Collection view basics

Collection views display items in flexible, grid-based layouts that adapt to different screen sizes and orientations. Unlike the rigid structure of lists and tables, collections work best for visual content like photos, app icons, or product cards where users benefit from seeing multiple items at once.

Core requirements for collections:

• Grid structure: Arranges items in consistent rows and columns with equal spacing
• Cell sizing: Maintains proportional dimensions as layouts adapt to different screens
• Layout flow: Orders content logically for left-to-right readers (left-to-right, top-to-bottom)
• Content types: Ideal for image-heavy interfaces, visual browsing, and side-by-side comparison
• Scroll behavior: Maintains smooth performance with large numbers of items
• Dynamic updates: Animates changes when items are added, removed, or reordered