I used my Samsung Galaxy S23 as my each day driver for some time. However for me, I needed to give it up since One UI 7 proved to be a catastrophe.
My telephone now not felt prefer it functioned properly; going between menus was laggy, and my battery drained sooner than ever earlier than.
The replace was so dangerous (for me) that I used to be typically frightened about Samsung’s route with future updates.
I pushed and upgraded to the Galaxy S25+ to ‘future-proof’ myself since I wanted to make use of it to analysis and examine new AI-driven options (understanding innovation is a part of my job).
Nevertheless, it has been some time since I felt happy with a One UI replace on a Samsung telephone when it got here out.
Whereas I’ll have favored to experiment with extra AI options, I am nonetheless fairly pleased with Samsung’s restrained strategy to One UI 8.
That is the primary One UI replace shortly that felt like a extra full launch than simply an prolonged beta. This is why sharpening issues extra than simply dumping in new extravagant options.
One UI 8 focuses on enhancing the person expertise
It is an replace targeted on enhancing core options
It is odd. I really like utilizing Samsung’s instruments, however I nonetheless cannot absolutely get onboard with Galaxy AI.
I typically overlook that half of them exist. I am extra aware of Galaxy AI once I must experiment with it (so I can kind my very own opinion of how helpful a few of these instruments are).
For instance, as cool as Picture Help was, I barely use the generative AI capabilities to create new photographs. Probably the most I do is use AI to right dangerous images or take higher ones.
So I typically discover myself searching for the greatest use instances for Galaxy AI, then utilizing that as an excuse to strive it, somewhat than discovering motive to make use of it.
Once I acquired my Galaxy S25+, I used to be enthusiastic about a number of new options. Considered one of them was the Now Transient, which I barely bear in mind existed, and the opposite was Now Bar.
Whereas I feel Now Bar is a step in the precise route, it’s too easy.
The bar is a bit too tiny, and the media controls are restricted. Plus, the apps it helps are a a lot shorter checklist than I might like (it primarily helps Samsung apps, with only a few Google and third-party apps).
Nevertheless, it is most likely my favourite latest function from the Galaxy AI suite, however I nonetheless want there have been extra of it. This brings me to the purpose that it is not all the time about function amount; I choose that Samsung deal with high quality whereas enhancing the present function releases.
Sarcastically, the one software I exploit daily is definitely an AI-based software: the AI choose software. This did obtain some consideration within the One UI 8 replace.
The AI choose software acquired a pin screenshot choice, improved contextual actions, and higher accessibility within the Edge panel (making it faster to launch).
However that is one of many least flashy instruments you should use from the Galaxy AI suite.
All in all, One UI 8 is all about subtlety. It did not convey a serious enlargement for including extra Galaxy AI options. As a substitute, it was an replace that targeted on enhancing the core person expertise.
The Galaxy AI options it did deal with appeared extra related to me, like utilizing name captions and accessing an enhanced interpreter.
It additionally had another notable additions.
For instance, One UI improved productiveness by making it simpler to multitask on foldables (including 90/10 split-screen window help) and refining some core apps like Fast Share and My Recordsdata.
It additionally refined your lock display’s clock fashion and wallpaper to regulate how they give the impression of being with completely different parts, utilizing dwell wallpapers with gradients and colour swaps that change with the time of day.
In the event you’re huge on additional accessibility choices, One UI 8 introduced in some new display zoom choices that felt higher to make use of general.
All of those talked about options (notice that this is not an exhaustive checklist) are helpful in their very own proper, however none of them are thought-about flashy.
However that is the place Samsung deserves some reward.
You do not want each replace to be stuffed with heavy AI integration coupled with extravagant options to be on prime. Merely deal with the fundamentals (like on a regular basis use), and make your system look cool and really feel good to make use of, as an alternative.
One UI 8 improves efficiency and battery life
It additionally has noticeably easy transitions when accessing apps
Going from my Galaxy S23 to my Galaxy S25+ was already evening and day. Although I nonetheless did not like how One UI 7 made my telephones really feel laggy, it was higher on the Galaxy S25+, however one thing about it nonetheless wasn’t precisely clicking with me.
As a part of my general workflow, I’m consistently checking my telephone and testing apps.
Once I open apps, I might like them to be responsive and not decelerate my telephone. Plus, I do not like worrying about battery optimization.
Simply the general snappier really feel — with the ability to swap between my apps, swipe by means of the tiles on my notifications panel, and throughout my dwelling display — makes the expertise far more rejuvenating than earlier than.
A smartphone ought to really feel good to make use of. Utilizing gestures must also stay responsive and never lag, which is why Samsung has nailed this facet for me.
Plus, I’ve seen the battery drain hasn’t been as vital as once I was utilizing my system on One UI 7; it might maintain its cost for a number of days even with a VPN energetic.
Samsung’s quality-of-life focus extends to different gadgets operating One UI 8.
My colleague just lately praised how refreshing One UI 8 has been on his Galaxy Watch Extremely.
So, typically it is not concerning the assortment of latest options an replace brings; it is about nailing the fundamentals — together with how completely different gadgets carry out with the replace, and the UI.
We do not want fancy options to maintain a brand new and previous system feeling recent.
Samsung hasn’t forgotten about AI options
In the event you flip-flop your opinion on AI options like I do, you already know that these options aren’t going wherever, anytime quickly — and that there are lots extra to come back.
One UI 8.5 will introduce new AI-driven options. Whereas I stay up for attempting some, resembling notification summaries and prioritization, my expectations for them stay low given their limitations.
Now we have already seen a few of this come to fruition, because of Apple.
Just like the awkward preliminary launch of AI notification summaries for information and leisure. The function confronted backlash for inaccurate summaries of stories headlines, which finally led Apple to briefly withdraw it till iOS 26.
So I’m more than pleased to attend till Samsung can get related options proper earlier than they launch.