When choosing the best smartphone UI in 2024, the user experience takes center stage. The interface is not just about aesthetics but also defines how efficiently you interact with your device daily. From cutting-edge features to software longevity and the presence (or absence) of bloatware, every aspect directly impacts usability. With rapid advancements in mobile software, the focus now lies on delivering smooth, feature-rich, and clutter-free experiences that stand the test of time. This detailed review evaluates the top smartphone UIs of 2024 across three critical parameters—features, software updates, and bloatware—ensuring you get a well-rounded perspective to make an informed choice.
| UI |
Feature |
Description |
| Nothing OS |
Cliff Interface |
Visually appealing progress bar for timers, volume indicators, and music visualizers. |
| Lock Screen Widgets |
Useful widgets for managing tasks directly from the lock screen. |
| Zero Bloatware |
No pre-installed bloatware, even on budget devices like CMF Phone 1. |
| Software Updates |
3 years of major OS updates and 4 years of security patches. |
| Upcoming Features |
Nothing OS 3.0, based on Android 15, expected in December 2024. |
| Hyper OS |
Lock Screen Customization |
Highly customizable lock screen resembling iOS aesthetics. |
| Contactless Gestures |
Double-press gestures to pause/play videos on supported apps. |
| Back Tap Gestures |
Allows quick access to customizable shortcuts. |
| Legacy Features |
Features like Dual Apps, Second Space, and AI Eraser remain available. |
| Bloatware Issues |
Includes 9-12 pre-installed bloatware apps. |
| Inconsistent Updates |
Updates are slow, with Xiaomi rolling out only one update in 90 days. |
| Hello UI |
Unique Interface |
Revamped notification panel, settings page, and quick settings for Motorola devices. |
| Smart Connect Ecosystem |
Seamlessly connects Motorola phones to Windows laptops for file transfers and webcam usage. |
| Minimal Bloatware |
Higher-end models have minimal bloatware, while budget models include uninstallable apps. |
| Slow Software Updates |
Flagship models like Moto Razr 40 Ultra are still awaiting Android 14. |
| Color OS |
Unified UI Experience |
Identical interface across Oppo, OnePlus, and Realme devices for consistency. |
| Customization Options |
Personalize AOD, icon packs, and fingerprint scanner animations. |
| AI Eraser Tool |
Allows users to remove unwanted objects from photos directly in the gallery app. |
| Bloatware Concerns |
Devices still come preloaded with unnecessary apps. |
| FunTouch OS 15 |
Customization Options |
Personalize charging animations and AOD clock styles. |
| Missing Advanced Features |
Lacks standout innovations compared to competitors. |
| Samsung One UI |
Customization with Good Lock |
Good Lock allows users to personalize keyboards, volume animations, and UI elements. |
| Samsung Pay & Wallet |
Secure integration of contactless payments and essential documents. |
| Galaxy AI Features |
AI tools like Sketch to Image and AI Eraser enhance creativity and productivity. |
| Ecosystem Integration |
Seamless connectivity across Samsung devices ensures better productivity. |
| Bloatware Management |
Budget models have bloatware, while premium models offer a cleaner experience. |
| Timely Software Updates |
Up to 7 years of software updates for the Galaxy S24 series. |
| Pixel UI |
Stock Android Feel |
Offers a clean, minimalistic, and pure Android experience. |
| Now Playing |
Offline feature to detect and display nearby songs without an internet connection. |
| Audio Eraser |
Removes background noise from videos with a single tap. |
| Quick Face Feature |
Answer or decline calls using voice commands hands-free. |
| AI Features |
Includes Smart Call Screening and Adaptive Battery for smarter performance. |
| Zero Bloatware |
Pixel phones have no pre-installed third-party apps. |
So lets explore the Best Smartphone UIs of 2024
Nothing OS: Minimalism at Its Best
Nothing OS stands out as one of the cleanest and most minimalistic smartphone UIs of 2024, offering users a clutter-free and seamless experience. With a focus on simplicity and timely updates, it ensures a smooth performance without compromising on essential features.
Key Highlights of Nothing OS
- Cliff Interface: A unique and visually appealing feature that includes a progress bar for timers, volume indicators, and music visualizers. It also works with services like Uber for tracking rides but currently lacks wider third-party app integration.
