The debate between loyal iOS users and supporters of the top Android phones has been going strong since smartphones first hit the scene—maybe even longer, it seems. Each side insists their operating system has exclusive features, and while that’s sometimes accurate, more often than not, they’re misinformed.

Android’s journey has been a rocky one, with Google discontinuing and later reviving beloved features multiple times. So if you’ve taken a break from the Android world, it's tough to keep up with what it actually offers in 2025.

Take this for example: many iPhone users operate under the false impression that Android lacks basic modern functionalities. If you scroll through forums or talk to some of my Apple-loving friends, you'd think Android users were living in the Stone Age, using their phones as little more than rocks to spark a flame.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, nearly every major iOS feature has a counterpart on Android—and in several cases, the Android version actually came first, sometimes by more than ten years.

Let’s explore six iOS features that are often cited as proof of Apple’s superiority… only to discover they’re all available on Android.

1. Widgets

It still amazes me how many Apple enthusiasts try to impress me by raving about the game-changing nature of widgets on their iPhones, completely unaware of mobile tech history.

When iOS 14 rolled out with widgets in 2020, Android users had already spent nearly a decade rolling their eyes at the phrase “this was on Android years ago.” That might explain why they didn’t celebrate the arrival of widgets on iOS—because it wasn’t news to them.

Android introduced widgets way back in 2009 with Android 1.5. While they were far simpler then, the core functionality has been a staple ever since. Today, Android widgets are highly customizable, and new ones appear with every app you install.

They function almost identically to iOS widgets, with minimal differences in usability. So yes, Android has had widgets all along—and did it first.

2. Face ID

For some reason, Face ID is constantly brought up as a standout iPhone feature. As you might expect, Android has a comparable face unlock option—with one key benefit and one limitation.

Important clarification: not all Android phones support facial recognition. It depends on the model and hardware, not just the OS. Older or budget devices may lack the necessary sensors.

However, most modern Android phones do offer face unlock as an alternative (or addition) to PINs, patterns, or fingerprint scanners.

The downside? Android typically uses standard front cameras instead of the specialized depth-sensing hardware found in iPhones. This means, in theory, someone with a high-quality photo or mask could bypass it—though in practice, I’ve never had an issue with unauthorized access.

The upside? It's far more reliable. Anyone who’s used Face ID knows how finicky it can be—glasses, hats, lighting, or even a different hairstyle can throw it off. Android’s face unlock rarely struggles under the same conditions.

3. AirDrop

Android actually has a solid alternative to AirDrop that works nearly the same way—yet few people know about it.

It’s called Quick Share, and you’ll find it every time you tap “Share” on a file, photo, or video. The catch? Receiving files via Quick Share is disabled by default. You’ll need to enable it in your Android’s quick settings to accept incoming transfers.

Functionally, it mirrors AirDrop: transfer files between nearby devices quickly and wirelessly. I actually prefer Quick Share because you can immediately set privacy preferences—like allowing only contacts to send files—right when you turn it on. On iPhone, you have to adjust this manually after enabling AirDrop.

One caveat: Quick Share launched in 2020, so older Android devices that don’t support recent OS updates may not have it.

4. Find My Device

Apple’s Find My feature is well-known for helping users locate their iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and other Apple gadgets. It’s become iconic, especially when people share stories of finding lost AirPods in random places.

But Apple doesn’t have a monopoly here—Google offers a nearly identical service.

In 2024, Google revamped its Find My Device app (which existed long before, and which I’ve personally relied on for years when I misplace my phone), adding powerful new tools.

The updated app—also accessible via web browser—lets you track any device linked to your Google account: phones, tablets, earbuds, and even third-party tracker tags. You can view their location on a map, make them ring, and if you own a Nest device, detect how close you are to a lost item.

Through the browser version, you can also lock or remotely erase a lost or stolen device—perfect for protecting your personal data.

5. Contactless Payments

While researching this article on forums like Reddit, I was shocked to see how often people cited Apple Pay as a reason to stick with iOS.

Let me set the record straight: Android has had contactless payments for years, thanks to Google Wallet (formerly known as Android Pay and Google Pay).

Any Android phone with NFC (which is nearly all of them) can make tap-to-pay transactions, provided you’ve added your credit or debit card to the app. It’s fast, secure, and supports multiple cards.

The confusion likely stems from Google’s habit of rebranding its payment system. It started as Android Pay (2015–2018), became Google Pay, and then merged into Google Wallet in recent years.

So if you thought Android lost its payment functionality when Google Pay disappeared, rest assured—it’s still very much alive and working.

6. Genmoji

I’ve saved this one for last not because it’s less impressive, but because I’ve already gushed about it on TechRadar. Android has its own version of Genmoji—and it actually predates Apple’s AI-powered version.

It’s called Emoji Kitchen, and it lets you mash up two emojis into a fun, custom sticker. It works across most messaging apps and even in Chrome.

Unlike Genmoji, which uses generative AI to awkwardly stitch emojis together, Emoji Kitchen’s combinations were handcrafted by designers. The results are often hilarious, creative, and surprisingly charming—far more so than Apple’s uncanny AI hybrids.

I’m constantly amazed at the wild combos someone actually sat down and made. If you’re curious to learn more, check out my full breakdown of how Emoji Kitchen works.

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