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Smartphone interface-off!: 10 UIs compared

We scrutinize and judge ten notable interfaces for Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and more.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
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Jessica Dolcourt

Smartphone interface is very often the cover by which we begin to judge the book. The layout, designs, and color scheme play a heavy role in how easy it is to navigate and customize the phone; but we also can't underestimate the UI's emotional connection.

So let's not. Instead, let's have an interface-off that lines up ten smartphone interfaces for scrutiny. Six platforms are represented--iPhone, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry OS 6, WebOS, Android, and Symbian 3 (we rate four different Android "skins,") and we'll spill our guts on exactly what we think of each one.

Feel free to join in the fray to applaud, denounce, or defend your smartphone's interface. 

Best and worst smartphone interfaces

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