Samsung has officially unveiled One UI 7, its latest update designed to redefine smartphone interaction. Announced at the October 3, 2024 Samsung Developer Conference, Samsung One UI 7 offers more than a visual refresh—it enhances usability with smarter, more intuitive features. It looks like there’s plenty of inspiration from Apple, but if it improves the user experience, does it matter? Apple, Google, and Samsung constantly borrow from one another, and in the end, it simply means to make the best user experience better and better.

One UI 7 vs iOS 18 vs Android 15

Feature	One UI 7 (Samsung)	iOS 18 (Apple)	Android 15 (Google)
Split Notification Menu	Separated Notifications and Quick Settings	Unified Control Center	Combined but adopting split in Android 16
Design Refinements	Rounded notifications, pill-shaped battery icon	Minimalistic Control Center	Material You-inspired updates
Camera App Layout	Controls at the bottom for one-handed use	Optimized thumb reach	Similar improvements in Pixel UI
App Search Bar Placement	Moved to the bottom for easier access	Moved to the bottom in recent updates	Centered search bar
Multitasking Menu	Stacked view, now default	Horizontal scrolling view	Stacked view with gestures
Icon Redesigns	Vibrant, colorful, modern icons	Flat, minimalist icons	Dynamic, vivid icons
Smoother Animations	Improved, near iOS-level smoothness	Industry-leading smooth animations	Refining but slightly lagging
Dynamic Island Feature	Rumored Dynamic Island-like feature	Introduced with iPhone 14	Not available
AI-Powered Gallery	AI organizing and searching photos/videos	AI-enhanced Photos app	Already AI-powered with Google Photos
Continuity Across Devices	Seamless call transfers between devices	Handoff for seamless continuity	Limited device continuity
Release Timeline	Galaxy S25 in January 2025, Beta in December	New iPhone releases in Sept/Oct	Staggered fall releases

A Fresh UX Design for Smarter, Simpler Interaction

One UI 7 brings a refreshing new look to Samsung’s interface, focusing on simplicity and purpose. This redesign isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about understanding what users want and need. Samsung has streamlined the interface to reduce complexity, making it cleaner, consistent, and more user-friendly. Whether you’re launching apps, navigating settings, or customizing your device, One UI 7 intuitively supports your actions, minimizing unnecessary steps and delivering a seamless experience.

Bold Galaxy Signature with Iconic Design Elements

One UI 7 aims to make a bold impression while staying true to Samsung’s Galaxy identity. The design highlights Samsung’s innovations with a striking and iconic look that feels distinctly One UI. Every detail has been carefully crafted to showcase the uniqueness of Galaxy devices, creating a visually impactful experience. The enhancements are not just about function but also form—providing users with an interface that is both powerful and visually pleasing, making Galaxy’s design instantly recognizable.

Emotional Satisfaction Through Enhanced Motion and Blur

Comfort and emotional connection are at the heart of One UI 7’s design philosophy. Samsung has infused a more emotional quality into the user experience by enhancing motion and implementing a custom blur system. These subtle touches elevate users’ satisfaction by making interactions feel smoother and more natural. One standout example is the new home screen grid, which offers a sleeker, more organized layout. Regardless of which Galaxy device you’re using, this new grid ensures a tidy, customizable home screen that feels both functional and elegant.

Purposeful Simplicity and Fluidity in One UI 7

One UI 7 introduces purposeful simplicity, enhancing the overall user experience by making interactions smoother and more intuitive. Here are some key aspects of this design philosophy:

• Streamlined Interface: A cleaner, more consistent design reduces clutter and focuses on essential elements.
• Enhanced Animations: Smoother transitions make navigation feel more fluid and responsive.
• Blur Effect: Applied to backgrounds, it helps create better focus and separation of on-screen elements.
• Simple Quick Settings and Notifications: With intuitive layouts, users can quickly access what they need with minimal effort.

The purposeful simplicity in One UI 7 helps streamline user interactions while maintaining emotional impact, making it easier and more enjoyable to use.

One-Handed Design for Better Usability

Another great improvement is the shift back to the one-handed design philosophy that made One UI so popular in the first place. For instance, the search bar in the app drawer has now been moved to the bottom, making it much easier to reach without the need for awkward thumb stretches. This thoughtful design update makes navigating the device feel more natural and convenient, something that I appreciate every time I use it. The blend of simplicity, speed, and emotion in One UI 7 has made a noticeable difference in the way I interact with my Galaxy device, and I’m sure many users will feel the same way.

Here it our honest review of the Samsung S25 Series: One UI 7 will properly enable and be ready to use

Separated Notification and Quick Panel Drawers

With One UI 7, Samsung has made significant changes to how we interact with the notification drawer and quick panel. Here’s what you need to know about the new design:

• Notification and Quick Panel are now separate: Swiping from one side brings up notifications while swiping from the other side opens the quick panel.
• Previous design: In the past, swiping down would show both, and a second swipe would expand the quick panel.
• Personal preference: Whether you like this change or not depends on how you use your phone, but the separation aims to make the interface cleaner and more intuitive.
• Familiar with iOS?: This design is similar to iOS, where different swipes bring up different menus.

The shift to a separate interface can improve the user experience, but it’s all about adjusting to this new method. For some, it’ll feel like a natural enhancement, while others may take time to adapt.

Samsung’s One UI 7 brings some notable changes to the way you interact with your device. Among these updates, the Task Changer and Galaxy Avatar stand out as fresh enhancements.

• Task Changer Update:
  • New stacked effect for apps, where cards overlap, creating a dynamic look.
  • Stronger depth effect with a more pronounced blurred background for a sleek, refined feel.
• Galaxy Avatar:
  • Found under Advanced Features.
  • Potential replacement or addition to AR emoji.
  • Offers fun and interactive personalization options for the phone.

These changes not only make the interface more visually appealing but also enhance user engagement, making One UI 7 feel more dynamic and fun. Stay tuned as Samsung continues to innovate with these features!

Samsung’s One UI 7 introduces an updated camera experience, with an emphasis on one-handed interaction and a smoother, more accessible interface. Here’s a breakdown of the new features:

• One-handed interaction:
  • All camera controls, including the shutter button, zoom, and resolution options, are now placed at the bottom of the screen, making them easy to reach with one hand.
• Natural layout:
  • Despite the condensed placement of controls, the design feels spacious and not cramped, providing a user-friendly experience.
• Motion photo:
  • A convenient toggle for turning on motion photos is now located at the bottom, improving quick access.
• Improved animations:
  • The interface features enhanced animations, making the camera controls feel smoother and more responsive.
• Camera UI:
  • The camera app now has a fresh look and feel, with a modern design that enhances the overall aesthetic.

This improved camera interface ensures that users can interact seamlessly with the phone, making photo-taking quicker and more intuitive. Samsung is putting a lot of thought into user experience with One UI 7, offering smoother, easier navigation across various features.

Final Thoughts: Samsung One UI 7

Samsung’s One UI 7 represents a significant leap forward in smartphone design, prioritizing simplicity and user-centered improvements. The updates, from enhanced motion and blur effects to more intuitive navigation and one-handed usability, provide a smoother and more enjoyable experience. Samsung’s focus on purposeful simplicity ensures that users not only enjoy visually pleasing aesthetics but also benefit from a functional, responsive interface that enhances day-to-day usage. With these improvements, One UI 7 truly sets a new standard in mobile interaction.