136% More People Have Androids Than iPhones

For years, Apple and Google have competed in the smartphone market.

Apple sells iPhones that run iOS, which is exclusive to its smartphones. Android, on the other hand, is available in a wide range of smartphone brands, from low-cost to high-end models.

In this report, you’ll learn the key differences between iPhone and Android users, including:

• Market share and growth across different regions.
• Demographics.
• User behavior and engagement.
• Device preferences.
• App availability and revenue.
• Lots more.

Without further delay, let’s dive into the findings.

Highlights and key statistics

Here are the key statistics that highlight the key trends in the ongoing rivalry between Android and iPhone users.

1. Android dominates the global smartphone market with 72%, leaving iOS with 28%.
2. Android’s market share has grown by 70% since 2009, while iPhone’s share dropped by 9%.
3. 2x more people use Android devices than iPhones globally.
4. Both iPhone and Android have users across genders but men lean more toward Android, while women slightly favor iPhones.
5. While Android is the most popular choice globally, younger generations like Gen Zs and Millennials are still more likely to be iPhone adopters.
6. iPhone users earn more on average, with a salary of $53,251 compared to $37,040 for Android users.
7. iPhone users spend 1.3x more time on their devices compared to Android users.
8. Nearly 91% of Android users stay loyal to the platform in contrast to 88% of iPhone users.
9. Around 60% of iPhone users keep their devices for at least two years, while only 43% of Android users do the same.
10. There are 20% more apps in Android’s Google Play Store than in iPhone’s App Store.
11. Gaming apps top both platforms, with iOS users favoring business and lifestyle apps, while Android users lean more toward education.
12. Consumers spend almost twice as much on the Apple App Store as on the Google Play Store.
13. iPhone users are more successful at recovering data after security breaches (75%) than Android users (55%).
14. Almost 50% of iPhone users find AI features important when buying a new phone, whereas only 2 in 10 Android users pay attention.

#1: Android leads with 72% of the global smartphone market, leaving iPhone behind

While iPhones run on Apple’s exclusive iOS, Android’s operating system is used across a wide range of devices. This makes it more available and affordable for consumers worldwide.

71.42

27.93

However, the picture looks different across regions. In the U.S. and Canada, the iPhone takes the lead with nearly 60% of the market. Android devices are less popular there, constituting roughly 41-43% of the market.

In Europe, Android is ahead—it accounts for 68% of the market share compared to iOS with 32%.

#2: 70% growth for Android over 15 years, while iPhone’s share shrinks

Over the past 15 years, the smartphone market has changed dramatically. Android’s global market share skyrocketed from just 2% in 2009 to 71% by 2025. That was a significant rise. In the meantime, iOS market share fell from 37% to 28%.

37.0,25.5,22.3,24.0,24.0,24.0,20.2,19.3,19.7,20.5,22.7,26.3,27.3,27.9,29.0,28.0

#d5b2f0

2.0,8.8,19.0,27.4,39.2,53.7,64.2,69.1,72.6,75.5,75.5,73.1,71.9,71.5,70.3,72.0

#b873ea

In the U.S., Android’s market share grew from 4% to 43% and iPhone’s fell slightly, from 63% to 57%. Android’s rise from 0% to 68% across Europe was even more remarkable than the iPhone’s decline from 40% to 32%. The situation in Canada was slightly different. Android’s share reached 41% and iPhone’s increased from 51% to 59%.

These numbers show how Android has dominated the world market and is even challenging the iPhone in markets where Apple has traditionally had a leading position.

#3: Android has 2x more active devices than iPhone worldwide

In 2012, around 0.5 billion people used Android and 0.2 billion used iPhones. By 2024, that had grown to about 3.3 billion Android users and 1.4 billion iPhone owners (as shown in the chart). Recent estimates show Android has passed roughly 3.5 billion users worldwide, while iPhone is around 1.5 billion, so Android still has more than twice as many active devices.

#4: iPhone and Android attract users across genders, but men lean toward Android and women to iPhones

Android looks to have a wider appeal among mobile phone owners worldwide, with 60% of males and 54% of females choosing Android phones. Meanwhile, more female respondents (31%) own an iPhone than their male counterparts (28%).

#5: Despite Android’s global dominance, younger generations choose iPhones

Even though Android is the most widely used platform worldwide, iPhone users are still more likely to be younger generations like Gen Zs and Millennials.

Gen X (60%) and Baby Boomers (55%) have the greatest adoption rates of Android, followed by 57% of Gen Z and 55% of Millennials. 

Younger users are more drawn to iPhones. Apple products are preferred by 31% of Gen Z consumers and 35% of Millennials. Only 22% of Gen X and 23% of Baby Boomers choose iPhones, which indicates a sharp decline in iPhone share as the age group grows.

