iOS 26 vs One UI 7: Apple’s Liquid Glass Meets Samsung’s Smart Refinement

Apple and Samsung are back at it again and in 2025, the software game is just as fierce as the hardware war. With iOS 26, Apple introduces a bold new visual language called Liquid Glass, while Samsung’s One UI 7, based on Android 15, builds on years of refinement with new AI tools and smoother performance.

Let’s break down what each platform brings to the table.

🧊 UI & Design: Liquid Glass vs Material You+

iOS 26 debuts Liquid Glass, a futuristic, translucent theme that affects widgets, notifications, and even app icons. Apple also offers a clear icon mode, making your home screen look ultra-minimal. While it’s visually striking, some users report readability issues on complex backgrounds.

On the other hand, Samsung’s One UI 7 takes Google’s Material You even further with improved color theming, dynamic wallpaper adjustments, and deep customization via Good Lock. Samsung may not have Apple’s dramatic design overhaul, but it wins on flexibility and practicality.

✅ Winner: Draw iOS 26 is beautiful, One UI 7 is practical and customizable.

📸 Camera & Photography Tools

In iOS 26, Apple redesigned the camera UI. The Photo and Video tabs are now clearly separated, with a swipe-up pane showing settings like aspect ratio, night mode, and more all integrated into the Liquid Glass theme.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s One UI 7 introduces AI-powered photography suggestions, real-time lens tips, and deeper Pro Mode controls. Samsung’s “Lens Clean” alert now notifies you if your camera is smudged a feature Apple just added too.

✅ Winner: Samsung more powerful, AI backed camera tools.

🔋 Performance & Battery Features

iOS 26 gives users a Battery Health Dashboard, a first for iPhones, along with better charge cycle tracking and charging limit controls to preserve battery lifespan.

Samsung’s One UI 7 battery tools include custom charging limits, performance profiles, and better control over background processes. Samsung’s battery manager remains more advanced for power users.

✅ Winner: Samsung more control and smarter background management.

🧠 Smarter Features

Apple added small but useful tweaks:
• Lens cleaning alerts
• Improved sleep sounds
• Clear icons mode
• Better message filtering
• Photos app tab system restored

Samsung counters with:
• AI routine suggestions
• Improved Bixby text commands
• Galaxy AI enhancements in Notes and Keyboard
• One-Handed mode for large phones

✅ Winner: Samsung smarter tools built into your daily use.

🚨 Beta Stability

iOS 26’s developer beta is beautiful but buggy. Several reviewers, including MKBHD, reported freezing and UI lag, especially on older devices.

One UI 7’s beta is cleaner, more stable, and better optimized continuing Samsung’s trend of smoother rollouts.

✅ Winner: Samsung for reliability, even during beta.

🎯 Overall Winner: Samsung One UI 7

While Apple’s iOS 26 is a beautiful leap in design, Samsung One UI 7 brings more usable, smart, and stable improvements. Apple fans will still love Liquid Glass but Samsung is leading the software experience for power users.

🗣 What Do You Think?

Which do you prefer Apple’s sleek Liquid Glass or Samsung’s AI-powered One UI?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below.