2019’s Android Phones Make Up for Last Year’s Sad iPhone Knockoffs
After a dismal 2018, manufacturers are trying inventive technologies and designs rather than mindlessly copying Apple
By Jared Newman
The annual Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona is supposed to be Android’s time to shine, with phone makers from around the world introducing concepts that could make an iPhone owner jealous.
Last year’s show was an embarrassing exception. In lieu of fresh ideas, most manufacturers simply showed up with cheap imitations of Apple’s trendsetting iPhone X. They added unsightly camera notches to the top of their phones, but retained the bottom bezel, or “chin,” that Apple was able to eliminate. They tried their hands at face recognition, but without the fidelity and security of Apple’s Face ID. They continued to remove headphone jacks, but neglected to offer wireless alternatives with the same easy pairing as Apple’s AirPods.
In 2019, Android phone makers are back in the business of pushing the industry forward, both with wild new ideas (such as foldable phones) and more practical endeavors (such as more sophisticated camera systems). Don’t be surprised if some of these concepts show up in future iPhones.
