Samsung One UI 7: Enhanced compact widgets and interactive lock screen

Samsung’s upcoming One UI 7 is set to bring a fresh and interactive experience to its lock screen, emphasizing streamlined, compact widgets for live apps. This upgrade will offer users a more intuitive way to access essential app functions right from the lock screen, making the interface both visually appealing and functionally advanced.

Enhanced Compact Widgets for Live Apps

Unlike standard apps, live apps stay active in the background, keeping their core functions accessible. This allows apps like the Media Player to continue playing audio when the device is locked. The current One UI version already supports this feature, showing playback controls on the lock screen so you can easily play, pause, or skip tracks without unlocking the device. However, One UI 7 will further enhance this experience with compact and interactive widgets.

Compact Live App Activities

Although One UI 7’s release is still months away, early leaks, notably from AndroidHeadlines, give us a glimpse of what to expect. The new design shows compact widgets positioned at the bottom of the lock screen, between the phone and camera shortcuts. These widgets are sleeker, fitting seamlessly into the new UI with rounded corners and modern aesthetics.

Currently, the leaked version showcases three widget examples:

• Music Player: Shows a thumbnail on the left side with playback controls for back, play/pause, and next.
• Voice Recorder: Displays a recording timer and a stop button for quick access.
• Clock/Timer: Shows an active timer, total elapsed time, estimated completion time, and options to pause or resume.

Stackable Design for Multiple Live Activities

In previous One UI versions, large widgets dominated the lock screen, extending horizontally across the display in a list view. One UI 7 introduces a more refined approach, where compact widgets appear only when live apps are running, while notifications remain accessible via expandable icons. Users can swipe through multiple live activities, with the compact widgets stacked like a deck of cards. This hybrid design allows you to enjoy a tidy and interactive lock screen, with widgets you can expand for full functionality as needed.

A Step Ahead of Apple’s iOS Live Activities

Apple’s iOS offers live activities that appear on the lock screen with essential controls. However, Samsung’s new compact widget approach with One UI 7 may offer a more versatile experience, allowing users to manage multiple live activities simultaneously.

Expected Release Timeline

Samsung plans to launch a beta version of One UI 7, potentially releasing the official version alongside the anticipated Galaxy S25 series in early 2025.