iPhone 17 features vs Android features: The iPhone 17 is just weeks away, and as expected, the internet is buzzing with leaks, renders, and wild speculation, with long-awaited tech upgrades, Apple fans have plenty to look forward to. But here's the shocking reality, many of the features that are getting iPhone users excited have already been part of Android for years, as per a report.
Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated iPhone 17 features and see how Android phones got there first.
But this idea isn’t new to Android users. Earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge, a slimmed-down version of the Galaxy S25, according to the Mashable report. It is barely thicker than its own buttons as well, and when it is seen side by side, the design is almost similar all around, as reported by Mashable.
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That layout might feel familiar to Pixel fans. The Google Pixel 9 already uses a similar horizontal bump. Even if Apple’s version looks a little more squared off, the idea of spanning the entire back of the phone has been done by several Android phones in the past, as per Mashable.
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Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 will feature vapor chamber cooling, a much-needed improvement for heat management, especially with upcoming AI features and more powerful chips, according to the report.
But Android phones have used this cooling system for nearly a decade. The Razer Phone 2 introduced this system, way back in 2018, and it has since been featured in Samsung flagships and other top-tier Android models, as per the Mashable report. Even the Pixel 10 just added it this year, right before Apple did.
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But, Android phones have offered high refresh rate screens across their entire product lines since 2020. From the Galaxy S20 series to Google’s more affordable Pixel 9a, the refresh rate has been standard for years, as per the Mashable report.
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But for Android users, 12GB of RAM has been the norm for quite some time. The Galaxy S21 Ultra had 16GB before backing it down to 12GB on future models, according to the report. Even Google’s latest Pixels have 12GB, and some Chinese Android phones now offer 24GB or more, as per Mashable.
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Meanwhile, Android phones have been sporting 5,000mAh batteries since the Galaxy S20 Ultra in 2020, and many Android phones have met or even exceeded 5,000mAh since then, according to the report.
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On the other hand, Android has gone through several design refreshes over the past decade, including Material Design, Material You, and now Material 3 Expressive. For Android users, big UI changes happen more often compared to iOS users.
Yes. Rumors suggest Apple may launch a super-slim model called the iPhone 17 Air, possibly its thinnest phone ever, as per the Mashable report.
Are iPhone 17 features really new?
Not exactly. They’re new to iPhones, but most of the rumored features have been available on Android devices for years.
Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated iPhone 17 features and see how Android phones got there first.
1. A slimmer iPhone? Android beat Apple already
One of the more exciting rumors is about the so called 'iPhone 17 Air', a very slim model that could be Apple’s sleekest phone to date, as per Mashable. Leaked images suggest it’s barely thicker than its buttons.But this idea isn’t new to Android users. Earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge, a slimmed-down version of the Galaxy S25, according to the Mashable report. It is barely thicker than its own buttons as well, and when it is seen side by side, the design is almost similar all around, as reported by Mashable.
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2. A wide camera bump across the back
The iPhone 17 is rumored to feature a wide camera bar stretching across the rear, a big design shift from the corner camera modules we’ve seen in recent iPhones, according to the report.That layout might feel familiar to Pixel fans. The Google Pixel 9 already uses a similar horizontal bump. Even if Apple’s version looks a little more squared off, the idea of spanning the entire back of the phone has been done by several Android phones in the past, as per Mashable.
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3. Vapor chamber cooling finally arrives on iPhone
Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 will feature vapor chamber cooling, a much-needed improvement for heat management, especially with upcoming AI features and more powerful chips, according to the report.But Android phones have used this cooling system for nearly a decade. The Razer Phone 2 introduced this system, way back in 2018, and it has since been featured in Samsung flagships and other top-tier Android models, as per the Mashable report. Even the Pixel 10 just added it this year, right before Apple did.
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4. 120Hz displays for all iPhones
Apple may finally be giving every iPhone 17 model a 120Hz display, not just the Pro versions. The entire lineup is expected to get high refresh rate displays, unifying the lineup, and will be the first time that every iPhone in a generation has had the same refresh rate since the entire iPhone 12 lineup featured 60 Hz displays, as reported by Mashable.But, Android phones have offered high refresh rate screens across their entire product lines since 2020. From the Galaxy S20 series to Google’s more affordable Pixel 9a, the refresh rate has been standard for years, as per the Mashable report.
ALSO READ: Are Apple, OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Amazon plotting to take down state AI regulations?
5. 12GB RAM — a first for iPhone, old news for Android
The iPhone 17 is rumored to come with 12GB of RAM, a notable bump from the 8GB in last year’s iPhone 16, according to the report. The upgrade is likely meant to support Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new suite of AI features in iOS 26, as per Mashable.But for Android users, 12GB of RAM has been the norm for quite some time. The Galaxy S21 Ultra had 16GB before backing it down to 12GB on future models, according to the report. Even Google’s latest Pixels have 12GB, and some Chinese Android phones now offer 24GB or more, as per Mashable.
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6. A bigger battery — Apple finally hits 5,000mAh
One of the more welcome upgrades could be a larger battery in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, as it is speculated to finally break the 5,000mAh barrier, as per the Mashable report.Meanwhile, Android phones have been sporting 5,000mAh batteries since the Galaxy S20 Ultra in 2020, and many Android phones have met or even exceeded 5,000mAh since then, according to the report.
ALSO READ: Shocking twist: Computer Science grads face one of the highest unemployment rates today
7. iOS 26 brings a long-overdue design refresh
iOS 26 will reportedly bring the biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 launched in 2013, and Apple fans can expect a more modern interface to match the new hardware, as per the Mashable report.On the other hand, Android has gone through several design refreshes over the past decade, including Material Design, Material You, and now Material 3 Expressive. For Android users, big UI changes happen more often compared to iOS users.
FAQs
Is the iPhone 17 really getting a new slim design?Yes. Rumors suggest Apple may launch a super-slim model called the iPhone 17 Air, possibly its thinnest phone ever, as per the Mashable report.
Are iPhone 17 features really new?
Not exactly. They’re new to iPhones, but most of the rumored features have been available on Android devices for years.
