The iPhone Still Beats Android Phones at These 9 Things

In terms of cellular units, there are nonetheless solely two important options, and the iPhone (with iOS) and Android every have their very own, distinct benefits. I’ve been utilizing each platforms for the reason that starting and even had an opportunity to check out Android units on the Google headquarters lengthy earlier than their launch. I personal each an iPhone and a Pixel that I take advantage of every day. 

I’ve observed that just a few options nonetheless work higher on the iPhone, generally as a result of the ecosystem is closed or extra tightly managed and generally as a result of iOS is simply simpler to make use of for some features. I don’t desire one OS over the opposite and see the advantages of every.

Nevertheless, Android does nonetheless have some work to do in terms of a handful of options, together with these.

1. Settings choices could be extra technical or onerous to seek out

Android is arguably extra customizable and has deep technical options, however that additionally makes it extra sophisticated in terms of settings. Choices abound, however they’re generally buried in menus or poorly named. One fast instance is organising a hotspot. It’s not onerous on Android, nevertheless it’s positively simpler on an iPhone.

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On the principle iPhone settings display, there’s an possibility referred to as Private Hotspot. You simply allow it.

On Android, it’s a must to choose Community & Web first, which could not be an apparent place to seek out the hotspot, particularly once you’re in a rush. Plus, the hotspot function can fluctuate between Android units/carriers and isn’t constant. Additionally, some settings should not searchable as they need to be, equivalent to Fast Share. It’s buried in a menu as a substitute.

2. On Android, spam name screening requires extra setup and varies by provider

Name screening on Android is hit and miss. On a Google Pixel 10 Professional XL, the setup took a number of minutes and required downloading an AI-related function first. On some older Android telephones from Samsung and with some wi-fi carriers, it could not work in any respect.

Google’s Name Display is unique to Pixel telephones, in accordance with firm reps I contacted – one cause it’s onerous to know if it would work.

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With the newest iOS launch, name screening simply works. It asks the caller to say their identify as a approach to cut back the variety of spam calls you get. For me, it’s labored extraordinarily nicely. That stated, when it does work, Pixel telephones now use Google Assistant and AI to ask extra inquiries to extra successfully root out spam calls.

3. iPhone video stabilization is best

Video options fluctuate enormously relying on which cellphone you employ, and that even applies to the iPhone. The newest iPhone 17 Professional, for instance, has wonderful video stabilization however older fashions may not work as nicely. In my exams, video stabilization labored higher on an iPhone 17 Professional than a Pixel 10 Professional XL cellphone.

When enabled throughout a check the place I used to be strolling behind somebody, the iPhone used sensors and software program to make the video look easy. With the Pixel 10, though there are video stabilization options, the ensuing video didn’t have the identical smoothness.

4. Launch apps work higher or are solely accessible on iPhone

This differentiator has turn out to be much less and fewer noticeable over time, however there are nonetheless launch apps that (annoyingly for Android customers) debut on the iPhone and solely later turn out to be accessible on Android. Essentially the most obvious instance from just a few years in the past is Clubhouse, the audio chat app that got here out in 2020. Exclusives are nonetheless widespread, although.

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Apps like Procreate and Issues are stubbornly iOS and Mac solely. After all, the reverse can be true. Tasker is the obvious instance right here, an automation app that’s nonetheless solely accessible on Android.

5. AirDrop works seamlessly with different iPhones, Android Fast Share requires extra setup

It is a thorny one as a result of Google did lately add AirDrop assist to Pixel 10 telephones. That uncommon flip of occasions helped make sharing simpler, however the actuality is that it’s nonetheless quicker to share paperwork, photographs and different content material between iPhones. It simply works with no fuss.

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Android’s Fast Share function is more durable to seek out in Settings and requires extra setup – particularly in terms of older Android telephones.

In my exams, when making an attempt to share a video from a Pixel 10 Professional XL to an iPhone 17 Professional, the Android cellphone didn’t discover the iPhone despite the fact that each telephones had been on the identical community. Once I scanned the QR code from the Pixel, the connection didn’t work. (I contacted Google about this and reps stated AirDrop sharing ought to have labored.) 

6. Texting is smoother on iPhone and modifying texts is extra delicate

In my opinion, the iPhone is simply higher for texting all the best way round. Over the previous couple of years, when testing each iPhones and Android units, I’ve been capable of sort quicker and extra precisely on nearly any iPhone than an Android cellphone.

That’s subjective and also you may desire Android for texting, however there are just a few different obvious variations. Each iPhone and Android allow you to edit a textual content, however Android provides a extra apparent “edited” flag to the message. It additionally didn’t work between the Android and iPhone. (Google reps famous the difficulty is with the iPhone, that RCS modifying isn’t allowed from iOS to Android.) I additionally just like the iPhone messaging results higher and the emojis are extra diverse. 

7. FaceTime video calls work immediately between iPhones, video chats are more durable to setup on Android

FaceTime is solely the perfect video chat service round, principally as a result of – should you’re chatting from iPhone to iPhone, no less than – it’s all included and works out of the field. There are numerous options, after all. You should utilize Zoom or Google Meet. And, iPhone customers can FaceTime with Android callers by way of a browser, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a problem.

8. Sat texting is free once you’re out of service on an iPhone, Android is extra for SOS

I’ve used this function a number of instances as a result of I typically go climbing or tenting in distant areas the place there isn’t cell service. With the iPhone, you’ll be able to textual content simply over a satellite tv for pc connection. It’s really a ache to configure as a result of it’s a must to level your cellphone towards the satellite tv for pc and look ahead to it to attach, nevertheless it’s free and it really works.

With Android, it’s potential nevertheless it actually will depend on your provider and which cellphone you employ. Pixel helps it out of the field. Older Android telephones may not join, and AT&T telephones don’t assist texting over sat in any respect.

9. Name recording “simply works” on iPhone

I take advantage of this function very often as nicely. Whenever you place a name, you’ll be able to select to report the decision with one click on. There’s a countdown after which all callers are notified that the decision is being recorded.

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The saved recording is positioned into the Notes app. With Android, I discovered once I referred to as an iPhone the recording possibility wasn’t accessible. After all, Google virtually invented the concept with Google Voice and that’s how I at all times used to report calls. However, as soon as once more, it “simply works” on an iPhone. (Google reps stated this could have labored, however didn’t throughout my exams with a Pixel 10 Professional XL.)

For recommendation on selecting the perfect cellphone with the fitting OS for you, try our prime suggestions in our round-up of the perfect telephones we’ve examined.