Six Android Launchers To Supercharge Your Smartphone

Six Android Launchers To Supercharge Your Smartphone

There are scores of Android launchers out there for people who don’t want to be stuck with TouchWiz (or whatever bloated skin came with your phone). But choosing among them can be a chore. With so many features to parse, which launcher should you use?

If you want stability…

Six Android Launchers To Supercharge Your Smartphone

Nova was the launcher most recommended, and with a good reason: It’s steady, fast as hell and easy to use. Upgrading to Nova Prime for $4 unlocks a few bonus features, including an immensely useful scrollable dock. It’s available for Android 4.0 and up.

If you want something fresh…

Six Android Launchers To Supercharge Your Smartphone

Of all the launchers we tried, Everything.me felt the most like something new. The free launcher is currently in beta for phones running Android 4.0 and up. We’re particularly fond of the homescreen search widget that queries your apps, messages, files, as well as the web for keywords.

If you want your home screen to look like stock Android…

Six Android Launchers To Supercharge Your Smartphone

Like Nova, Apex Launcher retains much of the core Android functionality but adds a lot of handy features — like widget resizing — as well as some super-deep customisation like giving you the ability to set the duration of your phone vibrations. A $4 upgrade to Apex Launcher Pro unlocks loads of new features, including two-finger gestures. Like many current top launchers, it’s available for phones running 4.0 or higher.

If you want your home screen to look like iOS

Six Android Launchers To Supercharge Your Smartphone

For a screen that looks like iOS in the Forestall era, check out the free Esper Launcher. Compatibility varies from phone to phone, so you’ll have to check to Google Play link so see if it will work for you.

If you want your home screen to look like Windows Phone…

Six Android Launchers To Supercharge Your Smartphone

Simply put, Launcher 8 (Android 2.0+, free) turns your Android homescreen into a Ballmer-worthy Metro paradise of square tiles.

If your phone is ancient (and you’re cheap)…

Six Android Launchers To Supercharge Your Smartphone

Unlike some of its newer brethren, Go Launcher EX has been around forever, so it’s reportedly compatible with phones running OS versions all the way back to Android 1.6. Another benefit of its long existence is a massive community of users, and over 10,000 downloadable themes. And it’s FREE.


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