The One UI update is scheduled to appear in the first quarter of 2025. (Sanook, Adobe Stock)
The One UI 7 beta is in full swing and some innovations, changes and visual adjustments have already come to light. We summarize all the information about the big Galaxy update.
This is a beta version that will receive updates in the next few weeks. The article will be continually expanded as new functions become known.
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One UI 7: The five highlights
As always, we start with the five big highlights that mark a big change for the operating system with One UI 7.
The Now Bar is coming
At launch, the Now Bar will feature a number of apps.
Samsung is initially introducing a counterpart to Apple's Live Activities for its Galaxy S cell phones. This means that ongoing activities such as timers, music, recordings and much more remain visible on the lock screen.
Some of the widgets, for example for music playback, are designed to be interactive and in this specific example allow you to jump to the next song. In addition to the new home screen, the start and lock screens are also simplified and the associated widgets are redesigned.
The camera app becomes clearer
Samsung is cleaning up the camera app.
There were already rumors in advance, but now it is certain: the camera app is being revised. According to Samsung, the aim is to enable more intuitive control of the advanced settings.
- This includes a new arrangement of camera buttons, controls and modes. This should make the most important functions easier to access and the preview of captured images and videos clearer.
- In addition, the settings in Pro mode for taking photos and videos have also been rearranged. The layout of the manual settings has been “simplified”. In Pro Video mode, a new zoom control promises more comfortable control.
Galaxy AI: Two new features are coming
A major Samsung update without AI features is not a Samsung update. With One UI 7, the Writing Assistant lands on the first Galaxy smartphones across all systems. The function is intended to help with writing texts. The manufacturer mentions a summary, a translation or a simple correction of the highlighted text as possible adjustments.
“Call Transcript,” on the other hand, promises automatic transcription of your phone calls. If the AI function and call recording are activated, your conversations should be completely transcribed. At launch, Samsung supports 20 languages, including German. However, this function will probably remain limited to the USA for the time being.
Look and feel
The app icons look different in One UI 7.
Apparently Samsung has adjusted both the app icons and the widgets so that they now look different. The manufacturer is also said to have worked on the animations. The update is new and Samsung will probably want One UI 7 to feel the same.
Samsung has also separated the Quick Settings window and the Notification Center. If you swipe down from the top right edge, you will get to the quick settings. You can also rearrange the widgets there. If you swipe down from the middle of the display, the notifications appear.
More data protection and security
According to Samsung, One UI 7 offers advanced security features that are intended to comprehensively protect personal data and offer users choice and transparency.
New anti-theft solutions are integrated into Android and security measures have been improved to protect against loss or theft of the device.
Additionally, One UI 7 allows you to customize security settings such as locking USB connections when the device is locked to prevent unauthorized access.
More new features in One UI 7
- Battery feature is coming: A charging limit can now be set in the settings. To be exact, 80 percent, 85 percent, 90 percent and 95 percent.
- Routines: With One UI 7, Samsung is expanding the routines function to include a whopping 32 actions. The functionality is similar to well-known counterparts such as IFTTT or Apple Shortcuts in the style of “If this happens, do that”. You first create an event that then triggers a specific function.
- Background apps: If you swipe your finger from the bottom to the middle of the display, the view for the background apps opens. Samsung has given this view a look similar to that of the new iPhone.
- App drawer: A vertical app drawer can optionally be activated, which is already standard on many other smartphones. Samsung was an exception here.
- App size: Similar to iOS 18, the icon size of the apps can be adjusted. Widgets can also be labeled.
- gallery: Samsung's Photos app has undergone minor adjustments.
- App archiving: One UI 7 supports Android 15 app archiving (via Sammobile).
Samsung is saying goodbye to two features
Features will also be removed with the major update. With One UI 7, DeX support for PC on Windows is no longer available. Samsung refers to the Link to Windows function.
The large lock screen widgets will probably no longer be available with the update. Only the small widgets remain with One UI 7. These were recently introduced with One UI 6.1.1.
Release: When will One UI 7 be released?
A specific release date for One UI 7 is not yet known. Samsung names the first quarter of 2025 as the period. It is not unlikely that Samsung will bring the update onto the market together with the Galaxy S25 series.
The launch for the new flagship smartphones is expected to take place on January 23rd, but is far from confirmed.
Are there any new features in the big Galaxy update that we missed? What is your impression of the update so far? Are you looking forward to it or are you missing the functions that Samsung should deliver as soon as possible? Are you currently trying out the beta version or would you rather wait until the official release? Feel free to write it in the comments below!
