Samsung’s One UI has consistently strived to provide a streamlined and intuitive Android experience. With the impending arrival of One UI 7, Samsung is doubling down on this commitment, introducing a suite of enhancements designed to further integrate its ecosystem and refine user interactions. This in-depth look explores the key features and changes coming with One UI 7, offering insights into what Galaxy users can expect.
Fine-Tuning Visuals: The Super HDR Toggle and its Implications
One of the more subtle yet impactful changes in One UI 7 revolves around Super HDR. Introduced with the Galaxy S24 series, Super HDR enhances the dynamic range of images and videos, resulting in more vibrant and lifelike visuals. While visually impressive, some users found the effect less desirable in certain scenarios. Recognizing this, Samsung has implemented a system-wide toggle within One UI 7, allowing users to completely disable Super HDR.
This granular control is a significant improvement over the previous implementation in One UI 6.1, where the Super HDR toggle was limited to the Gallery app. In One UI 7, disabling Super HDR in the settings menu (Settings » Advanced features » Super HDR) affects all apps, including third-party platforms like Instagram and Threads. This provides users with unprecedented control over their visual experience, catering to individual preferences.
For those unfamiliar, Super HDR, based on Google’s Ultra HDR format, expands the range of colors and brightness levels captured and displayed in photos and videos. This translates to richer details in both highlights and shadows, creating a more immersive viewing experience, especially on supported displays. Currently, this feature is primarily available on the latest Galaxy flagships, including the S24 series, Z Flip 6, and Z Fold 6.
Seamless Ecosystem Integration: Camera Continuity and Enhanced Device Synchronization
Beyond visual refinements, One UI 7 places a strong emphasis on enhancing the interconnectedness of Galaxy devices. A standout feature in this regard is “Camera Continuity.” This innovative feature allows users to seamlessly transition between devices while working with photos or documents. Imagine capturing a photo or scanning a document on your Galaxy phone and instantly being able to continue editing or annotating it on your Galaxy tablet or PC.
Camera Continuity integrates directly with Samsung Notes and the Samsung Internet browser, streamlining workflows and eliminating the need for manual file transfers. For instance, a user could scan a document with their phone and then seamlessly continue working on it within Samsung Notes on their Galaxy Book, all without missing a beat.
This seamless experience relies on a few key requirements: all devices must be logged into the same Samsung account, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and within Bluetooth range of each other. While still in its early stages of implementation within the One UI 7 beta, Camera Continuity promises to significantly enhance productivity and device interoperability.
One UI 7 also brings improvements to the existing “Continue on other devices” feature. This feature, which allows users to pick up where they left off when switching between devices, now extends to syncing saved Wi-Fi networks. While not a completely new feature, this enhancement further strengthens the cohesive experience across the Galaxy ecosystem.
One UI 7 Beta Program and the Galaxy S23 Series: A Different Approach
While the One UI 7 beta program has been rolled out for the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung has taken a different approach with other devices, particularly the Galaxy S23 series. Instead of releasing a public beta, Samsung appears to be conducting internal testing before directly releasing the stable One UI 7 update for the S23 lineup.
The discovery of internal test supports this strategy builds for the Galaxy S23, which closely resemble the One UI 7 beta version for the S24. The subtle differences in build numbers suggest that Samsung is bypassing the public beta phase for the S23, opting for a more streamlined rollout of the stable update.
This approach is likely influenced by the upcoming launch of the Galaxy S25 series in early 2024. By focusing on a direct stable release for the S23, Samsung can dedicate resources to ensuring a polished experience for both the new flagship and its predecessor. This also aligns with reports suggesting that other older Galaxy models, such as the S22, S21, and A-series, will also skip the beta program.
Looking Ahead: The Future of One UI
One UI 7 represents a significant step forward in Samsung’s ongoing efforts to refine its Android experience. From the granular control offered by the Super HDR toggle to the seamless device integration facilitated by Camera Continuity, One UI 7 has features designed to enhance productivity and user satisfaction.
While the beta program rollout has taken a slightly different course for certain devices, the anticipation for the stable release remains high. As Samsung continues to refine and expand its ecosystem, One UI 7 sets the stage for a more connected and intuitive mobile experience for Galaxy users.
