(Credit: Samsung)
Samsung today launched the public beta for One UI 7, the latest version of its customized Android interface, with upgrades built to make interactions easier and spruce up its look.
One UI runs atop of Android on Samsung phones and you are most likely to interact with it through the lock screen, notifications, and the camera app.
The beta is initially available for Galaxy S24 devices in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US. To sign up, you need to use the Samsung Members app. Be warned: Beta software is not the final version, so it may not work flawlessly—use it at your own risk.
(Credit: Samsung)One UI 7 bolsters Galaxy AI, Samsung's suite of AI tools. New advanced writing assist tools help with existing Galaxy AI features like summaries and organizing notes into bullet points. Call transcripts are built into One UI 7 and support 20 languages. If call recording is turned on, recordings are automatically transcribed.
The home screen, One UI widgets, and quick settings tray all feature slight redesigns. Notably, the lock screen now has a new section called the Now Bar. It resembles a widget and puts interactive notifications at the bottom of the screen, such as the remaining time on a timer, music player controls, and voice recorder controls. It's accessible without unlocking your phone.
One UI 7 also brings new controls for the camera app. In previous versions, selecting "More" in the camera app brought up a full-screen menu, blurring everything in the viewfinder beneath it. The new version places that menu at the bottom of the screen in a self-contained semi-transparent box while keeping more of the subject clear. Camera controls and Pro mode-specific controls are also moved closer to the shutter button while increasing the size of the viewfinder.
If using a beta on your device is not for you, the final One UI 7 is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2025 with the new Galaxy S series. It will roll out to other Galaxy devices, too.