iOS design language

[Andrew73875]

I've noticed there are certain elements in iOS design language which could be improved.

1) Apple should take a good look on iPhone's basic functionality.

There are more and more amazing features with each iOS iteration. However, some basic apps look forgotten. First of all, why do we have round buttons on a square phone now? They have smaller surface area and harder to hit. For example, on iOS 6 and earlier you could tap anywhere on the bottom part of the screen to "end call":

And the prime example is the "second call" screen. When we are getting a second call we don't have time to think. Notice how "End Call+Answer" is at the bottom of the screen and has a red colour. We understand that it is related to the current call.

"Ignore" and "Hold+Answer" are located in the submenu, so we have a hierarchy in our mind. Also if we don't want to decide, we can just tap "Ignore" and return to the current call.

It's surprising how that design evolved into this:

This option even became a meme. Because no one can understand what to do. There's no hierarchy of any kind.



2) Some apps could benefit from skeuomorphism.

I know there're many views on skeuomorphism, but some apps would only benefit from it. Take the Books App, for example. The old iteration of the app made it more fun to read and buy books. It was also easier on the eyes. This point is especially relevant for an iPad.

The new iteration is just too simplified. Yes, it's possible to read books even using TextEdit app. But is it enjoyable?

Same argument goes for Apple TV app. For example, I just want to browse through my movie library and watch something. Currently it's a labyrinth of different options. But it was not always like that.

Same goes for Music app and full screen album covers. Why album covers are smaller and repeat/shuffle buttons disappeared? There's no landscape view anymore (cover flow or similar).

We also can't rearrange the icons in the tab bar of the Music App anymore. And this ability was there since the very first iPhone.

3) Too much white background.

Some argue that necessity for Night Mode is the result of a user interface. I understand that white colour signifies simplicity and purity, and works very well with hardware. However, it doesn't always look good on screens. Here's a good example:

There's no need for "dark mode" on iOS 5 because it incorporates different colours, making it easier to grasp information.

Same goes for the Messages App. It had that light blue background and now it's just white.

What are your thoughts?

 

[gwhizkids]

Scott Forstall...is that you?!?

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Disagreeing on almost everything. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Paddle1]

You're not taking into account the larger screens. If something like the end call button extends across the entire screen it makes it easier to hit accidentally.

Neither of the second incoming call screens are easy to understand honestly. The iOS 6 version lacks imagery so you have to read and understand it in a rush. The newer version has images however they're a bit vague making the same problem occur. Only someone that's already familiar with the screen can quickly make their way around it.

The same hierarchy is still in the Settings app, just now with shades of grey. (Particularly in iOS 15 where rounded corners are back.) This is more accessible than trying to differentiate with colors.

The rest of what you said is more of a personal preference thing IMO, like the design of Books or the Messages background.

 

[Andrew73875]

You're not taking into account the larger screens. If something like the end call button extends across the entire screen it makes it easier to hit accidentally.

Good point!

But still makes no sense why the "add contact" button was moved up from the bottom of the screen. And it happened with iOS7 when screens got larger.

The newer version has images however they're a bit vague making the same problem occur.

I think the first iteration is a bit easier. Especially the big red button and "ignore". The new "decline" button lacks context. Will it it decline my current phone call or the incoming one? I think many of us have seen memes like this:

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Good point!

But still makes no sense why the "add contact" button was moved up from the bottom of the screen. And it happened with iOS7 when screens got larger.

I think the first iteration is a bit easier. Especially the big red button and "ignore". The new "decline" button lacks context. Will it it decline my current phone call or the incoming one? I think many of us have seen memes like this:

Of course it would decline the incoming call. How would it decline the current phone call? It's already running.

 

[Andrew73875]

Yep! But "decline the incoming call" button is in the place where "decline the current call" is usually located. It can cause confusion. Basically, the red icon says one thing and the text says another. Also, if you tap two times it can end both calls.

In iOS 5 if you push the the big red "end call' button it would still end your current call. The button is not floating.

