Can it persuade me to modify?

Typically, it looks like I’m the one Android consumer in my pal group. I’m not — there are two or three of us — however it’s nonetheless an isolating feeling when you already know you’re one of many inexperienced bubbles breaking apart the iMessage celebration. Typically, that isolation is dangerous sufficient that I’m virtually keen to modify to iOS till I keep in mind what else I’ll quit. For a number of years, transferring away from Android meant dropping color-matched themes, skipping out on the power to put apps anyplace I needed, and residing with out creature comforts like an always-on show or a 120Hz refresh charge.

Now, that hole between iOS and Android isn’t fairly as large, and it’s letting a few of that temptation creep again in. In spite of everything, iOS 18 is extra customizable than ever, RCS has made messaging rather less awkward, and Apple Intelligence is on its method (or so we’ve been advised). So, I pulled my private SIM out of my beloved Pixel 9 Professional, downloaded an eSIM right into a model new iPhone 16 Professional whereas additionally pocketing a vanilla iPhone 16, each of which we purchased for the needs of this evaluate (we at all times purchase our Apple check units), and got down to see if the grass is greener on the opposite aspect of the 2024 Android vs iPhone divide.

In some methods, it’s becoming that I swapped from a Pixel 9 Professional to an iPhone 16 Professional for my annual dip into the world of iOS. In spite of everything, it wasn’t way back that I wrote about how Google had created my favourite iPhone, the bigger Pixel 9 Professional XL. I praised virtually each inch of its {hardware}, pleased that the digital camera bar had turn out to be an island and that the waterfall shows had dried up. It felt like Google had lastly constructed a flagship Pixel worthy of main the Android fleet, and it was premium sufficient to go toe-to-toe with the very best that Apple needed to supply. I wasn’t a lot praising Google for making an iPhone as I used to be rejoicing that it was righting a few of its earlier {hardware} wrongs.

And but, when Apple sticks to its design rules and churns out yet one more set of well-built flagship iPhones, I can’t assist however really feel a little bit upset. Whereas I felt like Google was taking a long-awaited step ahead with the Pixel 9 collection, diving into the iPhone 16 and 16 Professional felt like I used to be unboxing the earlier iPhone 15 collection once more. Sure, the construct high quality is on level, and sure, the button placement is so constant (save for a number of additions) that my grandma may decide one up and begin utilizing it with out subject, however it’s more durable to get enthusiastic about sustained excellence. It’s like when Actual Madrid wins the Champions League — followers are excited, however in addition they anticipate it to occur.

Slight boredom apart, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional do really feel nice within the hand. Apple’s sharp edges softened a bit with the iPhone 15 collection, and so they’re the identical this time round. The mix of Corning-made glass and aluminum retains the iPhone 16 feeling remarkably gentle, and the titanium body on the iPhone 16 Professional definitely looks as if it’s right here to remain. This time, although, I feel Apple has improved its shade remedy, as I haven’t observed the identical degree of smudging on my Black Titanium end that many reviewers noticed on the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. It’s definitely about as sharp as the colour black might be, pairing a frosted again with a satin body, each of that are straightforward to wipe clear.

However the place the iPhone 16 Professional seems good for its understated shade, the iPhone 16 shines for simply how vibrant it’s. Apple swapped its palette of beforehand pastel finishes for a handful of a lot punchier tones, together with the Teal end that at present calls my desk residence. It’s simply colourful sufficient that I’m tempted to indicate it off with out a case. Outdoors of the brand new coat of paint, the iPhone 16 has extra variations in its design than the iPhone 16 Professional, too. Its beforehand diagonal cameras now sit one above the opposite, whereas it’s swapped the traditional mute swap for a extra programmable Motion Button. I’ve stored mine programmed as a mute button, however I’m certain somebody out there may be being extra adventurous with theirs. I would get extra use out of it if I may program a double-press otherwise from a single-press, however that’s not the case.

