Here’s what Android phone makers do better than Apple

Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android phone, there will always be areas where one excels over the other. From customization to flexibility, here’s what Android phone makers do better than Apple — making them the best choice for many users.

1 Rapid adoption of new technologies

Android phone manufacturers are quick to adopt new technologies. One thing that set the first Android phone, the HTC Dream, apart from the original iPhone was its expandable memory with a microSD card, an affordable way to get more storage on your smartphone – something Apple never did with its devices he didn’t think. Google soon launched its Nexus S with NFC, while Apple could only adopt it four years later with the iPhone 6.

Android OEMs were also early adopters of other user-centric improvements. While HTC led the way with a multi-camera system, the Samsung Galaxy S6 introduced wireless charging. Razer introduced the high-refresh 120Hz display we all love today in 2017. Sony launched the Xperia Z, an IP57 waterproof device, in 2013, three years before Apple launched the iPhone 7s rated IP67.

Google also set the trend with the Nexus 5X, quickly switching to USB-C – a move that other Android manufacturers soon followed. The EU regulation forced Apple to finally ditch its proprietary Lightning port for USB-C in 2023, bringing new options to the iPhone 15 and later models.

Many also believe that Apple will be the first to introduce a Touch ID fingerprint reader in 2013. Still, Motorola did it with its Atrix 4G in 2011, followed by the HTC One Max in 2013. Android manufacturers have built on it to innovate a more sophisticated in-display fingerprint sensor that’s invisible to the naked eye but works just as flawlessly.

Other innovations that have since become standard in smartphones also come from Android manufacturers. For example, the Oppo Find 7 was the first to introduce fast charging, while Samsung introduced a unique PowerShare feature that can wirelessly charge other devices.

2 They target all kinds of users

As of 2024, Android is the market leader, accounting for 72 percent of the global smartphone share. This dominance is largely due to Android manufacturers catering to a wide range of users. While brands like Samsung and Google make phones that are top-of-the-line with their Galaxy S and Pixel series, they also offer more affordable options like the Samsung Galaxy A series and models like the Pixel 8a and 7a.

In addition to the variety of hardware and prices, the democratic nature of the Android ecosystem means that manufacturers compete to innovate their devices. Samsung, for example, with its Galaxy Flip and Z Fold devices presented a very convincing alternative to the more common weak phones. What was considered a novelty a few years ago, today foldable phones have turned out to be quite useful.

3 Custom skins for Android

The open source nature of Android allows manufacturers to modify and install their versions of Android skins with unique features, interfaces, and experiences that stock Android may not offer. In this way, the end user has a wide variety of hardware and software to choose from.

For example, Google’s Pixel phones are great if you prefer stock Android. On the other hand, Samsung uses its own One UI for all Galaxy devices. As a result, even though two devices from Google and Samsung may be running the same version of Android, the user experience can be vastly different.

4 Repairability

Historically, Android phones have been more repairable. For example, if your device showed signs of battery degradation, you can flip the back cover and replace the battery yourself. That changed when phone manufacturers adopted sealed design covers for increased water and dust resistance, making the repair process cumbersome.

However, some Android manufacturers like HMD and Fairphone have taken a DIY approach by designing devices that allow users to easily replace parts and perform repairs. Even if an Android device scores low on the repairability scale — like the Pixel 8 series — you can still get it repaired at third-party repair shops without the infamous parts-pairing issues with Apple devices. This is also evident in our comparison of Samsung’s and Apple’s self-service repair programs.

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 proven strategy of producing robust devices with more advanced processors. However, one common trend that we are likely to see across all smartphone manufacturers is prioritizing AI features to enhance the user experience.