Android Quick Share can share with nearby devices, just like Airdrop, OR can share longer distances with your contacts. How it works depends on how you attempt to share the file and where the recipient is.
Also both wifi direct file sharing and Bluetooth file sharing have been things forever. I had a ~15 year old mostly dumb camera that did it.
Also the app "Bump" did this many years ago, was on both iOS and Android. Other apps probably did/do as well.
I personally think it's useless but it's always been a thing.
That is not correct. It uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct just like AirDrop does. I just shared a video from a Samsung phone to a Motorola phone. Both had Wi-Fi and mobile data turned off. Unless there is some conspiracy where both devices secretly connect to Samsung servers for the exchange, what you are saying is not correct.
Your private stuff. That you want to share to the person next to you.
That’s the difference with all of those “any smartphone can do it” features and what’s available on iOS.