A Guide To Pros And Cons Of Android App Development

Last updated on May 18th, 2023

A system’s popularity within the area is only one of the many variables that determine which platform to use for your mobile application. In the ideal scenario, we obviously, want to develop apps that provide accessibility to all mobile users regardless of their motives and brand loyalty or even their financial status. However, when it comes to developing native apps it is generally necessary, to begin with, a single.

Come along for a brief overview of Android mobile development, and learn about the benefits and challenges that are in store for you by selecting Google in place of Apple. Let’s begin.

What are the Pros of Android App development

If you’re talking about the things Android excels at there is no escaping the comparison to its rival in the duopoly of Apple. Let’s look at the ways in which Android can be beneficial for developers and what it does better than or competes with iOS.

1. Simple acceptance process for the app

Apple App Store is known for being extremely selective with the apps that are published. While they have the same guidelines, Google and Apple have distinct approaches to quality assurance. App Store’s approval procedure can be long and tedious however, Google’s review process is more relaxed and efficient. Google review system is favored by nearly everyone, so provided you do not violate the main policy on content. Apple, however, reviews apps more rigorously. If when there are crashes, bugs, UI inconsistencies, and broken links and the system won’t accept your application. It’s the same for highly subjective criteria without lasting value, your app’s niche or weak content will be evaluated based on its effectiveness.

While thorough reviews aren’t at all bad, they can require developers to invest thousands of dollars, with the possibility of being rejected by the website. Google’s willingness to accept new content lets you make a minimally viable app or an initial version of your app to collect feedback or even give your Kickstarter users a sneak peek.

2. Hardware independence

In the list of things needed for the development of Android applications, hardware will be the least important. Android development is based using Java which allows the development process to be cross-platform. Android Studio, Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, Fabric, and a host of other Android tools for development can be downloaded and used for use on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Making iOS applications requires a Mac or virtual machine.

3. Java and Kotlin as programming languages

Android includes two officially supported programming languages: Java as well as Kotlin. The first is the preferred language for more than two decades and was named the 5th most popular technology in the year 2018. Java is considered to be a multi-platform, object-oriented language which is widely used by startups in fintech to data analytics projects. Desktop, web, mobile, and IoT products – all are run with Java, which has pros and cons and we’ve discussed through a blog article. The popularity of Java will enable you to locate competent Android developers available on the market and even in your own tech team.

Kotlin is another highly praised technology. It’s not really an actual language, but rather a brand-new programming approach that’s built on Java. It is a way to take everything that is complex and sophisticated that comes with Java as well as make the process of writing apps faster and more fun. Anyone who is a Java developer is able to master Kotlin quickly however it’s not required unless you have more time to spend moving to a new system. Another benefit is the fact that Jotlin as well as Kava (see what we’ve done here?) are fully interoperable and can be used in a variety of ways simultaneously.

4. Learning resources

If you’ve ever encountered Google documents of all kinds, then you’ll be aware of the extent of our discussion. In addition to the vast amount of information that is available on the internet, Google offers its own Android developer education for novices or experienced engineers, as well as special instances that require a deeper understanding. Materials are well-structured and equipped with animations, graphics, and explainer videos, with interactive exercises.

At the moment there are 3 tracks: Android dev fundamentals, Kotlin boot camp, and native applications using Flutter.

Additionally, programmers can obtain the official Google Developer’s Certificate. The exam is one-time and costs $149 and takes about 8 hours to complete and test an individual’s knowledge of the field using self-study resources offered by Google.

5. Flutter

Flutter is Google’s latest free SDK that lets you develop native applications for Android and iOS with one codebase. Although cross-platform tools have been popular on the market for some time, Google offers its own take on the growing demand for the write-once-run-anywhere programming style.

There are numerous tools for cross-platform, Android developers who should take the time to look into Flutter and think about the potential benefits it could provide on the scene.

6. Instant Apps

In 2017, the Android Developer Conference was filled with innovative ideas. Alongside Kotlin, Google introduced Instant native apps which can be downloaded through Google Play without the need to download. Like the web applications that are progressive, they are more efficiently accessible, easy to access, and enjoyable applications that allow access to the limitations of the full app or provide users with a preview of the paid application.