 

[headlessmike]

Yep! But "decline the incoming call" button is in the place where "decline the current call" is usually located. I think that's where some of this confusion comes from. This red picture says one thing to the subconscious and the text says another.

In iOS 5 if you push the the big red "end call' button it still would end your current call. The button is not floating.

I find the new interface clearer in this case. The big red decline button is probably the first one I'd look for, so it makes sense to me that it takes center stage. Pressing the red button to answer (in the old interface) was awkward.

 

[ghostface147]

I use oldOS from time to time. I don't miss many things from the pre-iOS 7 days.

 

[headlessmike]

I use oldOS from time to time. I don't miss many things from the pre-iOS 7 days.

Me too. My father has an iPhone 4 that still runs iOS 4 that I sometimes play with and I have an iPod touch running iOS 6. I'm always surprised by how slow and clunky the old systems feel by today's standards.

 

[Reggaenald]

I agree on a lot of points. iOS is inefficient, considering the screen sizes, and is not ergonomic, considering the screen sizes. iOS 6 and prior were leaps better.
Apple just wants iOS to look as streamlined and basically generic as possible. Round and white everything. Form over function big time. iPhones seem to be more of a fashion accessory than a tool.
The day (that will never be) that Apple allows OS skins will be the day of the downfall of iOS’s current design language, bet.

 

[Andrew73875]

The rest of what you said is more of a personal preference thing IMO, like the design of Books or the Messages background.

It's debatable. Too much white on a big screen is actually very irritating for the eyes. It's like looking into a flashlight. That's why so many people asked for the night mode. But it is also not ideal. There's no need for the night mode if UI is balanced.

iPhone's keypad is the perfect example:

The big red decline button is probably the first one I'd look for, so it makes sense to me that it takes center stage. Pressing the red button to answer (in the old interface) was awkward.

The new design makes it possible to tap two times and end both calls. Especially if there's some lag.

 

[satchmo]

Yep! But "decline the incoming call" button is in the place where "decline the current call" is usually located. It can cause confusion. Basically, the red icon says one thing and the text says another. Also, if you tap two times it can end both calls.

In iOS 5 if you push the the big red "end call' button it would still end your current call. The button is not floating.

The current design is rather confusing given you’ve got so much to look and a short time to decide.
You’ve got similar looking overlapping multicolored icons and descriptive text below it all trying to convey one thing.

Sure, red means hang up and green means pickup. And while the phone icons are positioned differently, they don’t mean much to a generation of users who have never seen or used a phone with a handle. A diagonal line across the icon would be instantaneously understood.

Or as you suggest going back to the beginning and just use descriptive text button. But obviously with more refined typography and aesthetics than the original.

 

[Andrew73875]

Yep, exactly. By the way, the original "second call screen" was shown during the first iPhone Keynote.

(timestamped video)

 

[I7guy]

Yep, exactly. By the way, the original "second call screen" was shown during the first iPhone Keynote.

(timestamped video)

How is that any better? Still have to read some buttons and decide. Making a spilt second decision is not easy when you don’t know what your looking for. Much easier when you do.

 

[Andrew73875]

How is that any better? Still have to read some buttons and decide. Making a spilt second decision is not easy when you don’t know what your looking for. Much easier when you do.

Yep, we have only text. But in the "new version" we have to decode both pictures and text.

In the iOS 5 we have a visual guide. "End Call+Answer" is at the bottom of the screen and has a red colour. We understand that it is related to the current call. Also double tapping will not end both calls.

"Ignore" and "Hold+Answer" are located in the submenu, so we have a hierarchy in our mind.

Less information + visual cues = faster decision making.

 

[I7guy]

Yep, we have only text. But in the "new version" we have to decode both pictures and text.

In the iOS 5 we have a visual guide. "End Call+Answer" is at the bottom of the screen and has a red colour. We understand that it is related to the current call. Also double tapping will not end both calls.

"Ignore" and "Hold+Answer" are located in the submenu, so we have a hierarchy in our mind.

Less information + visual cues = faster decision making.

