Key Takeaways
- Integrated AI tools to speed up performance without an online connection.
- Monitors battery health to extend device life for up to 7 years.
- It needs faster charging to keep up with competitors like OnePlus.
Android 15 is just around the corner, along with the expected release of the One UI 7 interface for Samsung Galaxy smartphones, with better AI integration and several other updates that improve usability and performance. The One UI 7 beta was initially scheduled for a July 2024 release, but is still on hold due to the delayed release of 6.1.1 for smartphones such as the Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the features we’d like to see in One UI 7. Online leaks have already hinted at some of the features the new interface may include, while others are on our wish list for a Galaxy smartphone.
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Faster and more efficient performance
One UI 6.1 introduced Circle to Search, Regenerative Edit, and other AI tools, but chatbots like Google Gemini and ChatGPT still run as third-party apps and aren’t built into the software. With the AI wars in full swing, it makes sense for Samsung to integrate the latest tools to keep up with the Pixel 8’s Gemini Nano and Apple’s promise to bring ChatGPT to its phones later this year.
One benefit of on-board AI features is that they can provide faster and more efficient performance without the need for an online connection. Samsung’s Bixby has never been well-received by users, and while it’s unlikely, now is the perfect time to replace it with a better alternative. New AI features in One UI 7 are a given, but we’ll have to wait and see how far they go with the on-board integration.
2 Battery status monitoring
Tolerate seven years of updates
Pocket Lint
One UI 6.1 added battery protection features to extend the lifespan of Galaxy phones, so adding health monitoring made sense. Samsung phones already let you see battery details like app usage, but it would be nice to see the maximum capacity and peak performance capacity of your battery compared to when the device was new, like the iPhone does.
Leak sources have been hinting at the feature, and it seems likely to be coming to One UI 7. It makes sense, as Samsung has been touting that it will offer seven years of software updates, so this feature would only work if the device lasts that long.
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3 Faster charging
Keeping up with the competition
Pocket Lint
Samsung phones offer fast and super fast charging options, but wired speeds of up to 45W and wireless speeds of 15W are mediocre and lag behind the competition. If a phone like the OnePlus 12 can deliver wired speeds of up to 100W and wireless speeds of 50W, there’s no reason Samsung can’t up its game and offer faster charging on its flagship models that claim to be best in class.
A software update alone may not be enough to achieve faster charging speeds, and this feature is more of a wish list item than a concrete feature that may be added in One UI 7. Current charging speeds are one of my biggest complaints about Samsung’s S24 series, and it would be great if they could improve it without a hardware upgrade.
4 Customizable quick settings
Drag and drop
The Quick Settings menu is one of those features that is constantly updated but never gets better, always wanting more functionality. If recent rumors are correct, we can expect more changes to this menu in One UI 7, with some speculating that scrolling from left to right will reveal separate notification and quick settings menus.
Samsung phones are supposed to have the best customization features and the feature I want most is a quick settings menu where I can drag and drop icons to suit my preferences. Secondly, features like Dex, Smart View, Hotspot etc could be moved to the top of the main menu for easier access and unused features like Wireless Power Sharing and Always-On Display could be removed to reduce clutter. This is another wish list feature and is unlikely to make it into One UI 7.
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5 Reduce clutter
Less is more
Software bloat is another issue that never goes away with updates. It’s time for Samsung to simplify its phone interface to match the smoothness of rivals like the iPhone and the Pixel 8. While removing Samsung Messages as a pre-installed app from Galaxy phones is a step in the right direction, many other apps, such as Samsung Kids and AR Emoji, are less popular and can only be disabled, not uninstalled.
It would be nice if One UI 7 would give you the option to decide which Samsung bloatware apps you want during the initial setup and remove the ones you don’t need. That way, you can customize your Galaxy experience to your liking without unnecessary apps appearing on your home menu, improving performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
6 App Lock
Block your kids from using certain apps
Samsung Galaxy smartphones have a Secure Folder feature to prevent unwanted access to certain apps. This feature is helpful, but it’s not convenient because it requires you to move apps off the home screen into a separate folder and doesn’t offer the option to restrict access individually.
App Lock is a rumored feature for One UI 7 that lets you restrict access to individual apps on your home screen without having to organize them into special folders. That means you can add another layer of protection to your banking apps, private messages, and other sensitive information, and still easily unlock them with a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
I don’t need the highest level of security on my phone, but I appreciate this feature so I can play games and watch YouTube videos without worrying that my daughter will order toys on Amazon or message her friends without my permission.
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