Google Messages has undergone substantial improvements, making it a viable competitor to Apple's iMessage. Features like read receipts and typing indicators now function as users would expect, and Samsung has even adopted Google Messages as the default on its Galaxy devices. However, a recent review by an avid user, Sanuj Bhatia, reveals that Google's messaging platform still has several noticeable deficiencies when compared to iMessage, impacting the overall user experience.
Detailed Analysis of Missing Features in Google Messages
Sanuj Bhatia, an experienced technology journalist for Android Authority, shared his frustrations with Google Messages, particularly after extensively testing iOS 27 beta. His observations, published on August 5, 2026, at 5:30 AM ET, underscore key areas where Google's offering falls short. One significant pain point is the absence of partial text selection. While Google has reportedly been rolling out this feature, it's not universally available. Currently, users must copy an entire message and then manually extract the desired portion, a process far more cumbersome than iMessage's precise text selection. This inconvenience is particularly noticeable when needing to extract specific information like addresses or contact details from longer messages.
Another persistent annoyance for Bhatia is the prominent voice recording button. Despite many users regularly sending voice messages, Bhatia is not one of them, rendering the button as wasted screen real estate. The button's placement often leads to accidental taps when intending to use the voice-to-text function, exacerbating user frustration. Apple, after public demand and even celebrity endorsement from Justin Bieber, eventually provided an option to hide the recording button in iMessage, a functionality Google Messages users are still awaiting.
Perhaps the most baffling omission, according to Bhatia, is the lack of inline text formatting in Google Messages. In 2026, the inability to bold, italicize, underline, or strikethrough text within messages remains a significant drawback. This basic feature is standard in most other messaging applications on Android, making its absence in Google Messages perplexing. Apple, conversely, has integrated text formatting as an integral part of the iMessage experience, allowing users to emphasize words or phrases for clearer communication.
The multi-device synchronization experience also highlights a considerable gap. While Google has made strides in syncing conversations between Android devices and improving its web client, iMessage's seamless integration across Apple devices sets a higher bar. Bhatia notes that drafts initiated on a Mac effortlessly transfer to an iPhone, and notifications arrive simultaneously on all linked Apple devices. This level of consistent synchronization across an ecosystem creates a more cohesive and uninterrupted user experience that Google Messages has yet to fully achieve.
Finally, Bhatia points out the complete absence of various smaller, more engaging features that enrich the iMessage experience. Features like full-screen animations and bubble effects for messages add a layer of fun and expressiveness, particularly for celebratory occasions. Other conveniences, such as variable playback speeds for voice messages and Apple's new drawing tool in iOS 27, further contribute to iMessage's polished feel. While these features might not be critical individually, their collective absence makes Google Messages feel less refined and less enjoyable to use, as Bhatia emphasizes, "It's the little details that still make iMessage feel more polished."
The review provides a critical perspective on the current state of Google Messages. While acknowledging its growth and increased functionality, it strongly advocates for Google to focus on these lingering feature gaps. By addressing these seemingly minor yet impactful details, Google Messages could elevate its user experience from merely functional to genuinely delightful, making it a more robust and competitive messaging platform. Additionally, Bhatia expresses a desire for easier ways to disable features like Gemini integration within the messaging app, suggesting a broader need for greater user control and customization.