The operating system of a smartphone is an essential criterion to consider when choosing it. Indeed, like tablets and computers, smartphones operate using operating systems that give them unique characteristics and functionalities.
There are nearly twenty operating systems on the market. This software is developed by and for the phone manufacturers themselves, whether operating as a conglomerate or not. The most famous are
- Android (Google)
- iOS (Apple)
- Windows Phone (Microsoft)
To help you better understand the differences between each operating system of an existing smartphone, we will present their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages then look at the selection criteria to consider when purchasing a smartphone.
What is a smartphone operating system?
Let's first look at the exact definition of a smartphone's operating system.
Definition and history of smartphone operating systems
A smartphone's operating system is the software that allows it to function. It controls and manages the essential functions of the device. Also, it serves as a link between the user and their smartphone and therefore allows them to benefit from its functionalities.
For the record, the first smartphone operating systems appeared in the 1990s, with the release of the first personal digital assistants (PDAs). Then, they developed considerably with the emergence of smartphones in the 2000s.
The evolution of technology today allows a smartphone's operating system to offer many advantages to its user and improve their experience.
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Features and classification of smartphone operating systems
Smartphone operating systems offer basic features such as call and message management, application management and smooth file management.
They can also integrate specific capabilities like personalization and synchronization. Some software even offers a voice assistant powered by artificial intelligence!
The creativity of smartphone manufacturers has resulted in a variety of operating systems. They can be classified according to the type of license, the type of platform and the type of distribution.
What are the main operating systems for smartphones?
Three operating systems are competing for big market shares. These are Android, iOS and Windows Phone. Let’s explore them in detail.
Android
Designed by Google, Android is the most popular smartphone operating system. Its success has enabled the growth of the Android developer profession . It offers the following advantages:
- Great freedom of customization, both by manufacturers and users;
- A very rich application store;
- A wide choice of smartphone models.
However, this operating system of a smartphone is more vulnerable to security attacks and malware. It is also prone to fragmentation, which slows down the deployment of updates to all devices.
The latest version of Android is Android 13. It was deployed in August 2022.
iOS
After Android, iOS is the most popular smartphone operating system. Developed by Apple, it only equips products of this brand. iOS offers as advantages:
- An optimized user experience ;
- Reinforced reliability and security;
- Consistency between different Apple devices.
That said, iOS offers very few customization options. Also, the Apple firm exercises strict control over its ecosystem and only allows applications to be downloaded that it has controlled and validated.
Finally, to take full advantage of the advantages of this smartphone operating system, you must use other Apple products and services. Currently, the latest version is iOS 16 and is available for all compatible models.
Windows Phone
Windows Phone is the smartphone operating system developed by Microsoft. More recent than its competitors, it nevertheless stands out by:
- Its original interface based on dynamic tiles;
- Its synchronization with Microsoft services;
- Its good level of security due to the sandboxing approach of applications.
However, this operating system of a smartphone is still limited. Its application store is not rich enough. Also, its interface offers fewer customization possibilities.
Finally, Microsoft officially stopped development and support for Windows Phone in 2017. The latest version is therefore Windows Phone 10. It has been available since 2016, a particularly prolific year for the mobile sector.
Other smartphone operating systems
Apart from the three software that we have presented, there are also other operating systems on the market. However, they are less known or have already disappeared. Here are two of them:
- Tizen: developed by Linux, this system is efficient and offers a customizable interface. Having failed to be widely adopted, it is today mainly used for products created by Samsung and marketed in India.
- BlackBerry OS: launched by BlackBerry, this system offered an excellent level of security and more advanced data encryption. But it could not withstand the strong competition from iOS and Android and almost disappeared from the market.
How to choose your smartphone operating system?
Before buying a phone, you must first ask yourself what the operating system of this smartphone is . But this is not enough. You must also consider other criteria.
The selection criteria to take into account
To find the ideal smartphone operating system in the wide range found on the market, you must consider certain criteria. Here are the most relevant:
- User interface: your operating system should have a fluid, user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface;
- Applications and the ecosystem: make sure that the operating system of a smartphone you are interested in offers a rich and varied choice of applications. On this point, Android and iOS smartphones are the big favorites;
- Hardware and performance: The software must be compatible with the hardware of the smartphone you plan to use. Considering this detail, iOS and Windows Phone are the best choices ahead of Android which is a victim of its popularity;
- Integration with other devices such as computers, tablets or smart watches: Android is the system that offers the most integration, followed by Windows Phone and iOS;
- Security: your operating system must protect your data and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. On this point, iOS is the best. It is followed by Windows Phone.
Finally, choose a smartphone operating system that benefits from active support and regular updates. These are used to fix issues, improve security, and add new features.
Advice for making your choice
It's not always easy to decide when you want to choose the operating system for your next smartphone. Here are some tips you could follow in case of difficulty:
- Find out about the features and functionality of each system;
- Compare the smartphone models available on the market that integrate the operating systems that interest you;
- Test the systems in stores or online;
- Check out user or expert reviews.
Conclusion
Ultimately, a smartphone's operating system is the software that allows the device to function properly and its user to take advantage of its strengths. It has several features, ranging from the most basic to the most elaborate.
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Therefore, the choice of a smartphone's operating system must be made by taking into account what this OS can bring, both positive and negative, to your user experience.