What’s great is there to love about Instant Apps?

• They’re the best solution to “app fatigue”
• They improve engagement, and won’t cost users anything
• They’re shareable and easily shared and can be launched with an email
• They also provide a second access point for users

Technically, there aren’t any restrictions on Instant Apps. By clicking the Try Now button on the store’s page, users are able to register, purchase, and have access to all content. Only the creator can decide on limitations. The process of building an app is simple: you create your regular app the way you would normally and then add a few adjustments to alter the user experience when the publishing process.

What are the Cons of Android App development

It’s easy to see that the principal issues with Android development are based on some of its features which can be seen as advantages. Let’s look at what they are.

1. Android users’ spending habits

Many studies will reveal that Apple users are spending more money on apps than Android users. Statista says that the App Store accounts for more than 60 percent of mobile app purchases. Google Play lags behind with just a bit more than 30 percent.

This is not only about app downloads as well as in-app purchases. The reasons behind that could be one or more reasons:

• The sheer amount of Google Play apps leads to an extensive list of options for free or paid apps. Users will be able to find free apps that are similar to paid ones.
• Android and iOS are both based on diverse demographics. The majority of Apple users reside across North America, Australia, and Northern Europe, while Android is popular in countries with lower incomes.
• Through its long approval process, Apple removes apps that provide a low user experience. This is why more good apps are able to reach the App Store’s top charts and prompt users to purchase
• A lot of Android apps are susceptible to errors because of the large number of active users and devices of old operating systems in the market. Developers need to invest more time testing applications on all devices and devices, which is usually not possible. We’ll talk about this in the future.

As a developer, this means you need to search for other ways to monetize your app that don’t depend on the conventional app purchase.

In the case of rivals, Google Play is not the only retailer that offers Android apps. Amazon App Store allows you to offer the same apps to Kindle Fire Tablet and Fire TV and has a total of 400k applications. Additionally, there’s the Samsung Galaxy Apps shop, which offers special discounts only for Galaxy Smartphone owners. If you’re looking to capture the entire mobile market it’s logical to investigate distribution options across these platforms and others.

2. Security concerns

Although the open-source nature of Android can be a boon to developers, it could also be a source of trouble. As malware and hacks attack millions of Android users every day, Google quickly releases security patches. Most people do not bother to regularly update their devices. So, app makers usually must manage the personal data of users themselves, by implementing complicated encryption, which may include security options or avoiding personal information input completely.

3. OS adoption fragmentation

Tests on Android are a huge fat blunder. The variety of operating systems is huge and one of the biggest challenges with app customization. According to Google’s report for the year 2018, the majority of Android devices are operating with Lollipop, Marshmallow, and Nougat operating systems that were released in 2014 to 2015, and 2016, respectively.

4. Device fragmentation

There are a lot of smartphone makers that might be large, but they’re still manageable when compared to the sheer number of devices they release with each having its particular screen dimensions and resolution, sensors, performance issues, and graphics drivers. In the official Material Design documentation Material Design, Google provides an extensive collection of Android (and iOS) devices that have the same screen sizes and resolutions. This list is significantly larger than Apple’s 14 devices.

5. Copyright issues

In the past, we’ve made it clear that Google is quicker in reviewing and approving apps for Google Play which allows you to release your MVP much faster than the App Store. However, there’s an additional benefit to this. One is that Google does not conduct a comprehensive check of copyright or patents, this means you could without knowing it, publish a program that contains features or content that has been employed in a different application. Additionally, you could be the victim of copyright infringement whenever Google Play releases an app that duplicates your own solutions.

Are You Looking for an Android App Development Company?

The choice of the technology, platform, or even device does not depend on the development challenges. From a marketing point of the horizon, you’ll be looking at the demographics that don’t work for Android when it comes to the US. It’s not making sense to launch even half-ready applications for iOS that’s why Android is the ideal platform to test your beta version as an MVP or even a prototype with high fidelity. If you’re looking to have freedom, flexibility, and more freedom of choice beginning at starting, Android is also an option. 

iTechnolabs is always a reliable software solutions option for you. With the expert team of professionals, we will help you build your personal Android App.