Android users patiently waiting for Grok’s voice features can finally breathe a sigh of relief, sort of. The AI chatbot from Elon Musk’s xAI has rolled out voice chat capabilities on the Android platform. This update brings the Android app closer to its iOS counterpart, which has enjoyed voice interaction for a while. However, the celebration might be short-lived for some, as the Android implementation still seems half-baked.
While the addition of voice is welcome, the overall experience of Grok on Android still isn’t up to par with Grok on iOS. Apart from the lackluster UI, it still lacks several features that make Grok great on iOS. And I’m not the only one with this opinion. Several users have pointed out significant limitations. One major frustration, as highlighted by user Merjema_Vincenc186 on Reddit, is the lack of continuity. “Every new voice chat starts from scratch and there is no way to give it information over the chat and for it to access it,” they commented.
This means users can’t refer back to documents shared in text chat or continue a previous voice conversation; each session is isolated. They added, “Also, there’s no way to resume a voice chat when you finish it… And to make it worse, every single time, the voice chat freezes for me after a certain amount of time.”
This contrasts sharply with the experience on iOS. Not only did iPhone users get voice mode earlier, but their version recently received another significant upgrade. The Grok app on iOS now boasts voice mode combined with camera access. This allows users to interact with Grok about objects in their surroundings, offering a feature set comparable to Google’s Gemini Live with camera access. Android users, meanwhile, are left with a voice mode that feels bare-bones in comparison.
Check out these screenshots for reference:
The delay and perceived inferiority of the Android version have led to disappointment among users. Some feel like second-class citizens, noting a pattern where Android features trail significantly behind iOS updates. User pennyfred expressed this frustration, stating, “The IOS prioritisation has given me a different view of xAI and Grok… My perception of their brand has definitely taken a nosedive.”
While some argue xAI is merely prioritizing the larger market share of iOS in North America, others point out Android’s global dominance, particularly in Asia, suggesting the strategy might alienate a huge potential user base. For now, although Grok’s voice has arrived on Android, it seems users will have to wait longer for a truly polished and feature-complete experience that matches what’s available on iOS.
Dwayne Cubbins
871 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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