Budget Android smartphones costing as little as $200 offer four key daily usability features that Apple still has not built into its iPhone models, according to an analysis by technology website MakeUseOf.
The comparison focused specifically on practical features that make routine phone use more convenient, rather than raw hardware performance or camera quality.
Apple manufactures the iPhone line using its proprietary iOS operating system, while rival devices run on Google's open Android software platform across various price points.
Universal back gesture navigation
Navigation on iOS can prove inconsistent because the back action depends on how individual app developers design their interfaces. While swiping from the left edge of the display works reliably in native Apple applications such as Safari and Notes, the gesture often fails in third-party software including Instagram and YouTube.
In those situations, users must reach to the top left corner of the screen to tap a small arrow or close button that may appear in an unexpected location. Android handles the return gesture as a system-level function, allowing users to swipe inward from either the left or right edge of the screen to perform the exact same action.
The gesture functions consistently across third-party applications, submenus, and full-screen modes. On budget devices featuring large screens of around 6.6 inches, this system-level control allows comfortable one-handed operation with either the left or right hand without requiring users to shift their grip.
Split screen multitasking on single display
Even top-tier Apple handsets with large 6.9-inch displays remain restricted to displaying a single application at any given moment. Users calculating expenses from PDF invoices or transferring data from bank statements into spreadsheets are forced to switch constantly back and forth between active applications.
Apple supports split-screen multitasking on its iPad tablet lineup, but smartphone multitasking on iOS remains limited to app switching. In contrast, Android allows two applications to run side by side on a shared screen, such as placing YouTube on top while writing notes underneath.
The dual-screen layout also allows users to keep Google Maps active while exchanging text messages simultaneously. Running two applications at once does not demand an expensive processor or high memory capacity, as basic entry-level Android handsets with 4 GB of random-access memory handle split-screen multitasking without difficulty.
Independent volume controls for system sounds
Adjusting volume on an iPhone using physical side buttons alters whichever audio stream is active, such as media playback or incoming call ringers. System notifications and other iOS audio alerts remain tied to a single master volume control.
Raising the volume to ensure an incoming phone call is heard also increases the volume of incoming message notifications. Conversely, lowering system volume before a business meeting creates a risk of missing important incoming phone calls later in the day.
Android provides separate adjustment sliders for different audio channels inside an expanded menu accessible via the volume buttons. Users can independently adjust levels for media playback, phone ringers, notifications, and alarm sounds, allowing message alerts to be muted entirely while keeping call ringers at maximum volume. This functionality has been available on Android devices for years across all price tiers.
Sideloading applications from third party sources
Android permits users to download and install application files directly from third-party websites outside of official app stores. When a developer hosts an application on their website, users can download the Android Package Kit file to install the software manually.
Apple restricts iPhone application distribution primarily to its official App Store. If Apple removes a program from the platform, users outside European Union countries generally cannot download and install it directly from a developer website, although European Union regulations forced Apple to allow alternative stores within member states.
Android offers broader distribution choices through alternative repositories such as F-Droid, which hosts thousands of open-source applications absent from Google Play. Android users can also manually install older application versions if a recent software update causes functionality problems.
Performance trends and spam call protection
Modern high-end Android flagships continue to challenge Apple devices on technical parameters including processing power, display refresh rates, and battery capacity. Tech journalists recently highlighted four specific Android smartphones that outperform the iPhone 17 Pro in key technical areas.
Recent research also identified a distinct operational advantage for Android devices regarding user security. Comparative testing showed Android smartphones, particularly Google Pixel handsets, provide superior filtering and protection against scam phone calls and fraudulent SMS messages compared to iPhones.
