beta is something to go by, it looks as if Samsung has elevated its software program sport – lastly!
One UI 7 lastly provides my Galaxy S24 Extremely the “million greenback look” it deserves – design and animations matter!
The very first thing I see within the One UI 7 beta is how clear and polished the interface feels. Samsung has subtly however successfully refreshed app shapes, widgets, and animations.
There’s now consistency in design that wasn’t as obvious in earlier iterations of One UI – so I assume the rumors had been true. Apps and widgets now really feel extra aligned by way of aesthetics, with softer edges and a design language that feels fashionable (no matter meaning) but true to Samsung’s “entire vibe” (no matter THAT means).
One UI 7.0 achieves one other distinctive… achievement. It pays a transparent homage to the iPhone’s hated/beloved Dynamic Island however in essentially the most delicate method doable. Extra about that under.
One UI 7 makes Samsung’s digicam app way more sensible than my iPhone’s digicam app – it’s all about ergonomics
Certainly one of my favourite adjustments in One UI 7 have to be the redesigned Digital camera app.
Samsung has utterly overhauled the structure, transferring all of the important (and maybe non-essential?) controls to the underside of the display screen. For somebody like me who makes use of a Galaxy S24 Extremely, this modification is a lifesaver. Managing controls on a big telephone has at all times been a problem, however now every thing feels inside attain.
With the controls positioned intuitively on the backside, the digicam feels extra like an extension of your hand, making it simpler to give attention to taking pictures/movies reasonably than making an attempt to hit the settings button sitting within the high left nook (of One UI 6).
A TikTok-style makeover – One UI 7 lets will get you scrolling (and it simply is sensible)
One other change I instantly seen in One UI 7 is the shift to vertical scrolling in key areas just like the app drawer and the Fast Actions panel Samsung has at all times been a fan of a horizontal, card-style structure – or in different phrases, swiping, so this modification is a giant one.
The vertical scrolling design aligns properly with the taller smartphones we get immediately. It looks like Samsung has embraced how individuals use their telephones, which is… an excellent factor. Proper?
Samsung’s long-overdue reply to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island is “high stuff” – however on the underside (the place it must be!)
Interactive widgets are one other space the place One UI 7 shines.
In a nutshell, it appears to me Samsung has taken the idea of widgets and made them not simply extra visually interesting, but in addition extra purposeful and customizable, which was lengthy overdue.
From what I’ve seen, the brand new widget picker appears intuitive, with a clear design. Widgets now mix seamlessly into the house display screen, with adjustable sizes and kinds that appear extra versatile than what’s supplied in iOS or Pixel UI.
It’s a “Widget stack” all about making life simpler by placing the stuff you want proper in your lock display screen. You’ll be able to test notifications and soar into helpful options just like the Interpreter (Samsung’s Translator different), Music, Recordings, the Stopwatch, and so on., with out having to unlock your telephone.
It lastly looks like Samsung’s lock display screen is doing one thing as a substitute of simply sitting fairly, because the Now Bar has the job to allow you to management ongoing duties with only a faucet (or two) – so that you don’t should hold diving into your apps to search out what you’re on the lookout for.
For the reason that Now Bar and new standing bar pop-ups are (clearly) coming to the brand new Galaxy S25 sequence, I guess Samsung plans to maintain including performance to them. For instance, I’d prefer to have the choices so as to add extra related/usually used controls there like WiFI, knowledge, HotSpot, and so on. Are you listening, Samsung?
Samsung “stole” the very best from iPhone and Pixel to construct the very best Galaxy UI ever (and the very best AI – duh!)
Total, it’s not possible to disregard the influences that Google and Apple have had on One UI 7. The cleaner UI parts, smoother animations, and widget redesign clearly draw inspiration from iOS and Pixel UI. But Samsung hasn’t simply copy-pasted these options – it’s refined and improved them to create one thing that appears and looks like “Galaxy”.
For instance, whereas iOS is thought for its seamless animations, it usually sacrifices customization – even within the newest model of the iPhone’s software program. However, Pixel UI excels in simplicity however feels too “vanilla” for me, which appears to be an opinion shared by many on-line.
And the way can I overlook Samsung’s industry-leading AI, which hasn’t acquired too many upgrades with One UI 7, however that’s solely as a result of (as I mentioned), Galaxy AI is already superior as is.
What units One UI 7 aside is how sensible and user-focused the redesign feels. Samsung has clearly taken person suggestions into consideration, leading to an interface that doesn’t simply look good but in addition works higher for on a regular basis use. Options like enhanced multitasking, extra accessible controls, and streamlined menus make One UI 7 really feel like a software program expertise designed for actual individuals.
However, iOS nonetheless lags behind on this space, with its restricted multitasking capabilities, and whereas Pixel UI is arguably higher than iOS in that regard, it nonetheless doesn’t supply the identical stage of flexibility.
Software program issues too: One UI 7 ought to and can assist Samsung promote much more Galaxy telephones in 2025 – and for an excellent cause
From the redesigned Digital camera app and vertical scrolling to the polished widgets and smoother animations, each side of One UI 7 feels deliberate and well-thought-out. And naturally, there’s the Now Bar, which looks like a much less “cool” however extra sensible Dynamic Island.
Getting a brand new replace that *actually* makes your telephone really feel new isn’t a given these days – simply ask iPhone 15 customers.
In truth, I’m positive present and new Galaxy flagships will proceed to outshine the iPhone within the space of sensible AI options, as they do proper now. Samsung had a head begin within the space, and Apple is struggling to catch up.
And now… I’m wanting ahead to the Galaxy S25 and the ultimate, public model of One UI 7. As a result of if the beta is something to go by, it seems to be like Samsung would possibly’ve simply nailed it