#6: iPhone users earn 43% more on average than Android users

The incomes of iPhone users are 43% higher. On average, they make $53.251 a year, while for Android’s users it’s $37.040. Since smartphones have become indispensable tools for work and personal life, these income differences frequently impact purchasing decisions.

The pricing gap persists into 2026. Apple’s current base iPhone still starts at $799, and IDC’s latest global ASP estimates show iPhones averaging around $1,048 versus about $293 for Android, reinforcing Apple’s premium positioning.

#7: iPhone owners spend nearly 1.3x the screen time of Android users

iPhone users tend to spend 32.43% more time on their smartphones than Android users. While Android owners stare at their devices for 3 hours and 42 minutes every day, iPhone users spend around 4 hours and 54 minutes.

Also, iPhone users are more active in their daily smartphone tasks, sending 58 text messages and taking 12 selfies every day. Android users, on the other hand, send 26 text messages and take 7 selfies.

#8: Android users show slightly higher loyalty at 91%, compared to 88% for iPhone users

Both mobile operating systems have impressive retention rates but Android keeps more users than iPhone. For Android, 89% to 91% of clients continue using the service. The iPhone’s retention rate ranges between 85-88%. This shows that most customers choose a single brand and stick with it for the long run.

#9: iPhone users keep their devices longer than Android users

iPhone owners keep their phones longer than Android owners. 61% of iPhone buyers had their previous iPhone for at least two years, compared to 43% of Android users. More iPhone owners (29%) had their iPhones for three years or more than Android users (21%).

#10: Android’s Google Play Store offers around 20% more apps than iPhone’s App Store

Smartphones wouldn’t be smartphones if they didn’t provide their users with millions of apps. iPhone’s App Store has over 1.9 million apps available, whereas users can select from over 2.3 million apps in Google Play Store.

Android not only has the highest number of apps but it also leads in app categories, having 49 distinct categories, compared to iPhone’s 26.

Every day, an average of 1.2K new apps for Android and iPhone are released.

#11: iOS and Android users have different app preferences, but games lead

Even though iOS and Android users have different preferences when it comes to app categories, games lead on both platforms. It’s 11.86% on the Apple App Store and 11.69% on the Google Play Store.

As for other categories, iPhone owners choose business (10.11%) and education apps (9.56%). Other popular categories include lifestyle (7.6%), food and drink (6.62%), health and fitness (5.68%), and shopping (5,12%).

Android users, however, lean more toward education. 11.49% of users choose education apps, followed by business applications (7.72%). Categories like food and drink (5.18%) and health and fitness (4.81%) are also favored, but lifestyle (4.98%) and shopping (4.42%) are less popular compared to iOS users.

#12: Apple’s App Store revenue continues to double Google Play’s

Consumers spent $85.1 billion in the Apple App Store in 2023 versus $47 billion on Google Play. By 2025, App Store revenue reached ~$100B while Google Play hit ~$65B, with Apple still leading but Android closing in via emerging markets.

In terms of revenue, the App Store remains the clear leader. Despite nearly identical free app dominance (>98% on both platforms), iPhone users spend more per capita on in-app purchases and subscriptions, driving Apple’s edge.

On average, Android users spend $6.19 on each app and those having iPhones spend $12.77 per app.

#13: iPhone users recover data more successfully after security breaches

75% of iOS users who experienced security breaches reported being able to recover their lost data in contrast to 55% of Android users.

#14: Almost 50% of iPhone users value AI features when buying a new phone

AI features are becoming more and more important to smartphone users—this has an effect on their purchasing habits and brand loyalty. Today, almost 50% of iPhone consumers consider AI features crucial when buying a new phone, which is much more than the 23.7% of Android users.

However, a significant proportion of both groups believe that AI brings little or no value—73% of iPhone users and 87%of Android users agree. 

Despite these concerns, a significant number of users are willing to transfer platforms for better AI features. Around 16.8% of iOS users would consider switching to Android, and 9.7% of Android would opt for iPhone for stronger AI features.

#15: Leading banking apps score 0.2–0.4 points higher on iOS than Android

Currently, iOS banking apps tend to score slightly higher than Android versions—typically by 0.2 to 0.4 points, though in some cases the gap is smaller. This reflects smoother performance, stronger stability, and fewer reported issues on iPhones.

The table below shows how leading banking apps compare across platforms. The consistent gap highlights iOS’s slight edge in customer satisfaction, while both ecosystems continue to innovate with features like budgeting tools, card security, and virtual assistants.