The opposite new button that graces the aspect of the iPhone 16 collection — all 4 fashions this time — is known as the Digital camera Management. Should you ask Apple, it’s rather more than a button, however to me, it’s sort of only a button. It has a foolish degree of overlap with the Motion Button as a result of you should utilize both one (or each) to open your digital camera. That’s to not say I wasn’t excited concerning the Digital camera Management at first as a result of I assumed bodily digital camera controls sounded nice. I attempted my hardest to make use of it for some time, however I’ve observed my reliance on it trailing off as days with the iPhone 16 Professional flip into weeks. Sure, it’s a simple strategy to open your digital camera settings, however as soon as they’re open, it’s a lot sooner to scroll and choose from the show itself, defeating the purpose of a swipeable button. It’s additionally proving troublesome to beat the muscle reminiscence of urgent an on-screen shutter button or just utilizing the amount button like I at all times have.

Though I haven’t fallen in love with Apple’s new buttons in the way in which that I might need anticipated, it’s to not say that the adjustments to the iPhone 16 collection have been all dangerous. I fairly like that every one 4 iPhones now come in several sizes. Sure, it means you’ll must be extra cautious about which case you purchase in your new telephone, however it additionally signifies that the case will supply a tighter match and higher protection — not less than for those who decide up the dual-camera iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus.

Must you determine on that base mannequin, you’ll get an iPhone that’s precisely the identical dimension you’ve used for generations. Its Tremendous Retina OLED nonetheless sits at a superbly palmable 6.1 inches, full with a woeful 60Hz refresh charge and as soon as once more lacking an always-on show. There’s virtually nothing else value stating about Apple’s most inexpensive iPhone 16 — from the entrance, it’s virtually the identical telephone I reviewed in late 2023.

The iPhone 16 Professional, then again, determined it was time for a development spurt, leaping to a 6.3-inch Tremendous Retina LTPO OLED panel that’s the identical dimension as my beloved Pixel 9 Professional. And actually, I admire the additional actual property. Maybe it’s the truth that I’m coming straight from one 6.3-inch system to a different, however it barely looks like I’ve needed to retrain my grip outdoors of memorizing the completely different button placements. Nevertheless, Apple’s smaller Professional is barely smaller than the Pixel 9 Professional, due to razor-thin bezels — apparently Apple’s thinnest ever. They’re definitely slim and look fairly good, however we’re nearing the purpose the place individuals may begin by chance urgent the sting of their show whereas reaching for one thing else. In fact, in order for you the most important Apple boi on the market, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is accessible for much more money. My colleague Paul checked out that one, and you’ll hear all of his ideas within the video beneath.

As you may most likely inform by now, my subject with the iPhone has by no means been its {hardware}. Has it at all times (or ever) been thrilling? No, however it’s at all times been dependable. An iPhone is an iPhone is an iPhone, because it had been. Google most likely wouldn’t have made two variations of the Pixel 9 Professional if not for the success of the smaller iPhone Professionals. As an alternative, the place I’ve normally run out of endurance with switching to an iPhone has been, nicely, iOS. Each model because the daybreak of time — not less than since I first used the iPhone 7 again within the day — has regarded and felt virtually an identical, proper as much as the purpose that it’s as boring as the general iPhone design.

However now, the occasions are lastly altering. Apple is lastly acknowledging a number of issues that Android has at all times finished higher, and it’s lastly making a model of iOS that’s not less than a little bit bit extra enjoyable. And by that, I imply I can lastly customise iOS 18 in a method that makes it usable. After years of utilizing further widgets and random apps to sink those I must the underside of my show, I can lastly place apps and folders anyplace I’d like — which signifies that, sure, that is the very first thing I did with my new iPhone. I not must reside with a wallpaper that’s blocked out by issues I’ve by no means used, however reasonably, I can set up my format to enhance my chosen picture.

