$200 Android vs. $1,000 iPhone: How our digital divide is growing

Two screens. Two worlds.

On one screen, an urban professional in Oslo taps into ultra-secure banking apps, relies on an AI-powered personal assistant, and streams multimedia content seamlessly over fast 5G altitude with their iPhone.

On another screen, a farmer in Malawi flips through a modest Android phone – which can cost less than a week’s salary – just to read the news, check tomorrow’s weather and send WhatsApp messages over the link. Mobile connection is unstable.

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These very different experiences highlight the divide between Global North and Global South. These terms refer not only to geographical locations but also to the world’s wealthiest and most industrialized regions – such as Europe, North America and parts of East Asia – and developing nations. economy in most of Africa, Latin America, South Asia and Oceania. Technology symbolizes innovation, convenience and seamless connectivity in the global North. In the Global South, it often serves as a fragile lifeline, bridging gaps in infrastructure, education and opportunity.

Cloudflare 2024 Review clearly illustrates this divide: Android accounts for more than 90% of mobile traffic in 29 countries, especially in Africa, Asia and Oceania, where lower gross national incomes make Cheap devices become necessary. In contrast, iOS dominates in eight countries, including Denmark and Norway, accounting for more than 60% of mobile traffic.

This disparity goes beyond device usage; it reflects systemic inequalities in access, infrastructure and opportunity. The digital divide continues to widen every year, with technology serving as both a tool of empowerment and a means of exclusion.

Two internets, one inequality

Cloudflare data shows that mobile devices account for more than 77% of all internet traffic in many developing countries, with countries like Sudan and Syria being notable examples. In contrast, wealthier regions benefit from both desktop and mobile usage, allowing greater access to digital tools and services.

This difference reflects global economic inequality. In wealthy regions, iOS users enjoy a seamless digital ecosystem characterized by advanced encryption, innovative apps, and smooth hardware and software integration. On the other hand, Android users in developing regions are often challenged with older devices, slower Internet speeds, and outdated software. The digital divide is not just about market share; Essentially, it determines who can fully participate in the modern economy and who faces limitations and compromises.

Android’s affordable dominance: lifeline has its limits

Android is not just the dominant platform in the global South; it is often the only viable option. Affordable devices priced between $50 and $200 from brands like Xiaomi and Tecno enable connectivity in areas with low incomes and limited technology budgets. According to Cloudflare data, Android adoption has exceeded 95% in countries like Sudan, Bangladesh, and Malawi. These devices come pre-installed with Google’s ecosystem, serving as Internet access points for billions of users.

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However, this affordability comes with limitations. Many of these devices are built with older hardware and protocols, leaving users in these regions to struggle with slower speeds, weaker encryption, and limited access to technologies. advanced web like HTTP/3. Only 20.5% of global web traffic in 2024 will use HTTP/3, a protocol designed for speed and security. For many people in the Global South, getting online requires overcoming significant technological limitations on a daily basis.

Infrastructure presents an additional challenge. Poor broadband penetration, unreliable power supplies, and minimal 4G or 5G coverage mean even the best Android devices can perform poorly. Cloudflare’s report highlights that satellite internet, such as Starlink, is starting to close this gap, with Malawi seeing a 38-fold increase in traffic. However, these solutions remain costly and limited in reach, highlighting the broader infrastructure barriers that hinder digital equity.

Apple’s premium ecosystem: innovation is exclusionary

By contrast, Apple’s tightly integrated ecosystem dominates in wealthy countries, accounting for more than 60% of mobile traffic in eight high-income countries. With seamless integration of services like iCloud, FaceTime, and Apple Pay, the iOS experience is unparalleled yet exclusive. Even Apple’s low-cost models, such as the upcoming iPhone SE 4, are priced between $499 and $549, out of reach for most consumers in the Southern Hemisphere.

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This exclusivity reinforces the digital hierarchy, where owning an iPhone signifies privilege and access to premium digital experiences. Cloudflare’s report highlights how affordability affects platform dominance, showing that higher iOS adoption correlates with higher gross national income per capita. For much of the world, Apple’s ecosystem remains a closed door – a symbol of innovation that’s more aspirational than accessible.

Secondary market: unstable lifeline

There’s a line between high-end iPhones in rich countries and cheap Android devices: the global trade in used technology. Secondary markets in cities like Lagos, Dhaka and Manila provide a narrow path to better technology access for people in the Global South. An old iPhone, previously owned by a professional in Europe, could become a valuable asset to a student in Nairobi. These devices provide access to better applications, enhanced security, and improved productivity.

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However, these devices come with risks. Without a warranty or official right to repair, owners must rely on unofficial networks to keep their devices running. Additionally, the environmental impact of this flow is significant, as discarded electronic devices often end up in uncontrolled recycling yards, contributing to the generation of e-waste and posing a hazard. for health. While secondary markets demonstrate resilience and resourcefulness, they also highlight the systemic inequalities that force people to rely on outdated technology.

Google’s hegemony in the Global South: opportunity and dependence

The widespread adoption of Android has helped Google become a key information gatekeeper in the global South. In 2024, Googlebot, the company’s web crawler, generated the highest amount of web traffic by retrieving content for search indexing, further cementing Google’s dominance. For many users, the Internet is essentially synonymous with Google because its algorithms determine what content appears at the top of search results.

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This centralization raises concerns about our dependence on Google. Data from Cloudflare highlights how mobile-first countries rely heavily on Google’s ecosystem, often facing limited access to alternative platforms or local content. Like AI-driven tools like Google Gemini As it becomes more popular, this dependency increases, affecting what users can access and how they perceive the world.

The news and information gap: filtering the world through a single lens

Platforms like YouTube and Google News have become dominant in areas where traditional media have struggled to connect with audiences. However, data from Cloudflare shows that these platforms often prioritize sensational and polarizing content, exacerbating the spread of misinformation. Furthermore, language barriers lead to a lack of local languages ​​online, forcing many users to rely on English or other global languages ​​that often lack cultural nuance.

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Governments in the Global South can play an important role in bridging the digital divide. Initiatives like India Digital India Kenya’s program and investments in digital literacy demonstrate the potential for effective public-private partnerships. Governments can reduce their dependence on global tech giants by subsidizing local infrastructure and application development, and promoting competition through policy measures that help creating a more diverse digital ecosystem.

Beyond the binary: towards a more inclusive digital future

The divide between Android and iOS represents broader inequalities in wealth, education, and access. Cloudflare’s report highlights these stark contrasts and outlines a roadmap for change. Addressing this divide requires investment in infrastructure, local content creation, and policies that promote competition and innovation.

Imagine a future where entrepreneurs in rural areas create apps specifically designed for their communities. Envision governments supporting open source tools and maintaining neutral technology standards. In this ideal world, technology acts as a bridge rather than a divider. However, without drastic action, the digital divide could continue to widen, leaving billions of people behind.

The future of the Internet is in our hands. Will we rise to the challenge and create a more inclusive digital world, or will we allow this divide to deepen? The answer lies in the choices we make today.