Editorials · Reviewer Insight
iOS 27 vs Android 17: A visual comparison between Apple's and Google's newest software
Here's what iOS 27 and Android 17 look one next to another.
This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
Android and iOS both got their bug-fixing software updates this year. | Image by PhoneArena
Now that both iOS 27 and Android 17 have been demonstrated at the WWDC and Google I/O stages, respectively, we know what the next year and a half of mobile software development will look like. And honestly, it can be summed up in five words or less: AI and ironing kinks out.
That's the zeitgeist of mobile operating systems in 2026, and that's actually not that bad.
Sure, AI is quickly becoming to feel like a warning label instead of a real-life benefit to users, but most other additions in either mobile OS are decent quality of life improvements, that's for sure.
But what has changed in terms of the visual representation? To be perfectly honest, we're already way past major visual redesigns, with iOS 26 being one important exception to the rule. Other than that, there's nothing too different in terms of overall appearance, easing users right back in.
Here's how Android 17 and iOS 17 stack up in terms of appearance at the moment. All the images below have been grabbed from the latest available betas of either operating system.
Home screen
Quick Settings
Home screen customization
Lock screen customization
Widget selection
Widget selection #2
Today View/Google Discover panel
Camera interface
Weather app
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