One UI
One UI 5 vs One UI 4 vs One UI 3: Samsung’s One UI 6 rollout to be close to perfection
I’m sure, you may have been counting days remaining in the Galaxy Unpacked, for S23 or the One UI 5.1. Why we don’t think two more steps ahead as Google’s about to introduce the new Android 14 operating system? Seeing One UI 5 vs One UI 4 vs One UI 3 rollouts, I hope, the One UI 6 could be close to perfection.
Over the past few years, Samsung made significant developments in its software department, especially the One UI and security patches. Galaxies get new patches ahead of Pixie’s, and the One UI 5 (Android 13) update rollout was truly unprecedented.
Within 2022, all eligible Samsung devices started to receive the Android 13-based One UI 5 upgrade. The availability issue remains as it is due to the company’s staged deployment method. However, no one can deny the fact that One UI 5 rollout amazed all of us, rivals excluded!
One UI 3
Months after Beta testing, Samsung began the Android 11-based One UI 3.0 upgrade rollout in December 2020, with the Galaxy S20 series as the first entry. All other flagships launched before the S20 got listed for January 2021, and some for February.
For non-flagship devices, the One UI 3 update was not praisable at all, as it lead consumers to wait for months. The premium Galaxy A handsets got scheduled to upgrade to Android 11 by April 2021, whereas the entry-level and budget ones continued receiving updates until September 2021.
One UI 4
Samsung Galaxy S21 series became the first to grab the Android 12 upgrade on both Beta and Stable channels. Moving ahead, the company revealed the One UI 4.0 upgrade rollout, which included all eligible phones and tablets with a tentative release timeline.
The roadmap promised One UI 4 OTA starting December 2021, which is planned to conclude in August 2022. The status of that One UI rollout still remains live as some remaining Galaxy devices are still getting the update in certain regions. In August, Samsung started One UI 5 Beta, based on Android 13.
One UI 5
With One UI 5, Samsung breaks all of its records with the fastest Beta beginning in August 2022, followed by entering Stable channel in late October. The company joined a lot of Galaxy smartphones in the Beta activity, which ran without worries.
The South Korean tech giant introduced the One UI 5 on October 12, while the Galaxy S22’s OTA was initially released on October 24th. Shortly after, the company released the upgrade plan and started to release the firmware for all flagships (S21, S20, Note 20) on November 7.
One UI 6
Samsung almost concluded its amazing One UI 5 update distribution in 2022 itself, and no Galaxy model is waiting to get the Android 13 with One UI 5.1 directly. Instead, the company is rapidly enhancing the One UI 5.1 firmware with some additional tweaks and advancements.
Seamless updates feature is expected to join Samsung with One UI 6 and the software department head already noted that the company wants to make future One UI updates even faster. Samsung praised itself, why not, with a Newsroom post, and promised to come up with even faster updates in 2023.
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.
Samsung One UI 7 will introduce crazy innovations to the animation segment. While Galaxy users want iOS-like reliable animations, Samsung has reportedly made great progress in offering a refreshed and appealing user experience.
Tipster IceUniverse shared key details about Samsung One UI 7 Beta animations. The source has also highlighted that the changes that appear in the Beta version would be adjusted as per the consumer feedback and suggestions.
One UI 7 Animation Innovations
On-screen animation to debut a soothing wallpaper shrinking effect. When you unlock, the software will render a bouncing effect. Spring rebound animation has been applied to the aspect when you pull down from the interface.
One UI 7 continues the non-linear (interruptable) animations. Opening an app from the home screen and closing from the home gesture will offer an elegant appearance. The rapid app opening and closing animation/transition is also enhanced.
Your Galaxy’s system Settings have also added micro-animation and a new return animation effect. Home screen and lock screen widgets will also be fueled with rich effects as well as elastic animations for real-time notifications.
Here’s a brief exploration of what’s possible in the upcoming software:
Screen-on:
- The screen-on animation is a soothing wallpaper shrinking effect
Unlocking:
- The unlocking animation is a bouncing effect
Pull-down:
- The pull-down animation adds a spring rebound animation
App opening on the home screen:
- The home screen app opening animation adds a more non-linear floating feeling
App closing on the home screen:
- The home screen app return animation adds an icon pattern zoom effect
Continuous app opening and closing:
- Parallel animation for opening multiple apps continuously
Return to home from app:
- Full animation for sliding the app sideways to return to the home screen
In-Settings:
- Click any button to add a press rebound micro-animation and a new return animation effect
Widgets:
- Transition animations and new UI for widgets such as lock screen music
Notifications:
- Add elastic animations for real-time notifications in the home screen notification bar.
Without sharing the video, the leaker revealed detailed info about animation. It is expected that the first One UI 7 Beta will debut a never-before-seen experience on Galaxies. There would be transitional enhancements across the software.
Samsung could release One UI 7 Beta this month, while Public rollout will start early next year.