There’s no doubt that Android and iOS continue to dominate the operating system market, with these two entities accounting for more than 99% of this space. Interestingly, Android is the single most dominant operating system, with a total market share of 71.93%.
As a result of this, the overwhelming majority of mobile traders are using Android and iOS devices to access the forex market (and similar entities).
But which of these systems is best for forex trading on mobile devices, and what should you keep in mind as an investor on the move?
Processing Speed
Arguably, processing speed is the most important factor for mobile forex traders, particularly those who deploy high volume strategies such as day trading or scalping.
Compatibility shouldn’t be an issue, of course, with leading forex platforms such as the MT4 available across both Android and iOS platforms. So, you can focus on which OS offers the best processing power, which has a direct impact on the effectiveness of your execution.
Tests have proved to be relatively inconclusive, with Android thought to be approximately 3% faster on average than iOS when loading mobile sites. Interestingly, however, the iPhone showcased slower processing times on 84% of mobile platforms, suggesting that Android may have the edge in this respect.
Much will depend on the individual device that you use, of course, so it’s also important to check out reviews for specific smartphones before making a final decision.
Screen Size and Display Quality
As a general rule, it’s thought that mobile displays sizes 5.5 inches and bigger are ideal for online trading.
However, most contemporary iOS and Android devices feature screens considerably bigger than this, so which operating system underpins the biggest and best devices?
Currently, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is thought to be the best big-screen Android handset available, with the display here measuring as much as 6.8 inches. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra boasts an even more capacious display, with a 6.9-inch screen that’s truly impressive.
Conversely, the largest iOS device is the Apple 12 Pro Max, which has a 6.68-inch display, although this all-screen OLED display does feature excellent pixel resolution of 2778×1284.
Battery Life
Wr close with battery life, which is important when you consider the fast-paced nature of the forex market and the fact that it’s open 24 hours a day.
Both iOS and Android devices tend to offer excellent battery performance, with the average lifespan for such smartphones increased to a minimum of 12 hours as recently as 2019.
However, generic testing has shown Android handsets to boast marginally better battery performance than iOS alternatives, although later iPhone devices have begun to narrow this gap. Still, Android smartphones continue to outperform iPhones in this regard, although iPads are thought to offer longer battery life than Android alternatives.
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ is thought to have the best battery life performance amongst Android phones at present, with its 4100mAh unit capable of providing power for as long as 24 hours in some instances.
