ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Android might be first, but Apple can do it better.
- I love Apple’s photo verification feature.
- For the first time, I want a foldable phone.
I’ve been a dedicated Android user for many years now, and I’m quick to defend the operating system over Apple iOS. When I watched Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event, I was ready for another round of telling people that “Android had it first.” That theory was true in some areas, but some new Apple features still caught my eye.
Also: 5 biggest Apple announcements from the iPhone Duo event
Apple’s usual method isn’t necessarily to invent something new, but to enter an existing area and then polish its innovations very, very well. Even as an Android enthusiast, I can admit that plan often works effectively. Here’s a look at Apple’s newest innovations that I’m actually jealous of.
Apple Reference Image
It’s hard to find a tech announcement these days that isn’t dripping with AI, but Apple introduced an anti-AI photo editing feature for iPhone 18. Functioning like a “digital negative,” Apple Reference Image provides an unalterable record to help verify a photo’s authenticity and reveal whether it’s been modified with AI. While the feature doesn’t prevent subsequent image edits, it creates an original version you can reference.
Also: How to preorder the new iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and everything else Apple announced
Android heavy hitters like Google and Samsung are making it easier than ever to create and edit pictures with AI, and trust in digital photos is plummeting as a result (Gemini’s watermarks are also removable now). I’d love to see something like Reference Image become a standard across all manufacturers.
AppleCare One Family
I usually don’t purchase insurance for my phone. There’s a tiny scratch on my Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, but I really can’t remember the last time I had a phone screen completely crack. My wife and son are a different story, though. My wife shattered her Pixel screen last year, and my son’s cheap Samsung phone (his first one) has had a cracked screen for several months now.
Also: iPhone 18 Pro hands-on: I came for the Burgundy and stayed for the dual-aperture cameras
When I saw Apple’s new AppleCare One Family plan, I was jealous of everything it covered. As Apple explained, the plan protects every eligible device for up to six people in a household for $50 a month, including unlimited accidental damage repairs, battery replacements, and priority support for all eligible Apple devices, plus up to six claims per year for theft and loss. Between watches, phones, iPads, iMacs, and more, that’s a lotof devices.
I don’t have insurance for my family now because we have a mix of devices. Our phones and watches are all Android, but some are Samsung, and some are Google. Our laptops are all Windows, but again, different manufacturers. If I could have one blanket plan that covered nearly everything, I’d almost certainly sign up.
iPhone Duo
The Duo also made my “Android did it first” list since Apple is entering the foldable market years behind the competition. However, the Duo really does look great (and my colleagues at ZDNET agree). I’m impressed with its dust and water rating, minimal crease, and well-designed UI. The passport-style aspect ratio looks smart in any orientation, and I trust that, like with most things Apple, everything will work well.
Also: iPhone Duo hands-on: The $2,000 foldable has some magical touches
It’s disappointing the Duo didn’t get the same camera quality as the iPhone 18 Pro, but I get the sacrifice (to save space). I’ve never been tempted by an iPhone before. But this is a gorgeous device that exploits the dual-screen setup better than any other foldable I’ve seen.
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