We had steam popping out of Apple stans’ ears after we lately requested 5 cellphone consultants one conversation-stimulating query: What can Android do this the iPhone can’t?
Solutions ranged from “Android is extra enjoyable! Simply have a look at the flippy Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4; iPhones can’t do this!” to “It’s extra customizable! The iPhone isn’t as open to letting your persona shine by means of.” However now, it’s time to ask the query that may ruffle Android followers’ feathers:
What’s it that iPhone CAN do this Android can’t.
Off the highest of my head, one of the vital apparent solutions is that iOS gives top-of-the-line safety. For instance, the Google Play Retailer seems to be the Wild, Wild West in comparison with the Apple App Retailer — numerous malware-infected apps appear to slide by means of the cracks. The Cupertino-based tech big, however, is extra austere on the subject of vetting apps for the Apple App Retailer. Plus, iOS provides customers extra management over their privateness. Upon putting in an app, iPhone customers have the choice to decide out of knowledge monitoring and different unscrupulous invasions of privateness.
In contrast to Android, iOS is not an open-source working system. Apple has full management over its proprietary OS: nobody else has entry to its cookie jar. As such, it’s a lot simpler for the Cupertino-based tech big to seize the reins on tightening safety for customers. Android, however, will be forked by a lot of completely different OEMs, which frequently opens the floodgates to severe vulnerabilities.
In order that’s my tackle what iPhone gives that Android doesn’t, however what do folks — the extra educated crowd — should say on this matter? We requested seven cellphone consultants for his or her ideas on the matter.
Be sure you take a look at our 5 telephones which can be a greater worth than the iPhone 14 record.
What’s it that the iPhone can do this Android can’t?
Now it’s time to dive proper into the query of the hour! We interviewed common tech YouTubers MrMobile and JerryRigEverything, in addition to TechRadar US Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff, Tom’s Information Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonanuer, 9to5Mac Senior Author Zac Corridor, Laptop computer Magazine Assistant Managing Editor Sean Riley, and our very personal Content material Editor Jason England.
1. JerryRigEverything, YouTuber
JerryRigEverything (often known as Zack Nelson), a pressure to be reckoned with within the tech YouTube house with eight million subscribers, has turn into a beloved common in our “We requested X cellphone consultants” collection. He’s recognized for breaking telephones aside — like this poor iPhone 14 (RIP!) — so he’ll haven’t any points breaking down how iOS gadgets differ from Android.
“As a result of Apple focuses on making one cellphone line a 12 months, it is very easy to ensure each model of their cellphone interacts seamlessly with different iPhones in its ecosystem — that’s why it’s really easy to AirDrop recordsdata from one iDevice to a different,” Nelson instructed Laptop computer Magazine.
“The worldwide AirTag grid is [another feat worth mentioning]. Each lively iPhone on this planet will be linked collectively to kind a ‘internet’ that tracks AirTags. Yeah, it’s barely scary {that a} single firm has that skill, however on the identical time, with how fractured Android telephones are throughout all completely different producers, these are options Android customers can solely dream of,” he concluded.
TLDR: Apple can simply create worldwide networks that profit customers (e.g., the worldwide AirTag grid). Android’s ‘ecosystem,’ or lack thereof, is rather more disjointed, making it troublesome to roll out a unified service that advantages non-iOS cellphone house owners.
2. Jason England, Laptop computer Magazine Content material Editor
Jason England, a self-proclaimed Apple stan, is our England-based Content material Editor, and sure, he’s dabbled in cellphone opinions (e.g., the Nothing cellphone (1) and Google Pixel 7), however that’s not why I requested him to contribute his extremely invaluable ideas to this matter. England has rolled out a number of spectacular video opinions for Laptop computer Magazine’s YouTube channel — all captured utilizing iPhone 13 Professional. (Try his iPhone-facilitated overview of the PSVR 2 headset under.)
As such, I figured England would supply a refreshing voice to this matter — right here’s what he needed to say.
“Superior video high quality and ease of enhancing are two issues that preserve me locked to Apple smartphones,” England mentioned. “My workflow depends on Remaining Minimize Professional for enhancing, and beforehand, I used a Fujifilm XA-7 digital camera for recording, however after the primary couple of movies, I converted to my iPhone 13 Professional for filming.”
So if he already had an APS-C digital camera for 4K recording with tasty bokeh, why did he transfer on to the iPhone 13 Professional? “Put merely, the video high quality when compressed in a YouTube video is greater than ok from my iPhone — and a helluva lot simpler to switch and edit,” England mentioned.
