Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#1

Post by wantlotsofcurry » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:07 AM UTC

I recently purchased an old iPhone 11 Pro Max to try out, after being an Android user the last 12yrs, last phone being the Oneplus 7. I knew there would be big differences and I tried to be as accepting as possible along the way.

It's been a few weeks now and I would really like to hear from current or former iPhone users on their thoughts about iOS's maneuverability.

My thoughts: The iOS UI thrives on having the user perform tedious steps to perform very simple actions [1], is difficult to use in one hand (I understand there are smaller models but I wanted a bigger battery, this should not excuse the lack of maneuverability), and THERE IS NO UNIVERSAL BACK BUTTON! When you need to go back, you have to figure out how the current app wants you to go backwards. Swipe from the left edge? anywhere on screen? or exit using the button at the top of the screen? It's a guessing game every time.

I really want to like this phone, the hardware is incredible and the software support for years is terrific. Could long time users please chime in on how they got used to it?

[1] Reaching to the top right corner to drag down the Control Panel. Having to press the 'Select' button in Photos instead of long pressing a photo. Having to tap a toggle icon exactly for it to change status.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#2

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:10 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#3

Post by yen223 » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:10 AM UTC

"after being an Android user the last 12yrs"

This is probably the reason why. It's just a matter of familiarity.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#4

Post by gjsman-1000 » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:11 AM UTC

I’ve always wondered why Android is so hard to navigate. On the Samsung phones, there’s two app stores, two photos apps, two video apps, two security apps, two calculators, two email apps, and they all have different UI styles, how confusing.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#5

Post by robswc » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:16 AM UTC

>THERE IS NO UNIVERSAL BACK BUTTON! When you need to go back, you have to figure out how the current app wants you to go backwards

I'm not mobile UI/UX guy but it seems like this is just bad app design, no?

I have a android tablet and I'm trying to think if I've ever actually used the back button. In theory, its a great thing to have since it's "universal" but don't most modern apps have better ways to get around?

I'm no apple fan, I've just had iPhone since launch and I never do more than text/email.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#6

Post by perryizgr8 » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:18 AM UTC

Yeah iOS seems to be extremely poorly thought out. It's just that people are used to it so they can function with it. So many times the back text on the top left is un touchable too, and I give up after a few tries.

In general, the hardware is impressive, but software is quite mediocre on Apple products. I find myself wanting to run windows on my MacBook very frequently.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#7

Post by samcat116 » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:19 AM UTC

90% of apps using UINavigationController or the SwiftUI equivalent will have the back button be a label with a left facing arrow in the top left. A swipe from the left will also trigger this action. Its never tripped me up.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#8

Post by wantlotsofcurry » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:23 AM UTC

samcat116 wrote: post #7

90% of apps using UINavigationController or the SwiftUI equivalent will have the back button be a label with a left facing arrow in the top left. A swipe from the left will also trigger this action. Its never tripped me up.

But why is it always on the top left or right? Phones continue to get larger and since iOS doesn't have a universal back button, wouldn't it make sense it put navigation buttons on the bottom left and right?

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#9

Post by wantlotsofcurry » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:25 AM UTC

perryizgr8 wrote: post #6

Yeah iOS seems to be extremely poorly thought out. It's just that people are used to it so they can function with it. So many times the back text on the top left is un touchable too, and I give up after a few tries. In general, the hardware is impressive, but software is quite mediocre on Apple products. I find myself wanting to run windows on my MacBook very frequently.

I think that might be the case. I might even get used to using iOS after a long time but I don't think that would equate to the UI being good or accessible.

Re: Ask HN: Why is the iOS UI difficult to maneuver?

#10

Post by samcat116 » Wed, Sep 14, 2022, 2:35 AM UTC

wantlotsofcurry wrote: post #8

samcat116 wrote: post #7

90% of apps using UINavigationController or the SwiftUI equivalent will have the back button be a label with a left facing arrow in the top left. A swipe from the left will also trigger this action. Its never tripped me up.

But why is it always on the top left or right? Phones continue to get larger and since iOS doesn't have a universal back button, wouldn't it make sense it put navigation buttons on the bottom left and right?

Valid point but I personally have no issue with the swipe gesture on my Max sized phone.