iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy III – Evaluation against “UI Design Principles” by Constantine and Lockwood
The iPhone and Samsung Galaxy are excellent smart phones; but which is better? I’ve heard this question hundreds of times; even in our office the constant dispute over this question continues. I have read many reviews comparing both devices look, feel, capabilities or performance, but i haven’t found one which evaluates this in terms of usage-cantered design; and for this reason I decided it was time to conduct a short evaluation against the Constantine and Lockwood’s user interface design principles.
The iOS display not only allows users to view beautiful content on it, but encourages them to forget about the device and to focus on their tasks. The multi-touch interface gives people a sense of immediate connection with their devices and enhances their sense of direct manipulation of onscreen objects.
Perfectly sized with a slim profile, durable surface and minimalist appearance, iPhone creates a modern and clean feel to it. The external buttons are where the user would expect them to be, laid out respectively. On the display everything seems clear and readable. Simplified and streamlined common tasks such as making calls, streaming media or browsing the web are also integrated appropriately making the user experience pleasant and intuitive. iPhone is a “phone before all else”, and this is reflected in the simplicity of calling features. Messages between the user and a contact are grouped into “conversations” accessible by one entry. The integration of media and phone features is very smooth and clever too. SMS message can pop up onto the screen while we’re watching a video, and an incoming call will pause the music and bring it back up again when we hang up.
Samsung Galaxy III also has a long list of features that are all highly functional. High definition 4.8 inch touch screen, touch-sensitive based on the concept of direct manipulation; face recognition and intelligent voice technologies. Good design and build quality; basic construction with only a few external embellishments; smooth performance and extensive software features.
For a long time there was no match for iOS in regard of usability, functionality and ease of operation; which was designed precisely to let the users use the device with as less learning curve as possible.
However, Android being fast developing platform has largely contributed to the revolution of the user experienced in mobile devices. The latest Android OS is eye pleasing, incredibly user friendly and much more customizable than the iPhone5.
Despite all new technological features and groundbreaking concepts, the point is that both devices hides a multitude of features behind theirs simple facade. Extremely functional and convenient with a very few buttons and a large screen that can be manipulated with one finger and is both, display and main means of interface; screen menu used to select different modes from phone to a music/video player or a web browser.
Both devices respond to every user action with some perceptible change. List items highlight briefly when people tap them; during operations that last more than a few seconds, a control shows elapsing progress indicator, and if appropriate, the app displays an explanatory message. Both devices also provide user with a sound feedback for example, notification sound for incoming emails or messages.
The most common and popular across smart phones forms of providing information is haptic feedback which allows getting a nice tactile vibration when we type, long press on the screen or tap the navigation buttons, giving users a strong acknowledgement that their touch has registered so they don’t have to tap twice. Unfortunately, iPhone 5 doesn’t support this form of feedback.
Conclusion
On the basis of the principles laid out by Constantine & Lockwood, Ltd (2008) both devices has the “UI purposefully organized in useful way based on clear, consistent schema, apparent and recognizable to users”; all repetitive tasks provided on both devices are easy and understandable to avoid any kind of confusion for the user (the simplicity principle); also both devices in greater or lesser extent ensure clueless users remain aware of their errors, explaining them in great detail (the feedback principle).
The interface on both devices is open, easy to navigate, tasks are visible and simple; no extraneous or redundant information to distract or confuse the user is present (the visibility principle); user is allowed to make mistakes, tips are given to reduce the confusion (the tolerance principle).
Taking in to account that both, Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy are at the top of the ranking of the best smart phones ever, we can conclude that both companies never creates anything without first considering how people will interact with their products and that a dominant philosophy of user-cantered design at all levels of their product development lifecycle is the main reason for their success.
The Apple iPhone shines in some categories, such as design, portability and removed functionality to avoid complexity and confuse users. Samsung Galaxy barely wins the performance battle, but is solidly ahead for a larger display, as well as the expandable memory and the ability to personalize the device, under the reason that people want to be able to do everything they do on a computer.
Other categories simply can’t have an overall winner, because they are based mainly on the carrier we choose, network coverage in the area or above all the personal preference; how big are your pockets or hands? Which one are you going to be most happy being seen with?
Damian Budny is a Creative Thinker and Web Developer at Happy Creative, a full service marketing and creative agency based in Blackpool, Lancashire. To learn more or contact us please go to www.happy-creative.co.uk
