People in creative fields, such as graphic designers and photographers, usually work on smart gadgets like laptops. But they do not necessarily stick to one device. Their assignments require switching between different devices for flexibility or multitasking. As a result, creative professionals need to choose a reliable multi-device ecosystem. This often causes people to wonder whether Apple or Android is better for creatives. Understanding the benefits of both can help one decide.
Benefits of choosing Android
Many artists prefer using the Android ecosystem because it is available in different designs, has many apps, and can be customized easily.
Variety in device designs
One of the biggest advantages of choosing Android is the variety of device designs, mainly in the smartphone segment. Currently, most iPhones have a standard slate-like design and look similar. Android phones, on the other hand, are available in different designs. This is because Android is not limited to a single manufacturer. There are numerous brands, all of which work in their own ways to make smartphones with innovative designs and features.
These days, brands like Samsung and Motorola are focusing on foldable smartphones, which look impressive. But that’s not the only thing attracting customers. Foldable smartphones, as the name suggests, can be folded open to increase their screen size. A bigger screen is especially beneficial for those who draw or make digital art. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is among the best smartphones for creative professionals. The phone folds open into a 7.6-inch interior screen, creating a huge canvas for the artist. The screen is also equipped with Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology. This means that even when zooming in to add fine details, one will continue to have an amazing picture quality.
Apart from smartphones, Android has a variety of tablets from brands like Samsung, Lenovo, and Google, so artists can pick according to their needs and budgets. One has limited choices with Apple devices, such as the iPad, iPad Mini, or iPad Pro. The availability of choices may give Android an edge in a debate of iPad Pro vs. Android tablets for creatives.
A wider selection of apps in the App Store
People in creative fields often need to download art, editing, and design apps. While both iOS and Android have creative tools and apps, Android has more options. Due to Apple’s strict guidelines and policies, many apps easily found on the Play Store are not available in Apple’s App Store. One example is PENUP, a popular social networking site where artists share their pen-drawn creations. The app is developed by Samsung and can be found on the Play Store but not the App Store.
More scope for customization
When doing creative work, artists like setting up a custom theme on their mobile phones that brightens their mood and boosts their creativity. In this matter, Android might be better than iOS. Being an open-source platform, it allows people to install custom themes of their choice. Apple does not directly support custom themes, so one has to get them using a third-party app from the App Store. Besides installing custom themes, one can alter the launch menu, customize app icons, and freely place widgets almost anywhere on Android devices.
Benefits of choosing Apple
While Apple isn’t as customizable and versatile as Android, it is still among the popular mobile ecosystems for artists.
Seamless connectivity
Artists who want to stay connected and access data on the go won’t be disappointed with the Apple ecosystem. Apple devices have iCloud, a cloud service that lets users store, sync, and access data from multiple devices. The main benefit of this feature is that if someone starts a project in an app from their iPhone and later needs to continue on their iPad, they will see that the progress is already synced.
Another benefit of the Apple ecosystem for designers and artists is cross-device copy-pasting. Using this feature, a user can copy content from one Apple device and paste it onto another. Continuity Camera is also an exciting feature, which allows one to use their iPhone camera as the webcam of their Mac.
Built-in creativity apps
While Android has many popular laptops in the market, artists, more often than not, prefer working on a Mac. One reason for this is the variety of built-in tools available. Every Mac is already equipped with creative tools such as Final Cut Pro, iMovie, Logic Pro X, Xcode, and Garage Band. Final Cut Pro and iMovie are among the most popular tools for video and movie editing. Similarly, Logic Pro X is among the best for music production. So, when comparing Apple vs. Android for music production tools, the former may have an edge.
Better security
Securing intellectual property is of utmost importance for artists and creative professionals. This is why they must rely on an ecosystem offering the highest protection. Apple’s strict security guidelines and “walled garden” approach do not allow users to download data or applications from a third-party source, making it ideal.
Apple also follows a strict app review process to ensure none of the apps listed on the App Store carry malware. This prevents viruses and cyber threats from affecting Apple devices, thereby protecting users’ data from getting erased or leaked.