I am sick of Android telephones that appear and feel like iPhones

I’ve gone hands-on with a wide range of flagship Android telephones lately, together with units from Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, and vivo. Nonetheless, I’ve observed a rising development within the final couple of years that’s solely picked up extra steam within the final six months.

Apple first provided flat edges and curved corners again in 2010 on the iPhone 4, whereas 2014’s Samsung Galaxy Alpha was one of many extra notable Android telephones with an analogous aesthetic. Nonetheless, I don’t suppose it’s a coincidence that the iPhone 12 revived this design after which many Android OEMs adopted swimsuit.

A number of the most outstanding Android telephones that resemble iPhones by way of design and really feel embrace the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus, the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, the Google Pixel 9 collection and newer, and the OnePlus 15. In actual fact, the final three evaluation models I acquired all take a nearly an identical method. Are you able to guess which one is the realme GT8 Professional, the POCO F8 Extremely, and the vivo X300 Professional within the picture under?

After all, most Android telephones with flat edges and rounded corners do have distinctive rear covers and digicam bumps. So you may positively inform telephones aside when them from the again. However it looks like that is the one space of differentiation in a sea of blandness.

Along with this design selection being unimaginative, I discover that telephones with flat frames typically really feel much less ergonomic than units with curved or tapered edges. Against this, my Pixel 7 Professional and Samsung Galaxy S8 each really feel extra snug to carry than these current fashions. Flat edges additionally make telephones appear and feel thicker than they really are, lending a brick-like really feel to them.

One potential purpose why Android OEMs are copying Apple’s flat body design is that this may be the obvious means to enhance repairability. In any case, the EU introduced new guidelines for gadget repairability that go into impact on July 31. It subsequently stands to purpose that producers may take a look at current iPhones, that are extra repairable than earlier fashions, and undertake these design components as a confirmed method.

The Pixel 9 and 10 telephones have flat frames and curved corners, and so they do certainly supply extra repairable designs than their predecessors. These telephones could be opened up from the entrance or again. Against this, older Pixels can solely be opened from the entrance, which isn’t splendid for battery replacements. In saying so, the newest Pixels nonetheless acquired comparable repairability scores as older units, with iFixit bemoaning the surplus use of glue. Nonetheless, it’s clear that Google is making strides in regard to repairability.

There are many different methods Android producers can ship nice, repairable designs that don’t contain copying iPhones. In actual fact, probably the most repairable telephones available on the market is 2024’s HMD Skyline (see the primary picture above). The cellphone, which earned a 9 out of 10 score from iFixit, skipped this flat body development totally in favor of rounded sides and a flat prime and backside.

A more moderen instance of a smartphone that doesn’t appear and feel like an iPhone is the brand new Jolla Cellphone (see the second picture above). This gadget has rounded sides, however nonetheless provides a detachable rear cowl, a detachable battery, a microSD card slot, and extra. Even Sony tried to make the Xperia 1 VII stand out with a ridged body, serving as extra proof that Android OEMs don’t must be lazy.

Corporations like HMD and Jolla are smaller than Google and Samsung, and have fewer sources; subsequently, bigger corporations haven’t any excuse for providing spinoff, iPhone-style designs. And in HMD’s case, the corporate demonstrates you could have a novel design and wonderful repairability.

There’s clearly no scarcity of alternate options to flat edges and curved corners then, together with rounded frames, curved edges, a design carved out of a single block of fabric (e.g., plastic or steel), and extra.

Look, it’s solely pure that there’ll be some homogenization amongst telephones at this level in such a mature trade. It’s additionally comprehensible that flat edges and rounded corners may be the best option to make dependable, repairable smartphones.

Nonetheless, these concerns don’t change the truth that I discover these designs extremely boring. To not point out that I can’t inform them other than one another except I’m them from the again. That’s not an issue within the grand scheme of issues, but it surely demonstrates that many OEMs don’t go the additional mile in the case of design.

I actually hope extra manufacturers resist the temptation to repeat Apple and as a substitute channel the spirit of gorgeous telephones just like the HTC One, unique Moto X, and Google Pixel 5. As a result of there’s extra to a great-looking smartphone than the digicam bump.