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Samsung needs to improve Android 13’s themed icons with One UI 5.1

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one ui 5 themed icons interface

Android 13’s Themed Icons feature now available in Samsung Galaxy devices in full-fledge. One UI 5.0 now applies dynamic icons on all compatible apps, while, Pixel has a lead in this feature. Samsung brought Android 13’s Themed Icons feature to Galaxy devices but still needs to improve with One UI 5.1.

Themed Icons feature works with Android 13’s Material You design language. Once applied, compatible app icons adopt the same color as the wallpaper-generated color palette to deliver an optimized user interface. Adoption with One UI 5.0 is not so cool, and I wish, Samsung will make it perfect with One UI 5.1.

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Since all applications are not compatible with the dynamic icon feature, the apps screen on Galaxy feels inelegant. For me, personally, the Themed App Icons feature destroys the visibility of the app screen on Galaxy phones, and I keep it turned off usually.

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I’ve seen the same feature in Google Pixel smartphones with Android 13 upgrade. The most interesting thing that I like is that the homescreen icons just adopt wallpaper color, while they keep their original look in the app screen on top of a solid white background.

Samsung can follow Google or do something else…

Compared to Samsung’s One UI 5, rivals like OnePlus and Oppo brought powerful customization capabilities with their Android 13 skins. I’ve also experienced the Huawei Mate 40 Pro running HarmonyOS 3, which has several features user fall in love with.

Ahead of Android 14, Samsung has a chance to introduce major enhancements for the Dynamic theming function with the One UI 5.1. The company will introduce the next flagship lineup of smartphones this February, which will run One UI 5.1 software out of the box.

For the Galaxy S23 series, it could come with some exclusive features that may be delivered to older Galaxy flagships. However, the user interface and experience part is most important and the Android 13’s dynamic theming must be applied in the right manner by Samsung.

one ui 5 themed icons interface

As the themed icons function falls under user interface section, the company needs to work on it in a priority and make it as good as other features. One UI 5.1 might bring changes in improvements in this aspect, however, it’s just a wish and speculation.

It’s great to see that the One UI 5 allows users to completely disable the Color Palette and Themed Icons features, however, it’s not a resolution. If Samsung is bringing such a feature to consumers, it must be greatly created and convenient to use.

James is the lead content creator on Sammy Fans and mostly works on Samsung's firmware section. His first phone was the Galaxy S4 and continues to get new S series devices. Most of the time, James tries to learn about new technologies and gadgets but he also sneaks a bit of free time to nearby rivers and nature.

Opinion

Here’s why Samsung apps start getting One UI 6 support ahead of official release

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Samsung Galaxy Themes new update

After One UI 5.1, we started hearing a lot of news, leaks, and rumors about the upcoming One UI 6. Recently, Samsung has also started releasing One UI 6.0 support for stock apps, starting with the Calculator app.

Looking at all this, we can expect that Samsung will provide this support to more apps in the future too. But the question is, why is Samsung providing One UI 6.0 support to its stocks apps before the official release? If you are thinking that by getting their support, you will get some new features in your apps, then it is not only the reason.

Samsung One UI 6.0 support can also bring new features for apps, but the main reason for this is something else. But what? The answer is that Samsung is going to release a new One UI update in the coming weeks or months and the company aims to make its stock apps compatible with that accordingly. Once the app is supported, the app will not stop working or get crash whenever the company releases that update for the smartphone.

Samsung One UI 6 Apps

A recent report revealed that Samsung’s stable Android 14 update will be available in October. This is the same time frame as last year’s UI rollout, with the latest Galaxy S lineup being the first to secure it. Meanwhile, beta activity is seeing an early start if everything goes as planned by the internals.

Still, for the time being, we can consider this information as a pinch of salt as the company has not yet announced any official timeline for One UI 6.0.

Samsung confirms One UI 6 and Good Lock features finding underway

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Opinion

Instead of Camera, Samsung should bring battery upgrade to flagships

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Nowadays, smartphones are being heavily used for gaming and photography. Accordingly, phone makers are focussing more and more on upgrading the imaging capabilities and performance of chipsets. So why not, Samsung should now bring battery upgrade to Galaxy flagships.

Battery upgrade should be the next aim

The recently launched Galaxy S23 Ultra brings a high-profile 200-megapixel camera, allowing users to capture lossless shots, even when cropped. With great collaboration between hardware and software, the new Samsung flagships offer peace of mind to consumers, when it comes to battery life.

In addition to camera lovers, people prefer buying a smartphone, which offers great battery life without compromising features and power specifications. In the same way, Samsung is reportedly working, and there’s still room for improvements in flagships battery life.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra could come with a new battery technology inspired by electronic vehicles. The company is considering stacked battery technology for smartphones, which will reduce the size keeping the same mAh and enhanced lifespan.

Since the stacked battery tech could leave more gap inside the phone, Samsung might not think about increasing mAh on flagship phones. Instead, the company may use an additional vacant area for upgrading other hardware elements and better placement.

The S23 Ultra even defeated the years-old leader iPhone in terms of battery performance, thanks to the “Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy” processor. Exynos 2400 is reportedly coming to the S24 series in certain markets, which re-creates concern about the phone’s battery life and performance.

That said, Samsung should focus on increasing premium Galaxy phones’ battery life so users can use them longer with a single charge. 45W fast charging is doing quite well, just improvements to battery life would prove as cherry on the cake.

What do you think about it, do share your thoughts with us through the Tweet embedded below.

Poll Results: May 12, 2023

We ran a poll that received 106 votes from our readers’ community. Among all, about 70 percent of readers voted in favor of a battery upgrade instead of the camera, while 23.6 percent want both upgrades together. Meanwhile, 6.6 percent of voters still want Samsung to focus on flagship camera upgrade.

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Opinion

Samsung 4+5 strategy meets today’s demands of consumers

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

Tech industry is currently facing a global downturn, forcing companies to shut down businesses in hopeless markets. Promotion no longer remains the only way to sell more smartphones as consumers start comparing products on different aspects; reliability, security and software support.

Samsung, unquestionably meets the demands of consumers, thanks to its 4+5 strategy, ensuring longer Android OS and security updates support. The company is the biggest Android seller in the world, and of course leads the market too, beating rivals like Apple.

Since the Samsung 4+5 strategy still lags behind Apple, when it comes to software support, it is record-breaking in the Android segment. As vendors stop including pre-built charging adapters to reduce e-waste, the EU also mandated longer software support so consumers can keep using a phone longer.

“At Samsung, you get not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 times Android OS updates. And 5 years is a long time, so your palm-sized pal will be in good hands with new regular security patches.”

Software updates play a key role in continuing great smartphone experiences, as well as the releases come with new features and optimization. Android is open source and gets packed with numerous flaws, Google patches them through security releases every month.

Accordingly, Samsung rolls out monthly patches to a large number of Galaxy devices, which ensures the most reliable system and user data protection. Android OS usually gets a new version in the second half of every year, bringing new useful features and life-saving tools to consumers.

Samsung, with its amazing One UI, dominated the Android market. The custom skin is neat, clean, and intuitive, ensuring smoother and more stunning experiences on Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Google introduces 1 each year, but Samsung utilizes it thrice (x.0/x.1/x.1.1), cool enough?

Until the second half of 2020, Samsung supplied two OS updates to all Galaxy devices. Later, the company raised the bar of software and reached up to 3, matching the Android maker. With the S22 launch, the Korean tech giant promised to bring up to 4 OS and 5 years of patches to select Galaxy models.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

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