The first iPhone was launched in 2007, while the first Galaxy smartphone was unveiled in 2009. Ever since their launch, Android and iOS have copied features from each other, but Android has always been better at UI customization. While Apple has made several improvements in the past few years, it still lacks a basic feature that has been present on Galaxy (and other Android phones) for 14 years.
iOS 18 could bring blank space support to the iPhone’s home screen
MacRumors is reporting that iOS 18 will bring more home screen customization support to iPhones. While app icons on the home screen will still be locked to an invisible grid structure, iPhone users could have black spaces, columns, and rows between app icons. The information about a more customizable UI was first reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
It is already possible to create custom icons for apps on iOS, it requires a lot of effort and using the Shortcuts app. In comparison, Galaxy users can easily do so by installing a third-party app launcher and an icon pack. One UI lets users customize the colors of app icons using the Color Palette feature. One UI also lets users change the app icon grid size for the home screen, app drawer, and folders. They can also change the colors of the folders.
Using Samsung’s own Good Lock app suite, Galaxy users can customize the lock screen, home screen, multitasking screen, wallpapers and screensavers, and even the camera app. Since iOS is slowly adding more customizable features, it would be wise for Samsung to keep adding more (and good-looking) customization options to One UI.
Other features expected with iOS 18 include support for RCS (for better messaging between Android and iOS), Generative AI support for Siri, and AI features for many stock apps.