X

Ways iPhone is better than Android

We recently gave you a list of the ways Android beats the iPhone, and just to be fair, we now offer 10 areas where Apple's device fights back.

Kent German
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
iphone-better_1.jpg
1 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

Music player

Earlier this week we gave you a list of ways that Android beats the iPhone at the smartphone game. And just to be fair, we now offer 10 areas where Apple's device fights back.

At present, the iPhone has the better music player. It has every feature you'd expect in an MP3 player, and its Cover Flow interface can't be beat. We also like the built-in support for podcasts and audio books.

iphone-better_2.jpg
2 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

Video recording

Though it's only available on the iPhone 3GS, the video-recording feature is as user-friendly as they come. Editing a clip once you've shot it is a snap. Of course, Android phones can record video too, but the process isn't as elegant.

iphone-better_3.jpg
3 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

No feature and OS version disparity

Though Android continues to suffer from fragmentation in both features and available versions of the operating system, all iPhone devices get the same OS updates at the same time. The iPhone classic never got MMS when it was added, but most features are found on all iPhone devices.

iphone-better_4.jpg
4 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

Movie purchases and rentals

You may complain about iTunes, but it does offer the iPhone a convenient source for video purchases and downloads. The selection is impressive, the cost is fair and the process is user-friendly.

iphone-better_5.jpg
5 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

App selection

Currently the iTunes App store excels in both quantity and quality of apps. And because there aren't different versions of the OS on the market, developers only have to build one app version. Yet, we agree that Apple takes too heavy a hand in blocking potential titles.

iphone-better_6.jpg
6 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

Touchscreen and keyboard accuracy

In our experience and in third-party tests, the iPhone has a more accurate touchscreen. We also prefer the design of the iPhone's virtual keyboard.

iphone-better_7.jpg
7 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

Bulk delete and move

This is a minor issue, but we like that you can move and delete multiple emails at once. At present, not all Android phones let you do this.

iphone-better_8.jpg
8 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

Swipe to delete

Another minor point, but swipe to delete is just so easy to use.

iphone-better_9.jpg
9 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

Cut and copy

Android also offers cut, copy and paste, but the iPhone has a better interface for making it happen.

iphone-better_10.jpg
10 of 10 Kent German/CNET.com

Easier to take a screenshot

We debated about mentioning this, but when you're preparing a slideshow like this, the iPhone offers a quick and simple way to grab a screenshot of your device. With Android, you'll need to go through more steps.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos