4 key Android features the iPhone is still missing

Ever since it began life 17 years ago, the iPhone has been renowned for its premium hardware.

Apple has consistently delivered high-end design, offering phones that look and feel like quality devices.

However, as good as that hardware is, there are still some features that Apple has declined to introduce. None of these are dealbreakers, 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 is specifically focused on hardware. There are plenty of Android features not available on iOS (and vice versa), which you can read more about in our Android and iOS comparison.

Fast charging

Apple has consistently improved battery life in recent years, and now offers phones that can comfortably last well over a full day on a single charge.

However, its approach to charging has remained stubbornly consistent. All of the 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 going no higher than 37W. But when the OnePlus 12 offers 100W wired charging and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra sits at 90W, this slow charging becomes more difficult to ignore.

Apple is understandably concerned about the effect of fast charging on long-term battery health, but surely it could increase speeds a bit without harmful effects.

In-screen fingerprint scanner

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 (minus the notch) without sacrificing the convenience and security of biometric unlocking.

However, seven years later, Apple still hasn’t offered an alternative, despite under-display scanners being around for several years. While many Android phones still use optical sensors, the ultrasonic versions on devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL are much faster and more reliable.

The likes of Honor and Google have also now introduced face unlocking methods that are secure enough to log into banking apps or authenticate payments. Meanwhile, Apple appears to have no plans to create a new version of Face ID for under the display.

Stylus support

At the original iPhone launch event, Steve Jobs infamously criticised the stylus, insisting that it was something “nobody wants”.

However, in 2015, Apple went ahead and released a stylus of its own. It was a bit different to the basic versions Jobs was referring to, offering pressure sensitivity and tilt detection.

There have been plenty of iterations of Apple Pencil since then, but they’ve only ever been compatible with the iPad. Despite also having a touch screen, none of the Apple Pencils work with any iPhone.

However, a phone-friendly version of the Apple Pencil would make a lot of sense, especially on the top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Pro Max. It could work similarly to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, being securely docked into the phone and instantly connected every time you take it out.

High refresh rate screen (on non-Pro models)

Almost four years after the Razer Phone made history as the first handset with a high refresh rate display, Apple finally adopted the feature in 2021. Both the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max had 120Hz screens, as have all the Pro-branded iPhones ever since.

Unfortunately, all of the other phones Apple has released since then have been stuck at 60Hz. Even for a casual user, that means a display that’s noticeably less smooth and responsive, especially while scrolling or playing games.

In the case of the iPhone 16 series, you’re paying at least £799/$799 (iPhone 16) or £899/$899 (iPhone 16 Plus) for a technically inferior display to many budget phones.

While disappointing, none of these missing features are likely to prevent the iPhone 16 handsets from being up there with the best phones you can buy. There are plenty of features I’m excited to try, including one that’s likely to arrive on Android phones soon.