[bjohnson225]

> outside of the USA if they piss off Mark Zuckerberg enough they can lose the rest of the world because who would want a phone that doesn't have WhatsApp?

We use WhatsApp by default because of the network effects. FB have no power over Apple here because removing it from iPhones would kill the only reason people use it. The switch to (most likely) Telegram would happen overnight.

[mrtksn]

Okay, what if FB makes WhatsApp slow, buggy and lacking features instead? Are the Android users be willing to switch to other messenger platforms for the comfort of the iPhone users or are the iPhone users consider the messaging quality just as if they consider camera quality when purchasing a new phone?

I agree that the messaging platforms are not all powerful but they do wield significant power. iPhone is famously good for social media because Instagram and Snapchat camera integration sucked and that was something people consider when buying a new phone.

So there must be a point where switching to a different phone to improve communications is less painful than making all your social circle switch platform for you.

[SergeAx]

Let's just give a green bubble to iPhone users of WhatsApp!

[andreilys]

I only have one or two friends who have an Android, the rest are all iPhone.

Only time I use WhatsApp is when I’m traveling overseas.

[mrtksn]

You are the exception, not the rule. Google for iPhone marketshare.

[mattl]

It seems iPhone is the majority in the US... which countries in Europe do not have a high number of iPhone users?

[mrtksn]

Except for the UK, All of them have Android dominance.

[mattl]

Is there a breakdown of Android versions and devices? I’m curious to see how current/capable those devices are.

[rishav_sharan]

I personally doubt it. Most of the markets where Whatsapp is THE messaging app is also where iPhone has low penetration.

At least taking the example of India, if Whatsapp were to stop supporting iOS, then people would still continue to use Whatsapp in their Android phones.

[birksherty]

This is only in US; in most other countries situation will be different.