Whether you use an iPhone or an Android phone, there are always areas where one has the edge over the other. From customization to flexibility, here's what Android phone makers do better than Apple - making them the top choice for many users.
1. Quickly adopt new technology
Android phone makers were quick to adopt new technology. One thing that set the first Android phone, the HTC Dream, apart from the original iPhone was expandable storage via microSD cards , an affordable way to add more storage to a smartphone – something Apple had never considered for its devices. Soon after, Google launched the Nexus S with NFC, while Apple wouldn’t be able to adopt it until four years later with the iPhone 6.
Android OEMs were also early adopters of other user-centric advancements. While HTC led the way with its multi-camera system, Samsung’s Galaxy S6 introduced wireless charging. Razer introduced the 120Hz high-refresh-rate display we all love today in 2017. Sony launched the Xperia Z, an IP57-rated water-resistant device, in 2013, three years before Apple launched the IP67-rated iPhone 7.
Google also set the trend with the Nexus 5X, quickly switching to USB-C — a move that other Android manufacturers soon followed. EU regulations forced Apple to abandon its proprietary Lightning port in favor of USB-C by 2023, bringing new capabilities to the iPhone 15 and later models.
Many also believe that Apple was the first to introduce a fingerprint reader with the Touch ID sensor in 2013. However, Motorola did it with the Atrix 4G in 2011, followed by the HTC One Max in 2013. Android manufacturers have built on this by improving the in-display fingerprint scanner to be more sophisticated, invisible to the naked eye but still working perfectly.
Other innovations that have become standard on smartphones since then also came from Android manufacturers. For example, the Oppo Find 7 was the first phone to introduce fast charging, while Samsung introduced a unique PowerShare feature that could wirelessly charge other devices.
2. They cater to all types of users
As of 2024, Android is the market leader, accounting for 72% of the global smartphone market. This dominance is largely due to Android manufacturers catering to a wide range of users. While brands like Samsung and Google, with their Galaxy S and Pixel lines, produce flagship phones, they also offer more affordable options, like the Samsung Galaxy A series and models like the Pixel 8a and 7a.
Aside from the variety of hardware and prices, the democratic nature of the Android ecosystem means that manufacturers compete to innovate with their devices. Samsung, for example, has introduced a very attractive alternative to more conventional slab phones with its Galaxy Flip and Z Fold devices. What was considered a novelty just a few years ago, today, foldable phones have proven their usefulness.
3. Custom Android Interface
The open source nature of Android allows manufacturers to modify and install their own version of Android with unique features, interfaces and experiences that stock Android may not offer. This way, end users have a wide range of hardware and software options.
For example, Google's Pixel phones are great if you like the stock Android experience. Samsung, on the other hand, uses its own custom user interface, One UI, for all of its Galaxy devices. So while two Google and Samsung devices may run the same version of Android, the user experience can feel dramatically different.
4. Repairability
Traditionally, Android phones have been easier to repair. For example, if your device started showing signs of battery degradation, you could remove the back cover and replace the battery yourself. That changed when phone manufacturers adopted sealed designs to increase water and dust resistance, making repairs more cumbersome.
However, some Android manufacturers like HMD and Fairphone have taken a DIY approach by designing devices that allow users to easily swap out parts and perform repairs. Even Android devices that score low on the repairability scale—like the Pixel 8 series—can still be repaired at third-party shops without running into the notorious component pairing issues that plague Apple devices.
As the smartphone industry continues to evolve, Android manufacturers are likely to experiment and innovate more. At the same time, Apple will stick to its strategy of producing powerful devices with more advanced processors. However, a common trend we can see from all smartphone manufacturers is to prioritize AI features to enhance the user experience.
If an application “consumes” too much of the device's RAM, it will severely reduce the system's multitasking ability, as well as cause lag, seriously affecting the experience.
Now you can create your own version of an Android mascot called The Bot. By choosing materials, clothes, accessories, and props, you can customize The Bot to your liking.
Finally, Apple is allowing Android device users to use FaceTime.
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A typical case is the SpyLoan app that tricks users with promises of low-interest loans but instead collects personal data and blackmails victims with that data.
In the article below, Quantrimang will introduce you to some tips to fix Android Auto not working, whether on the phone or the car screen.
Instead of “bombarding” your friends' messages with dozens of screenshots, you can take a scrolling screenshot and send it.
Android smartphones seem to be experiencing an annoying bug that causes applications on the device to frequently crash.
Strange battery drain or data spikes aren't necessarily a bug. It could be a malicious app secretly tracking your location, habits, etc.
It's easy to get distracted by the many apps on your phone. The best way to reduce screen time is to put those apps out of sight.
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced its decision to discontinue the Windows Subsystem for Android, which was designed to allow Android apps to run natively on Windows 11.
When it comes to making purchases on the Play Store, many people haven't spent any real money in years, thanks to Google Opinion Rewards.
As features are added, more icons appear, and it can sometimes get confusing. Here's what they all mean.
WiFi calling is a feature that allows you to make calls and send messages via WiFi network completely free of charge on Android phones. The following article will guide you how to turn off WiFi calling feature on Android.
If you are also a selfie enthusiast, join us in checking out the top 8 great selfie apps for Android, then download the app that impresses you the most and take beautiful photos to show off to your friends.
Screenshots are great for saving information, but they often leave you guessing where you found it. Samsung Galaxy devices solve this problem with a great feature: Screenshots link back to the original web page.
If an application “consumes” too much of the device's RAM, it will severely reduce the system's multitasking ability, as well as cause lag, seriously affecting the experience.
Not only does large file sizes affect storage space, they also make sharing files more difficult. Plus, sending large files can quickly drain your data and mobile bandwidth.
Some causes of No Service error are no coverage, SIM card problem, iOS system error,... Because there are many different causes, you can try some solutions to fix No Service problem on iPhone according to the instructions below.
On iOS 17, there is a setting to change the measurement unit right in the options for the document when we highlight the iPhone without having to install any other supporting applications.
Are you trying to charge your iPhone but seeing a warning telling you that liquid has been detected in the connector? Check out the troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the Liquid Detected warning and get your iPhone charging normally again.
Low light conditions can result in underexposed, blurry, and lifeless photos, but you can easily fix this right in your phone's native photos app. Here's how to fix underexposed photos on iPhone and Android!
To keep the applications that have been downloaded to iPhone secret, we can delete them in the list according to the article below.
Now you can create your own version of an Android mascot called The Bot. By choosing materials, clothes, accessories, and props, you can customize The Bot to your liking.
Finally, Apple is allowing Android device users to use FaceTime.
Ever wanted to prank your friends with a silly voice? Thanks to some smartphone apps, you no longer need bulky computer software to do that.
The iPhone 16 models have a hidden feature that gives you more control over the audio in your videos. And that's thanks to Spatial Audio Capture, which uses all four of your iPhone's built-in microphones while recording video.
No need to install a supporting application, now you can scan QR codes right on your iPhone very simply. We just need to activate the QR code scanning mode on the iPhone in the camera and then point the camera at the QR code to scan.
You can create a memory video in the Photos app using Apple Intelligence using your description.
One of the standout features of the iPhone 16 Pro models is the ability to shoot 4K video at 120FPS. However, they only shoot at 60FPS out of the box.
