This is first in the series of comparisons pitting Android N, the upcoming Android OS update from Google against Windows 10 Mobile Redstone aka Anniversary update, the upcoming Windows 10 Mobile update from Microsoft. Both Android N and Windows 10 Mobile Redstone are in the preview phase and nearing release status, Windows 10 Mobile Anniversary update though will be released in July while Android N release is planned for sometime in Q3, 2016.
Read our full Android Nougat vs Windows 10 Mobile comparison series by clicking here.In this video comparison, we can have a look at how the Lock-Screen and HomeScreen UI of two competing OSes compare to each other.
- Both Android N and Windows 10 Mobile support voice-assistant interactions even on Lock-Screen along with Camera shortcuts.
- Android N also supports Notifications Banner on Lock-Screen, a feature missing from Windows 10 Mobile, though Windows 10 Mobile does show number of notifications from a particular app on Lock-Screen. With Android N you can double tap on Lock-Screen notifications to directly go to app.
- Both support Action Center / Notification Center accessibility from Lock-Screen.
- Coming to Home-Screen, Android N and Windows 10 Mobile look so different. Android N allows icons, folders and interactive Widgets while Windows 10 Mobile supports Live tiles and Folders. Live Tiles can be resized to appear more like a “live icon” or like a Widget that shows much more info but lacks interaction.
- Windows 10 Mobile only has two main screens: Home-Screen and App list, while Android N allows to have many and you can actually have one HomeScreen dedicated to Widgets or can customize as you please.
- Android N allows getting completely new HomeScreen design by changing the Launcher but Windows 10 Mobile customization are more related to how you can make your only “HomeScreen” look different with change in Transparency, Tile Size and more.
- It ultimately boils down to your personal preference. If less is more for you, Windows 10 Mobile can be your thing but if you love to have many HomeScreens, Android N will appeal to you.
