"AOD and ProMotion are not pro features" is a very subjective/arbitrary thing to say because 1) there is no standard definition of "pro" in this context as it's used very loosely by many companies, and 2) even if most other Androids have it as standard, there are other aspects of standard iPhones that set it apart from many of those Androids, like faster more efficient chips. This is really another case of hyperfocusing on one or two specs as THE measure of worth instead of looking at the whole.
I agree that features like AOD and ProMotion will only trickle down to standard iPhones when there are new iPhone Pro features to take their place. (I was surprised Apple didn't make Camera Control one of those features, but I'm guessing they put it on all iPhones because it will be used for some AI functions that Apple wants to be standard across all iPhones.) If Apple trickled AOD and ProMotion down now, the only real difference for the Pros would be the 5x telephoto lens, which is probably not a big enough difference. So if you want these features without having to pay for them, all you can do is hope Apple comes up with some great new features for the Pros.
But if it's not about the money, and just an argument on some sort of principle, again I'd say there's no strong argument to be made here because these things are so subjective. Also I'm skeptical about whether most iPhone customers even care about AOD and especially ProMotion, but that's probably something we can only guess.
If this is actually about calling out Apple for not innovating new Pro features fast enough, then I can't really respond because I'm not sure what the standard is for that. But I'm curious, what are the distinguishgin "pro" features in Android phones? All I can think of is folding, but that's less of a phone feature and more of a whole different form factor, which not everyone wants. In other words, though folding phones are expensive and "pro" now because they're new tech, I think eventually there will be pro/standard folding phones as well as pro/standard traditional non-folding phones.
Really interesting reply.
Got me thinking.
In terms of Samsung, I’d probably say their Ultra is their “pro” compared to the regular 24/24+.
The ultra gives a bigger screen with anti reflective armour coating / the pen / better WiFi 7 than the regular model’s 6E / more memory (12 vs 8) than the regular s24 / a 50MP 5x zoom lens, and a 200MP main camera. They are the main differences.
It’s quite a bit more expensive (although seen some massive discounts recently)
Is that more generous than Apple ? Not sure. Maybe. Their regular phones have 120hz and AOD so like you say have to be differentiated in other ways.
Google’s 9 vs 9 pro ..
More memory (16Gb vs 12), more lenses (48MP 5x zoom, 42MP Selfie), brighter screen ,slightly higher res screen with better hdr, Screen Hz down to 1 vs 60 I think on the 9, AI sub for 1yr, pro camera controls in software).
So how does Apple compare…?
I think their high end competes well enough (maybe) , but their regular phones are outclassed a little by the regular S24 / Pixel 9’s.
And even on the high end I see features
that I wish Apple would adopt. The S24 Ultra screen coating for example. I’d love an S-Pen equivalent , and proper split screen multitasking. I’d also like 16Gb for my money as well.
I’m locked into the Apple ecosystem now (watch) & not looking to ditch it yet. Is Apple doing enough innovating to keep me?
Yes for now. Just.
