This year, all the popular brands like Nothing, Samsung, and Apple, are evolving with their Operating Software, as Apple announcing iOS 26 at Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at Apple Park on June 9, 2025, Samsung rolling out One UI 8 in September 2025, and Nothing introducing Nothing OS 4.0.
So, let’s dive into a feature-by-feature comparison among Nothing OS 4 vs Apple iOS 26 vs Samsung One UI 8 and find out how these three operating systems stack up against each other?
Quick Comparison: Nothing OS 4 vs Apple iOS 26 vs Samsung One UI 8
- Apple iOS 26 brings the futuristic Apple Intelligence AI, a fresh Liquid Glass design, and major updates to Messages, Phone, CarPlay, Music, Maps, and Wallet.
- Samsung One UI 8 emphasizes multimodal AI, personalization, and security, designed to work seamlessly across Galaxy devices.
- Nothing OS 4.0 sticks to its philosophy of minimalism, human-centric design, and transparency, refining user experience without unnecessary clutter.
Design & User Interface
Nothing OS 4.0 – Minimalism Refined
- Consistent design language with standardized components.
- Extra Dark Mode for deeper blacks and battery efficiency.
- Reimagined lock screen clocks and simplified Quick Settings.
- Fluid interactions with no flashy blur effects.
Designed for those who value clean aesthetics and function over noise.
iOS 26 – Liquid Glass & Expressive UI
- New Liquid Glass material creates translucent, refractive visuals.
- Dynamic Lock Screen wallpapers with 3D effects.
- Simplified Camera app and redesigned Photos app (Library + Collections tabs).
- Safari moves to edge-to-edge browsing.
- App icons & widgets get deeper customization.
Apple balances premium feel + personalization, while keeping it elegant.
One UI 8 – Form Factor Flexibility
- Tailored UI for foldables, tablets, and phones.
- Adaptive Clock Design and AI-curated wallpapers.
- AI Results View with split/floating multitasking.
- FlexWindow customization for Z Flip series.
- Improved Multi Window drag & drop workflows.
Ideal for power users, foldable smartphone fans, and multitaskers.
AI & Intelligence Features
Nothing OS 4.0 – Transparent AI
- AI dashboard shows usage & status hints.
- Full user control of AI behavior.
- Lacks heavy AI features, but ensures privacy-first minimalism.
iOS 26 – Apple Intelligence Revolution
- On-device AI → privacy-focused.
- Live translation across Messages, Phone, FaceTime.
- Visual Intelligence: recognizes content, suggests actions.
- ChatGPT, Google & Etsy integration.
- Genmoji & Image Playground for creative expression.
- Foundation Models for developers, supporting offline inference.
One UI 8 – Galaxy AI Everywhere
- Now Bar & Now Brief → personalized, context-aware suggestions.
- Gemini Live → real-time AI communication.
- Circle to Search with Google → in-game help, translations, info.
- Drawing Assist & Writing Assist → creative AI tools.
- Portrait Studio generates studio-style portraits (including pets).
Performance & Security
| Feature | Nothing OS 4.0 | Apple iOS 26 | Samsung One UI 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Faster app launches, smoother animations | Apple Silicon optimization, lightning fast | Optimized for multitasking & foldables |
| Battery | Improved efficiency, pitch-black mode saves power | Some drain reports | Stable battery management |
| Security | Transparent AI usage | Strongest privacy, app tracking control | Knox Matrix + PQC Wi-Fi |
| Stability | Improved system responsiveness | Seamless ecosystem | Works across varied devices |
Phone, Messages & Communication
- iOS 26: Call Screening, Hold Assist, group typing indicators, polls, Apple Cash in chats.
- One UI 8: AI-driven live captions, interpreter keyboard, call transcription.
- Nothing OS 4.0: Cleaner app layouts, but less advanced messaging innovation.
Ecosystem & Connectivity
- Apple (iOS 26): Tightest ecosystem → iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro.
- Samsung (One UI 8): Expansive Galaxy ecosystem → phones, foldables, tablets, wearables, TVs.
- Nothing (OS 4.0): Growing ecosystem with Earbuds, CMF Watch Pro, and Nothing Phones.
Entertainment, Maps & Wallet
- Apple Music (iOS 26): AutoMix, Lyrics Translation, Karaoke-like pronunciation.
- Samsung Music/Media (One UI 8): Now Brief suggests music/videos.
- Nothing OS 4.0: Minimal focus on entertainment apps, sticking to essentials.
- Maps (iOS 26): Smarter routes, encrypted history.
- Samsung Maps/Google: Integrated with Circle to Search & AI translations.
- Nothing OS 4.0: Relies on Android base (Google Maps).
- Apple Wallet: Installment payments, live boarding passes with Live Activities.
- Samsung Pay (One UI 8): Integrated into Knox security + AI-powered recommendations.
- Nothing OS 4.0: Supports standard Android Wallet/Google Pay.
Supported Devices & Availability
Nothing OS 4.0
- Open beta with Android 16 preview.
- Stable rollout expected in late 2025.
- Devices: Nothing Phone (1), (2), future models.
iOS 26
- Developer beta: June 2025.
- Public beta: July 2025.
- Stable release: Fall 2025.
- Devices: iPhone 11 & later.
- Apple Intelligence requires: iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro/Max, iPads (A17+), Macs (M1+).
Samsung One UI 8
- Rollout started: Sept 15, 2025 (Korea first).
- Expanding globally through late 2025.
- Devices: Galaxy S25/S24 series, Z Fold6, Flip6, S23/S22, Tab S10/S9, A-series midrange models, Galaxy Watches.
Pros & Cons Summary
Nothing OS 4.0 keeps things simple and stylish with a clean design, smooth performance, and privacy-focused AI controls. But its smaller ecosystem and limited advanced features make it feel less powerful than rivals.
Apple iOS 26 delivers a polished, secure, and AI-driven experience with unmatched ecosystem integration. However, limited customization and possible battery drain issues remain its key drawbacks.
Samsung One UI 8 strikes a balance with powerful AI tools, multitasking features, and stable battery life. Still, its heavy interface and occasional AI rough edges may not appeal to minimalists.
Conclusion
The Nothing OS 4.0 vs iOS 26 vs One UI 8 battle highlights three very different philosophies:
- Apple iOS 26 → AI-driven, privacy-focused, deeply integrated ecosystem.
- Samsung One UI 8 → AI democratization, productivity, creativity, and flexibility.
- Nothing OS 4.0 → Minimalism, simplicity, and human-centric transparency.
Read more: Nothing OS 4.0 Officially Introduced- Detail Discussion
After Apple’s iOS 26 Upgrade, Samsung Rolls Out One UI 8
Apple iOS 26 Release-Supported Devices, and Key Features Explained
FAQ Section
Q1. Which OS has the best AI features in 2025?
A: Apple iOS 26 offers Apple Intelligence for creativity & privacy, while One UI 8 focuses on productivity & personalization. Nothing OS 4.0 emphasizes transparency, not heavy AI.
Q2. Is Nothing OS 4.0 good for gaming?
A: Yes, with optimizations and smoother app responsiveness, but it lacks a dedicated gaming hub like iOS 26’s Apple Games app.
Q3. Does iOS 26 slow down older iPhones?
A: Apple admits some battery-related throttling on older models, but new iPhones run smoothly.
Q4. When will One UI 8 be available globally?
A: Rollout began in September 2025 in Korea and will expand worldwide by late 2025.