One UI 6.0
Samsung One UI 6.0 to bring separate lock screen live wallpaper feature
Samsung One UI 6.0 could finally allow users to set separate live wallpaper on the home screen and lock screen. The different wallpaper selection feature is already available for static wallpapers, and Google is reportedly testing the ability for the new Android 14 OS.
Follow our socials → Google News, Telegram, Twitter, Facebook
Way back in 2009, the Android OS started to support the live wallpapers feature and kept the same ability until the last stable Android version. Samsung also allows users to use live wallpapers on Galaxy devices using the Wonderland module of the Good Lock customization suite.
Similar to Android, Good Lock’s Wonderland is capable of applying live wallpaper on either the “home screen” or “Home screen and lock screen.” There’s no choice of picking up the live wallpaper for only the “lock screen” that Samsung could be finally bringing with the One UI 6.0.
According to XDA, Android, 13 QPR2 includes several code changes, which prepare for enabling an “independent lock screen live wallpaper” feature. One code change adds a new method to Android’s WallpaperManager class called setWallpaperComponentWithFlags().
System apps that hold the SET_WALLPAPER_COMPONENT permission, such as Android’s Live Wallpaper Picker app, can use this method to “set the live wallpaper [component] for the given screen(s)”, such as the home screen, lock screen, or both screens.
Do note that the feature is not available in Android 14’s Developer Preview build, as the company may have reserved it for the public beta program. As soon as the testing phase concludes, Android will gain the separate lock screen live wallpaper feature through a firmware update.
In addition, Google is bringing a new volume control panel with Android 14, which is inspired by the One UI. The upcoming OS also brings a new Emoji Wallpaper generator feature, which we want in Samsung’s Android 14 update for Galaxy fans.
More on Samsung x Google:
At the annual Developers Conference 2022, Samsung officially introduced the Android 13-based One UI 5.0 version for Galaxy devices (smartphones, foldables, and tablets).
During the event, Samsung also announced the One UI 6.0 update rollout plan. Initially, the Android 13-based One UI 5 first arrived for the S22 series as an Open Beta program, later extended to older flagships.
One UI 6 – When it’s coming?
After Google, Samsung was the fastest Android 13 update distributor for Galaxy smartphones, beating rivals from China. Impressively, the company managed to deploy stable software update for all devices, setting an example for rivals that began rollout in hurry, such as OnePlus. Going back to the One UI 6.0 timeline, the company started Android 13 Open Beta for the Galaxy S22 series in early August 2022, which later expanded to Galaxy S21, Note 20, S20, and more.
For One UI 6, Samsung is likely to follow the same as it did with the One UI 5 last year. It means you can expect the Android 14-based One UI 6 Beta program to start for the latest Galaxy S23 flagships by the last week of July or the first week of August. Do note that the Korean tech giant does not join Google for Android 14’s development.
Based on previous rollouts, and expected Android 14 development plan and Beta activities for Galaxy devices, Samsung would launch the One UI 6.0 at the 2023 Developers Conference later this year. However, Galaxy users having the latest flagship Galaxy device will be able to preview new design and features early.
Shortly after the announcement at Developers Conference, the South Korean tech giant may begin the One UI 6.0 Stable update rollout, first for Beta testers, followed by general users. Flagship Galaxy models are eligible for the early update, while the company may not take too much time to expand it to mid-range and budget phones, you can ensure your model’s eligibility in our list.
One UI 6.0 Roadmap
- Beta program – Late July or early August
- Stable/official – October 2023
You may have known that Google has already released Android 14 on the Beta channel. Back in February, the company rolled out two Developer Preview builds for supported Pixel smartphones, however, 3 more major Beta updates are expected before the official Android 14 debut.
Update: May 28 | Samsung may start the One UI Beta program early this year as new BWEE test firmware spotted on CheckFirm.