Versatile group isn’t the one enhance to come back out of iOS 18, both — I can color-coordinate my apps now, too. Nevertheless, this piece of Apple’s customization overhaul may nonetheless use some work. Sure, it’s good that I can swap between massive and small icons and select a light-weight theme or a darkish one, however Apple’s shade selections are lower than spectacular. As quickly as you determine to recolor your app icons, all of them swap to a darkish grey base, which makes it virtually unattainable to see any shade darker than a light-weight beige. To this point, I’ve tried a pink format to match the Philadelphia Phillies (my childhood group) and an orange one to match the Baltimore Orioles (my adopted hometown group), and each have felt like I used to be attempting to move a colorblindness check regardless that I’ve excellent imaginative and prescient.

After a bit extra fine-tuning, I lastly have a house display that I’m largely pleased with. I may be the baseball jinx this yr, however such is life. I’ve swapped the sports-themed wallpaper for a hipster model of Ichabod Crane, and I’ve slimmed my format right down to 4 primary apps with folders for social and work apps simply above them. It’s virtually, dare I say, Pixel-like, with only one key exception: Apple’s App Library stinks.

Should you’ve ever used an Android telephone, you understand how handy the app drawer might be. Typically, like on a Pixel, it will get sorted alphabetically, whereas others, like a Samsung Galaxy system, it populates within the order you obtain apps. It’s straightforward and clear, and there aren’t any folders except you make them.

The App Library, then again, typically looks like I’m looking for my method via an precise library however with out the Dewey Decimal System as my information. I imply that iOS 18 types every thing in its App Library into folders based mostly on objective. You get one for Leisure, one for Social, one for Journey, and extra — all the way in which right down to a catch-all folder known as Different.

My drawback with that is that a few of the sorting choices make no sense. Apple’s climate app will get shoved into the Different folder, whereas the telephone app will get sorted into Social. Translate lands in Different, but by some means, our benchmarking apps like 3DMark and Geekbench 6 land within the Utilities bin. Combine in the truth that you may solely see seven apps in every class at anyone time, and also you virtually must memorize your total iPhone whenever you need to discover one thing. I assumed I stored my iPhone fairly lean, downloading solely the apps I exploit, but I’m always tapping on two or three folders earlier than I discover what I need.

It’s not all dangerous, although, I promise. I haven’t even talked about the very best a part of iOS 18 but: RCS assist. No, I do know it’s most likely not probably the most thrilling piece for longtime iPhone customers, however as a man able to return to his beloved Pixel, I’m glad it’s right here. Apple lastly “acquired the message” and made sending full-resolution footage and movies simpler throughout Android and iOS. RCS assist opens the door for learn receipts and typing indicators, too. I’m typically not one to make use of learn receipts, however I’ll fortunately welcome a step towards characteristic parity in messaging. Now, I simply must persuade my Android mates who use Samsung Messages to take the RCS plunge, too.

In fact, you’ve most likely observed one large piece of iOS 18 that I haven’t touched on. That’s proper, it’s Apple Intelligence — or reasonably, the shortage thereof. Sure, it’s coming, the teasers at WWDC and the Glowtime launch occasion have advised us as a lot, however it’s not right here but. Does that make it a lot more durable to evaluate Apple’s newest set of flagship telephones? You guess it does.

Nevertheless, we now have a fairly good thought of what Apple Intelligence will seem like when its beta rollout lastly begins. Apple has already promised a brand new, extra conversational, better-informed Siri, a slate of instruments to rephrase and proofread absolutely anything you write in your telephone, and an Picture Playground that ought to go toe-to-toe with Google’s Pixel Studio and Samsung’s Portrait Studio. And but, none of it’s obtainable presently. Most of it should by no means turn out to be obtainable to most iPhone customers — save for these with the iPhone 15 Professional collection or any of the iPhone 16 fashions.

