In Android world, it’s normal to see OEMs offering their home-brewed custom UI on top of every device. There are variations when it comes on how these UI are presented. We have pure or vanilla user experience from Nexus devices with the latest stock Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The Sony’s Xperia UI which is close to stock Android. Asus’ very own high-level customizable Zen UI. Of course, there’s Samsung TouchWiz and LG Optimus. Last are Chinese branded, launcher-less UIs like Xiaomi’s MI, Lenovo’s ZUK or ZUI, and Meizu’s Flyme OS. With the last three UIs looking close and better to iOS 9 on iPhones or sort of.
In spite of differentiations in skinning Android, all have common features and that’s all are open to customization. You can install themes, icon packs, and launchers. Some are highly flexible and functional giving more space for customizations.
But for beginners or people that don’t care much for customization and/or just wanted a clean, material-styled UI (that’s me) then knowing on the differences is enough to pick the right UI.
More comparisons and reviews
- Xperia Z5 Premium vs LG V10 vs Nexus 6P vs Galaxy Note 5 Camera Battle
- iPhone 6s vs LG G4 vs Xperia Z5 vs Galaxy Note 5 Camera Battle
- Display Match: 4K Z5 Premium vs 2K QHD Super AMOLED, IPS LCD
Main home screen, lock screen, multi-tasker on different Android UI
On this comparison, we put Asus Zen UI for Zenfone and Zenpad, Sony Xperia UI, stock Android 6.0 Marshmallow on Nexus 6P, Flyme 5.1.2 from Meizu MX5, Xiaomi Mi UI 7.0, and Lenovo ZUK UI.
The cleanest from the batch is the material-inclined stock Android on Nexus 6P. Close is the Xperia UI on Xperia M5 with on-screen navigation keys and the same carousel tasker. Zen UI on Asus Zenfone Zoom has few extra shortcuts at lock screen and dedicated capacitive keys. The Chinese brands have no launcher.
Settings, drop down notification tray + quick toggle menu
We have transparent from Flyme and Mi UI while quick shortcuts toggle from ZUK is accessible from swiping down. Both Xperia and stock UI are very close.
Customization level on home screens, wallpapers
The UI that offers the highest level of customization is the Asus Zen UI. You can control the basic stuff such as themes up to font resizing. The Chinese UI have transition options and basic editing such as wallpaper cropping.
Media browser, Gallery, Music player
The Flyme UI music player has an adaptive background customization similar to iOS on iPhones. The music player on stock Android has large album art display. Meanwhile, our ZUK UI came with no proprietary player.
What’s the best UI for a typical user?
If we are talking of the most capable UI out-of-the-box, then it’s the Zen and Xperia. Both Flyme OS and Mi have similarities. But personally, I like Flyme OS more. The default icon packs are attractive yet layered neat and beautifully. ZUK felt like an experimented UI and needs a lot of work and polishing. Lastly, the stock Android, especially with the 6.0 Marshmallow, is now leaner and cleaner. It’s more refined and polished than its 5.0 Lollipop and much better-looking than 4.4 KitKat. However, it still lacks some features we saw from major UIs such TouchWiz and Optimus or even on the HTC Sense.
So in final thoughts, I think the best UI is the one that fits your style and answers most of your artsy needs and functional preferences. Which UI do you think is the right fit for you?
