These Samsung phones will receive Android Pie-based UI next year
Alongside unveiling its first-ever foldable smartphone, Samsung also showcased a redesigned user interface called One UI at its recently concluded developer conference. Based on Android Pie, One UI comes with a clean and minimalistic approach as against the feature-laden Samsung Experience UI. Further, Samsung has also confirmed that One UI will come to all of its latest flagships in January 2019. Here's more.
These Samsung phones will receive One UI update
Samsung has confirmed that it'll release One UI to Galaxy S9, S9+ and Note 9 in January 2019. The tech giant has also announced a One UI open beta test program for limited devices starting this month in several countries including India. Interestingly, Samsung has confirmed to Tom's Guide that Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and Note 8 will not receive One UI update.
One UI: Reinvented one-hand user interface for the taller phones
Samsung claims its One UI is designed for "more natural and comfortable" intuitive UX as against Samsung Experience's UI that feels like a cluttered design. The new UI aims to offer one-handed usage by utilizing the upper part of the display for viewing while assigning the lower part for touch interaction - a design that makes sense on taller phones.
One UI: An overview of all the changes
One UI gets a bunch of changes to suit the viewing area and interactive area design that Samsung has adopted. Under the Clock App, tabs like Alarm, World Clock have been moved to the bottom. Similarly, pop-ups also appear at the bottom of the display. Notably, One UI also gets a system-wide night mode and a color-coded theme to match your smartphone.
One UI will also introduce a revamped settings menu
With One UI, apart from the design aesthetics, Samsung is also simplifying the settings menu. Under the revamped menu, Samsung will group similar setting options together. This will basically make it easier for users to quickly browse and find what they are looking for.
Here's how to join Samsung's Open UI beta program
Firstly, download and sign in to Samsung Members app from either Galaxy Apps or Google Play Store (US residents need to download Samsung+ app). Now go to 'Notices' and select 'One UI Beta Program Registration' to complete and submit your application. If selected in the program, you'll be able to download the One UI beta when it is available. (Settings->Update Software->Download Updates Manually).
