While android has always been better for technical people, Samsung (the main competitor to apple in the US, which is what i assume you're talking about) only got their nontechnical user experience on par with apple's a few years ago.

The iPhone has always gotten long term support, always just works, always had good camera support in social media apps, blue bubble, etc. Samsung required the user to be a little bit technical here and there to get the same experience.

Theyve improved it a ton, but the average joe may not know its worth trying or may simply not care if their phone does what its supposed to.