years that the failure rate has increased… if you are JB’d you can see in CrashReporter… the number of times the iPhone has crashed, and you had no clue… I said a long time ago… Apple is slipping.. No New Innovation… and they definitely are not the leaders in this field anymore..The only thing going for them is their GUI… it is the smoothest of them all, and if they start screwing this up… well…they have gone down burning before… but this time they will NOT be able to rise again….