It has been a protracted and awkward highway for Android 15. Google launched its newest Pixels with no new construct for its cell OS, with customers ready till October for the newest adjustments to roll out. Since then, we have seen a few corporations — specifically, OnePlus — roll out their respective upgrades, whereas the 800 pound gorilla within the room stayed silent. Lastly, after months of rumors and leaks, it is lastly time for Samsung to ship a preview of One UI 7, with the primary public beta able to rock at present.
One UI 7 has an all-new feel and appear
And sure, it appears very iOS-inspired
Earlier than we get to Samsung’s round-up of AI-focused instruments, let’s deal with the massive adjustments this yr: a full visible overhaul. We have seen loads of leaks because the firm reportedly delayed its beta in August, with Samsung delivering a small sneak peak at its builders convention in October earlier than, as soon as once more, falling silent.
In the present day’s beta announcement confirms virtually each leak we have seen, proper right down to the brand new feel and appear for One UI. The largest change is one thing Samsung calls the “Now Bar,” which appears to be the corporate’s tackle Apple’s Dwell Actions widgets. The Now Bar shows actions from “Interpreter, Music, Recording, Stopwatch and extra,” which appears to recommend it is solely restricted to first-party apps.
I am an enormous fan of Dwell Actions on iOS, particularly as extra apps have come to assist it. Having sports activities scores and Fantasy matchups stay on my lock display whereas reviewing the iPhone 16 Professional Max was improbable, and I am hoping to see related assist right here. However until the Now Bar opens as much as third-parties, that is most likely going to be restricted to a music widget for plenty of customers.
Samsung additionally says One UI 7 sports activities a “easy, impactful, and emotive design,” although I am undecided that is coming via within the screenshots shared with at present’s announcement. The short settings menu has been reworked to be extra consistent with what the iPhone gives — a choice Samsung is way from alone in — whereas the up to date icons remind me of Chinese language OEM choices, like MIUI and Colour OS. I am curious to see how these look in motion when One UI 7 lands on my Galaxy S24 Extremely later at present. At the very least these new widgets look fairly good.
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It is the little issues that matter
This redesign additionally contains an all-new search for the digital camera, which appears like a hybrid between Google’s viewfinder on Pixel and Apple’s UI on iOS. The placements of the gallery button, rotate button, and the search for swapping between zoom lengths are all out of Google’s playbook, whereas the font for the totally different digital camera modes (and, extra particularly, the truth that they’re written out in all caps) is giving large iPhone vibes. It isn’t nearly visible variations, although. Samsung has reorganized its Professional mode toolsets with a neater format, which ought to make controlling your remaining picture an entire lot simpler.
Visible adjustments apart, this would not be a serious fashionable OS improve with out loads of consideration paid to AI. We have already heard Samsung is holding again a few of its marquee next-gen Galaxy AI options for One UI 7.1, however that does not imply this beta is totally lacking out on new toolsets.
“Superior writing help instruments” work in any app the place textual content is selectable, delivering summarization choices, spelling and grammar test, and auto-formatting for bullet factors, along with the writing instruments launched final yr. Name transcripts are additionally on their approach, full with assist for 20 languages. Faucet a button in-call to begin recording, and you will get an auto-transcription on the finish of the dialog.
Galaxy S24 customers can seize it at present
However provided that you are in a supported area
This replace has been a very long time coming, however not everybody’s going to have the ability to bounce on it at present. Samsung’s One UI 7 beta program is simply obtainable proper now for Galaxy S24 collection customers (excluding the Galaxy S24 FE) in Germany, India, Poland, South Korea, the UK, and the US. Don’t fret, Z Fold 6 house owners, you will get your likelihood.
When you’re curious about attempting it out, you may join via the Samsung Members app. When you’re ready for the steady replace, Samsung says it is coming within the first quarter of 2025. Get your Edge Panel recollections in when you can.