Apple's iOS 26 vs Google's Android 16 vs Samsung's One UI 7: A Visual Comparison 

Published: Jun 12, 2025, 10:50 AM 

With Android 16 officially launched, iOS 26 announced and available as a developer beta, and One UI 7 rolling out to most Samsung devices this spring, we can now assess the latest offerings from Samsung, Apple, and Google.

While Samsung is expected to release One UI 8 soon, it’s unlikely to bring significant visual or functional changes compared to One UI 7, suggesting that the next update won't dramatically alter the user experience.

So, how do these three major operating systems compare in terms of visuals and features?

Visual Design 

iOS 26 introduces Apple's Liquid Glass redesign, giving the interface a glass-like appearance consistent across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS. Meanwhile, Google unveiled its Material 3 Expressive design language at the Google I/O event. Although Android 16 was released recently, the new design features are expected to debut with the QPR1 update later this year, likely on September 3, 2025. However, some aspects of Material 3 Expressive are already visible in the Android 16 beta.

Samsung's One UI continues to build on previous design principles, offering a colorful and expressive interface. While it may not see major changes, it still represents a solid update for Samsung users.

Note: The images of iOS 26 and Android 16 are from their respective betas, so features may change.

Lock Screen & Customization 

The lock screen in iOS 26 features a large clock face, reminiscent of earlier Android updates. The new Liquid Glass effect and parallax wallpaper are fresh additions. Both One UI 7 and Android 16 offer extensive customization options, allowing for various clock styles and colors. 

Home Screen & Apps 

iOS 26 introduces a "Clean" look for its stock icons, resembling glass and promoting a minimalist aesthetic. One UI 7 and Android 16 also feature icon tinting, but users can achieve a similar look on Android through custom launchers and icon packs. 

Control Center/Quick Toggles 

The Liquid Glass style shines in iOS 26's Control Center, although Apple may need to improve toggle legibility. In contrast, Android 16 and One UI 7 have well-integrated quick toggles that look great with the system color palette. 

Settings 

iOS 26 sees minor adjustments, including a denser layout and a repositioned search bar. Both Android 16 and One UI 7 maintain a familiar structure to their predecessors. 

Gallery 

Apple reverted to a more familiar layout for its Photos app in iOS 26, providing easy access to photos and collections. Samsung's Gallery app also looks sleek, while Android 16's Google Photos remains user-friendly. 

Camera 

The camera app in iOS 26 has been redesigned, aligning more closely with layouts seen in One UI and Android 16. 

AI and Smart Assistant 

Siri remains unchanged in iOS 26, still lagging behind as a smart assistant despite its integration with ChatGPT. In contrast, Gemini, available on Android 16 and One UI 7, offers a more capable AI experience with advanced reasoning and deeper integration. 

Browser 

Safari has a new, clean, minimalistic design, but essential features are hidden in menus, which may hinder usability. Samsung Internet and Google Chrome, the default browsers for One UI 7 and Android 16, resemble standard browsers but lack exciting visual elements.

In summary, while each operating system brings unique features and designs, they all have areas for improvement. Users can look forward to seeing how these updates evolve over time!