Posted by There are lots of custom Android skins, but most of them are minor adjustments to the pure Android experience. Android 4.4 KitKat features a more refined user interface than previous versions of the OS. Here is what the home looks like:
Home launchers don’t fix the problem, since you run into vanilla Android once you leave the home to do something elsewhere. Custom skins are the way to go, as the modifications go beyond just the home. If like me you like Android’s functionality but find vanilla Android not so nice, here are some Android OS smartphone brands that hide the vanilla Android away and give you a more refined user experience.
Gionee’s Amigo
I am absolutely in love with Gionee’s Amigo UI. It effectively hides Android so well that you would be forgiven if at first you did not know that you were looking at Android OS when you use their smartphones.
HTC’s Sense
HTC’s Sense UI is sweet. Sense UI used to be heavy but recent reviews suggest that it has now been trimmed down nicely.
Samsung’s TouchWiz
Samsung’s TouchWiz has come a long way. It packs in a lot of extra functionality, but in my opinion that’s also the problem. It is too busy with features that most people will never use. Too much unwanted stuff (bloatware).
Honorary Mention: Sony
Sony’s custom UI is one of the best polished without too much bloatware piled in. On the flip side, it doesn’t do much to hide Android as much as the others do either.
Founder of MobilityArena. Yomi’s journey in mobile started in 2001. Besides obsessing over mobile phones, he also started creating WAP sites (early mobile-friendly websites created with WML). He began writing about phones in 2004 and has been at it since then. He has owned over 200 devices, from Symbian, Palm, PocketPC/Windows Mobile, BlackBerry/BB10, webOS, Windows Phone, Firefox, Ubuntu Touch, to Android, iOS, and KaiOS operating systems.
This was just lazy.
@Emmanuel
You were looking for a post with something like Nova Launcher, Go Launcher etc right? Oh the disappointment! 😀
Emmanuel,
Care to explain why you think so?
Noni,
Tehehe. The title of the article says “custom skins,” not “launchers”. So, if that is his reason, dunno…
No that’s not my reason, you already explained the difference between launchers and custom skins, rather I was expecting something more in depth like theming and third party skins.
Skins, themes, and launchers? whatever!
The best interface changing app I’ve come across is Themer. use it on my Moto G and it’s amazing. wish I could post a picture.
@Emmanuel
There’s your article to write: theming and third party skins. Good luck :p
My sentiments exactly 🙂
Hi Habeebpain, where did you buy your Moto G from? Online or in-store? I ve been searching everywhere for it. Will be seriously waiting for your reply.
Hi Habeebpain, where did you buy your Moto G from? Online or in-store? I ve been searching everywhere for it. Will be seriously waiting for your reply.
can i install Amigo UI 2.0 in my samsung GALAXY NOTE ?
ok. it is good looking custom skins, but from where it has to be downloaded and how to install, i dont find any info.