In England’s opinion, Android gadgets merely don’t measure as much as iPhone’s video high quality, and due to Airdrop, his workflow of transferring footage is easy. On prime of that, his Remaining Minimize Professional-equipped MacBook Professional (he makes use of this 13-inch M2 model (opens in new tab)) is prepped to deal with the high-fidelity footage codecs the iPhone delivers.
One suggestion he does give, nonetheless, is to not depend on the default iOS digital camera app. “For the most effective outcomes, with larger handbook management over video and audio, seize the Filmic Professional legacy (opens in new tab) app. Screw that month-to-month subscription price of the brand new model!”
TLDR: iPhone’s video capabilities are superior to something Android gadgets have available on the market. Not simply in image high quality, however regards to ease of enhancing, information transferring, transcoding, and extra.
3. Sean Riley, Laptop computer Magazine Assistant Managing Editor
Assistant Managing Editor Sean Riley is Laptop computer Magazine’s resident cellphone skilled who is thought for being thorough, addressing each nook and cranny of gadgets’ idiosyncrasies and quirks. (Don’t take my phrase for it, although; take a look at his in-depth opinions for the OnePlus 10 Professional, the iPhone 13 Professional, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, Asus ROG Telephone 5, and extra.)
You in all probability anticipated to listen to this cliched response at some level throughout this text, however there’s no approach round it. iPhones are the envy of the trade due to — dare I say it — “the eCosySteM!”
“Android followers will derisively confer with Apple’s ‘walled backyard’ method for crushing a number of the freedoms you take pleasure in on Android and Home windows, however on the flip aspect, it’s fairly good inside that backyard. We spoke to Google about its “Higher Collectively” efforts at CES this 12 months and Samsung’s main focus with its laptops just like the Galaxy Guide 3 Extremely this 12 months was how seamlessly it operates along with your different Samsung gadgets. Everyone seems to be coming for the king (ahem, Apple), however nobody is taking that crown,” Riley mentioned.
“In the same vein, Apple’s management over its software program updates is second-to-none. I’ve pushed again in opposition to the notion that iPhones have a major longevity benefit on Android during the last couple of years as Google, Samsung, and OnePlus have upped their video games on software program assist. However one clear benefit Apple retains is the dearth of a gatekeeper on its updates. At instances, you’ll see an Android cellphone that has a software program replace out there from its producer, nevertheless it gained’t be out there to these on a particular service. That’s an issue you’ll by no means have on an iPhone,” Laptop computer Magazine’s Assistant Managing Editor concluded.
TLDR: Apple’s “walled backyard” could really feel like a cage to some, nevertheless it’s a gilded one. Plus, Apple has a greater grip on rolling out software program updates for its prospects.
4. MrMobile, YouTuber
Who higher to ask about iPhones and Android telephones than MrMobile? Often known as Michael Fisher, this charismatic tech YouTuber with over a million subscribers has dropped numerous entertaining cellphone opinions, together with the iPhone 14 Professional, the Google Pixel 7 Professional, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely.
Fisher instructed Laptop computer Magazine that iPhone usually will get a nasty rap for being too stolid and predictable, however that maturity comes with rock-solid options that makes iPhone higher in case you’re already utilizing different iDevices.
“It’s the acquainted ‘It’s the ecosystem!’ argument,” Fisher mentioned, concurring with YouTuber peer JerryRigEverything and Riley. “If in case you have an iPhone, you possibly can shortly and simply share recordsdata with different iPhones, MacBooks and iPads wirelessly with AirDrop. Likewise, two-factor authentication is easy and constant throughout Apple gadgets. It robotically retains you safer than SMS-based two-factor, and it is a extra constant expertise than a third-party authentication app. And as somebody who loses issues – invaluable issues – far too usually, AirTags are a godsend. I ought to actually be required to make use of an iPhone only for these!”
Other than seamless file transfers and higher safety, MrMobile additionally needs that Android telephones may steal Apple’s MagSafe know-how.”I really like with the ability to add energy banks, wallets, stands, and different equipment to my iPhone magnetically – after which take away them simply as simply. MagSafe has additionally taken wi-fi charging to the following degree, making it quicker and simpler to cost the iPhone. Android customers are scheduled to get a type of this later this 12 months, however even then, it will take years to construct up the accent ecosystem that Apple’s MagSafe has accrued,” Fisher mentioned.