- Lock Screen Widgets: Nothing OS supports useful lock screen widgets that allow you to quickly silence your phone or manage other EOD tasks.
- Zero Bloatware: Known for its ultra-clean software, Nothing OS has no pre-installed bloatware.
- Software Updates: It offers 3 years of major OS updates and 4 years of security updates. Nothing is recognized for its timely bug fixes and software patches.
- Upcoming Features: The highly anticipated Nothing OS 3.0, based on Android 15, is scheduled for December 2024, with its beta already available for select users.
Nothing OS delivers a clean and user-focused software experience, excelling in minimalism and timely updates. While it currently lacks extensive software features, the upcoming Nothing OS 3.0 aims to address this gap, making it a solid contender in the best UIs of 2024. For now, Nothing OS earns its place in the “Very Solid” tier, offering simplicity and reliability like no other.
Hyper OS: Xiaomi’s Attempt at a Fresh Start
Hyper OS, the successor to MIUI, aims to revamp Xiaomi’s software experience by offering new features and improved visuals. While it introduces better customizations, it still struggles with bloatware and inconsistent updates, leaving room for improvement.
Key Highlights of Hyper OS
- Lock Screen Customization: Offers impressive visual customization options, resembling iOS in terms of aesthetics and flexibility.
- Contactless Gestures: Features like the double-press motion to pause or play videos on supported apps (e.g., Netflix) add a touch of convenience.
- Back Tap Gestures: Useful features like the “Tap on Back” gesture allow quick access to customizable shortcuts.
- Legacy Features: Popular options like Dual Apps, Second Space, and AI Eraser remain available, though they’ve existed in Xiaomi’s ecosystem for years.
- Bloatware Issues: Hyper OS includes 9-12 pre-installed bloatware apps, even on flagship devices like the Xiaomi 14, which is disappointing for premium users. On the positive side, users can now uninstall system apps, including the calculator.
- Inconsistent Updates: Despite promises of faster updates, the delivery remains slow, with Xiaomi rolling out just one update in 90 days.
Hyper OS is a step up from the problematic MIUI, bringing valuable customization and gestures. However, issues like persistent bloatware and inconsistent update cycles hold it back. While it does the job for budget and mid-range devices, it falls short for premium users, placing Hyper OS in the “Did the Job” tier for 2024.
Hello UI: Motorola’s Feature-Rich Evolution
Hello UI marks Motorola’s transition away from stock Android, offering a more feature-packed experience while retaining simplicity. With practical tools like Smart Connect and a focus on user-friendly enhancements, it’s a solid upgrade for Motorola users.
Key Highlights of Hello UI
- Unique Interface: Unlike stock Android, Hello UI features a revamped notification panel, settings page, and quick settings, providing a fresh design tailored for Motorola devices.
- Smart Connect Ecosystem: Seamlessly connects Motorola phones to Windows laptops. Features include:
- Controlling the phone using the laptop’s mouse and keyboard.
- Drag-and-drop file transfers and internal storage access.
- Using the phone camera as a webcam.
- Enabling the phone hotspot without direct interaction.
- Minimal Bloatware: Phones below ₹25,000, such as Moto G85 and Edge 50 Neo, come with uninstallable third-party apps like LinkedIn and Adobe Scan. Higher-end models remain clean.
- Slow Software Updates: Motorola struggles with timely updates. For instance, flagship devices like the Moto Razr 40 Ultra have yet to receive Android 14, highlighting their inconsistent update cycle.
Hello UI introduces impressive features like Smart Connect, offering a seamless cross-device experience. While the design feels unique and user-centric, Motorola must improve on timely updates and practical AI features. Overall, Hello UI earns a spot in the “Very Solid” tier for 2024.
Color OS: A Versatile UI Across Oppo, OnePlus, and Realme
Color OS stands out as the best smartphone interface powering Oppo, OnePlus, and Realme phones, offering a visually cohesive experience with a variety of customization options. Despite its strengths, it still faces competition due to limited standout features and the presence of bloatware.
Key Highlights of Color OS
- Unified UI Experience: Color OS, Oxygen OS (OnePlus), and Realme UI share an identical interface, including settings, app drawers, and phone pages, ensuring consistency across devices.