#16: Top fintech apps earn up to 16% higher ratings on iOS than Android

Fintech apps mirror the trend seen in mobile banking, with iOS versions generally scoring higher than their Android counterparts. In some cases, the gap is small, but sometimes it reaches 0.7-0.8 stars—a margin that can heavily influence user adoption. On a 5-point scale, that equals up to a 16% difference. Even small shifts matter as apps rated below 4.6 often see reduced downloads and weaker user trust.

Here’s a look at how leading fintech apps are rated on iOS versus Android:

iOS or Android? Find the best fit with Neontri

Choosing between Android and iPhone is just the first step; bringing an app idea to life is where the real challenge lies. Which platform is the best fit for your target audience? Should you launch on both or start with one? 

Reach out to us, and our experts will help you understand your audience, choose the best platform, and build a custom mobile app that truly works. With over 10 years of experience and a long list of successful projects, Neontri knows how to build solutions that stand out.

We use our own Neontri Enterprise Application Framework (NEAF) to build secure, high-quality apps quickly. Also, we can show you a demo in our first meeting and update older systems when needed. Give us a call to discuss your app ideas.

Conclusion 

After analyzing numerous industry studies and reliable sources, such as market research from trusted reports and statistics from leading statistical websites, we can say that Android has the largest global market share, particularly among men and older generations.

iPhones, on the other hand, continue to be a popular choice among younger generations, with Gen Z and Millennials showing greater engagement and loyalty. 

While Android users have the most global reach, iPhone users spend more money on apps, keep their devices longer, and find AI features more significant.

Let’s thus wait and see how it will evolve over time and if Android will keep its dominance as the most popular mobile operating system.

FAQ

What factors contribute to Android’s dominance in the smartphone market?

Android offers a wide range of different types of phones at various prices. This makes it affordable for a lot of people worldwide. Moreover, smartphones running on Android have easily customizable features that allow manufacturers unique and innovative devices.

Is Android or iPhone more user-friendly?

When comparing iPhones to Android phones, the first advantage is their user-friendly nature. Despite Apple’s years of updates, the core iOS experience has remained the same. That familiarity and ease of use makes iPhones a good choice for those people who want a simple and efficient smartphone experience.

Why do younger generations prefer iPhones over Android?

Younger generations favor the iPhone for a variety of reasons, including brand image, social status, UX, and product longevity. Apple has positioned itself as a premium and exclusive brand image. Also, providing a seamless ecosystem and greater camera quality makes it a more appealing alternative for younger consumers who are heavily impacted by social media and trends.

What AI features do Android phones and iPhones have?

iPhones feature fast, private AI powered by Apple’s on-device model. Siri is now smarter, with screen awareness and task automation. Users get real-time translation, writing help in Mail and Messages, and creative tools like Genmoji and Image Playground, seamlessly integrated across iOS 18 devices.

What is the future of mobile operating systems beyond iOS and Apple?

While iOS and Android continue to dominate the market, alternatives such as GrapheneOS, CalyxOS, and /e/OS are drawing interest for their strong emphasis on security and user control. These open-source, privacy-focused systems provide hardened protection features and allow greater customization. Linux-based platforms like Ubuntu Touch and Plasma Mobile also appeal to niche users who value transparency and independence. 

Which phone is more secure for banking apps?

Phones with strong built-in security, such as iPhones running iOS or Android devices using hardened systems like GrapheneOS, are generally the safest for banking apps. Both platforms provide robust encryption, regular updates, and app sandboxing. Security is further improved by choosing trusted brands with timely patches and avoiding rooted or jailbroken devices.

How has the iPhone’s market share changed over the past few years?

Over the last few years, the iPhone’s market share has gradually increased and then stabilized. It rose from 22.7% in 2019 to a peak of 29.0% in 2023, showing steady growth during that period. Since then, the share has slightly declined, reaching 26.8% in 2025, which suggests consolidation rather than a major downturn.

Sources

https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/worldwide#quarterly-200901-202403
https://backlinko.com/iphone-users
https://explodingtopics.com/blog/iphone-android-users
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1406592/android-vs-ios-by-gender
https://cirpapple.substack.com/p/iphone-owners-keep-phones-longer
https://www.statista.com/topics/9929/google-play-store/#topicOverview
https://www.statista.com/statistics/270291/popular-categories-in-the-app-store/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/279286/google-play-android-app-categories/
https://www.beyondidentity.com/resource/a-digital-dive-into-brand-security-survey
https://www.techradar.com/phones/is-ai-on-smartphones-just-a-gimmick-most-iphone-and-samsung-owners-think-so-according-to-a-new-poll
https://www.demandsage.com/android-statistics/
https://bigohtech.com/apple-app-store-statistics/
https://www.businessofapps.com/data/google-play-statistics/
https://www.businessofapps.com/data/apple-app-store-statistics/