TLDR: In an ideal world, Android gadgets would undertake MagSafe know-how, permitting customers to connect peripherals to their telephones magnetically. Plus, Apple’s two-factor authentication is superior, too.
5.Lance Ulanoff, Editor-in-Chief of TechRadar US
Lance Ulanoff is an trade veteran and award-winning journalist who has dipped his toes in lots of common tech platforms, together with Mashable, Lifewire, and PCMag. Now, he is on the helm of TechRadar US because the Editor-in-Chief. (Try his in-depth opinions of the iPhone 14, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, and the Oppo Discover X6 Professional.)
For Ulanoff, what makes the iPhone strikingly completely different from Android is the built-in extract-subject-from-photo characteristic.
“Maybe the good characteristic that iOS 16 launched to the iPhone that Android nonetheless can’t match is [the] ‘Elevate topic from Background’ perk,” Ulanoff mentioned. “I’d enterprise that many iPhone customers nonetheless don’t know this exists: the power to seize any topic, carry it out of a photograph, and drop it into one thing like an iMessage. It’s so cool and the closest Apple has ever come to creating true magic. Perhaps Android will get one thing comparable in 14.”
TLDR: iOS’ built-in operate of extracting topics from images — and dropping it into different apps — is fairly rattling cool! Android may by no means.
6. Mark Spoonauer, World Editor-in-Chief of Tom’s Information
If I ever want some deep perception on iDevices, whether or not it’s a MacBook, AirPods, or iPhone, Tom’s Information World Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonauer can be the primary particular person I’d contact. In any case, he’s been masking tech for 15 years — iPhones included! (Spoonauer used to put in writing for Laptop computer Magazine and I used to be tickled to see his 2013 iPhone 15s overview!)
Spoonauer completely agrees with Nelson and MrMobile — AirDrop is an absolute godsend. “I’m consistently utilizing this characteristic once I’m doing picture face-offs between the iPhone and Android telephones,” he instructed Laptop computer Magazine.”
Spoonanuer additionally concurred with my tackle iPhone’s top-notch safety. “Positive, there’s been scams within the app tales and zero-day flaws, however they’re normally patched instantly by Apple. It looks as if each different day there is a main safety menace within the Play Retailer or on Android, together with malware and financial institution trojans,” he mentioned.
Lastly, Tom’s Information’s World Editor-in-Chief praised Apple for making a system by which customers can change from the iPhone to a different iDevice, and vice versa, and seamlessly choose up the place they left off. “For instance, you need to use Continuity Digital camera to make use of your iPhone as a webcam on your PC. Or you need to use Handoff to start out a doc or electronic mail or message in your iPhone and proceed the duty in your iPad or Mac.”
TLDR: Helpful options like Continuity Digital camera and Handoff permit iPhone customers to seamlessly proceed duties they deserted from one other iDevice. And no, iOS isn’t utterly proof against safety vulnerabilities, however Apple is fast to patch them. In comparison with Android, iOS safety threats are few and much between.
7. Zac Corridor, Senior Editor of 9to5Mac
9to5Mac Senior Editor Zac Corridor has greater than a decade of expertise on his belt as a tech journalist. Plus, Corridor co-hosts 9to5Mac’s podcast. After firing up the Apple Podcasts app, you possibly can hear his experience oozing into your ears as he passionately dives into all the pieces Apple-related.
To Corridor, it’s the seamless pairing of Apple-created peripherals with iOS that makes the iPhone expertise unrivalled. “Apple’s AirPods Professional and AirPods Max headphones are one thing particular. When you can pair AirPods with Android over Bluetooth, immediate setup and fast-switching between the iPhone, iPad, and Mac is so handy. Pixel Buds are doing this for Android, however AirPods are AirPods,” Corridor mentioned.
Like many different consultants on this record, Corridor is an enormous proponent of AirDrop.”Does DroidDrop exist? Most likely in Star Wars,” he joked. “Both approach, AirDrop is broadly used between iPhone customers, and with the ability to ship something from hyperlinks to giant video recordsdata between my iPhone and Mac is superior. Lastly, iPhone is the one smartphone with Siri. Wait — sorry! Was this speculated to be about optimistic issues?”
TLDR: The iPhone works like a well-oiled machine along with your favourite on a regular basis devices, whether or not it’s a smartwatch or a pair of earbuds. Oh, and let’s not neglect Siri — haha, simply kidding.
