Mobile design: Our guide to iOS and Android

Operating systems iOS and Android are the top targets for companies when it comes to launching world-beating apps, but how do they compare? Here we explore the two systems’ approach to user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) mobile design.

Ceiba’s mobile design is memorable and revolutionary

At Ceiba, we’re committed to keeping companies connected, which is why we create revolutionary mobile applications with amazing user interfaces and memorable user experiences.

Many of our apps launch simultaneously on Android and iOS, the two operating systems that are giants in the world of mobile design.

Here we outline some of the similarities and difference between android and ios, two operating systems, including their approach to user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.

Operating systems Android and iOS are the giants in mobile design
A quick guide to iOS

Apple created and developed iOS so it could be used exclusively in Apple hardware, including iPhones and iPads.

iOS generates satisfying and visually appealing interfaces, and offers high-end security protection against hacking and phishing, amongst other aspects.

Customers are more likely to pay for an app on iOS, because Apple’s App Store is selective about the applications it accepts.

A quick guide to Android

Google developed Android for touchscreen devices, cellphones and tablets.

It has more than 2.5 billion users in almost 200 countries, making it the world’s most used operating system.

Android is extremely compatible and known for its easy customization, fast deployment and improved scalability.

Its flexible apps are ideal for businesses intent on expansion and its end devices are generally cheaper than Apple’s, which is one reason for its popularity.

You may also be interested in: Why custom mobile app development is essential for your business

What is the iOS approach to UX and UI?

Apple exerts centralized control over all of its apps, in order to guarantee an excellent customer experience.

The company operates a set of Flat Design rules. It demands consistent, user-orientated content, with a focus on typography, alignment and graphic elements. iOS apps tend to use the default San Francisco typeface, in bold.

iOS tends to operate a Bottom Tab Approach – a row of links at the bottom of the screen – and its icons are square with rounded corners. It uses switches instead of check boxes and has an excellent ‘dark mode’ that improves battery life.

Two standout iOS design elements are recent iPhones’ lack of navigation buttons (users swipe instead) and the fact users can shake their phone to cancel or redo actions.

Apple provides various design resources for software designers, to ensure quality and consistency across all of its devices.

What is the Android approach to UX and UI?

Android’s design rules are called Material Design. They have a strong focus on shadows and component movements, which are designed to make navigation simpler.

This operating system tends to operate a Hamburger Menu – three horizontal lines – and icons can have a transparent background with any shape that fits.

Android apps have back, home and overview buttons and a ‘Floating Action Button’ (FAB) feature that can be tapped to trigger a specific action.

Checkboxes on Android come in the standard check-in-a-box format, and its apps tend to use the default Roboto typeface.

Which offers a better UX and UI – Android or iOS?

The key difference between Material Design and Flat Design is the shadowing.

Shadowing brings Android’s Material Design closer to a phenomenon known as ‘skeuomorphism’ – whereby interface objects mimic their real-world counterparts.

This could mean calculator buttons or a microphone that look 3D on the screen, or lined digital ‘notepaper’ that doesn’t actually need the lines.

Apple initially used skeuomorphism to make its products easy to use. Its first users instantly and intuitively understood how to use its on-screen calculator, for example.

Later software developers felt restricted by the practice and understood that their users were already familiar with their digital devices, so it was no longer essential.

Skeuomorphism continues to have a place in the mobile design for both operating systems, however. One example is the hyper-realistic pen, marker, eraser, ruler and colored highlighter used in Apple’s drawing tool.

When it comes to the question of whether Android or iOS offers a better UX/UI experience for its users, the answer is simply a matter of personal taste and familiarity.

Both operating systems boast legions of loyal and extremely passionate fans.