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Since the iPhone came into use 17 years ago, it has been known for its high-quality hardware.
Apple has consistently delivered high-quality design and offered phones that look and feel like quality devices.
As good as that hardware is, there are still some features that Apple isn’t willing to introduce. None of these are deal breakers, especially if you’re already familiar with the iPhone, but they are all present on at least one Android phone.
And while the iPhone 16 series introduces some useful upgrades, Apple has left these areas untouched.
It’s worth noting that this article focuses specifically on hardware. There are plenty of Android features that aren’t available on iOS (and vice versa), which you can read more about in our Android vs iOS comparison.
Fast charging
Apple has consistently improved battery life in recent years and now offers phones that can comfortably last a full day on a single charge.
However, the approach to charging has remained stubbornly consistent. All iPhone 16 handsets are limited to just 25W, and even then only if you have a compatible charger at home.
It’s certainly not the only offender, with Samsung phones not exceeding 45W and Google not exceeding 37W. But when the OnePlus 12 offers 100W wired charging and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is at 90W, this becomes slow charging harder to ignore.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Apple is understandably concerned about the effect of fast charging on the long-term health of the battery, but it could certainly boost speeds a bit without any detrimental effects.
Fingerprint scanner on the screen
When Apple ditched the physical fingerprint sensor for Face ID on the iPhone X in 2017, it was a wise move. It allowed for an all-screen design (without the notch) without sacrificing the convenience and security of biometric unlocking.
However, seven years later, Apple still hasn’t offered an alternative, despite the fact that under-display scanners have been around for several years. While many Android phones still use optical sensors, the ultrasonic versions on devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL are much faster and more reliable.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Companies like Honor and Google have now also introduced facial unlock methods that are secure enough for logging into banking apps or verifying payments. Meanwhile, Apple appears to have no plans to create a new version of under-display Face ID.
Stylus support
At the original iPhone launch event, Steve Jobs infamously criticized the stylus, insisting that it was something “no one wants.”
However, in 2015, Apple went ahead and released its own stylus. It was a bit different from the basic versions Jobs referred to, offering pressure sensitivity and tilt detection.
There have been numerous versions of Apple Pencil since then, but they were only ever compatible with the iPad. Despite also having a touchscreen, none of the Apple Pencils work with any iPhone.
Petter Ahrnstedt
Petter Ahrnstedt
Petter Ahrnstedt
However, a phone-friendly version of the Apple Pencil would make a lot of sense, especially on the top-end iPhone 16 Pro Max. It could work similarly to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, as it’s safely docked into the phone and instantly connected every time you take it out.
High refresh rate screen (on non-Pro models)
Nearly four years after the Razer Phone made history as the first device with a high refresh rate display, Apple finally adopted the feature in 2021. Both the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max had 120 Hz displays, as did all iPhones from the Pro brand ever. since.
Apple
Apple
Apple
Unfortunately, all other phones Apple has released since then are stuck at 60Hz. Even for a casual user, this means a screen that is noticeably less smooth and responsive, especially when scrolling or playing games.
In the case of the iPhone 16 series, you’ll be paying a minimum of £799/$799 (iPhone 16) or £899/$899 (iPhone 16 Plus) for a technically inferior screen for many budget phones.
While disappointing, none of these missing features are likely to prevent the iPhone 16 devices from being among the best phones you can buy. There are plenty of features I’m eager to try out, including one that will likely arrive on Android phones soon.