Usability, Reliability, Security, and Status: Unpacking the Factors Shaping User Choice between iOS and Android in Saudi Arabia

This investigation delves into user perceptions of iOS and Android operating systems within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 594 participants was recruited to explore their preferences concerning usability, reliability, security, social influence, and prior experiences with both systems. The study reveals a modest predilection for iOS in terms of user-friendliness and perceived information security. Interestingly, a counterintuitive finding emerged: Android users, particularly females, exhibited high confidence in information security despite encountering a greater number of cyberattacks. Additionally, the research highlights the influence of sociodemographic factors, such as age, education level, and gender, on system selection. A pronounced desire to utilize iOS was observed among younger users, females, and individuals with higher educational attainment. While the study provides a robust foundation for understanding user preferences within the Saudi Arabian context, limitations such as sample size and geographic focus necessitate further research efforts across more heterogeneous populations to achieve a more generalizable depiction.