Follow our socials → Google News, Telegram, Twitter, Facebook
In late October, Samsung released Android 13-based One UI 5.0, which expanded in November. Later on, the company introduced One UI 5.1, which inflated to Galaxy devices in mid-February. Meanwhile, we’ve compiled a list of Samsung devices that will not get the One UI 6.0 update, based on Android 14.
Back in February, Google released the Android 14 DP 1 (Beta 2 on May 10) to eligible Pixel phones. However, Samsung’s One UI 6 Beta testing is expected to start by the end of July or early August, followed by a Stable release later this year. Read more → Everything about One UI 6.0
The Galaxy flagships debuted after the S21 series are eligible for four major OS upgrades. At the same time, select mid-range phones, starting with Galaxy A53 and Galaxy A73, are also eligible to get up to four generations of Android upgrades and five years of patches.
The Galaxy S20 series and Note 20 series smartphones are no longer eligible for any major firmware upgrade. The same case is for the Galaxy Z Flip (LTE/5G), S20 FE (LTE/5G), Z Fold 2 5G, Note 10 Lite, S10 Lite, A51, and A71 devices.
It’s worth mentioning that all of the devices have received the Android 13-based One UI 5 as their third major update. As per the company’s software update policy, Samsung devices mentioned above (below in list format) won’t receive the next big Android update – Android 14.
- Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Flip – LTE/5G
- Galaxy S20 FE – LTE/5G
- Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
- Galaxy Note 10 Lite
- Galaxy S10 Lite
- Galaxy A51 and A71
If you want to experience the upcoming Android 14-based One UI 6 software, upgrading to the Galaxy S23 is the best option for now. In the second half, Samsung will release the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 devices, which will also be getting One UI 6 in priority.
Follow our socials → Google News, Telegram, Twitter, Facebook
Furthermore, the Korean community’s camera in charge also hinted that the Camera Assistant will be distributed to Galaxy A phones with One UI 6.0 in the second half.
Update, May 6:
Samsung’s collaboration with Google has resulted in a unified policy that it expects will create a more consistent and reliable UX for Galaxy users. Since One UI 6.0, foreground services of apps targeting Android 14 will be guaranteed to work as intended so long as they are developed according to the new foreground service API policy.
One UI 6.0 is going to be the next big update for Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and some flagships will get early access to the new software. The next One UI upgrade will come with the Android 14 operating system for Galaxy devices and the company will start the rollout later this year.
Google has already begun the Android 14’s development and the public beta program has also begun in April, as predicted. Notably, the South Korean tech giant is not taking part in Google’s Android Beta testing as it runs an independent One UI Beta program.
Android v14 would officially launch in August 2023, and we hope Samsung will also begin the One UI 6.0 early access for Galaxies in the same timeframe. The Galaxy S23 series and the upcoming Galaxy foldables may be the first to get access to the One UI 6.0 beta program
Samsung devices that could get early access to One UI 6.0
- Galaxy Z Series
- Z Fold 5 & Z Flip 5 – Unreleased
- Z Fold 4 & Z Flip 4
- Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3
- Galaxy S Series
- S23, S23 Plus & S23 Ultra
- S22, S22 Plus & S22 Ultra
- S21, S21 Plus & S21 Ultra
- Galaxy A Series
- A54 & A53 [Uncertain]
Note:
- The list is based on the previous rollout and Samsung’s software strategy.
- Select M series phones may also get access to the One UI 6.0 Beta program.
- Availability may be limited to select markets.
One UI in 2023
Samsung started 2023 with the unveiling of the One UI 5.1 in early February. Within a month of launch, the company shared this S23-exclusive firmware with older Galaxy devices such as the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20, and Galaxy Note 20 as well as Galaxy Fold and Flip series.
At the August Unpacked, Samsung will introduce the next One UI iteration – One UI 5.1.1. This new software will also be based on the Android 13 operating system. However, it will add tweaks and multitasking enhancements for large-screen devices.
Later this year, Samsung will unveil the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 for Galaxy devices. It would take about three months for the company to test, adopt and optimize the new OS for Galaxy devices. Accordingly, the One UI 6.0 rollout is expected to start by early October, 2023.