iOS vs Android: Designing Tale Of Two Platforms

Mobile UI/UX design has never been this crucial earlier to online experiences. These days, more than 87% of the world’s population owns a smartphone. This simply means that the market for mobile apps is vast and competition is getting tough with each passing day. No matter they are focused on iOS or Android UI design, it is the responsibility of the app developers to design something out of the box if they wish their product to rank on the top. 

User experience or UX is the straightforward output of how better your User Interface is. One of the foremost things that any app user will observe is the appeal and feel of the app before they dig deep into its functionality. A mobile app that is fully functional but fails to offer the apt UI for better UX is unwise towards long term favorable outcome. A well-designed UI laced with all the primary and modern elements of user aesthetics can create wonders for your online business. Just keep in mind that it is not sufficient to have an awesome app idea for your business. You need to make sure that your app is integrated with the right UI that will enhance the UX exponentially.  

In this article, I will be talking about the essential factors that impact the design of both Android and iOS. We will analyze every aspect of the two operating systems from close. Let’s have a glimpse. 

• App Bars:

Sometimes it can be quite baffling to refer to the primary elements of your device interface. iOS and Android name identical items distinctively and provide same name to varied items. It is always advisable to have knowledge about how every bar is known on both the platforms. This in turn makes the communication totally transparent between the designers and the developers. These bars should have constant designs across the app and follow sizes of the platform for native feel and appeal. 

• OS User Interface:

The user interface of the operating system is laced with varied aspects like icons, notifications, app drawer and controls. When it comes to Android, the major issue is consistency. The stock Android that is issued on devices like Nexus, Moto and Pixel lines is fascinating but it does not display the complete image. There are only 0.2% devices that are presently operating on the current OS and Android Oreo. This simply states that 99.8% of mobiles are currently using old software with different user interface designs and features.

As a whole, iOS and Android are very much alike when talking in terms of OS user interface. Both these platforms make use of identical approaches for showcasing notifications, navigating OS, and accessing apps. The consistency of iOS makes it reign on top in the OS User Interface. You can seamlessly switch from iPhone 2G to iPhone X. But with Android new releases, manufacturer skins, and bloatware, it highly differs from one device to another.   

• Navigation:

The major dissimilarity between iOS and Android navigation is the utilization of hamburger and the placement. Android makes use of the hamburger icon for secondary products and actions. It keeps the interface clear of any less essential products and assemble them into a single constant place. Right at the top of screen, the foremost navigation is located as tabs. For every tab, it uses big written labels. As a result, it becomes simple to understand and makes sense for visual hierarchy.

When talking about iOS, it includes a tab named ‘More’ to secondary items. Vital items are showcased in the tab bar right at the bottom section of the screen making it simpler for reaching when holding your gadget. However, the icons seem to be irregular and can be confusing at times. The texts are also very short and ‘More’ tab seems to be outdated in comparison to the Hamburger approach of Android. 

• Unlocking:

Unlocking is a tough aspect to examine for Android. As this operating system is used in an array of devices, there are several ways to unlock the phone. You will come across pattern unlocks, fingerprint scanners and many more. There is a huge lack of consistency because of the nature of Android. 

iOS unlocking system is quite simple. For latest devices, it can easily be unlocked using face ID or fingerprint scanner. Face ID takes the unlocking system to the complete new level and create an awesome user experience. 

Read More :-Efficacious UI UX Designing Tips To Enhance Conversion Rates 

Final Words

To sum up, there is no vital difference between the designing patterns of both the platforms. The essential thing is just to know about the components that is different from one another and stick to the correct elements of the platform. It is not easy to select any one of them as each has its own merits and can be the perfect choice for any specified group of people.