For over 15 years, I’ve proudly waved the Android flag, often finding myself passionately defending its supremacy in the mobile OS arena. Every year, as Apple unveils its latest iOS iteration, my immediate reaction is usually a good-natured, “Android did that years ago!” And with the recent announcement of iOS 27, that familiar refrain rings true once again.
Many of the “flashy new tricks” showcased for iPhones are capabilities Android users have been enjoying for quite some time, often in a more refined state. However, my long-standing devotion doesn’t blind me to genuine innovation. Sometimes, even this staunch Android fanboy has to admit when Apple gets something right.
So, let’s dive into four key iOS 27 features that Android already boasts, and then we’ll explore two genuinely exciting additions from Apple that I sincerely hope Android decides to “borrow” next.
Deja Vu: iOS 27 Features Android Had First
Perhaps the most significant buzz around iOS 27 centers on Siri AI, though it’s worth noting this advanced functionality is limited to newer iPhone devices. Apple touts Siri AI as a “profoundly more capable and conversational assistant” with “personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness,” even pulling context from emails and messages to perform cross-app actions.
This sounds remarkably familiar to any Android user. Google’s own AI, Gemini, has been an integral part of the Android ecosystem for years and is now deeply integrated across Google products, including Android Auto. Gemini excels at conversational interactions, executing actions across various applications, gleaning context from your messages and emails, and understanding what’s currently displayed on your screen.
While Siri AI may eventually achieve deeper ecosystem integration due to Apple’s unified control, Google has been refining these precise capabilities for a considerable period. In many respects, Apple is playing catch-up, bringing features that have been core to the Android experience for a long time.
Another area where Apple is enhancing its offerings is AI photo editing, with features like Spatial Reframe, Cleanup, and Expand. Cleanup and Expand use AI to effortlessly remove unwanted objects or people and intelligently enlarge the borders of a photo. Spatial Reframe, on the other hand, allows users to shift the angle or perspective within an image.
Android users have had access to powerful AI-driven photo edits for years. Google Photos features like Magic Eraser can remove distractions, Generative Expand intelligently extends photo edges, and tools to reposition subjects or generate missing backgrounds are readily available. While some of these began as Pixel exclusives, they became accessible to all Android users in 2024. Apple’s unique advantage here is Spatial Reframe, which doesn’t have a direct Android equivalent just yet.
Apple is also making “everyday interactions in Apple Wallet more seamless and intelligent” through Apple Intelligence. This includes the ability to simply point your phone at a receipt to split a bill by selecting individual items and then paying seamlessly with Apple Cash.
Similarly, Android users can leverage Google Lens integration within Google Photos and Google Wallet for comparable functionalities. While direct payment integration might require a third-party app, the ability to scan receipts and extract itemized data is something Android has offered for years.
Finally, a classic example of “Android had it first” is Apple’s new ability to control ringtone, alarm, and alert volumes independently. Apple frames this with “intelligent” controls, like telling Siri to “turn down music during calls,” but the core functionality is straightforward: separate volume sliders. This marks the first time iPhone users can set distinct volume levels for alarms and media.
For Android users, this capability is ancient history. Independent volume controls for various audio categories — media, ringtone, alarm, and notification — have been a fundamental and long-standing feature of the Android operating system, available right out of the box for as long as I can remember.
Where Apple Leads: Features Android Should ‘Borrow’
Despite my Android allegiance, I admit Apple isn’t just rehashing old ideas with iOS 27; there are a couple of genuinely smart innovations I’d love to see on my Android device. One such feature is Call Context, which proactively identifies and displays relevant information when you make a business call. Imagine calling an airline, and your phone automatically surfaces your reservation code from a confirmation email.
Android offers fantastic call-related features like Call Screening, Hold For Me, real-time transcriptions, and context-aware suggestions after a call. However, these are largely pre- or post-call benefits. Call Context works during an active call, providing immediate, helpful information without needing to search. Taking Android’s excellent call features to this next level would be a game-changer.
Another area where Apple is stepping up its game is tackling the pervasive issue of password fatigue. I, like many others, am tired of complex password requirements, constant changes due to breaches, and logging into countless apps. While I mostly rely on my Google account for seamless logins, the risk of compromise is always present.
iOS 27 introduces a fantastic feature that can automatically log you into a service and change your password if it detects that your current password has been compromised. While this functionality is limited to supported platforms, it represents a significant leap forward in security and convenience. This proactive, automated approach to managing compromised credentials is something Android urgently needs to integrate.
Source: ZDNet – AI
