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Samsung One UI 6 Beta Rolls Out for Galaxy S23: What's New?

You're now able to test out a new version of Samsung's Android skin on the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra.

 & Iyaz Akhtar Mobile Writer

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The latest version of Samsung's custom Android layer, One UI 6, is now available in beta form for owners of the Galaxy S23 series.

One UI runs atop of Android on Samsung phones and you are most likely to interact with it in the camera app, on the lock screen, via notifications, or in settings, while multitasking, and more. If you participate in the One UI beta, you'll be able to provide feedback directly to Samsung.

Be warned: Beta software is not the final version of the software, so once it arrives use it at your own risk. We suggest trying out betas on spare devices and not your main daily driver phone.

Notifications gets some changes: One UI 5 (left) and One UI 6 Beta (right).

In the One UI 6 beta, you'll find small changes to the notification area, like a new default font and notifications in a separate, rounded rectangle. The Quick Panel—which houses shortcuts for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more—now features brightness settings by default. (One UI 5 required you to edit the layout to have the brightness control show up all the time.)

Taking a page out of the Apple iOS playbook, One UI 6 lets you swipe from the top right of the screen for a fuller view of the Quick Panel along with access to more settings—but only if you turn on the Quick Panel instant access setting.

The lock screen becomes more versatile with the option to set different lock screens depending on your Modes and Routines. Plus, a new camera widget gives you control of where photos are stored and lets you preset a camera mode. For example, activating the camera widget could open up the app in video mode and those videos will be saved in whatever folder you select.

The One UI 6 beta is open for the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra in Germany, the US, and South Korea. Samsung hasn't yet announced a launch date for the final version of One UI 6.

About Our Expert

Iyaz Akhtar

Iyaz Akhtar

Mobile Writer

My Experience

I've been into technology for as long as I can remember. As a PCMag mobile writer, I get to test the newest phones and tablets. Since you rely on our buying advice, I make sure you get everything a manufacturer claims, which means lots of testing. This is your phone we're talking about; it's like a part of you. I've covered technology as a career for around two decades (yikes, I had to think about that). You've seen my work at The Apple Blog, PCMag (from my first go around), This Week in Tech, and CNET. I also occasionally produce independent video projects, including This Old Nerd, a how-to series that shows practical ways to get the most from your tech.

The Technology I Use

I use a 2023 M3 MacBook Pro customized with lots of keyboard shortcuts thanks to Raycast. Pixelmator Pro is my go-to photo editing application because there is no subscription, and I'm trapped with Evernote because I've used it forever.

I'm between phones at the moment, but I use a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 now, and used a Z Fold 6 before that. Considering that I like to have multiple windows open at once, the large inner screen of folding phones can show a baseball game on the top while I keep a chat app and Reddit open beneath. I do miss being able to write on the Z Fold 7's screen, though, which has me eyeing a Galaxy S25 Ultra.

My home is semi-smart, with many Google Home products that I thoroughly enjoyed in the pre-Gemini days. Be warned: smart bulbs are a gateway drug into smart home life.

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