iPhone 17 vs Android: What Really Matters?

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This week, Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 series, which was highly anticipated for its key updates and bold new design choices. The buzz has especially been around the updated camera, fresh design, and longer battery life. For Android users, some of these improvements might seem familiar since similar features have been introduced by other manufacturers over time. Samsung recently launched an iCant campaign, mocking Apple’s slow introduction of innovative capabilities that are already available in Android devices.

5 Things the iPhone 17 Series Clearly Borrowed from Android Phones

While Apple has been leading the smartphone industry with its design and aesthetics, the tech giant is often associated with innovation and experimentation. With the launch of the latest iPhone 17 series, it’s clear that some major selling points are not entirely original. Here are five areas where Apple seems to have taken inspiration from Android:

48MP Telephoto Camera

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October 8, 2025

The 48MP telephoto camera is a notable improvement for the iPhone 17 series, but it’s familiar territory in the Android world. Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi introduced high-megapixel sensors years ago. During its iCant campaign, Samsung highlighted that they have moved to 200MP while Apple still focuses on 48MP. However, Apple pairs this upgrade with powerful image processing.

Camera Bar Design

Apple’s signature camera layout was a square module, but the iPhone 17 Pro now features a stretched design that steps away from its classic look. For Pixel users, this design is reminiscent of what has been used in Pixel phones for years, so it’s not entirely new. Google pioneered the camera bar with the Pixel 6 series back in 2021.

Longer Battery Life

The iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts the longest battery life yet on an iPhone, a significant improvement for users. However, Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra series and even OnePlus devices have long been synonymous with extended battery life and fast charging, setting the standard in this category.

Thinner Bezels

The iPhone 17 series has one of the slimmest bezels, measuring around 1.2mm on the Pro models, giving it a sleek look. This is not new territory; Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra and Xiaomi’s flagship phones have already created buzz for slimmer form factors and narrower bezels earlier in the year.

High Refresh Rate

Apple has limited its 120Hz ProMotion displays to the Pro models, but with the iPhone 17, this approach was changed as the base model also benefits from the same capability. Android users have little to complain about since mid-range phones already offer smoother scrolling and animations, with some flagships even exceeding 144Hz. Apple’s move is welcome and helps bridge the gap between its top-tier and base models, but it came late compared to Android.

While it’s easy to frame the iPhone 17’s features as being taken from Android, a more holistic view shows that Apple has never been about chasing pioneering features. Instead, they focus on establishing the right timing and execution. The Cupertino giant ensures consistency and refinement before introducing an upgrade, even if that means letting Android take the lead in innovation. Apple is catching up in areas where Android excels but does so in a way that appeals to its loyal user base.

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