Once I say I overview telephones for a residing, what I actually imply is that I overview Android telephones for a residing. That shouldn’t come as a large shock: have you ever seen what number of new Android handsets come out yearly?!
That’s to not say iPhones aren’t essential right here at Tech Advisor – fairly the alternative. However with a most of 5 new handsets a yr, my probabilities of reviewing one as a junior member of the group had been slim.
That each one modified after I grew to become Cellular Editor final yr. Instantly, it grew to become a precedence for me to see what was happening within the mysterious world of Apple smartphones. In order that’s what I did.
However after placing my SIM card into the iPhone 16 Professional – the primary iPhone I’d used as my most important handset for the reason that iPhone 5 in 2012 – I used to be unprepared for simply how completely different it’d be.
Throughout my two weeks with the machine, I realized rather a lot about Apple and its method to cellphone {hardware} and software program. In the event you’re an Android loyalist and contemplating the change, you’ll additionally need to pay attention to these 8 issues.
WhatsApp woes
Of all of the apps and information I wished to maneuver between Android and iOS, WhatsApp triggered essentially the most complications.
I’m already used to the effort of backing up my chats on one cellphone, then re-registering and restoring them on one other. However whereas Android makes use of Google Drive for backups, the iPhone depends on iCloud.
Getting WhatsApp up and working on the iPhone can take some time
DenPhotos / Shutterstock.com
Till 2022, there was no simple technique to transfer your chat historical past. That has since modified, nevertheless it nonetheless depends on you utilizing the Transfer to iOS app and transferring it as quickly as you arrange your new iPhone. In the event you neglect, you’ll should reset the machine and begin once more.
Fortunately, there’s another that was excellent for my non permanent change. I merely added the iPhone 16 Professional as a ‘Linked machine’ (you possibly can add as much as 4), which allowed me to maintain my Android cellphone as the principle machine.
It was an ideal answer for me, as it really works even when the first cellphone is switched off. Nonetheless, you’ll need to log into it no less than as soon as each 14 days.
Greater than some other app, you’ll must have a plan for WhatsApp earlier than you begin the switching course of.
What are all these buttons?
The premium design and glorious construct high quality of the iPhone 16 Professional didn’t come as a shock. In comparison with the Pixel 9 Professional I’d reviewed simply earlier than, the 16 Professional is remarkably comparable – each telephones have 6.3-inch shows and weigh 199g.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than I observed some key design variations. Particularly, these further buttons on the facet! Most Android telephones persist with only a energy button and quantity rocker, however the iPhone 16 Professional provides two extra, with combined outcomes.
After getting used to its placement, I liked utilizing the Motion Button. It was the right technique to toggle Silent mode on and off, however can be utilized to set off all kinds of capabilities, together with opening any app. That is one thing Android telephones ought to copy.
Nonetheless, I’d somewhat do with out the Digital camera Management button. It’s designed as a shortcut to key digital camera options and a bodily shutter button, however I discovered it extra fiddly than practical. I’m positive I’d get used to it over time, however I didn’t see any actual profit in comparison with tapping on the display.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The place of the Digital camera Management button additionally causes issues. When taking pictures in panorama mode, it’s too far up the cellphone to be simply accessible, whereas virtually ineffective whereas in portrait. Android customers, you’re actually not lacking out right here.
Unimaginable video
Is the iPhone actually the perfect in terms of smartphone video? The iPhone 5 was spectacular by 2012 requirements, however rather a lot has modified since then.
The great (or dangerous, relying in your viewpoint) information is that the iPhone continues to be out in entrance. I’ve examined a few of the absolute best digital camera telephones for stills, together with the Samsung Galaxy S25+ and Google Pixel 9 Professional XL, however none can match the 16 Professional in terms of video high quality.
Footage from the principle lens is gorgeous, providing the type of crisp element, correct colors and clean transitions you’d usually affiliate with devoted digital camera tools.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Whereas most Android telephones supply respectable video, if you wish to use your cellphone for something extra severe than informal use, the iPhone continues to be the way in which to go.
Unbelievable Face ID
Lately, some Android cellphone makers have lastly began to meet up with Apple’s Face ID. Particularly, Google’s Pixel telephones and Honor Magic units allow you to use your face to authenticate funds and log into banking apps.
However Apple has had Face ID on the iPhone since 2017, and it reveals. On the 16 Professional, it’s simply that bit sooner and extra dependable than any Android rivals. It really works in mainly any lighting circumstances, and might simply be set as much as unlock when you’re carrying glasses or a masks.
