Why do Uber fares differ across iOS, Android devices? Viral post raises questions, company responds

Fare Disparity Between Android and iPhone Users Sparks Debate Among Uber Riders
A recent viral post on social media has reignited concerns among Uber users about fare differences when booking rides using different devices. Sudhir, a regular Uber rider, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his surprising discovery of a significant price variation for the same trip on his phone versus his daughter’s phone.

Sudhir’s post detailed his experience, saying, “Same pickup point, destination, and time, but two different phones get two different rates. I always get higher rates on my Uber compared to my daughter’s phone. So, most of the time, I request her to book my Uber. Does this happen with you also? What is the hack?” Along with his post, he included a photo showing the fare difference: Rs 290.79 on an Android device and Rs 342.47 on an iPhone.

The post quickly went viral, garnering over 6,97,000 views and sparking a wave of reactions. Many users shared similar experiences, with some suspecting that Uber’s pricing algorithm might vary fares based on the device used. One user commented, “Yes, that happens with me too. Sometimes the difference is not much, but it can go beyond Rs 30-50. Technology sure knows how to play with your wallet.”

Same pickup point, destination & time but 2 different phones get 2 different rates. It happens with me as I always get higher rates on my Uber as compared to my daughter’s phone. So most of the time, I request her to book my Uber. Does this happen with you also? What is the hack? pic.twitter.com/bFqMT0zZpW

— SUDHIR (@seriousfunnyguy) December 23, 2024

Another user speculated that Uber’s algorithm might increase fares for frequent riders on particular routes, stating, “If the Uber app has learned that you regularly travel a specific route, it may start hiking the fare.” Others humorously claimed that Uber could be analyzing users’ financial habits, with one joking, “Uber is peeking into your SMS for bank account balance.”

In response, Uber clarified that multiple factors can influence fare differences, including variations in pick-up points, estimated arrival times, and drop-off locations. The company stated, “Uber does not personalize trip pricing based on a rider’s cell phone manufacturer.”

However, skepticism remains. Many users believe that iPhone users might be charged higher fares than Android users. Uber explained that dynamic pricing, which adjusts fares in real-time based on demand, traffic, and other conditions, could also account for the discrepancies.

This issue isn’t unique to Uber. Last week, Niraali Parekh, a design professional, highlighted similar fare differences between Android and iPhone users. In the past, e-commerce platform Zepto faced similar accusations of charging higher prices for iPhone users.

The debate over whether app-based services treat users differently based on their devices continues to grow. While Uber hasn’t indicated plans to alter its pricing model, the issue has sparked a broader conversation about fairness and transparency in pricing algorithms.