Exciting Design Changes in iOS 16 vs Android 14 Debate
The ongoing rivalry between Android and iOS has reached a pivotal stage with the
release of Android 16 and iOS 26. These two operating systems embody distinct
philosophies in design and functionality.
Comparing Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive with iOS 26’s Liquid Glass UI,
Google delivers clarity while Apple stumbles on flashy form. When comparing iOS 26 to Android 16 in 2025, it’s surprising how many things are
arguably similar here. In years gone by, Android and iOS were further apart than
ever. That is no longer the case.
New design languages: Liquid Glass and Expressive Material 3. One of the most
striking points of this generation is the visual redesign of both
platforms. Apple has introduced the so-called Liquid Glass, a translucent
aesthetic applied not only to iOS 26 but also to other systems of the brand such
as iPadOS, macOS and watchOS. This effect reproduces the depth and refraction of
real glass.
All of these factors help iOS 26’s Liquid Glass bring a much bigger design
refresh than Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive. The consistent and thorough
design tweaks create “wow” moments for even longtime Apple users, such as how
pulling down the notification center will cause content underneath to reflect
and refract — as if the notification center is a piece of glass itself.
Compare iOS 26 y Android 16 has become one of the most pressing questions this
year for those seeking to understand the direction mobile technology is heading.
Both platforms have taken important steps forward, each following their own path
marked by design, artificial intelligence, and new ways of interacting with
users.
Here’s a side-by-side Quick Panel comparison – One UI 7 vs iOS 26 vs Android 16:
One UI 7 vs iOS 26. The One UI 7 Quick Panel features a clean, split design with
notifications and quick settings separated. It has a modern look with rounded
icons like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and flashlight, set against a semi-transparent
background. Apple’s iOS.
Apple unveiled iOS 26 with a new Liquid Glass design, its biggest visual update
in years. The redesign is being widely compared online to older Android skins
and themes. iOS 26 will launch this fall, but some older iPhones will not be
eligible for the update. The new look and features were announced at Apple’s
WWDC 2025 event.
Yesterday, Google dropped the Android 16 update for Pixel owners, and I am a
Pixel owner. So imagine my excitement. Yet it’s left me clamoring for iOS 26, at
least initially.. Shiny and new.
