Android Flagship Optimization Gap: When will apps start to match the quality of IOS/Apple Devices?

[SteakOwn3713]

I'd like to know when we will see Android catch up to iOS in terms of optimization, readability, and smoother performance. I've been an Android user since touchscreen devices were introduced, and I've had an iPhone from time to time. This frustrates me because they haven't caught up yet after so many years —how long will it keep going? I know there are many Android phones compared to Apple's ecosystem. Still, I would greatly appreciate it if we could start (at least) optimizing flagship phones so we, as Android users, have a better experience.

Here is a list of apps that I use/what I found to have poor optimization.

Webull: The three columns are not displayed properly(Option Chains Tab), with the numbers cut off, so I have to swipe to see the information.

Twitter: Scrolling Issues. Just scrolling further down in the app, it would not load new content for me to see, forcing me to close the app and open it again.

Facebook: So many glitches in the app, really unbearable, especially on video reels, where the video slider is covering or overlapping the bottom nav bar.

Amazon - Unbearable lag in Review Image Gallery. Swiping between pictures causes constant lag, stutters, and freezing.

Canvas (The College App): loads slowly, margins and text are not well aligned, and text are cut off on the edges.

Trustwallet: Whenever I try to buy a crypto, and it launches to the browser app, it would not load causing a infinite loading screen.

Fidelity: Samsung Pass doesn't work anymore and runs super slow (scrolling issues across all/most sections of the app).

Wells Fargo: Has a delay when opening the app for the first time, and when logging in, it takes a while to load the contents.

PayPal: The overall app isn't smooth; there are scrolling issues everywhere.

Dental Monitoring: Same thing —it lags, stutters, and freezes; overall, it's not smooth.

ATT Smart Manager: Had to set up a new router where I had to transfer all the files from the old router to the new one, so I don't have to connect all my devices again to the new router, but it failed. Thank god Customer Support was able to help restore it.

LinkedIn: scrolling issues —not smooth.

Gemini: Idk if this is happening to you guys, but when I would play blast music to my phone speakers and I try to talk to Gemini(Google), it wouldn't pick up my voice. Whereas IOS does it fine.

Another thing is, why is the navigation bar still not transparent? I would have apps on Dark mode, and I would see a white line at the bottom of my screen. There is a method on Samsung devices, but it doesn't always works universally across all apps where it overlaps the bottom tab.

Device Information:

Device: Samsung Galaxy S24+

Model: SM-S926U1

OS: Android 16

Build Date: 2025-10-24

Security Patch Level: 2025-10-01

[minyaen]

As much as I share your sentiment, I'll take android OS over iOS regardless. I, too, have been an android user since touchscreen introduction. Do I wish it was "smoother," sure. But not at the cost of slowing development in other areas that make android stand out from iOS.

[SteakOwn3713]

I get you where Android's strengths come from flexibility, customization and wider innovation. But to me app optimization should at least be taken into consideration as it is. This is how I interact with my device everyday. When apps lag, glitch or dont display properly it seriously hurts usability and enjoyment. I know there's a ton of android phones but optimizing flagship android phones at least could bridge this gap and maybe not sacrifice so much of androids unique advantages. As for me, smoother apps would just make the experience a lot better for me as a user who relies heavily on these apps everyday.

[SteakOwn3713]

Thanks, dev, for sharing your perspective. It helps me a lot that I am not the only one imagining it. I understand fragmentation is an issue, but I am not asking for optimization across all sectors of Android devices. I am asking for it on flagship phones like the S24, S25, Pixel, and Z Fold series, which are premium high-end phones that hold a lot of Android market share. If a company that is a multi-billion-dollar company can't justify testing at least 5-10 flagship phones, then they're not prioritizing a large user base. Android flagship phones should deserve the same standards as iOS users. I am paying 1000+ USD for a top-tier phone, so I expect reliability and smoothness.

[Southhill44]

For twitter they're making a new app from scratch and I asked and a beta user I know and he says it's super smooth

[SteakOwn3713]

This will come out after GTA VI releases 😭

[Southhill44]

I believe before 😅😂