Both can store camera, time, and location data
A phone’s operating system does not determine a fixed metadata inventory. Camera apps, permissions, capture modes, editing apps, and export paths all matter. The table describes possible fields and documented controls, not a claim that every phone writes every field.
| Information | iPhone | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Camera and exposure | Can include device, lens, and capture settings | Can include manufacturer, model, lens, and capture settings |
| Capture time | Can include original capture date and time | Can include original capture date and time |
| GPS location | Can be stored when Camera has location access | Can be stored when camera location saving is enabled |
| Orientation | Can describe how pixels should be displayed | Can describe how pixels should be displayed |
| App-specific details | Depend on capture mode, edits, and export | Depend on manufacturer, camera app, edits, and export |
| Location controls | Photos adjustment and sharing options; Camera location permission | Controls differ across Google Photos, Pixel Camera, and Samsung Gallery |
Sources: Apple: Manage location metadata; Apple: View photo information on Mac; Android: ExifInterface reference; Google: Change Pixel Camera settings; Samsung: Edit photo and video details
The same field can exist on either platform
DateTimeOriginal, Make, Model, Orientation, and GPS tags are part of a shared metadata vocabulary. Android’s ExifInterface documents a broad set of supported tags; that is an API capability list, not a list of tags written by every Android phone.
Likewise, a field missing from an app’s information panel may still exist in the file. Compare actual exported files if you need to evaluate two phones or two capture settings.
Sources: Android: ExifInterface reference; ExifTool: EXIF tag reference
How to compare your own photos
This page compares documented capabilities. It is not a laboratory ranking of specific iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy models. A platform should not be called more private based only on a single photo or a missing map in its gallery.
- Take a new photo on each device with the relevant permissions and settings noted.
- Transfer the original files without an editing or messaging step.
- Inspect metadata field names locally and record which categories are present.
- Repeat with the exact share or export method you plan to use.
Make a clean copy
Remove source metadata from supported photos and videos in your browser.
Choose filesRelated guides
By EXIF Remover. Reviewed . Device menus and export behavior can change with software updates.