One UI
Samsung One UI 4.0 brings redesigned, customized widgets for effortless navigation
Samsung One UI 4 Beta program allows users to try out the advanced features of the One UI 4 before its official release. Owners of the Galaxy S21 series in selected markets can register to the beta program with the Samsung member app on their devices.
Participants will be able to preview the design of the One UI 4 with new features and post a bug. Samsung will use the information gathered in the beta system to optimize the One UI 4 user before delivering a final update, which is scheduled later this year.
Samsung’s One UI user interface brings an integrated mobile experience to Galaxy smartphones with simplified and streamlined interaction and a clean and elegant design.
With a One UI 4, users get customization options all the time. The wealth of themes options allow users to customize the look and performance of their device, providing them with tools to customize their home screens, icons, notifications, wallpapers, and much more. However, in this article, we’ll discuss UI changes in the Home screen, Lock Screen, and Always-on display (AOD) feature in the One UI 4.0 beta update.
Samsung One UI 4.0 Home Screen Customization
The most noticeable change in the One UI 4 is this year’s options for customizing the home screen and lock. Starting with the home screen, the widgets are updated with a new and refreshing look that comes with Android 12’s Material You redesign.
Widgets are enhanced with a circular look, and some widgets, such as a dual clock, will now switch from light to dark mode depending on the time of day. Unlike Material You, these widgets will not match their color background, that could be the change we see next.
Speaking of dark mode, Samsung has made some suggestive changes here to get seamless information. Icons, wallpapers, and some text areas are now slightly dim when in dark mode.
The Home screen widgets have been redesigned to the One UI 4 to give you more details while also making your home screen more stylish. You will also find recommendations for widgets that may be helpful to you.
You can see an example of a redesigned widget below with a two-city clock, now inserting a weather icon in the top right corner. This particular widget also now shows up as light or dark depending on the time in the selected city.
Samsung One UI 4.0 Lock Screen UI
On the lock screen, you can now switch the audio output to a different device, such as headphones or a speaker. This media output button is actually added to Android on Android 11, but it’s good to see it coming from Samsung’s Samsung 12 update.
You can now add a voice recording widget to the lock screen that lets you record voice memos without turning on your phone. When you double-tap, you get a monthly calendar view and your daily schedule, to help you better see your schedule.
Samsung One UI 4.0 Always on Display
As for Always on Display, there is a new option that has proven to be very useful so far. You can now choose to turn on AOD only when you receive new notifications. There are also many new stickers you can use to decorate your AOD if you’re in this type of thing.
Aside from SammyFans’ official Twitter and Facebook page, you can also join our Telegram channel and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified of every latest development in Samsung and One UI ecosystem. Also, you can follow us on Google News for regular updates.
Samsung has been actively testing One UI 7 builds for several Galaxy devices, with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 being among the models included in these tests. As the development of the next major software update progresses, Samsung has moved forward with testing, and the first internal test builds for these two foldable smartphones have now surfaced online.
A recent report from a reliable tipster has revealed that the One UI 7 testing builds, F946BXXU4EXKN for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and F731BXXU4EXKN for the Galaxy Z Flip 5, have been spotted on Samsung’s test servers.
This indicates that the company is moving forward with the internal testing phase for these devices and is working on enhancing the update ahead of its release for users.
These foldable devices just received a November 2024 security update based on Android 14 and One UI 6.1.1. This fresh update makes the app more ready for the next One UI beta update.
Samsung is going to release the One UI 7 Beta update in the coming days. The company will release the stable version next year with the Galaxy S25 series. After that, One UI 7 stable will be available for more Galaxy devices.
November 2024 security update now live for Galaxy Z Flip 5, Fold 5
Samsung has started testing One UI 7 (Android 15) on Galaxy S23 FE. It’s the first time when the software server has listed the latest build for the device. An internal test build has been spotted, suggesting the Beta is unlikely for the S23 FE.
Recently, an internal One UI 7 (Android 15) build surfaced on Samsung’s software server for the Galaxy S23 FE. The build carries PDA version number S711BXXU6EXKM, where “E” refers to a major version bump in the near future.
Samsung has significantly delayed this year’s Beta Program. The owners of Galaxy S25 smartphones still missing out access to the One UI 7 Beta. The public rollout is delayed till the first half of the next year.
Well, this long wait will end up bringing fruitful upgrades to your Galaxy. The company is exploring a brand new interface across the OS. Many new features are being added in the One UI 7, with AI upgrades due for the One UI 7.1 software.
Google and some other Android vendors started a stable Android 15 update rollout. The distribution commenced after months of Beta testing. Beyond that, Google has just kickstarted the Developer Beta of the Android 16 operating system.
One UI 7.0 update is expected to be released for your Galaxy S23 FE by February 2025. Samsung will unveil the final version alongside the Galaxy S25 series next year. Later on, eligible devices will begin getting the major firmware update.
Galaxy S23 FE runs an Exynos 2200 chip, offering decent performance. Samsung’s next big upgrade will elevate your phone’s animation and transitions to a whole new level. A tipster has recently revealed key information about the changes.
The software will introduce redesigned Quick Settings, independent Notification Panel, rounded UI components, smoother animations, reliable transition effects, faster app opening experience, easily accessible Camera toggles and a lot more.
Samsung has already begun rolling out the long-awaited One UI update for its smart TVs, based on Tizen OS 8.0. It introduces a design overhaul that brings elements of its smartphone UI to the big screen. Although the overall experience still feels distinct from the One UI found on Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
The One UI update for smart TVs brings changes to the Daily Board feature. This screen shows useful widgets and wallpapers, and now it has a more One UI-inspired design. Widgets like Weather, Notes, Tips, and SmartThings Home Status now have a similar look to what you’d see on a Galaxy phone.
Samsung Weather and SmartThings widgets look almost identical to the ones on smartphones. Moreover, the Samsung Notes app icon is also familiar.
Image: Samsung Newsroom
With the Daily Board, you can choose which widgets you want to display, change the background wallpaper, and set up automatic widget rotation. If you place more than four widgets on the screen, they will rotate automatically. However, there are some limitations. You can’t set a custom wallpaper only the preloaded options are available.
While the One UI update brings some fresh features, Samsung’s TV interface still has a lot of the old Tizen design. The Settings menu still looks very much like it did before, and the app icons, while similar, don’t fully match the modern style of One UI on phones.
Samsung is making progress in bringing One UI to its TVs, but there’s more work to be done. Future updates may bring more changes to make the experience feel even more like the One UI on your smartphone or tablet.
Aside from this, Samsung recently released a new update for the Daily Board app, which brings Night Clock mode and bug fixes to enhance users’ experience.