iOS VS Android : Mobile Gaming

The OS battle has been going on ever since Android entered the smartphone revolution and while various features have been tested and compared before, including gaming, we shall discuss about that once more in greater depth.

So, if the two operating systems were pitted against each other, which one would emerge victorious? Let us find out.

Let’s begin by comparing the selection of games. If this discussion had taken place a few years ago, I would have declared iOS as the winner hands down. However, it is 2015 and the offerings available for Android are just as abundant as those available for iOS. But here, I must mention that most major games first release on iOS, and then depending on their success are ported to Android.

To top it all, Apple does a brilliant job in making these games visible to the public by grouping games under lists that cater to an ongoing interest. For example, during the FIFA World Cup, all popular football games were listed under a single list. Android’s Play Store hasn’t yet gotten the finesse and ease of an App store.

Moving on to the graphics, it’s again really hard to say who dominates over whom.

Sure, with the Metal API that Apple has recently launched, the graphical capabilities of Apple devices have been ramped up, but it isn’t enough to knock out Android.

Android being an open source, has paved the way for several big names in the gaming industry, including Razor and Nvidia, to launch their own Android devices with equally great or even better graphical capabilities than that of the iPhone or iPad. Even flagship Android smartphones that are not designed specifically for gaming perform as well as the iPhone. As long as your Android smartphone is high-end or you have the latest iPhone or iPad, you won’t be disappointed.

Now let’s take a quick look at compatibility of games. Apple’s End to End integration and their desire to seamlessly integrate the hardware and software of their devices - in simple terms, their reluctance to licence the use of iOS to any other manufacturer - has removed compatibility as an issue. Every game on the App Store can now work on your iPhone/iPad provided it belongs to the last three generations.

For Android, on the other hand, due to the sheer number of manufacturers producing different Android phones with different specifications, compatibility of the games can be quite an issue. The fact that a large majority of Android phones are low-end means that majority of Android users can’t play graphically demanding games!

Another major factor that influences our gameplay is multiplayer or the use of a system that keeps all achievements in check and lets you track your friend’s records.

With Game Centre on iOS, you can do just that and that too with the help of an extremely well designed and intuitive application. While Google Play service has begun to develop into something similar, it still doesn’t permit users to view their achievements or compare their scores with those of their friends outside the game like Game Centre does. Here too, iOS takes the crown.

What about piracy? Well, due to the controlled environment of iOS , it is impossible to download applications/games off any website without having jailbroken your i-device.

On the other hand, due to the openness of Android, paid games can be easily pirated, without having to even root your phone.

With the brunt that iOS has been receiving for the past few years for controlling the user experience to a large extent and limiting user freedom, it has actually proven to be a trump card when it comes to mobile gaming.

With a larger variety, better compatibility and even better graphical offerings and a much better online multiplayer service, Apple takes the crown.

As of now, it continues to remain the leader in mobile gaming.

Pranav is a 17 year old whose passion is writing reviews and articles on technology and gaming. His gaming tag is Fleet Admiral. You can check out his tech vlog at: www.youtube.com/user/pran avnairtech or contact him at pranav.nair@apexmedia.co.om