5 Things Apple Does Better Than Android Manufacturers

As both iOS and Android have evolved, Apple has always had a firm grasp on certain aspects of the smartphone experience that Android manufacturers are struggling to catch up with. Here are the key areas where Apple excels and what its competitors can learn from to improve their products.

1. Better application quality control

One of the biggest differences when switching to an Android device is the gap in app quality. This applies not only to apps that are available on both platforms, but also to apps that are exclusive to the platform. This disparity is largely due to Apple’s stricter guidelines for developers who want to publish on the App Store.

📌 Reasons why you should only download apps from Play Store and App Store

Many popular apps seem more polished and polished on iOS than they do on Android. For example, the camera quality in most social media apps tends to be significantly worse on Android devices.

While companies like Samsung have tried to address this issue by partnering with social media platforms to allow apps to take full advantage of the camera's capabilities, adoption by other manufacturers has been middling.

Another important difference is the exclusive apps that each platform offers. The App Store has some amazing exclusive apps, like Halide, which is a must-have for photography enthusiasts, and GarageBand, which is the best digital audio workstation on mobile. Unfortunately, these apps are not available on Android.

2. Privacy and Security

Because Apple controls both the hardware and software on the iPhone, iOS tends to be more secure. As mentioned above, the App Store’s strict review process also makes it harder to download apps that contain malware, which isn’t always the case with the Play Store.

Additionally, Android allows downloading apps from third-party sources, increasing the risk of accidentally installing malware if you're not careful.

While sideloading apps on iPhone is only available to EU users and is a feature that people would love to see around the world, there is a reason why Apple is so restrictive, as many users don't know if the apps they install outside the App Store are safe or not.

The same goes for privacy. Apple collects as little data as possible and performs most of its actions directly on the device. With AI becoming a big trend in smartphones, Google and Samsung often handle these tasks on powerful servers outside the device.

In contrast, Apple handles most of its Apple Intelligence features on-device. Tasks that require more processing power are sent to Apple's Private Cloud Compute, which deletes your data after processing the request.

3. Ecosystem integration

If you use other Apple devices alongside your iPhone, you've probably experienced how seamlessly everything works together. The Apple ecosystem is filled with great features that make life so much easier.

One of my favorite features of the Apple ecosystem is being able to start working on my Mac and immediately pick up where I left off on my iPhone.

Perhaps the best feature, however, is iPhone Mirroring in macOS Sequoia. This feature lets you mirror and control your iPhone right from your Mac, which is incredibly useful when you can't reach your iPhone and need quick access when you need it.

4. Accessibility features

Accessibility has always been a major focus for Apple across all of its devices, and many of its features are useful even if you don't have a disability. Take AssistiveTouch, for example! It lets you perform actions like taking screenshots, adjusting the volume, and more without having to fumble with physical buttons.

While AssistiveTouch is a simple feature, Apple offers other really cool accessibility options. One standout feature is Personal Voice, which uses machine learning to create a synthetic version of your voice. You can use this voice in FaceTime by typing in what you want to say. This feature is especially beneficial for people with diseases like ALS, who can lose the ability to speak over time.

Another amazing feature is eye tracking . For people with mobility disabilities who cannot interact with the screen using touch, this feature allows them to control the iPhone just by moving their eyes.

These examples highlight how much Apple prioritizes making its devices accessible to everyone. No other Android manufacturer offers the same level of accessibility options.

5. Customer Service

While official Apple repairs aren’t cheap, the process is generally pretty straightforward. Simple repairs, like replacing an iPhone battery or screen, typically only take a few hours, and your device is usually fixed the same day. Unfortunately, Samsung phones are different.

Even if you replace the screen, it takes a week to get your phone back.

If you have AppleCare+ coverage, Apple also offers a loaner iPhone while your device is being repaired, a perk we wish more Android manufacturers would adopt.

While the iPhone has its shortcomings, there are some areas where Apple clearly excels and Android manufacturers could learn from. Android may not always match the level of refinement and seamless experience that Apple consistently delivers, but its biggest advantage is the freedom and customizability it offers – giving you a level of control that Apple doesn’t offer.