Foundry
An under-display fingerprint sensor can be good, however the truth that I didn’t miss it in any respect speaks volumes. Face ID is one other factor Apple has completely nailed.
iMessage is annoyingly good
Earlier than switching to the 16 Professional, I’d turn into more and more offended at Apple’s most important messaging app. Why don’t iPhone customers simply use WhatsApp as a substitute? Why did Apple take so lengthy to make Android texting higher by including RCS? And why is the blue bubble/inexperienced bubble scenario even a factor?
Then I began utilizing it. iMessage (or formally simply ‘Messages’, because it’s recognized on the iPhone) is hands-down the perfect all-around messaging app on any cellphone.
It integrates SMS, MMS and iMessages into one app, making it easy to see all the pieces at a look. You can too get it to mechanically delete all these textual content verification codes as soon as they’ve been used.
And even while you don’t have an web connection, you’ll nonetheless be capable of textual content with all of the context of the identical dialog. Once you’re again on-line, all the pieces is mechanically backed up and obtainable throughout all of your Apple units.
Apple
It handles message replies higher than WhatsApp, making a thread somewhat than cluttering the chat. You can too seamlessly bounce to a FaceTime name, which generally provides higher high quality than WhatsApp calling.
Apple’s library of reactions, stickers and animations is unmatched, whereas hyperlinks to video and audio content material will play from throughout the app.
In iMessage, it’s this assortment of small touches that makes the expertise that little bit higher. I by no means anticipated to be saying this, however I’d desire it to WhatsApp.
Notification nightmare
My single largest gripe with the iPhone is the way in which it handles notifications. I’m not saying Android is ideal in terms of notifications, nevertheless it feels gentle years forward of what iOS is doing.
For some cause, Apple appears to suppose that notifications ought to completely reside throughout the Notification Middle. In the event you unlock your cellphone, any notifications will disappear from the lock display and require a half-swipe as much as entry them. Why? It simply makes issues unnecessarily sophisticated.
Foundry
Android makes the method a lot easier. All of your notifications are completely displayed on the lock display (if there are too many, their icons are proven on the backside of the display), from the place you possibly can merely faucet one to open it or swipe away.
I’m additionally not a fan of the way in which iOS teams notifications from the identical app into ‘Stacks’. Positive, it reduces muddle, however I at all times must broaden the record to see the contents of notifications anyway. On Android, a helpful preview is correct there in entrance of me.
I’m not saying Android is ideal in terms of notifications, nevertheless it feels gentle years forward of what iOS is doing
Not a lot Management Middle
There was additionally fairly a studying curve to utilizing the iOS Management Middle…and never in a great way. Consider it like Android’s fast settings menu, solely worse.
Its design isn’t an issue, neither is the truth that you must swipe down from the top-right of the display particularly (which Samsung has now copied). As an alternative, my largest problem is that tapping one of many icons doesn’t do what you’d count on it to.
For instance, no less than as soon as a day, I usually need to flip Wi-Fi off – normally after I’m heading out. However on the iPhone 16 Professional, tapping the Wi-Fi icon received’t really totally disable it.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
As an alternative, it’ll say “Disconnecting close by Wi-Fi till tomorrow” – in different phrases, Wi-Fi will mechanically be turned again on the following day. It’s the identical with Bluetooth – does Apple actually not belief me to recollect to re-enable Wi-Fi? Name me old school, however I’d like to have the ability to management this myself whereas utilizing the ‘Management Middle’!
Painful charging
This isn’t an issue unique to the iPhone, nevertheless it was fairly a shock after I switched. The iPhone 16 Professional is a flagship handset which prices no less than £999/$999 at launch, but it may possibly solely cost at as much as 25W.
In the event you’ve ever skilled the thrill of true quick charging, you’ll know simply how irritating that is. Even when you will discover a appropriate energy brick (there isn’t one within the field), charging takes an absolute age.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
MagSafe magnetic charging is cool, however I’d give that up instantly for even 45W wired charging. I’m simply glad the robust battery life meant I didn’t must plug the 16 Professional in fairly often.
My verdict on the iPhone in 2025
Switching to the iPhone 16 Professional got here with extra surprises than I used to be anticipating…for good and dangerous.
Regardless of being extra comparable than ever earlier than, iOS and Android nonetheless differ in some fairly elementary methods. Except you’re conversant in each, there’s a major studying curve while you make the change both approach.
As somebody who evaluations telephones for a residing and primarily makes use of Google apps, Android is a significantly better match for me proper now. However I can admire a few of the methods Apple makes the iPhone such a compelling machine, particularly should you already personal the corporate’s different merchandise.
Regardless of accusations of an absence of innovation, the iPhone has come a hell of a good distance within the 12 years I used to be away. The most recent fashions are undoubtedly nonetheless a few of the absolute best smartphones you should purchase.