Opinion
One UI 6 or 5.1 should bring Large Folders feature
With iOS version 14, Apple introduced a new way called App Library to find and organize the apps so iPhone consumers can see what they want and where they want. In iPhones, we can reach this destination by swiping Left until we get to the App Library.
Inside this section, iOS puts all the apps in different folders category-wise. For example, if you have Instagram installed, then you can find it from a big folder named Social in the App Library. This functionality is amazing, which further become interesting when Huawei managed to copy it for its devices.
iOS 14 App Library
By introducing HarmonyOS, its self-developed operating system, Huawei presented the Large Folders feature for smartphones. This feature is almost similar to that one iSheeps got with the iOS 14 on their iPhones’ App Library section.
Instead of creating a dedicated page on the homescreen, HarmonyOS introduces the Large Folders feature on the regular pages. Users can easily create Large Folders on the homescreen by just combining two apps together to create a regular folder.
Huawei P50 Pro
Once done, tap and hold the newly created folder then the OS provides you with an option to Enlarge the folder. The enlarged folder occupies the space of a total of 4 apps (2×2) on the homescreen. The interesting this about this feature is that you will be able to put 9 apps within the same space occupied by 4 apps, thanks to Large Folders.
Apps placed inside the Large Folder can directly be opened from the homescreen, however, you can tap on a Lil bit of blank space in the folder to expand it. Similar to the homescreen and regular folders, we can add even more than 9 apps, that can be found on the 2nd page inside the folder.
Have a look at this feature, in action | Credits – HC Newsroom
While Huawei has further improved the Large Folders functionality with its next-gen HarmonyOS version, other Chinese smartphone vendors have also included the same feature in their custom skins. OPPO (with ColorOS 13) is the most recent entry in the list of OEMs providing the Large Folders feature.
ColorOS 13
As OPPO failed to provide a clean appearance to the Large Folders’ functionality, HarmonyOS 3.0 take it to the next level. Well…, Chinese phone makers are introducing new user-friendly features with their custom skins based on the Android operating system, regularly, but, Samsung is far behind.
On the other hand, there’s nothing wonderful addition spotted in the One UI 5.0, based on Android 13 so far. At least, Samsung should add the Large Folders feature with the upcoming builds of the One UI 5.0 software for the Galaxy devices.
If it doesn’t happen, I’m dreaming to use the Large Folders feature with the forthcoming One UI 5.1, based on Android 13, or the Android 14-based One UI 6.0, which will arrive over a year later from now on. What do you think about it? Should Samsung bring the Large Folders feature, let us know through social media.
Credits:
- HC Newsroom
- iOS App Library – Apple
- P50 Pro – Huawei
- ColorOS 13 – XDA
Samsung’s relationship with Google is rock solid. Both companies collaborate on different products to benefit their consumer base. Is it the right time for Samsung to develop a Galaxy-dedicated OS or at least Android for Galaxy?
Google worked with Samsung to optimize Android for foldables and tablets. The company had even launched Android 12L, a version dedicated to large-screen devices. Now, Samsung should work with Google to optimize Android for Galaxy devices.
Samsung flagships are equipped with pro-grade hardware specifications. The company manages to optimize the One UI software accordingly. Meanwhile, there are still a lot of areas, that require significant improvements.
Benefits of Android for Galaxy
Samsung fine-tunes Android for Galaxy products. Meanwhile, Android for Galaxy will make things a lot better, eventually benefitting end users. It shouldn’t be the Tizen approach, but a collaborative progress.
Android optimized for Galaxy devices should allow users to enjoy the power and personalization of the OS. Its optimization level for Galaxy devices will offer faster app launches, performance improvements, and longer battery life.
Samsung owns Exynos, Galaxy AI, Good Lock, and a lot of stunning services. A combined approach can significantly uplevel the user experience. Functional capabilities would also be boosted, taking Galaxy’s experience to a whole new level.
Difficulties
Android’s presence is vast. It’s available across different brands including Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, and so on. Samsung is unquestionably the biggest Android vendor but Google could find it difficult to optimize Android for all Galaxies.
The Korean tech giant itself tests and deploys security updates on Galaxy devices. Various applications are already available with better features than Google services such as the Internet. Even Google takes inspiration from Galaxies to develop features for Pixel phones.
Samsung not only has flagship phones, but also brings budget, mid-range, and premium mid-range phones. These products use different hardware such as camera and processor, requiring a need for unified software. Just a collective approach is required to end all kinds of difficulties.
"Android for Galaxy" ❤️
Should Samsung & Google embark on this stunning journey?#Samsung #Android #OneUI pic.twitter.com/HT2S5xfzfV
— Sammy Fans – We ♥ Samsung! (@thesammyfans) August 29, 2024
Google’s Pixel 9 series is official with pretty new AI stuff. The most notable thing that changed with this year’s Pixel phones is the Android installation. I guess, Google took a sip of poison to push Samsung Galaxy’s Android OS superiority further.
Pixel 9 series comes with Android 14, rather than the latest OS. Pixel 8 series and later devices are supported by seven years of OS updates. However, the Pixel 9 will get one less Android upgrade than that it deserves to have.
Google’s decision puts the Pixel 9 together with last year’s Pixel 8 series. Both lineups will end their major upgrade life at Android 21. Well, Pixel phones are neither durable nor Google provides satisfactory support, so don’t expect more than 1 year of service.
The decision, however, aligns with Samsung’s superiority, let’s decode.
The Galaxy S25 series will be the first (imp) to come with Android 15 pre-installed. You can guess how things have been decided by downgrading the Pixel 9 lineup. As a Samsung fan, I always wanted H2 Galaxy products to come with the latest OS.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 also come with Android 14. The OS was released in October last year and is still arriving pre-installed. Google ultimately filled the OS gap between Galaxy foldables and Pixel phones at a cost of Pixel downgrade.
Android 15 might be released on the official channel in October as last year. Eligible Pixel phones will start getting the major firmware update. Samsung is also expected to begin the One UI 7 update rollout for Galaxy models by the end of October.
In the first phase, Samsung’s Android 15 will arrive on flagship phones. However, the Korean tech giant won’t make other users wait much. The One UI 7 update rollout may begin for all eligible Galaxy models before 2024 ends.
Samsung replicated Google’s promise of Android updates, but the plus point is that mid-range and budget Galaxy phones are eligible for at least four major OS upgrades. The upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 will also be honored with 7 major Android updates.
The Korean tech giant offers the longest software update support in the Android industry. Google’s OS update promise starts from the Pixel 8 series. While mid-range and budget Samsung phones get four Android updates, the premium Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 will get 7.
Earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series smartphones. The lineup is guaranteed for at least seven OS upgrades. The strategy was earlier expected to be applied to Galaxy A55, but the company kept it limited to the flagship phones.
Samsung doesn’t officially consider Galaxy Z as flagship lineup, but it’s the most premium segment. All the novelties that Galaxy S receives also come to foldable phones. Therefore, it’s certain that the company will support its upcoming Galaxy Z phones for 7 years.
Will they survive 7 years?
Sporting a foldable display entirely ends the discussion of longevity. Besides, the pre-applied screen protection film starts to damage within a year of normal usage. Samsung’s innovative foldables are available internationally but support isn’t.
Samsung Care+ plan is also offered by the phone maker for additional protection. However, it still requires the owner to pay the processing fee, which isn’t considerable. Also, the Care+ plan doesn’t cover the Samsung-slapped screen protector film.
So if the Korean phone maker is willing for longer software support, it should rather offer a two-year replacement guarantee on manufacture defects. It would push consumers to prefer foldable phones as they won’t have to worry about display concerns.
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