Will Android surpass iPhone as Gen Z's top choice in the future?

Digital
26 Apr 2025 • 2:00 PM MYT
Tze Xuan
Tze Xuan

I'm a student from INTI International College Subang

image is not available
A side-by-side comparison of an Android phone and an iPhone (Image taken from: New York Times, photo by Connie Park).

Apple is expected to increase its price due to U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

On April 2, 2025, Trump announced a tariff increase to protect U.S. jobs, industries, and national security. He imposed a 10% tariff on all imports, except from Canada and Mexico, with some Chinese goods facing tariffs as high as 145% to address trade imbalances.

According to BBC News, with 95% of Apple products being manufactured in China, these tariff hikes could push the price of an iPhone to around RM10,000 in the future.

This raises concerns, especially since statistics show that many Gen Z prefer iPhones over Android devices. Although Android phones still lead in overall global sales, Gen Z stands out as the generation most drawn to iPhones.

Researchers say Gen Z tend to choose iPhones because of the device’s ability to boost social image, its high-quality camera features, and the exclusivity of iOS. Owning an iPhone isn’t just about functionality, it’s also seen as a symbol of identity and status.

Wong Joey, a Gen Z content creator and iPhone user, shared that even if an iPhone costs around RM10,000, she would still buy it. She believes the iPhone’s features, such as its emojis, camera quality, and security, are superior to those of Android devices. Additionally, she mentioned that once you get used to the iPhone's User Interface (UI), it becomes difficult to switch back to Android.

On the other hand, Thin Sze Qi, a Gen Z student with an Android phone, says she’d like to own an iPhone once to understand the hype, but she won’t buy it if it's over RM6,000. For now, she prefers Android due to its features like faster charging, floating windows, and affordability.

Each phone has its strengths. iPhones are popular for their premium features and status, while Android offers flexibility, affordability, and variety, making it a solid alternative for many.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Android will become the new preference for Gen Z? Comment below!


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