- Customization Options:
- Personalize Always-On Display (AOD) with images and animations.
- Change icon packs and fingerprint scanner animations to suit your style.
- AI Eraser Tool: Integrated into the gallery app, this feature allows users to remove unwanted objects from photos effortlessly.
- Bloatware Concerns: Despite its clean appearance, Color OS devices tend to come preloaded with unnecessary apps, which can detract from the overall experience.
Color OS delivers a polished and visually consistent experience across brands like Oppo, OnePlus, and Realme, with solid customization options. However, the presence of bloatware and fewer unique features compared to competitors hold it back. As a result, Color OS secures a place in the “Did the Job” tier for 2024.
FunTouch OS 15: A Balanced UI with Room for Improvement
FunTouch OS 15, found on Vivo and iQOO phones, offers a sleek and customizable experience while focusing on timely updates. However, it lags behind competitors in functional features and AI integration, alongside persistent bloatware issues.
Key Highlights of FunTouch OS 15
- Customization Options:
- Personalize charging animations and select from various clock styles for the Always-On Display (AOD).
- Unique video blur adjustment feature: After shooting in bokeh mode, users can modify focus points and blur levels, similar to iPhone capabilities.
- Lack of Advanced AI Features: Unlike competitors, FunTouch OS 15 currently misses out on features like AI Eraser or other advanced AI-driven tools.
- Bloatware Issues:
- Pre-installed apps are present on both mid-range and flagship devices, including Vivo X100 Pro
- Although the apps are easily uninstallable, their presence on premium devices remains a drawback.
- Timely Software Updates:
- Vivo and iQOO stand out for delivering consistent and prompt software updates.
- FunTouch OS 15 was released with Android 15 even before Google’s official date.
While FunTouch OS 15 excels in software updates and basic customizations, its lack of advanced AI features and persistent bloatware prevents it from reaching the top tier. As of now, it comfortably sits in the “Does the Job” tier, with hopeful expectations for future enhancements.
Infinix XOS: A Functional UI with Customization and Basic Features
Infinix XOS offers a blend of useful gestures and decent customization, particularly for budget smartphones. While its features may not be cutting-edge, the software does provide a solid experience with a focus on user-friendly gestures and minimal bloatware.
Key Highlights of Infinix XOS
- Gestures for Quick Access:
- Music Gesture: Swipe left or right on the lock screen to switch between music tracks.
- Quick Launch: Write “C” to open the camera, or “M” to launch the YouTube Music app, allowing for efficient access to apps via custom gestures.
- Basic Features:
- Includes X Clone for dual apps, offering basic app cloning functionality.
- Bloatware: Comes with a few pre-installed apps like Netflix, Facebook, and Instagram, but these can be easily uninstalled, making it less intrusive.
- Software Updates:
- Infinix promises 2 to 3 years of updates, ensuring future software improvements and security patches.
Infinix XOS offers decent value, especially for budget phones, with its gesture-based features and minimal bloatware. However, its lack of more advanced features and the basic nature of its UI means it comfortably fits into the “Does the Job” tier, providing essential functionality without much flair.
Samsung One UI: Feature-Rich, Customizable, and Timely Updates
Samsung One UI continues to stand out as one of the most feature-packed and customizable UIs in the market, offering deep personalization, robust ecosystem integration, and impressive software update support. With a focus on user convenience and powerful AI tools, it’s tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of users.
Key Highlights of Samsung One UI
- Customization with Good Lock:
- Good Lock module allows users to create a custom keyboard, modify volume bar animations, and more, offering an unparalleled level of personalization.
- Samsung Pay & Wallet Integration:
- Samsung Pay enables contactless payments with credit/debit cards, while Samsung Wallet integrates essential documents like Aadhar, PAN cards, and travel tickets for seamless access.
- Galaxy AI Features:
- Tools like Sketch to Image and AI Eraser enhance creativity and photo editing, adding advanced AI-driven functionalities.
- Ecosystem Integration:
- Ecosystem features work flawlessly within the Samsung device range, creating a connected experience for users across devices.
- Bloatware Management:
- Budget phones (M and A series) come with some bloatware, like LinkedIn and Snapchat, which can be uninstalled, while premium models (S, Z series) have minimal bloatware.
