Samsung needs to improve Android 13’s themed icons with One UI 5.1

Android 13’s Themed Icons feature now available in Samsung Galaxy devices in full-fledge. One UI 5.0 now applies dynamic icons on all compatible apps, while, Pixel has a lead in this feature. Samsung brought Android 13’s Themed Icons feature to Galaxy devices but still needs to improve with One UI 5.1.

Themed Icons feature works with Android 13’s Material You design language. Once applied, compatible app icons adopt the same color as the wallpaper-generated color palette to deliver an optimized user interface. Adoption with One UI 5.0 is not so cool, and I wish, Samsung will make it perfect with One UI 5.1.

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Since all applications are not compatible with the dynamic icon feature, the apps screen on Galaxy feels inelegant. For me, personally, the Themed App Icons feature destroys the visibility of the app screen on Galaxy phones, and I keep it turned off usually.

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I’ve seen the same feature in Google Pixel smartphones with Android 13 upgrade. The most interesting thing that I like is that the homescreen icons just adopt wallpaper color, while they keep their original look in the app screen on top of a solid white background.

Samsung can follow Google or do something else…

Compared to Samsung’s One UI 5, rivals like OnePlus and Oppo brought powerful customization capabilities with their Android 13 skins. I’ve also experienced the Huawei Mate 40 Pro running HarmonyOS 3, which has several features user fall in love with.

Ahead of Android 14, Samsung has a chance to introduce major enhancements for the Dynamic theming function with the One UI 5.1. The company will introduce the next flagship lineup of smartphones this February, which will run One UI 5.1 software out of the box.

For the Galaxy S23 series, it could come with some exclusive features that may be delivered to older Galaxy flagships. However, the user interface and experience part is most important and the Android 13’s dynamic theming must be applied in the right manner by Samsung.

As the themed icons function falls under user interface section, the company needs to work on it in a priority and make it as good as other features. One UI 5.1 might bring changes in improvements in this aspect, however, it’s just a wish and speculation.

It’s great to see that the One UI 5 allows users to completely disable the Color Palette and Themed Icons features, however, it’s not a resolution. If Samsung is bringing such a feature to consumers, it must be greatly created and convenient to use.