Have you ever seen the "sent from iOS" or "sent from iPhone" line in emails that doesn't look like it's been, well, automatically generated by the email app? Well, next time you do, don't rush to judge the person: a survey shows the Android stigma is real.
The green vs. blue bubble debate is dividing smartphone users and impacting relationships, a new survey from All About Cookies reveals. With 99% of the US smartphone market split between Android and iPhone users, the divide isn't just about technology anymore—it's personal.
According to the survey of 1,000 users, nearly a quarter of Android users (24%) have been excluded from group chats due to their device, and more than half (52%) say they've been teased by iPhone users. The colour of chat bubbles, which differentiates between iMessage (blue) and SMS (green) texts on iPhones, has become a symbol of tech snobbery. Even US Senator Elizabeth Warren has chimed in, accusing Apple of "ruining relationships" over its messaging system and using this as "one of the dirty tactics that Apple uses to keep a stranglehold on the smartphone market."
"Green texts on iPhones, they’re ruining relationships. That’s right, non-iPhone users everywhere are being excluded from group texts, from sports teams chats to birthday chats to vacation plan chats. They’re getting cut out. Missing out on plans and conversations. And who’s to blame here? Apple, the Senator said.
The friction between Android and iPhone users is striking: 22% of iPhone owners admit they think less of someone who sends a green bubble, and for 23%, it's a dating dealbreaker. Android users aren’t immune to the pressure, with 30% considering switching to iPhones to escape the mockery, according to the same survey.
The divide plays out in dating too, where the green bubble stigma extends into personal relationships. Nearly one in four iPhone users (23%) said they’d end a potential romantic connection if their partner used an Android device. Men appear more bothered by this, with 31% of male iPhone users calling it a dealbreaker, compared to just 16% of women.
Such "green bubble shaming" clearly showcases the social stigma attached to Android users as many iPhone users see green bubbles as a marker of lower status or poor communication, creating friction in social and even romantic settings.
While Apple has announced plans to adopt Rich Communication Services (RCS) in 2024 in response to ongoing criticism and legal scrutiny, notably from the US Department of Justice, to potentially improve message quality across platforms, the divide is unlikely to fade anytime soon. For many, the green bubble still represents more than just a tech difference—it's a social statement.
You can find the full report here.
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