Surprisingly, Apple’s gradual, regular AI rollout leaves me extra conflicted than anything on the iPhone 16 and 16 Professional. On the one hand, I respect that it’s introducing options slowly to repair them a number of at a time reasonably than . On the opposite, persons are already paying larger costs than ever to place a flagship iPhone of their pocket, and so they’re doing so with the promise of future options. There’s a free timeline for when Apple Intelligence will probably be prepared past the beta stage, however for now, you simply must belief the corporate together with your $800 or extra.

I’m certain by the point we attain the total Apple Intelligence rollout, every thing will really feel fairly clean. In spite of everything, top-level optimization is the identify of Apple’s sport. Within the meantime, although, I can’t see anybody shopping for an iPhone 16 for the promise of AI.

What I can see individuals shopping for an iPhone 16 for, nonetheless, is the cameras — or not less than these on the iPhone 16 Professional. I get why individuals like them, as a result of they only work. The processing isn’t pretty much as good as on a Google Pixel, and the zoom isn’t as spectacular as on an Extremely-grade Samsung Galaxy system. Nevertheless, the general expertise is easy, whether or not you utilize the digital camera management or not.

Processing apart, it’s fairly straightforward to match the iPhone 16 cameras to these on the Pixel 9 collection, Professional or not. Principally, on a regular basis customers get two cameras, whereas these keen to go Professional get three. Apple’s base mannequin packs the identical 48MP major and 12MP ultrawide cameras that its predecessor had, full with the identical 10x most zoom and the identical foolish declare that the 2x optical sensor crop makes it really feel like you could have 4 complete cameras to work with. There’s a visible change to the iPhone 16’s digital camera setup, too, now that the sensors sit one above the opposite so you may shoot 3D video to later watch on the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional — one thing that everybody with a base-level iPhone absolutely owns.

The iPhone 16 Professional, then again, really does have 4 cameras to work with, and it not lags behind its Professional Max sibling by way of performance. It now has the identical 12MP 5x optical telephoto sensor as Apple’s largest iPhone, and it picked up the 48MP ultrawide improve besides, becoming a member of the identical 48MP major digital camera discovered on the bottom iPhone 16. I’m, after all, counting the 12MP selfie digital camera as Apple’s fourth, as some other justification appears foolish.

Anyway, digital camera adjustments apart, I feel the true purpose I take pleasure in snapping images on the iPhone 16 Professional as a lot as I’m is Apple’s Photographic Kinds. They’re not brand-new — they’ve really been round because the iPhone 13 collection — however Apple has expanded its types from 4 primary choices to round 15 which you can swap between. I at all times begin with the Commonplace look, which is the simple iPhone shade profile you’re most likely used to, however I’ve come round to the Stark B&W, a modified model of Amber, and a shot or two with the Vibrant profile when the lighting permits for it. The Photographic Kinds perform quite a bit like Instagram filters, however they’re much more customizable, like a movie simulation on a mirrorless Fujifilm digital camera.

With all that out of the way in which, let’s get to some digital camera samples. A lot of the pictures beneath are straight from my iPhone 16 Professional, just because I’ve wanted its longer zoom vary over the previous couple of weeks. Nevertheless, I’ll additionally be sure you level out any that characteristic completely different Photographic Kinds. Additionally, forgive the overwhelming pink and brown shades — it’s all I’ve acquired now that it’s fall within the Mid-Atlantic.

As at all times, I’ll begin with the first digital camera, which I used for many of my adventures. I nonetheless suppose it’s a bit too large for on a regular basis capturing on the equal of a 23mm focal size, however the 2x central crop fixes most of my complaints on that entrance. As long as I keep in mind to punch in, I’ve been fairly pleased with what the iPhone 16 Professional can do. The modified Amber Photographic Type I’ve been utilizing provides a pleasant pop to the pumpkins on the high left, whereas the Dramatic one makes the New York Metropolis subway look brighter and extra sterile than actuality.

