Apple spent a lot of time to take the best part of Android Taking Taking like its rich home and lock screen customization and slowly integrating them into their phone software. Remember how Android offers a widget before iOS?
Well, it looks like Apple is compared to it. I am putting a new lock screen customization with iOS 26 and Android 16 to test my latest match -up, to see who works better. I have always preferred Android’s incredible customization, but I am very impressed with what Apple did with iOS 26.
The lock screen is important for a number of reasons, but it is also a way to express yourself. For example, you can often tell an animal loved one with a car hobby that his phone shows their phone.
You can like
In comparison with this lock screen customization, I will find both iOS 26 beta (using iPhone 16 Pro Max) and Android 16 (using Pixel 9 Pro XL). After that I will rank each of them in the category given below to determine which improves.
iOS 26 vs Android 16: Wallpaper Options
Android 16 wallpaper options. (Image Credit: Future)
Before you customize something else with your lock screen, locking your wallpaper should work first. With Android 16, you can customize the lock screen by pressing anywhere on the lock screen until the “customize the lock screen” option pops up – or selecting the “wallpaper and styling” through the ordinary Android setting menu.
There is a developed list of photos of which one of them can choose a pre -loaded choice, or I can choose one of my gallery – so nothing beyond the usual usual. There are two additional options for selecting emoji workshop and AI wallpaper, which allows me to customize the wallpaper. Among them, I just prefer AI wallpapers for the unlimited possibilities that select the keywords and present the Mage Generator.
iOS 26 wallpaper options. (Image Credit: Future)
Apple used naked bones, but I am surprised by the grave amount of wallpaper options that offers iOS 26. Likewise, I can choose my own photos or something that I use emojis like Android 16, but it offers a lot. The really impressive thing here is that many of these wallpapers are dynamic, in the sense that they will change – such as astronomy and weather wallpapers.
I also like the Photo Shuffle option with iOS 26, as it will automatically collect pictures on which I have chosen. This is less work for me to go through all my pictures, but I am equally impressed by the choice. In fact, I am deeply surprised by the customer who offers iOS 26 with his wallpaper.
Winner: iOS 26
iOS 26 vs Android 16: Shortcut options
Android 16 shortcut options. (Image Credit: Future)
The shortcut is key with the lock screen as it gives us fast access to apps or actions without unlocking our phones – and thankfully Android 16 and iOS 26 offer the best customization. However, adding to the lock screen you get at least two shortcuts, so choose wisely. They are also positioned on the left and right corners of the lock screen, which has no other placement options.
Here I am really surprised that there are fewer options to choose from Android 16’s lock screen. You find basic things, such as cameras, flashlights and mutes, but it’s really limited. In fact, there are nine things to choose – and there is no option to make a custom shortcut. I am honestly surprised because the history of Android has a history of controlling the interface with users.
iOS 26 shortcut options. (Image Credit: Future)
Not only is it surprising that Apple offers more shortcut options with iOS 26 lock screen, but it goes up the same as it feels unlike Apple. In fact, you can create about any shortcut, including the ability to launch specific apps and other controls within these apps. For example, I can add a shortcut to lock/unlock the Raven R1s that I had experienced too long ago – or can be activated directly as a direct speech.
Winner: iOS 26
iOS 26 vs Android 16: Widget Options
iOS 26 widget options. (Image Credit: Future)
Android had a long -storeing history with the widget. It was separated from the IOS early, with the first version of Android, users accessed several widgets. With Android 16 and iOS 26, it is shocking to do what works in the lock screen.
I can’t believe that iOS 26 is more customized. It is a shocking revelation on how the widgets on the lock screen were Android Manstay for a long time. In iOS 26 all the wallpaper options allow you to select two widgets in the lock screen. Like shortcuts, there is a wide set of widgets to choose from. Although I wish their size could be changed, their placement on the lock screen is not too much.
Android 16 widget options on Galaxy Z Philip 7. (Image Credit: Future)
On the contrary, I do not give me the option to include any widgets at all the recent Android 16 updates installed on my Pixel 9 Pro XL – which is surprising. According to its blog post, Google is planning to issue a refreshment this summer to bring this option. Interestingly, my Galaxy Z Philip 7 running Android offers it. Not only is the choice like iOS 26, but it also gives me the ability to select up to three icon -sized widgets. Otherwise, it is similar to iOS 26 when I choose two.
Winner: Android 16
iOS 26 vs Android 16: Other features
iOS 26 lock screen options. (Image Credit: Future)
This is the place where iOS 26 really shows its depth than Android 16 as there are still more features of the lock screen to tap. Other features of the lock screen in Android 16 include the option to select the color and color combination for the text, a dynamic watch that depends on what is shown on the lock screen, and an option to add users. None of them is really so interesting in my opinion.
(Image Credit: Future)
iOS 26 have other features of customization, such as your ability to create a local scene with wallpaper, different filter effects, and the ability to connect the lock screen with a specific focus. For example, I can set a lock screen to my work focus mode – and the other when I sleep. With local scenes, I like how my photos have a 3D effect on them. Finally, iOS 26 allows you to create multiple lock screens that you can customize and edit at any time.
Winner: iOS 26
iOS 26 vs Android 16: Decision
(Image Credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
I’ve been reviewing iPhones and Android phones for a long time, and this is an amazing result, which seems almost almost like all kinds of reversal. The reason for this is that Android was proud of its deep customization for a long time, while Apple went for the least approach.
I hope that the latest updates will include more features in the lock screen with Android 16, but it’s a far -reaching thing than the Apple iOS 26 offered. With the temptation of leaping my wallpaper with the effect of its depth, the shortcut amount is capable of telling you the 26 lock screen that it is better. Any time
