7 iPhone 17 Features That Already Exist on Android

The iPhone 17 Is Coming with a New Set of Features

The iPhone 17 is set to arrive in just a few weeks, and the anticipation has been building all summer. Alongside the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, there are rumors that Apple might introduce a slimmer version of the phone, as well as a new iteration of its FineWoven accessories. But how many of these features are truly new, or have they already been seen on Android devices?

This pattern of Android phones introducing features before iPhones has been around for over a decade. For example, when the iPhone 6 came out with NFC, it was a novelty at the time, but Android phones had already included this feature since the release of the Samsung Nexus S a few years earlier.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the rumored features of the iPhone 17 and see which ones have already been available on Android phones.

The iPhone 17 Air: A Slimmer Design

One of the most talked-about rumors is that Apple will launch a slimmer model called the iPhone 17 Air. If true, this would be the thinnest iPhone ever made. Leaked photos suggest that the device is about as thin as its buttons, which is a shift from previous designs that kept phones thicker to accommodate larger batteries.

Samsung has already taken this approach with the Galaxy S25 Edge, which is essentially a thinner version of the Galaxy S25. When viewed side by side, the design similarities are striking. This shows that Android has once again beaten Apple to a slim design.

A Wider Camera Bump

Another rumored change is a camera bump that spans most of the back of the phone. This is part of several design changes, including the return to an aluminum frame instead of titanium. Case renders support this idea.

If you look closely, this design element has already appeared on the Google Pixel 9. While the Pixel’s camera bump is more curved, the concept of a wide bump on the back of the phone has been used by various Android models, including the Pixel 9.

Vapor Chamber Cooling

Rumors also suggest that the iPhone 17 will finally adopt vapor chamber cooling, a technology that uses liquid phase changes to dissipate heat efficiently. This system has been used in Android phones for almost a decade.

The Razer Phone 2 was one of the first to use this technology in 2018, and Samsung has continued to use it in recent models. Even the Pixel 10 recently introduced this feature, beating Apple by a month.

120 Hz Displays on Every Model

In the past, Apple reserved its 120 Hz ProMotion display for the iPhone Pro models. However, it’s rumored that the entire iPhone 17 lineup will get 120 Hz displays, including the iPhone 17 Air. This would be the first time that every iPhone in a generation has the same refresh rate since the iPhone 12 lineup featured 60 Hz displays.

Android phones have had higher refresh rates for years. The Razer Phone in 2017 was among the first to offer a 120 Hz display, and since then, many Android manufacturers have adopted this feature across their entire product lines.

12GB of RAM, Finally

Apple upgraded the iPhone 16 to 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the iPhone 15. Now, it's said that the iPhone 17 will come with 12GB of RAM, making it the most powerful iPhone yet. This increase is likely due to Apple Intelligence, which requires more hardware to function properly.

Android phones have had 12GB of RAM or more for years. Samsung, for instance, offered 16GB of RAM in the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and Google has been using 12GB in the Pixel 9. Some Chinese manufacturers have even gone beyond 24GB.

A Larger Battery Capacity

Modern iPhones have improved significantly in terms of battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro Max had the largest battery ever, at 4,685 mAh. The iPhone 17 is rumored to have a slightly thicker Pro Max model with a 5,000 mAh battery, marking the first time an iPhone has hit this capacity.

Android manufacturers have been doing this for years. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra was one of the first to exceed 5,000 mAh, and many Android phones have surpassed this figure since then.

A Fully Refreshed Design with iOS 26

Apple is known for being slow to update its operating system. The last major visual overhaul of iOS was in 2013 with iOS 7. iOS 26 is expected to bring a completely different look to the iPhone 17 and other compatible models.

Meanwhile, Android has had several major design overhauls, such as Material Design in 2014, Material You in 2021, and Material 3 Expressive in 2025. These updates have given Android users more frequent opportunities to experience new design elements.

Ultimately, It’s Okay

Even though Android has often introduced features before Apple, it doesn’t mean the iPhone 17 will be a bad phone. Apple’s software optimizations are legendary, and the iPhone 17 is expected to be one of the top smartphones of the year. However, it’s interesting to note that Android phones continue to lead in some areas, such as larger batteries, more RAM, and higher refresh rates.

If you're looking for a phone with these features, an Android device may be the way to go.