Actually, although, I’ve leaned so closely on Apple’s Photographic Kinds this yr as a result of, in any other case, there’s not a lot to get enthusiastic about. The default shade profile is correct however a little bit bland, and in contrast to Google’s Pixel digital camera or Samsung’s Galaxy flagships, there’s no magic bump in processing after you press the shutter. What you see is mostly what you get, which is nice for those who nail your composition however not practically as forgiving as I’d like.

While you punch out to the brand new 48MP ultrawide digital camera, it’s the identical story. You may nonetheless soar from one Photographic Type to the subsequent or just roll with the default look that Apple reverts to everytime you open the digital camera. Of the pictures above, I’m happiest with the way in which that the crab statue appears to border a part of the Baltimore marina and the way in which that the 13mm-equivalent focal size makes the music pavilion to the fitting look bigger and extra imposing.

In fact, we’re not simply right here to zoom out. Should you’re after a brand new telephone that may punch in, the iPhone 16 Professional is an apparent winner over its base-level counterpart. It tops out at 25x zoom to the iPhone 16’s most of 10x, making it the much more versatile decide. The shot to the left illustrates simply how far I’m from One World Commerce Middle, however I managed to pinch all the way in which in on the antenna proper because it reaches the clouds. I’m undecided I’d share the 25x zoom picture — it’s okay at greatest — however the 5x telephoto sensor not less than lends a hand as much as the 10x zoom size. As soon as once more, although, there’s no magic contact after you press the shutter button.

Dropping the lights, I’m much less impressed by the iPhone 16 Professional after darkish. Though the center shot of the neon signal is sweet and moody, each the statue of Invoice the goat to the fitting and the lights to the left endure a bit as you look intently. The individuals surrounding the statue are noticeably fuzzy, particularly when the sunshine hits the brilliant white of the uniforms, and the glow of the harbor lights could be cool in a film however is much less spectacular whenever you’re simply attempting to seize the scene.

On the brilliant aspect, Apple’s video capabilities on the iPhone 16 collection stay second to none. You’ll must seize the iPhone 16 Professional for fancy options like 4K at 120 frames per second or recording within the ProRes format for later modifying, however the iPhone 16 is not any slouch. It nonetheless packs strong stabilization and helps Apple’s Motion Mode.

Regardless of my moderately apparent Android desire, Apple has at all times finished one factor only a bit higher than anybody else: Construct an in-house chipset. For years, the Bionic chip rocked as much as our benchmarks like an Olympian returning to a highschool monitor meet, placing up numbers that almost all Android chipsets couldn’t fairly match. There wasn’t essentially an enormous distinction in day-to-day efficiency, however Apple knew the right way to make its chipset look good on paper, and it normally paired it with much less onboard RAM than a comparable Android flagship.

Nicely, in true Apple trend, some issues simply don’t change. In the identical yr Google began delivery all of its Pixel 9 fashions with 12GB of RAM or extra, Apple stays content material to ship its flagship collection with 8GB of RAM throughout the board, irrespective of how a lot storage you determine to spring for. This time, that RAM is backing up the up to date 3nm A18 chipset within the iPhone 16 and the much more highly effective A18 Professional within the iPhone 16 Professional. Sure, for the second yr operating, Apple has one chipset for its base pair and one other for its premium fashions, however not less than they sort of have the identical identify this time.

As at all times, I sat down and put each of Apple’s up to date chipsets via as a lot of our testing gauntlet as I may handle whereas my colleagues examined the iPhone 16 Professional Max. And by that, I imply my colleague Rob Triggs and I needed to rework most of our assessments as a result of Apple refuses to make issues good and straightforward. After I lastly acquired outcomes for the CPU-based Geekbench 6 check and our GPU-intensive 3DMark stress assessments, I used to be stunned: Apple’s lead isn’t practically as large because it as soon as was. It’s nonetheless forward by way of single-core and multi-core Geekbench 6 efficiency on each chipsets, however the iPhone 16 Professional comes up in need of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Plus throughout our slate of graphics assessments with a steep drop in simply the second of 20 runs.

