The Story of Samsung’s Android Interface

Most customers take their Samsung Galaxy telephones’ easy and intuitive software program expertise without any consideration and provides little thought to what goes on behind the scenes to make it work so properly.

One UI is the pores and skin that runs on high of the usual Android OS to provide Samsung telephones the trademark seems, options, and user-friendliness they’ve change into famend for. The whole lot you do in your Galaxy Cellphone is thru the One UI interface, and it is the explanation you might have entry to companies like Samsung Health, Video games, and different useful apps.

It wasn’t at all times this manner, and it took a few years of enchancment and innovation to ship the polished product we have change into accustomed to. Let’s check out the historical past of One UI, from its humble starting as TouchWiz to the interface of selection for many smartphone customers worldwide.

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TouchWiz

The place all of it started

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One UI’s story began in 2008 when Samsung launched the pre-Android SGH-F480 (Tocco) telephone with the trial model of the TouchWiz interface. The primary official model, TouchWiz 1.0, got here a yr in a while the A887 Solstice, which did not set the world alight with its 3-inch touchscreen however laid the groundwork for what was to come back after with a easy menu and drag-and-drop widgets that may change into its trademark going ahead.

Round that point, telephones began gaining good talents, and Samsung’s first Android telephone, the GT-I7500, hit the streets in 2009 with a inventory model of Google’s OS with out including TouchWiz to complicate issues. The GT-I7500 featured a brand new AMOLED show and a 5-megapixel digicam with built-in flash however was criticized for its lack of firmware updates and customizable widgets from the model’s earlier choices.

Issues modified in 2010 with the introduction of the Galaxy S1, which ran Android 2.1 OS with Samsung’s TouchWiz 3.0 pores and skin. The telephone was an enormous hit, promoting over 24 million models in its lifetime, partly as a result of TouchWiz expertise, with vibrant colours, seven dwelling screens, and different options that made it really feel distinctive and groundbreaking.

The interface stored evolving in subsequent fashions, with options like multitouch gestures added to the Galaxy S2 earlier than the Nature UX monicker was added to its identify on the Galaxy S III. TouchWiz Nature UX, because it was now known as, was a staple on Samsung fashions from the Galaxy S III till it reverted to the outdated naming formulation with TouchWiz 5.0 on the Galaxy S6.

Extra options, just like the drop-down menu overlay and one-handed operation, which might change into normal on future telephones, had been added on this time-frame. Then again, TouchWiz was beginning to present indicators of software program bloat and pointless muddle that compromised its usability. It was time for a change, and after making a last look on the Galaxy S7 as TouchWiz 6.0, the interface rebranded to Samsung Expertise.

Samsung Expertise

A mandatory step in the proper path

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Samsung Expertise first appeared on the Galaxy S7 with the Android 7 “Nougat” replace in 2016 and featured a extra refined and streamlined design that was much less cluttered and less complicated to make use of. One of many principal causes for the overhaul was that Samsung was shifting away from having a bodily dwelling button and wanted new software program to accommodate taller shows.

It was a success with customers and featured on the Galaxy S8, which got here out the next yr with new options like Bixby and DeX. Samsung Expertise 9.5 was the final official model of the interface, launched in 2018 with the Android 8.1 “Oreo” replace earlier than it developed into the One UI BETA with model 10.0 on Android 9, Pie.

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One UI

A user-friendly interface for contemporary gadgets

One UI, as we all know it at the moment, arrived on the Galaxy S9 in 2018 with a redesign to simplify how Samsung telephones function and make one-handed use simpler. The thought was to create a user-friendly design with all of the continuously used icons positioned on the backside of the show, the place they’re simpler to achieve. One other important side is its customizability, which lets you transfer your widgets round, change the theme colours, and personalize your machine to fulfill your distinctive tastes.

One UI 1 (2018-2019)

One UI 1.0 was an enormous step for Samsung Galaxy telephones and launched new options just like the darkish mode, faucet to indicate on the At all times-On show, and a remappable Bixby button. Model 1.1 added stability fixes for the fingerprint reader, digicam, and facial recognition, and 1.5 introduced an early Hyperlink to the Home windows software model.

