Discover tools that were “copied” by Apple on the iPhone 15. See the similarities with Android features.
The iPhone 15 was announced by Apple on September 12 and came with a series of new features. Although new to Apple models, some of the features announced for Android smartphones are not new at all. This is the case with the USB-C port that has been included in smartphones from brands such as Samsung, Xiaomi and Motorola for years.
The same goes for processors with ray tracing technology. This feature first appeared in the Exynos 2200 chip found in the Samsung Galaxy S22 series. Read on and check out these and other features that Apple “stole” from Android phones.
Action button
One of the highlights of the models iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is the action button. This button is located on the side of the device and can be customized to trigger a pre-programmed shortcut when pressed. However, hotkeys on Android smartphones are not exactly new.
In 2019, Samsung introduced the so-called “Bixby Button” on the Galaxy S8 series. Virtual assistants now open immediately when you activate the hardware, but consumers have found ways to program virtual assistants to open cameras or apps, for example. It’s worth remembering that the BlackBerry Curve phone had a similar proposal in 2010 with a trackball button. So the iPhone feature arrived 13 years after the launch of the BlackBerry model and 4 years after the launch of the Galaxy S8 series.
USB-C input
A USB-C port is standard on most Android smartphones, and models manufactured more than five years ago may have this tray. Despite this, Apple only introduced connectivity with the iPhone 15 this year. The change was made to allow the Cupertino giant to adapt to European Union legislation requiring the introduction of USB-C ports in smartphones and other devices.
The USB-C port has several advantages over Lightning, including longer battery life and faster charging. Plus, most modern electronic devices have this port, so users only need one cable for all their devices. The USB-C port was introduced eight years ago, in 2015, on the now-defunct LeEco.
Ray tracing processor
These processors are a relatively new innovation, but were first used in Android smartphones. This technology, which allows for more realistic graphics in games, is now included in the Exynos 2200 chip found in the Samsung series Galaxy S22.
Since then, this technology has also made its way to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and MediaTek Dimensity 9200 processors that power Google's smartphones. In Apple models, this feature first appeared this year in the A17 Bionic processor found in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Titanium construction
Titanium frames aren't on many phones yet, but they were first seen on the Essential PH-1 smartphone at the 2017 Wanderlust event. However, this model never made it to Brazil and few people tried to import it, as there was no warranty or technical support network in the country.
Titanium is more durable than stainless steel, scratch-resistant, drop-resistant, and lightweight. The fact that the Cupertino giant has switched to the material could indicate a trend in the mobile industry. There are even rumors that the Galaxy S24 Ultra could follow in the footsteps of Apple's models and adopt a titanium body.
Spatial mode recording
Another new feature for the iPhone, but also available on Android smartphones for some time now, is spatial photography (another name for 3D photography). This feature, which adds depth to videos, was introduced 12 years ago, in 2011, on the HTC Evo 3D and LG Optimus 3D smartphones. With the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, anyone who owns Apple Vision Pro, the company's mixed reality headset, can use it to watch high-quality videos recorded in spatial mode.
Telephoto lens
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is equipped with a 5x telephoto lens and has improved camera functionality. However, this type of lens is already part of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, one of the main competitors of the premium iPhone. Samsung's top-of-the-line model features a telephoto camera with up to 10x optical zoom. The photos were well received by users on social media, and the hope is that the results will be similar or even better on the iPhone.
