When comparing Apex Launcher Pro vs Yandex.Shell (Launcher+Dialer), the Slant community recommends Apex Launcher Pro for most people. In the question“What are the best launchers for Android?” Apex Launcher Pro is ranked 4th while Yandex.Shell (Launcher+Dialer) is ranked 14th. The most important reason people chose Apex Launcher Pro is:
Apex Launcher lets the user customize the app drawer, including its style (Horizontal Paginated, Vertical Paginated, Vertical Continuous or Vertical List), the method of sorting and the background transparency.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Highly customizable app drawer
Apex Launcher lets the user customize the app drawer, including its style (Horizontal Paginated, Vertical Paginated, Vertical Continuous or Vertical List), the method of sorting and the background transparency.
Pro Customize grid size
Apex Launcher allows the user to change the grid size of their home screens (up to a maximum size of 10 rows and columns) and adjust the margins on the left, right, top and bottom. Icons can be made larger by as much as 150% or reduced to as little as 50% of their original size.
Pro Stock Android experience
Made to look like stock Android with additional features.
Pro Has a theme shop
A marketplace where the user can download extra themes is provided. Some of the themes must be purchased via Google Play, but many are free. Paid version allows the use of themes from other launchers.
Pro Sort drawer by most used
There is an option in the Apex Launcher drawer to sort apps by the most used, making for a convenient way for users to get back to their most often used apps.
Pro Can hide apps
Apex Launcher also allows users to hide unused or unwanted apps from the drawer.
Pro Gestures are free
The free version of Apex comes with swipe gesture support.
Pro Unread count (paid version)
Unread count notifications create badges for home screen, dock and drawer icons that let the user know how many unread messages they have.
Pro Infinite scrolling
Infinite scrolling allows you to cycle among your home screens without ever changing directions.
Pro Tablet support
Apex, which requires Android 4.0 or later, boasts a dedicated tablet UI mode. Turning this on enables the persistent search bar at the top of the display, and somewhat inexplicably disables the dock at the bottom of the screen.
Pro Easy setup
Quick setup and easy customization without sacrificing eye candy.
Pro Categories in apps menu
Pro Number of Yandex widgets
Yandex.Shell’s default widgets include: an indicator bar which you can use to toggle various settings, like WiFi and brightness; a weather widget to show local forecasts; a call log widget to show you recent calls; even a birthday widget to track your friends’ birthdays. There are over 25 widgets available.
Pro Transforms your dialer
Not only is Yandex.Shell a launcher replacement, it transforms your dialer as well by giving it a new interface and some new features.
Pro Clean interface
Clean without loosing detail and variety.
Pro Customizable with themes
Cons
Con Can be overwhelming at first
Apex Launcher offers lots of customization in terms of user interface and functionality that can be overwhelming at first.
Con Slow to implement new features
Development of Apex Launcher can some times be slow, lagging behind in features when compared to more frequently updated launchers.
Con Version 4 changed everything
The look, the options, animations and sizes.
Con Not enough functionality for advanced users
The in built options are a bit limiting when compared to other popular launchers, which makes it difficult to fit all use cases of users.