In Apple's Messages app starting with iOS 7, a green bubble surrounding the text means the incoming message came from a non-Apple phone that uses the standard SMS/MMS text messaging system (see
SMS). Any phone that supports SMS, even old cellphones, can communicate with iPhones and appear in green bubbles.
Blue Bubble to Blue Bubble
iPhones use Apple's iMessage system and display a blue bubble around the text. In addition, blue bubble users (iPhone to iPhone) can send each other emojis and animations, which they cannot do with their green bubble friends. Also, images and videos from "green bubble phones" render with less resolution, although Apple has promised improvements. See
Rich Communication Services and
iMessage.
Green Bubble Shaming
Because Apple is an American icon, and the iPhone is such a top-notch device, Apple users tend to believe iPhones are far superior to "other" brands, namely Android phones from Samsung, Motorola, Google and a host of other companies. There is also an air of affluence surrounding the iPhone because the cheapest model sells for $400, whereas Android phones can be bought for as little as $50. Thus, the green bubble has affluence and class implications, which is false because high-end Androids sell for $1,200 and more. See
Beeper Mini and
Android.
The Green Bubble
The green color means the message is not coming from an iPhone.