One UI 7.0 is one of the most significant updates in the history of One UI. Besides a major UI design revamp, it brings some new AI features, improved stock apps, and smoother animations and transitions. It also brings accessibility, privacy, and security improvements.
I have been happily using the Galaxy S23 Ultra for almost two years, and I was hoping to test One UI 7 through Samsung's One UI beta program. But it doesn't look like the company is interested in bringing the beta to any device other than the Galaxy S24/S24+/S24 Ultra, so I will probably have to wait for the official update that's rumored to arrive sometime in February.
Based on everything we have learned about One UI 7 in the last few months, particularly through the Galaxy S24 beta program, there are four features I am most excited about.
Extremely customizable Quick Panel layout
One UI 7.0 brings the most unique and customizable Quick Panel design seen on smartphones. This level of customization for quick setting toggles hasn't been offered on Android phones earlier.
Its fresh new design features pill-shaped quick setting toggles for the most frequently used options like Bluetooth. It also features sliders for screen brightness and volume.
As always, you can select the quick setting toggles that should appear on the Quick Panel. In addition, with One UI 7.0, you can rearrange the UI elements and set them per your preferences. For example, if you want the display brightness and volume slider to appear at the bottom of the screen, you can do that.
Plenty of beautiful widgets
One UI 7.0 brings plenty of new widgets for the home and lock screens. Thanks to their rounded edges and colorful icons, all the widgets now look more visually striking. You can even set a custom background and transparency level for some widgets.
Improved camera app
The stock camera app has received a major design overhaul. All the camera options and settings are placed towards the bottom of the screen, making them easier to access with one hand. Even the camera mode switcher is denser and sits closer to your fingers.
In short, everything in the camera app is easier to access and designed for more comfortable one-handed use, which is one of the principles One UI is supposed to be based on but has not been fully realized.
New animations and transitions
Although Samsung adds several new features to One UI every year, it doesn't pay too much attention to animations and transitions. And people have been complaining about One UI lagging behind other Android skins in terms of smoothness and animations.
So, with One UI 7.0, Samsung paid a lot of attention to details regarding how the software behaves and feels when you interact with it. Animations and transitions now appear a lot smoother and more fluid. In short, with every touch and swipe, One UI 7.0 feels fast and gorgeous.
Hopefully, my Galaxy S23 Ultra will get the One UI 7.0 update within the next couple of months. Despite being two years old, my phone has held up pretty well. I have no issues with its battery life, camera, or performance, and with One UI 7, I expect the phone to become smoother than it is right now.