I understand your point of view though I don’t agree. Muscle memory is a lot of interfacing with software, imo. There is no muscle memory the first time one happens onto an unfamiliar screen. Trying to make a split second decision could lead to tapping the wrong choice.

 

[Paddle1]

It's debatable. Too much white on a big screen is actually very irritating for the eyes. It's like looking into a flashlight. That's why so many people asked for the night mode. But it is also not ideal. There's no need for the night mode if UI is balanced.

I can agree excessively bright backgrounds can be a problem. The bigger screens play a part in that as well.

In the iOS 5 we have a visual guide. "End Call+Answer" is at the bottom of the screen and has a red colour. We understand that it is related to the current call. Also double tapping will not end both calls.

"Ignore" and "Hold+Answer" are located in the submenu, so we have a hierarchy in our mind.

Less information + visual cues = faster decision making.

I have to agree with @headlessmike also. Having a red answer button is counterintuitive.

 

[mbert]

I have been dissatisfied with iOS (and OSX) design ever since they abandoned the "nature" thing (water drops, 3D controls etc.). But that was more from an asthetic point of view.

Now with my new iPhone I find that some apps seem pretty difficult to use. Having come from Android I miss the consistent "back" mechanics (but, OK, that's more practical than visual). Also I really don't like those hard-to-recognise icons. For instance, in Music.app I needed to put my glasses on (I am far-sighted) in order to be able to use the app. The icons aren't particularly beautiful, but also - making it worse - are rather small and have little contrast against the background and look all the same from a distance. Very poor design IMO.

How I wish to have Apple's old beauty back.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Also double tapping will not end both calls.

Is that true? In the iOS 6 design, the first tap ends the current call and takes you to the new one, and tapping again ends the new one. In the new design, the first tap ends the new call, and the second ends the original call. It's the same problem either way.

 

[mectojic]

Everything made perfect sense to me back on iOS 5 and 6. It has never been as intuitive since.

“Simpler” design doesn’t actually mean simpler to navigate. Your example of off-white iOS 6 colours is a good one.

Just for one example, a large body of literature now suggests that serif font is easier to read than sans-serif, contrary to popular opinion. Anecdotally, I find this to be true.

 

[Tozovac]

I have been dissatisfied with iOS (and OSX) design ever since they abandoned the "nature" thing (water drops, 3D controls etc.). But that was more from an asthetic point of view.

Now with my new iPhone I find that some apps seem pretty difficult to use. Having come from Android I miss the consistent "back" mechanics (but, OK, that's more practical than visual). Also I really don't like those hard-to-recognise icons. For instance, in Music.app I needed to put my glasses on (I am far-sighted) in order to be able to use the app. The icons aren't particularly beautiful, but also - making it worse - are rather small and have little contrast against the background and look all the same from a distance. Very poor design IMO.

How I wish to have Apple's old beauty back.

Hallelujah. Great to read from others preaching what I’ve been complaining about for years. Flat, vague, “modern and fresh” interfaces suck, basically. More show than go.

Why is website design so awful today, generally?

can anyone answer why websites today tend to have so much wasted space, large text, large photos, and seemingly no organization to steer the user? Take for instance: https://www.mvmtwatches.com/?utm_content=not_purchased&gclid=CJ2oq-K739QCFV2HswodErYIJw You have to scroll forever to see...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Tozovac]

Everything made perfect sense to me back on iOS 5 and 6. It has never been as intuitive since.

yup!

 

[Tozovac]

I've noticed there are certain elements in iOS design language which could be improved.

What are your thoughts?

Agree 100%!

 

[Tozovac]

It's debatable. Too much white on a big screen is actually very irritating for the eyes. It's like looking into a flashlight.

To me the all white screens look amateurish and unfinished drafts.

That's why so many people asked for the night mode. But it is also not ideal. There's no need for the night mode if UI is balanced.

Exactly!! Exactly!! If all white is so great, then why dark mode. If the excuses for much of the drabness, plainness in post-iOS 6 interfaces is for the sake of consistency, then dark mode completely contradicts that.

Why not stick with a balanced design, like before.