- Timely Software Updates:
- Samsung leads the industry with 4-5 years of software updates and has committed to 7 years of updates for the Galaxy S24 series, competing with Apple for the longest update support.
Customization with Good Lock
- Good Lock module allows users to create a custom keyboard, modify volume bar animations, and more, offering an unparalleled level of personalization.
Samsung Pay & Wallet Integration
- Samsung Pay enables contactless payments with credit/debit cards, while Samsung Wallet integrates essential documents like Aadhar, PAN cards, and travel tickets for seamless access.
Galaxy AI Features:
- Tools like Sketch to Image and AI Eraser enhance creativity and photo editing, adding advanced AI-driven functionalities.
Ecosystem Integration:
- Ecosystem features work flawlessly within the Samsung device range, creating a connected experience for users across devices.
Bloatware Management:
- Budget phones (M and A series) come with some bloatware, like LinkedIn and Snapchat, which can be uninstalled, while premium models (S, Z series) have minimal bloatware.
Timely Software Updates:
- Samsung leads the industry with 4-5 years of software updates and has committed to 7 years of updates for the Galaxy S24 series, competing with Apple for the longest update support.
Samsung One UI is a top-tier Android experience in 2024, offering extensive customization, AI-driven features, and long-term software support. Despite some bloatware in budget models, its premium devices deliver a superior, future-proof user experience, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a feature-rich and reliable interface.
Pixel UI: The Smart, Clean Android Experience
Pixel UI is known for its stock Android feel and smart, AI-driven features that make it a favorite among Android enthusiasts. Here’s a breakdown of its unique aspects:
- Stock Android Feel: Clean and simple UI that provides a pure Android experience, free of clutter.
- Now Playing: Works offline, automatically detects and displays the song playing around you—an impressive and reliable feature.
- Audio Eraser: Removes background noise from videos with a single tap, providing crystal-clear audio for your clips.
- Quick Face Feature: Answer or decline calls hands-free using voice commands, making it easier to manage calls while multitasking.
- AI Features: Pixel UI includes multiple AI-driven tools, enhancing the user experience with intelligent assistance and features.
- Zero Bloatware: As Android’s maker, Google ensures Pixel phones are free from pre-installed third-party apps, making the UI even cleaner.
- Fast Software Updates: Pixel devices receive the fastest Android updates and, with the Pixel 8 series, will get up to 7 years of Android and security updates.
Pixel UI is a standout choice in 2024 for those who want a clean, bloatware-free experience with cutting-edge AI features. With its swift updates and practical innovations, it’s the ultimate UI for users who value both performance and simplicity.
- Stock Android Feel: Delivers a minimalistic, unmodified Android experience with a clean interface, making it ideal for users who appreciate simplicity.
- Now Playing: This offline feature identifies and displays the names of songs playing nearby, offering seamless music recognition without needing an internet connection.
- Audio Eraser: One-tap noise removal feature that eliminates background noise from videos, enhancing audio quality for clear, professional-sounding clips.
- Quick Face Feature: Allows users to answer or decline calls with simple voice commands, making it convenient while on the move.
- AI Features: Features such as Smart Call Screening and Adaptive Battery use AI to improve the overall user experience, making the phone smarter over time.
- Zero Bloatware: Pixel phones come with zero third-party apps, giving users a clean interface free of unnecessary apps and distractions.
- Fast Software Updates: Pixel devices are known for receiving the quickest Android updates, with the Pixel 8 series promising up to 7 years of Android and security updates.
Pixel UI in 2024 offers a seamless, bloatware-free experience with intelligent AI features, fast updates, and innovative tools like Now Playing and Audio Eraser. It’s the perfect choice for users seeking a clean, responsive, and future-proof Android experience with the fastest software support.
Conclusion: Best Smartphone UIs of 2024
Each smartphone UI evaluated here has its strengths and weaknesses. For users prioritizing minimalism, Nothing OS stands out, while those seeking customization and AI features will find Samsung One UI unbeatable. Xiaomi’s Hyper OS and Color OS bring versatility but are held back by bloatware and update inconsistencies. Motorola’s Hello UI and Vivo’s FunTouch OS aim for balance, and Infinix XOS delivers solid functionality for budget-conscious users. Choosing the best UI comes down to your preferences for features, software updates, and a clean experience.
