Android 5.0 Lollipop vs iOS 8 UI comparison: vote for the better interface here!

The corresponding operating systems have been out for some time, though it has to be mentioned that iOS has been around for longer. What's more, Apple's OS is surely basking in higher adoption - way more than 50% of all devices that support iOS 8 are actually running on it. In the meantime, Android 5.0 Lollipop has been off to a slow start. Nonetheless, this doesn't change the fact that both platforms are now available and most of the devoted iOS and Android fans have surely had more than enough time to accumulate impressions.

We've already compared the two platforms and in our humble opinion both are equally awesome, though each one shines with its one merits. That's why decided to ask you, our readers to give your opinion and settle the dispute once and for all... well, at least until the next versions of iOS and Android debut! We're giving you the chance to judge different aspects of each platform and vote for the better one. 

Lock screen and home screen

Well, here they are - one of the first things that you see when you unlock your iOS or Android device. While their appeal is subjective, Android's lock screen is undoubtedly a tad more functional and user-friendly - first of all, you can only unlock your device by swiping in any direction, whereas iOS 8 only allows you to unlock your iPhone by swiping right. What's more, you have direct access to your camera and dialer straight from Lollipop's lock screen. In the meantime, iOS 8 only gives you access to your iPhone's camera app, yet the latter launches somewhat faster than the new Android. Both platforms' lock screens allow you to quickly access your notifications and quick settings as well.

As far as the home screens of both operating system are concerned, the tradition lives on. Google's OS relies on a rather customizable home screen, which comes with multiple screens and has different widgets, folders, app shortcuts, and a dedicated app drawer. The Material Design touches here and there are clearly visible. Google's search prowess is also art our disposal and is just a swipe away. Meanwhile, true to its roots, iOS 8 comes sans an app drawer and all of your apps are scattered across several home screens. 

Which one is the better one though? Cast a vote right below!

Widgets

Hardly anyone can deny the fact that widgets are not among the most powerful weapons Android holds against its rivals. The utter customizability, paired with the wide range of widgets available for the platform make Android the king of the widgets, and iOS 8 can hardly hold a candle to it.

Okay, one of the bigger additions in iOS 8 - the widgets - are situated in a pull down panel in your notifications shade. This makes them available from almost any screen, regardless of the app you've currently opened. These are situated one below the other and offer a streamlined experience. Well, they are, by no means, nearly as customizable as Android's take on the matter, but there might be numerous users that find Apple's implementation better and more user-friendly.

Still, to each his own, so vote below and tell us which platform's take on these interactive small applications!

Multi-tasking and recent apps

Both platforms have been employing their own take on multi-tasking for a lot of time now, and while iOS 8 has not revamped Apple's take on this rather important feature for a smartphone in a substantial way, Android 5.0 Lollipop has brought a nice (and somewhat needed) overhaul, which brings Google's new Material Design directly to your recent apps. Android Lollipop shows your recent apps in an animated stack of windows and you can swipe up or down so as to select the desired one. What's more, one and the same app can be represented by different tap, provided that you have more than one active task at hand. In iOS 8's camp, the multi-tasking menu (available by double-tapping the home key), shows you recent apps side-by-side. You can easily browse them by swiping left or right. It's important to say that you have shortcuts for some of your favorite and recently-contacted contacts in iOS' multi-tasking menu, whereas Android 5.0 Lollipop has none. Closing an app, similar to previous renditions of iOS, is just a swipe-up away. 

Which one do you like more?

Contacts

Lollipop and iOS 8 can't be any more different when it comes to comparing their default phone and contacts apps. Touched by the Material Design goodness, the contacts app in Lollipop can be summarized with two words - gorgeous and functional. It's extremely intuitive and easy to use (just as it should be), greeting you with your favorite contacts and treating you to a large contact image, which makes it rather easier to find the desired one, even while on the go.

We are not disappointed by iOS 8's contacts app, but when you put it next to Google's, it becomes apparent that is certainly less compelling and intriguing. Yes, one may argue that it's a tad more intuitive, but it's definitely not as head-turning as its animated Android counterpart. 

Let's vote, shall we? Android 5.0 Lollipop or iOS 8, which one has the better contacts app?

Messaging and keyboard

Both platforms offer a pretty streamlined experience when a text message has to be sent. The battle in this aspect is especially fierce once we consider that iOS now supports custom, swipe-enabled keyboards, almost similar to the ones that Android users have been enjoying during the past few years. Then again, Google's stock Lollipop keyboard surpasses iOS 8's one when it comes to features, as it comes with swipe input and different themes. In the meantime, iOS 8's stock keyboard is not as feature-specc'd, yet it's noteworthy for its fast response. Both will correct your words once you begin to type; the iOS keyboard also has an "intelligent word prediction" in its not-so-deep bag of features.

As far as the stock messaging apps are concerned, iOS has a slight advantage - it will only resort to a regular SMS message when the receiving party is unreachable via Apple's iMessage service. Android 5.0 Lollipop has a new messaging app, the colorful Messenger, which is as streamlined and as simple to use as it gets.

Well, which one is better - Lollipop's Messenger or iOS 8's Messages?

This is one of the aspects, in which it's rather hard to deny the supremacy of iOS 8's stock camera app. It is not only more intuitive and user-friendly, it's also more feature-packed. Meanwhile, Google's stock camera is as simple as it gets and doesn't overwhelm the Android enthusiast with numerous toggles and options from the get-go, as most of its features are hidden a tap away. Frankly said, neither does the iOS camera, despite that most of its features are visible at all times.

The camera apps of both prevalent platforms have different modes in two. For Lollipop, these are Photo Sphere, Panorama, Lens Blur, and video; the iOS camera allows you to make use of Time Lapse, Slo-Mo, Panorama, and regular video as well. The layouts are rather different - Both are streamlined and as intuitive as it gets, but which one is the better one in your opinion, both layout- and feature-wise? 

Conlusion

What a heated battle, right? Well, both platforms have their own merits and it's virtually impossible to discern a clear winner, so regardless of which one turns out to amass more voters, it is pretty safe to say that both iOS 8 and Android 5.0 Lollipop offer the best user experience possible. The polls above will be open until Wednesday, December 17, so cast a vote while you still can. Of course, we'll come back with a brekadown of the results shortly after the voting urns get closed.