The popularity of smartphones and tablets has boomed over the years. From working frequently from these handheld devices, to socialising with friends over social media and enjoying entertainment while on the go, more people than ever own, and spend an increasing amount of time using, their favourite devices.

When it comes to mobile, some of the most familiar names that come to mind are Android and iOS. That’s because Android and Apple have become some of the most dominant forces when it comes to their mobile products as well as tablets and iPads across the globe. It can be a difficult choice then, when purchasing a device for gaming — whether it’s puzzles and quizzes or action games to choose between the two brands.

The strengths & weaknesses of the iOS iPad

One of the biggest strengths when it comes to the iPad, the market-leading tablet, over the Android tablet is the Apple ecosystem. This of course includes access to the App store which has an incredible amount of apps available for users (over a million). This also includes the many popular Apple accessories that go along with them. Apple products tend to be slightly more stable and are easier to use than Android ones.

But being easier to use and more stable comes off with a trade-off. There’s less ability to customise on the iPad when compared to the Android. Users also cannot expand their storage with MicroSD cards like you can on the Android. The way around this is through DropBox or some external drives that are suitable for iPads. But it’s definitely a downside.

Who should buy one?

The iPad is a great option for someone who wants to both consume media and create it. The brand’s huge range of office applications and apps are fantastic for creatives — from Garage Band and iMovie and more, the iPad is perfect for those who like to innovate.

It’s also fantastic for those that aren’t great with technology. Apple has gone with a very simple, user-friendly design, so it’s not hard to learn.

The strengths & weaknesses of the Android

There are a huge amount of devices available for the Android and unlike the iPad — a vast amount of customisation for your tablet. The Google Play marketplace is also a fantastic way to find apps, with a lot more variety than you’d get on the App store, as Apple is very stringent on which apps they feature and the process of getting on the store.

Weakness of the Android come in the form of the lack of supervision on Google Play. If you stick to downloading the popular name brand apps you’re on the safe side — but lesser-known names might not be of the greatest quality. There’s also been quite a bit of piracy that’s done some damage to Androids — as it’s much easier to pirate apps on Android than there is for the iPad.

And while the variety of devices out there is definitely a bonus, their operating system updates aren’t always compatible for all that are available.

Who should buy one?

The Android is fantastic for those who want to use it to consume media as it’s got a significantly cheaper initial price tag. It’s also ideal for those who want a customisable experience.

Gaming on the iOS and Android

With the rise in popularity of gaming over recent years — especially when it comes to handheld games — both iOS and Android makers have worked hard to target the game sector more. From new accessories that appeal to gaming, to upgrading their systems with gaming in mind — these brands are trying to get users to play games on their devices.

Here are some of the top gaming genres made for iOS and Android.

First-person shooters

First-person shooting games are some of the top games out there. The Call of Duty franchise, for example, has transformed the world of gaming and a huge fanbase. There’s a wide selection of first-person shooters available for both Android and iOS — but make sure you’ve got a relatively new device to play them on. First-person shooters, unlike the other genres on this list, often have heavy graphics.

Casino games

Many people these days are enjoying their favourite casino games from their handheld devices like tablets and mobile phones. One of the main contributing factors to online casino growth is several states legalising online casinos in the US, meaning many US citizens are now legally allowed to play online casino games. There are many benefits to mobile casino games too, some of the benefits over land-based casinos are the sense of privacy that players get, as well as the convenience. With so many exciting and high-quality casino games available for mobile there’s no need to head to land-based casinos. Plus, you can play them at any time, from anywhere!

Puzzles

Puzzles are some of the oldest games and are still played by people all around the world. There’s lots of puzzle games to choose from on both Android and iOS, so you’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re a puzzle lover. Also, they generally don’t require a lot of heavy tech so they’re perfect for people with older mobile devices and tablets!

Role playing games

Role playing games are some of the most exciting and popular types of games out there. Also known as RPGs, role playing games involve playing characters as part of a storyline, in an attempt to reach the ending point. There are quite a lot of great RPG games out there for both iOS and Android to enjoy — it’s always fantastic to get immersed in a different world, and RPGs do just that.

Overall, both Android and iOS tablets are compatible with most games, with many game developers creating gaming apps that can be used on both devices. Both tablets have their pros and cons with the iPad having the Apple ecosystem and Android tablets having the ability to be customised. For a gamer purchasing a tablet, it would be personal preference, although we do recommend you research more before making the decision!