This authentic model of One UI is featured on telephones just like the Galaxy S8 and S9, Z Fold, and A-Sequence. It is also discovered on the Observe 8, 9, and 10 tablets.

One UI 2 (2019-2020)

One UI 2.0 labored with Android 10 and added native Android Auto, Dynamic Display screen Lock, and a local display screen recorder as its principal new options. The following model, 2.1, launched native help for Dwell Captions, 120Hz refresh charges, and Fast Share and Music Share. Model 2.3 was extra of a refinement of the prevailing system and tweaked present options as an alternative of including something new.

Gadgets just like the Galaxy S20, Z Fold 2, and Z Flip had One UI 2 baked in as their default interface. It was additionally supplied as an improve for the Galaxy S9 and S10, the Galaxy Fold, and sure Galaxy A-Sequence telephones. Galaxy Observe 9, 10, and 20 tablets additionally work with One UI 2.

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One UI 3 (2020-2021)

One UI 3.0 launched with Android 11 and added a clear notification panel, smoother animations and transitions, and different visible enhancements. Model 3.1 featured new software program upgrades like Personal Share, Eye Consolation Defend, Multi Mic recording, and digicam tweaks. The final iteration, 3.1.1, was primarily for foldable and pill gadgets and introduced improved task-switching and multi-window performance to optimize bigger shows.

The One UI 3 interface got here preinstalled on the Galaxy S21 and was later out there as an replace on the Galaxy S20. Different Samsung gadgets, just like the Z Fold3, Z Flip 3, and the Galaxy Tab S7 FE pill additionally ran on One UI 3.

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One UI 4 (2021-2022)

One UI 4.0 arrived in 2021 with the discharge of Android 12 and supplied minor updates to the customization and privateness options. Important upgrades, just like the digicam Professional Mode and Evening Mode Portraits, arrived with One UI 4.1. It additionally added Sensible Widgets, adjustable digital RAM, and the Sensible Calendar. Based mostly on Android 12L, the final replace, One UI 4.1.1, was primarily for tablets and foldables and supplied multitasking enhancements like a taskbar on the backside of the display screen and a cut up display screen view supporting as much as three screens.

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 vary and S21 FE got here with One UI 4 preinstalled. It was additionally featured on the Tab S6, S7, and S8 tablets and Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 telephones.

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One UI 5 (2022-2023)

One UI 5 was based mostly on Android 13, and model 5.0 introduced minor updates, equivalent to a redesigned lock display screen and up to date wallpaper coloration palettes. Different options embody redesigned Fast Settings and Notifications panels in DeX and a watermarking software within the digicam app. Model 5.1 introduced some Professional RAW options to the usual digicam app, and improved connectivity between Samsung gadgets with up to date Multi Management. Tablets and foldable gadgets obtained One UI 5.1.1 with extra multitasking enhancements, like switching straight from a pop-up display screen to a split-screen and with the ability to preview apps when shifting the S Pen over the icon.

The Galaxy S22 Sequence obtained One UI 5.0 as an replace, and 5.1 got here normal on the Galaxy S23 vary. Giant-screen gadgets just like the Galaxy Tab S9, Z Fold 5, and Z Flip 5 arrived with One UI 5.1.1 preinstalled.

One UI 6 (2023-2024)

One UI 6 was a part of the Android 14 replace for the Galaxy S23 Sequence. Model 6.0 added a brand new Fast Panel button format, a brand new default font, distinctive lock screens for various modes, and plenty of different options. Samsung took issues to a different stage with the 6.1 updates, which introduced fashionable Galaxy AI instruments like Generative Edit and Circle to Search, amongst different enhancements, to its gadgets.

The Galaxy S23 and S24 Sequence use the present UI 6.1. It is also working on Samsung’s different new gadgets just like the Tab 9, Z Flip 6, and Z Fold 6.

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When will One UI 7 arrive?

There is no confirmed date for One UI 7’s launch, however rumors speculate that it may very well be in direction of the tip of the yr after the official launch of Android 15. In response to latest leaks, it’s going to add Fast Actions to the lock display screen, rounded 3D icons, and extra AI options.

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