Why this test now
On‑device AI is finally everywhere. Android’s Gboard adds Gemini Nano “Writing Tools” inside the keyboard, Windows 11 Voice Access introduces on‑device “fluid dictation” on Copilot+ PCs, and Apple’s iPhone keyboard now offers inline predictive text alongside improved on‑device Dictation. That mix of speed, privacy, and instant availability begs a 2025 question: can voice input take over real work from touch typing?
This piece outlines a practical, cross‑platform throughput and accuracy challenge you can run yourself—and explains where voice wins, and where keyboards still rule.
The contenders (and what’s actually on‑device)
- Android: Gboard’s Writing Tools use the on‑device Gemini Nano model to proofread or rephrase without uploading your text to the cloud—privacy‑friendly by design. The feature launched with Pixel 10 and is expanding to additional devices that support multimodal Gemini Nano. (androidauthority.com)
- Windows 11: Voice Access now offers “fluid dictation” on Copilot+ PCs. It runs on small language models (SLMs) locally, automatically fixing grammar, punctuation, and even filler words as you speak—designed to be fast and private. It’s currently available for English locales and disabled in secure fields. (support.microsoft.com)
- iPhone (iOS 17/18+): Inline predictive text autocompletes words and short phrases as you type, while Apple’s Dictation can process speech on‑device in many languages (no internet required), with a caveat that dictating into search boxes may send data to the provider. (support.apple.com)
Note on Windows terminology: Windows “voice typing” (Win+H) uses online speech recognition, while Voice Access’s fluid dictation is on‑device—important for latency and privacy. (support.microsoft.com)
How to run the cross‑platform challenge
Measure four things across phones and PCs in the apps you actually use (mail, docs, chat):
1) Net WPM (words per minute after errors)
- Definition: net WPM = gross WPM − penalty for uncorrected errors. Track both raw and net speeds. Typical adult typing averages ~40 WPM; pros reach 60–80+ WPM. (en.wikipedia.org)
2) Edit rate (corrections per 100 words)
- Count manual edits: backspaces, re‑dictations, rewrites. Lower is better.
3) Latency (time to usable text)
- Time from speaking/typing to clean, punctuated text ready to send. On‑device models often cut delay versus cloud. Windows’ fluid dictation explicitly targets smoother, lower‑friction text with on‑device SLMs. (support.microsoft.com)
4) Privacy posture
- Note whether the feature is on‑device by default (e.g., Gboard Writing Tools; Voice Access fluid dictation; Apple Dictation in many languages) and where data could leave the device (e.g., Windows voice typing uses online recognition; dictation into iOS search boxes). (androidauthority.com)
Test protocol (15–20 minutes per platform)
- Draft: Dictate a 150–200‑word email reply (quiet room), then type the same reply from scratch.
- Edit: Make 10 precise edits (names, numbers, punctuation, capitalization) to a paragraph using voice commands vs keyboard shortcuts.
- Chat: Answer 5 short chat prompts (1–2 sentences) where latency matters.
- Record: Log gross WPM, uncorrected errors, total edits, net WPM, and perceived friction.
What outside research says about speed
In controlled studies, mobile speech input can be roughly 3x faster than typing on a phone, with lower error rates after corrections. Average speaking pace typically hovers around 150–160 WPM—far above typical mobile typing. That makes voice a throughput monster for first drafts on phones. (news.stanford.edu)
Platform‑by‑platform notes
- Android + Gboard Gemini Nano: Use Writing Tools as a post‑dictation assistant to proof or rephrase locally before you send. Because it’s on‑device, it keeps text on your phone and avoids network delay, provided your device supports Gemini Nano. Availability is expanding beyond Pixel. (androidauthority.com)
- Windows 11 Voice Access (fluid dictation): On Copilot+ PCs, fluid dictation inserts punctuation and fixes filler words automatically, reducing edit rate for conversational drafting and minimizing latency because it runs on an on‑device SLM. Say “turn on fluid dictation” or toggle it in Voice access settings; models download in the background. (support.microsoft.com)
- iPhone inline predictive text + Dictation: Accept inline predictions with Space to reduce keystrokes, then use on‑device Dictation for longer passages or hands‑free entry. Apple added inline predictions in iOS 17 and improved the on‑device keyboard model with a transformer‑based system for better autocorrect. (support.apple.com)
Tip for iOS power users: On iOS 17.2 Apple introduced a separate toggle to disable inline predictions without turning off predictive text entirely; UI locations can vary by version, so check your Keyboard settings if you prefer fewer autocompletes. (macrumors.com)
Where voice wins
- First‑draft throughput on phones: Speech can triple mobile entry rate versus typing, especially for narrative text (emails, notes), provided the environment is quiet. (news.stanford.edu)
- Latency and privacy on modern hardware: On‑device models (Gemini Nano in Gboard Writing Tools; Voice Access fluid dictation; Apple’s on‑device Dictation in many languages) keep data local and often feel snappier than cloud tools. (androidauthority.com)
Where keyboards still dominate
- Precision edits and structured content: Names, alphanumerics, code, and heavy formatting still favor a physical keyboard’s accuracy and cursor control—your edit rate stays lower.
- Noisy spaces: Background noise raises the correction burden for dictation. A good mic can help, but keyboards are immune to ambient chatter.
- Multi‑window workflows: Rapid app switching, selecting text, and bulk edits are faster with keys and shortcuts.
Practical tips to boost your net WPM (voice and keyboard)
- Voice typing
- Use punctuation and command syntax: “new line,” “comma,” “quote,” “revert that.” Windows Voice Access recognizes “Revert” to undo a correction. (support.microsoft.com)
- Reduce noise: Use wired earbuds or a USB mic on desktop to cut edit rate.
- Batch then polish: Dictate the full paragraph, then run Gboard’s Writing Tools for a quick on‑device proofread, or do a single keyboard pass. (androidauthority.com)
- Keyboard typing
- Track net WPM, not just speed: Push for 97–99% accuracy to avoid time‑consuming rework. Typical adults average around 40 WPM; aim for 60–70 WPM for professional comfort. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Lean on inline predictions (iOS) and smart autocorrect to save keystrokes—accept with Space and keep moving. (support.apple.com)
Privacy check (quick reference)
- On‑device by default:
- Gboard Writing Tools (Gemini Nano)
- Windows Voice Access fluid dictation (Copilot+ PCs)
- Apple Dictation in many languages
- Cloud‑based or conditional:
- Windows “voice typing” (Win+H) uses online recognition
- Dictating into iOS search boxes may send data to the search provider
The 2025 verdict
- Phones: Voice typing plus on‑device proofreading wins for first drafts and long messages. For quick, precise replies in public, thumb or swipe typing still feels safer and less error‑prone.
- PCs: On Copilot+ hardware, Windows Voice Access’s fluid dictation is now good enough to draft emails and notes hands‑free with low cleanup. But when accuracy is paramount—spreadsheets, code, dense edits—keyboards still deliver lower edit rates and more control.
If you measure your own net WPM, edit rate, and latency across these tools, you’ll likely land on a hybrid: speak to draft, type to refine—letting on‑device AI handle the grunt work while you stay in control.
Sources for key stats and features
- Mobile speech can be ~3× faster than typing with fewer errors: Stanford HCI study. (news.stanford.edu)
- Average speaking rate ~150–160 WPM; typical adult typing ~40 WPM: reference WPM and speaking rate benchmarks. (en.wikipedia.org)
- On‑device feature details: Gboard Gemini Nano Writing Tools; Windows Voice Access fluid dictation; Apple predictive text and on‑device Dictation. (androidauthority.com)
