The main reason why iPhone apps seem to have an advantage over their Android counterparts is because there are fewer options on the market, as explained. People can see a lot of Android phones with different capabilities, processors, screens, cameras, etc. However, Apple only makes a few iPhone models to choose from.

While Apple has expanded its lineup of models, they’re still high-end devices that can handle the most demanding apps for years to come. Vonau admits that Google’s apps are also better on the iPhone.

“Google Maps builds its routes on the fly, giving users a sense of motion. WhatsApp provides consistent transitions when users open the keyboard or swipe to go back through all conversations. And YouTube provides rich, lingering animations when users move their phone to landscape mode,” Vonau writes.

Another point Vonau makes is that iOS's gesture navigation has been the default since the iPhone X, while Android phones offer different methods. For example, depending on the phone, going back can be done using the back button, a back gesture, or a custom one from the device manufacturer.

Although Vonau doesn't mention it, iPhone owners are more likely to pay for an app or in-app subscription than Android owners. Statista has a chart showing how much people spend on the App Store and Google Play Store, and how much they'll pay in the future, with the difference noted to be huge.

The result is that developers create better apps for iPhone users because more revenue will go to them, even if the Android user base is larger.