The bottom iPhone 16 tells virtually the identical story, staying forward of its Android rivals by way of CPU efficiency however placing up graphics numbers that land simply behind Samsung all through a stress check. Apple’s sustained efficiency is extra constant than Samsungs — there’s little or no dropoff from the primary run to the final — it simply doesn’t begin fairly as excessive.

By now, you already know that our managed benchmarking doesn’t imply an excessive amount of with regards to precise efficiency, although, and that is no exception. While you set the most recent iPhones free from their benchmarking bonds, they really feel as clean and performant as some other flagship telephone. I’ve primarily been utilizing the iPhone 16 Professional throughout my weeks with Apple’s pocket-sized duo, and it’s straightforward to see how individuals get snug contained in the walled backyard — it simply works.

Over the previous couple of weeks, I’ve put the A18 Professional chipset via a speedrun of adventures. I took the iPhone 16 Professional on a one-day work journey to New York Metropolis, used it as my digital camera of selection for the All Issues Go music competition, and introduced it to Annapolis, Maryland, for a US Naval Academy soccer sport. It didn’t draw back from any of my day journeys, killing time scrolling social media, tuning out the longest practice experience of my total life whereas streaming Spotify, and efficiently navigating me via a crowded metropolis on the way in which to Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Nevertheless, I did discover one reasonably uncomfortable flaw throughout my adventures: The A18 Professional chipset runs heat. It didn’t take a lot to warmth my iPhone 16 Professional, both — an hour of Apple Maps or a protracted sufficient session with the digital camera was sufficient to make the titanium toasty.

Sadly, with that uptick in warmth comes one other drawback: The iPhone 16 Professional’s battery life is passable at greatest. Along with our efficiency benchmarks, we put each the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional via a managed battery drain, and the outcomes had been typically lower than spectacular. Apple’s in-house, highly-optimized chipset got here up nicely in need of the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the Google Pixel 9 Professional throughout every thing from 4K recording to internet looking. The one exception was whereas enjoying 4K video, the place Apple’s greatest greater than doubled the Pixel however simply edged Samsung’s smallest flagship. The bottom iPhone 16 fares a little bit higher, outperforming the iPhone 16 Professional throughout each class however the 4K playback with out heating up practically as a lot.

In actual life, that works out to an iPhone 16 Professional that you simply’ll most likely find yourself charging virtually day-after-day. Some days, I reached bedtime with round 25% cost remaining, which was nice to sleep on, however it normally meant I used to be reaching for a charger earlier than lunchtime the subsequent day. In comparison with the Pixel 9 Professional, a telephone I may simply stretch to 36 hours or extra, I’m questioning Apple’s wonderful optimization.

Worse, Apple’s wired charging doesn’t make up for the battery shortcomings. In a world the place Google’s comparable Pixel 9 Professional is able to 27W wired charging and the Galaxy S24 is able to 25W wired charging, Apple appears content material to cap its smaller telephones at simply 21W. Granted, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional have smaller batteries than their Android counterparts, however it’s not an incredible excuse after they cost so painfully slowly. Apple might need adopted USB-C, however it hasn’t made it any much less complicated.

The iPhone 16 Professional, for instance, took 106 minutes to trickle its 3,582mAh cell from empty to full — a full 20 minutes longer than the Pixel 9 Professional wanted for its 4,700mAh battery and about half-hour greater than the Galaxy S24 required for its 4,000mAh cell. The iPhone 16 was about the identical, taking 107 minutes to fill its barely smaller 3,561mAh battery.

Perhaps you can also make up for the woeful wired charging with as much as 25W MagSafe wi-fi charging, however then you definately’ll have to purchase a particular charger, because the extra common Qi2 wi-fi charging is capped at 15W. On the brilliant aspect, you don’t want a top-end USB PD PPS charger to refill the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Professional the way in which you’ll for many Android flagships.

