29 Sept 2025
A discussion critically examines the artificial intelligence capabilities and overall user experience of iOS 18 and Samsung's Galaxy AI. It highlights key differences in AI integration, ecosystem philosophy, and software update approaches between Apple and Android devices.
A discussion between Hamid and Kiarosh compares Vanios 7 (One UI 7/Android 15) and iOS 18, with a specific focus on their artificial intelligence capabilities and overall user experience differences between Galaxy and Apple phones.
Siri is frequently criticized as 'stupid,' while Bixby is considered marginally more capable, despite its limited functionality within the interface.
Apple's advanced Siri, branded as Apple Intelligence, lacks visible intelligence features upon release, with its practical availability and implementation frequently questioned by users despite promotional claims.
Samsung phones integrate multiple AI systems, including Galaxy AI and Google's Gemini, alongside third-party applications like ChatGPT and Copilot, leading to potential confusion regarding optimal AI usage.
Galaxy AI is deeply integrated into the One UI, offering practical features such as advanced photo editing (object and background removal), writing assistance for messages and emails, simultaneous translation, and real-time note transcription.
Apple's visual AI features, including Visual Cleanup, Image Playground, and generative emoji, are perceived as less practical and functionally limited, with the generative emoji feature particularly criticized for poor utility and output quality.
AI's primary utility is often found in complex tasks on desktop computers, such as idea generation and planning, whereas its phone-based application is frequently limited to recreational functions like photo manipulation.
Apple's ecosystem is closed and proprietary, necessitating ownership of Apple products for full benefits, whereas Samsung's ecosystem is open, integrating seamlessly with Windows and Google, allowing interoperability with diverse Android and Windows hardware.
QuickShare is lauded for its speed and efficiency across Samsung, Android, and Windows devices, while AirDrop is frequently plagued by problems, slow transfers, and failures, often requiring specific setting adjustments to function reliably.
Samsung's SmartThings platform provides a robust and comprehensive smart home ecosystem, enabling control over all connected devices without mandating exclusive Samsung hardware.
iOS 18 introduces significant user interface changes, including the separation of toggles (Control Center) from notifications and enhanced icon customization options such as rounded square icons and color adjustments.
The new iOS 18 icon customization faces criticism for its design choices, including inconsistent rounding and a lack of comprehensive customization options, alongside noted issues like limited dock capacity and scaling bugs.
Android's extensive personalization options can lead to an overwhelming and confusing user experience, whereas iOS, despite offering less customization, is considered to strike an 'optimal point' where personalization exists without hindering usability.
Samsung's promise of 7 years of updates is questioned due to hardware limitations and delayed rollout schedules for older or mid-range devices, which make long-term updates less effective. Apple is noted for providing security updates to very old devices and generally consistent OS updates, though some new features are restricted to newer hardware.
iMessage serves as a significant factor in Apple's ecosystem lock-in, with Apple historically declining to offer it on Android to preserve iPhone sales, while RCS is considered Android's potential alternative.
Samsung Dex is valued for transforming a phone into a desktop-like experience. Google is anticipated to develop a universal desktop mode for all Android devices, which could potentially make Dex redundant.
User preferences vary between iOS's established convenience and muscle memory, and Android's extensive customization capabilities, with a lean towards iOS for its intuitive experience despite Android's superior customization.
Ultimately, the real measure of mobile AI and ecosystem success lies in practical, intuitive integration rather than simply accumulating features.
| Feature | Apple (iOS 18) | Samsung (Galaxy AI / One UI 7) |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Advanced Siri (Apple Intelligence) is not fully realized/visible; criticized for being 'stupid' and lacking practical features. Visual AI (Image Playground, generative emoji) is deemed impractical. | Galaxy AI and Gemini are integrated, offering practical features like photo editing (object/background removal), writing assistance, translation, and note transcription. Multiplicity of AIs can be confusing. |
| Ecosystem Philosophy | Closed and proprietary; requires Apple products for full benefits. Strong lock-in (e.g., iMessage) maintains user retention. | Open and integrated with Windows and Google; allows interoperability with various Android and Windows devices. SmartThings platform offers comprehensive smart home control. |
| File Sharing | AirDrop is often problematic, slow, and prone to failures, frequently requiring specific settings adjustments (e.g., disabling VPN, cellular data). | QuickShare is fast, efficient, and works reliably across Android and Windows devices. |
| User Interface (UI) Customization | Introduces icon customization (rounded squares, color changes) and split toggles/notifications. Criticized for limited depth, inconsistent design, and minor bugs. | Offers extensive customization options, including Good Lock. Can lead to an overwhelming and confusing user experience due to an abundance of options. |
| Software Updates | Provides security updates for very old devices; more consistent rollout for major OS updates, though some new features are limited to newer hardware. | Promises 7 years of updates, but actual rollout is often delayed, especially for non-flagship devices. Hardware limitations can render updates less effective over time. |
| User Experience (UX) | Aims for convenience and intuitive muscle memory; considered to have an 'optimal point' of personalization without compromising usability. | High customization can sometimes result in a cluttered and less intuitive experience if not managed carefully by the user. |
| Desktop Mode | No direct equivalent to Dex; relies on Continuity features for multi-device integration. | Samsung Dex allows a phone to function as a desktop. Google is reportedly developing a universal Android desktop mode, potentially making Dex redundant. |
