Android vs iOS UI

The cluster centers on comparisons between Android and iOS user interfaces, debating aspects like home screens, navigation consistency, widgets, back buttons, and overall design philosophy. Users highlight strengths and weaknesses of each platform's UI approach, with some mentions of Windows Phone.

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#1921
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Keywords

UX LLM WP OLED HTC SPB imgur.com GPS G1 ALL android ios screen ui home screen app apps home interface buttons

Sample Comments

pavpanchekha Jul 15, 2011 View on HN

I'm not too familiar with iOS, but may it be that iOS is emphasizing a "silo" view of apps (where you consistently stay within one app until you "escape" to the root), which Android deemphasizes the app in particular, in favor of a more unified feel?

pkulak Sep 17, 2012 View on HN

Android doesn't have as much "drag and drop" as iOS. For example, you can't add a tab bar at the bottom, nav bar at the top, table view in the middle, set the text of each cell in the table view, and have an app that looks complete and looks like a stock Apple app. If you do that with Android you're just going to have a flat black screen with lines of text crammed next to each other with 0px of spacing. You really have to do _all_ your own design with Android. That tends to lead to more inconsis

cgranade May 23, 2010 View on HN

I think "inspired" is a bit of a strong word for imitating one particular design element. The Android home screen remains an entirely different beast, with it's widget-oriented interface. Frankly, I think that the home screen is one of Android's biggest strengths over the iPhone. I love being able to glance (for example) at my upcoming calendar events or recent tweets without launching the respective apps.

justindocanto Apr 3, 2012 View on HN

you mean it's too intuitive? would actually work? offers a sense of familiarity? wouldn't want that on android... nooo sir.

hahamaster Jun 5, 2024 View on HN

You're just used to Android. It's hard to put buttons on a phone that's nearly all screen.

kypro Apr 27, 2023 View on HN

Me too. Android and even iOS seem so clumsy in comparison to WP's UI.

st3fan Apr 2, 2010 View on HN

Uhhh consistent user interface? Have you recently looked at apps on the android marketplace? You can find anything but consistent user interface. Some copy the iPhone, other have purple square buttons, others have grey Windows buttons. Some have some iPhone keyboard, others use the native keyboard. There is zero consistency in android app.

pycassa Sep 5, 2012 View on HN

can you tell me why you think it is less well thought out than ios or android in practice?

aliswe Mar 2, 2020 View on HN

Honestly using this on a phone is not very far from the android ui.

neovive Oct 15, 2013 View on HN

Agree with the Android UI. After working with it a few times, I find it quite intuitive.