Android, iOS and the price difference in ride hailing

Metrolife did a reality check with multiple devices. We found that the difference was negligible

A post about how ride-hailing apps quoted different rates for a ride to the same destination on different phones (see box) went viral in December. 

Between Monday and Wednesday this week, Metrolife checked multiple routes on iPhone and Android devices on both Ola and Uber. We also spoke to customers booking rides on the streets. Here is what we found:

On the evening of December 30, 2024, an Uber auto ride, on both an iPhone and an Android phone, from M G Road (Anil Kumble Circle side) to Vega City Mall, Bannerghatta Main Road, was priced between Rs 142 and Rs 148. 

A Sedan on Uber, from Church Street to Prestige Centre for Performing Arts, Konanakunte, was Rs 287.80 on an iPhone, and Rs 285.06 on an Android phone. A Sedan from Air India Terminal 1 of Kempegowda International Airport to Majestic
Metro Station, showed a mere difference of 88 paisa between Android and iOS phones. 

In a surprising turn of events, a Mini ride on Ola was Rs 514 on an Android phone and Rs 511 on an iPhone. 

On December 30, 9 pm, Anandu A, a software professional, was looking for cabs from Church Street Social to Cycle Gap Restobar, Nagarbhavi. The prices were Rs 215 (Uber Auto) and Rs 397 (Uber Premier) on an Apple phone, while Metrolife found the rates to be Rs 213 and Rs 393 on an Android phone. On Ola, auto prices were between Rs 205 and Rs 212 on his device, while the Android phone prices were lesser by two rupees. “I have often noticed a few rupees difference between Android and iOS devices,” Anandu added.

At 10 pm, Ahmed Rasheed, a gym trainer, found that Ola was charging Rs 403 (Sedan) and Rs 443 (Prime Plus) from Higginbothams, M G Road to the R R Nagar arch on his friend’s Android device, while on his iPhone both rides cost a rupee more.

Many Bengalureans say that while a difference can be seen at times, it is often negligible. On January 1, Akash Gupta (name changed) who arrived at Zion Hospitals, Kammanahalli, with his mother was looking for a ride to Fortis Hospital, Rajajinagar, on his iPhone. A Sedan was available for Rs 245 and a Prime SUV for Rs 289 on the Ola app. The rides were priced two rupees less on the Android device. 

What happened? 

An X user, Sudhir, posted on December 23, 2024, that when he tried booking rides from a single pickup point at the same time on two different phones, he got two different rates. The post received 9.63 lakh views, and around 7,500 likes. 

What are cab aggregators saying?

Uber, replying to Sudhir’s post, said, “Uber does not personalise trip pricing based on a rider’s cell phone manufacturer.” Ola did not respond to Metrolife’s request for a comment.

Government responds...

On December 26, 2024, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi wrote on X that he has ordered a detailed inquiry into the same. He added that he has also asked the Consumer Affairs Department to “look into other sectors as well like delivery apps, online ticket booking apps etc”.