With the rise of smartphones, dedicated music players have become pretty much obsolete. Most people expect smooth music listening and shopping experiences on their devices. However, if you’re using an Android phone, you might find the experience quite frustrating compared to an iPhone.
Recently, I tried out the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro while using a Motorola Edge 70. What struck me was the chaotic world of music apps on Android. I usually prefer YouTube Music, but living with an Android phone exposed me to many poorly designed apps filled with ads and hidden payments. For any newcomer, it can feel overwhelming and disappointing. If music were a major priority for someone, I’d honestly suggest avoiding Android altogether.
On my iPhone, the music experience is far more intuitive. I explore music mainly outside of streaming apps. When I find something I love, I buy it via iTunes. There’s no clutter, no interruptions from ads, just the joy of enjoying music on my terms. The Apple Music and Podcast apps make it easy for me to access my playlists and podcasts. Everything is well-integrated, fast, and user-friendly.
In contrast, when I looked for music on my Android device, I was lost. The absence of a central app for music and podcasts is glaring. Without Google Play Music or Google Podcasts, it feels like a scavenger hunt. Most popular music players on the Android store bombard you with ads immediately. For instance, the Hitchhike’s DD Music Player shows a massive ad every time you open it, forcing you to pay for an ad-free experience.
Moreover, I noticed many apps, including some user-favorites, still cling to outdated designs and systems that complicate the listening experience. For example, with Podcast Addict—highly recommended on platforms like Reddit—I dealt with persistent ads and an interface that felt clunky. Finding podcasts often involved sifting through RSS feeds, bringing back memories from the early 2010s, rather than a modern, streamlined approach.
All of this raises a question: Why is the Android music experience so disjointed? One reason could be the fragmentation in the Android ecosystem. Unlike Apple’s closed system, where music apps are integrated into the operating system, Android relies on various developers. This creates a patchwork of apps, each with varying interfaces and functionalities. According to a recent survey from Statista, over 50% of Android users are dissatisfied with their music apps, indicating a clear demand for improvement.
In the past, Google had the opportunity to dominate music streaming and purchasing, but their transition to YouTube Music hasn’t lived up to expectations. Users often feel forced into several subscriptions—Spotify, Apple Music, and others—just to enjoy a seamless experience. Talk about going down a digital rabbit hole!
This fragmentation means that if you want to enjoy offline music or buy digital tracks, it’s a slow process. Users often have to jump between multiple apps, many of which aren’t even compatible with one another, leading to a disorganized library.
Ultimately, some might say, “Well, just stream it all!” But that approach isn’t for everyone. For people who prefer buying and collecting music, this process on Android can feel like a hurdle without a clear path.
In closing, it’s evident that the music experience on Android pales in comparison to iOS. It shouldn’t be this complicated to enjoy music or podcasts. Until there’s a major overhaul in how Android handles music apps, it looks like iOS remains the better option for music lovers. What a pity.