Is it potential to test off practically all of the bins however fail the project? In that case, that’s what the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional do. They’re each good telephones that match comfortably in my hand, supply unimaginable software program assist, and pack dependable rear cameras which are straightforward to choose up and go. Apple’s construct high quality stays a few of the greatest (although Google is now on equal footing), and I admire how easy it’s to arrange a brand new iPhone for those who’ve ever used one earlier than. Nevertheless, the project was to sway me from my Android loyalties, and I don’t suppose both telephone did that — nor do I feel this era will draw many different Android customers over, both.

Sure, Apple will get excessive marks for lastly planning to carry AI to the desk, letting customers customise their residence screens in a brand-new method, and adopting RCS to make cross-platform communication simpler, however I’ve already been in a position to do most of that on Android telephones for years. Google has used RCS in Google Messages virtually because the day I began right here at Android Authority, and customization is what introduced me to Android within the first place, again after I begged my dad and mom for the HTC Droid Unbelievable 4G. Nicely, that and HTC’s clock widget, which I believed was the best strategy to inform time.

Maybe worse for Apple is that lots of its different new iPhone 16 options merely fail to excite me. I haven’t used the Motion Button as something apart from a mute swap, and the Digital camera Management has solely confirmed helpful in a number of specific eventualities. Add the truth that Apple Intelligence simply isn’t right here but, and a big a part of me looks like I’ve reviewed the iPhone 15 collection once more. Positive, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional had been good in their very own proper, however it’s not what you anticipate when Apple guarantees a bunch of latest options.

Should you had been to interrupt it down characteristic by characteristic, I nonetheless suppose I’d reasonably have the Pixel 9 ($799 at Amazon) or Pixel 9 Professional ($999 at Amazon) in my pocket over both of Apple’s smaller flagships. Google will get the sting by way of charging, on-device theming, and the maturity of its AI options whereas not less than tying Apple with its long-term software program assist. Positive, you’ll nonetheless present up as a inexperienced bubble to your iOS-toting mates, however now you’ll be a inexperienced bubble with learn receipts and typing indicators, due to RCS. Should you solely suppose you want two rear cameras, lean in the direction of the Pixel 9. If you’d like a 3rd, the Pixel 9 Professional stays my favourite Android telephone to launch in a very long time.

I wouldn’t simply attain for a Pixel over a brand new iPhone, both. When Apple rolls out the iPhone-est iPhone to ever iPhone, it turns into a lot simpler to be excited concerning the extra distinctive Android choices like Motorola’s Razr (2024) ($699 at Amazon) and Razr Plus (2024) ($999 at Amazon). Each are dual-camera flip telephones, most likely the very best US-based examples of their class. The Razr Plus (2024) units the bar for the biggest cowl display on a flip telephone, pairing it with 45W wired charging and taking a daring danger by ditching its ultrawide digital camera for a telephoto different. Motorola’s extra inexpensive Razr (2024) performs it a little bit safer with extra conventional cameras however packs simply as a lot enjoyable into its barely bigger battery and marginally smaller cowl show.

I may go on, choosing out Android telephones that do one factor or one other higher than the iPhone 16 collection — there are many them, together with the plain ones just like the behemoth Galaxy S24 Extremely ($1419.99 at Amazon) or the common Galaxy S24 fashions. And but, I do know that it might be losing my breath for therefore many iPhone customers. Apple’s walled backyard is difficult sufficient to get out of when you’ve invested in it, and I can perceive why when its broader ecosystem is a lot extra mature throughout different classes, corresponding to tablets, smartwatches, laptops, and rather more. Google and Samsung are getting there, notably Google now it has a genuinely nice smartwatch within the Pixel Watch 3, however neither model’s respective gardens are fairly as fine-tuned but. However I additionally don’t see Apple’s patch of land as one poised for additional development into the Android panorama except its central system, the iPhone, turns over a brand new leaf. Who is aware of, perhaps the promise of a folding iPhone will sooner or later change my tune.