Ever because it started life 17 years in the past, the iPhone has been famend for its premium {hardware}.
Apple has constantly delivered high-end design, providing telephones that feel and look like high quality units.
Nonetheless, nearly as good as that {hardware} is, there are nonetheless some options that Apple has declined to introduce. None of those are dealbreakers, particularly if you happen to’re already aware of the iPhone, however they’re all current on at the very least one Android cellphone.
And whereas the iPhone 16 collection introduces some helpful upgrades, Apple has left these areas untouched.
It’s price noting that this text is particularly centered on {hardware}. There are many Android options not accessible on iOS (and vice versa), which you’ll learn extra about in our Android and iOS comparability.
Quick charging
Apple has constantly improved battery life lately, and now provides telephones that may comfortably final effectively over a full day on a single cost.
Nonetheless, its method to charging has remained stubbornly constant. The entire iPhone 16 handsets are restricted to simply 25W, and even then, solely when you have a suitable charger at residence.
It’s definitely not the one offender, with Samsung telephones not exceeding 45W and Google going no larger than 37W. However when the OnePlus 12 provides 100W wired charging and the Xiaomi 14 Extremely sits at 90W, this sluggish charging turns into tougher to disregard.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Apple is understandably involved concerning the impact of quick charging on long-term battery well being, however certainly it might improve speeds a bit with out dangerous results.
In-screen fingerprint scanner
When Apple ditched the bodily fingerprint sensor for Face ID on the iPhone X in 2017, it was a clever transfer. It allowed for an all-screen design (minus the notch) with out sacrificing the comfort and safety of biometric unlocking.
Nonetheless, seven years later, Apple nonetheless hasn’t supplied another, regardless of under-display scanners being round for a number of years. Whereas many Android telephones nonetheless use optical sensors, the ultrasonic variations on units such because the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely and Google Pixel 9 Professional XL are a lot sooner and extra dependable.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The likes of Honor and Google have additionally now launched face unlocking strategies which might be safe sufficient to log into banking apps or authenticate funds. In the meantime, Apple seems to don’t have any plans to create a brand new model of Face ID for below the show.
Stylus assist
On the unique iPhone launch occasion, Steve Jobs infamously criticised the stylus, insisting that it was one thing “no person desires”.
Nonetheless, in 2015, Apple went forward and launched a stylus of its personal. It was a bit completely different to the fundamental variations Jobs was referring to, providing strain sensitivity and tilt detection.
There have been loads of iterations of Apple Pencil since then, however they’ve solely ever been suitable with the iPad. Regardless of additionally having a contact display screen, not one of the Apple Pencils work with any iPhone.
Petter Ahrnstedt
Petter Ahrnstedt
Petter Ahrnstedt
Nonetheless, a phone-friendly model of the Apple Pencil would make a whole lot of sense, particularly on the top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Professional Max. It might work equally to the Galaxy S24 Extremely, being securely docked into the cellphone and immediately linked each time you’re taking it out.
Excessive refresh charge display screen (on non-Professional fashions)
Virtually 4 years after the Razer Cellphone made historical past as the primary handset with a excessive refresh charge show, Apple lastly adopted the characteristic in 2021. Each the iPhone 13 Professional and 13 Professional Max had 120Hz screens, as have all of the Professional-branded iPhones ever since.
Apple
Apple
Apple
Sadly, all the different telephones Apple has launched since then have been caught at 60Hz. Even for an off-the-cuff consumer, meaning a show that’s noticeably much less clean and responsive, particularly whereas scrolling or taking part in video games.
Within the case of the iPhone 16 collection, you’re paying at the very least £799/$799 (iPhone 16) or £899/$899 (iPhone 16 Plus) for a technically inferior show to many funds telephones.
Whereas disappointing, none of those lacking options are more likely to stop the iPhone 16 handsets from being up there with one of the best telephones you should buy. There are many options I’m excited to strive, together with one which’s more likely to arrive on Android telephones quickly.