Google has finally shared the first preview of the upcoming Material 3 Expressive redesign with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, and battery icon optimizations are enough to convince me that Samsung should include these new advancements for One UI 8.

Material 3 Expressive is Google’s biggest design upgrade for Android in years. It focuses on an all-around user experience, including smooth animations, a cleaner user interface, retouched quick settings, and better personalization options.

Android 16’s new status bar is a prime example of Google’s intention to provide a rebranded user experience, and its peak impact is now visible on the battery icon.

The Android maker has switched its orientation from vertical to horizontal, and a similar change has already been made by Samsung in One UI 7. However, Google’s adaptation of the horizontal battery indicator is identical to iOS.

Both Samsung and Google have adapted dynamic animations for the battery indicator, which means you will see them changing based on battery features and status.

Samsung One UI 7 Battery Icon (Credit – Sammyfans)

For example, power saving mode widens the battery icon and includes a battery saver logo on the left side. Once disabled, it reverts to the normal size. If you don’t have battery percent enabled, the battery saver icon appears in the middle. These interactive elements are also added to the charging mode, which triggers as soon as the user connects the charger.

Material 3 Expressive has these effects, but not like One UI 7. Instead, Google has focused on system optimizations to make these animations and dynamic changes smoother and crisper than Samsung’s.

So, when you enable the power saver in Android 16, the software and related transition acts quicker than One UI 7, and the same goes for charging animation. Google has optimized these dynamic effects for such scenarios to ensure maximum visibility.

While Samsung wins in terms of the effects, Android 16 has an edge over the overall stability and smoothness.

Since One UI 7 is already out, Samsung can take inspiration from new Android 16 Material 3 Expressive Design’s battery icon optimizations and bring them to One UI 8, to make it act faster and smoother than the existing version.

Samsung might soon launch the One UI 8 Beta Program for the Galaxy S25 series. In a recent development, the company has published a landing page for the flagship phones, suggesting the Beta Program is launching soon.

Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra are the initial participants for the One UI 8 Beta Program. The official launch would take some time, but developments point to a shift in Samsung’s software testing mechanism and roadmap.

The community page has nothing exciting about the One UI 8 software. It’s just a preparation before kicking off the Beta Program. The page will be used throughout the Beta testing to share news and tips as well as analyze feedback.

Notably, the Beta notice page doesn’t mention the S25 Edge along with the S25 lineup. It indicates that the slimmer variant will be invited on a later date. We may soon see a similar landing page for the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6.

Also read – Google I/O 2025 felt incomplete without One UI 8 Beta details

Samsung hasn’t officially revealed its One UI 8 Beta plans. Meanwhile, Google last week announced that Android 16 is coming to Galaxy devices this Summer. That said, a Beta Program for older flagships seems likely later this month.

One UI 8 Beta could be available in seven countries as usual. Samsung is set to make a decent comeback in the software race despite a massive delay in One UI 7. Galaxy fans are quite ambitious for the Android 16-based One UI 8 update.

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Thanks for the tip ya_sking12767

Update: May 21, 2025 – Samsung has now concluded the One UI 7 Beta Program for the Galaxy A55 in India. The Beta participants have started getting incremental software update, which replaces the Beta firmware with a Public/Stable build.

Galaxy A55 users in India are advised to install the latest firmware update (BYDB). The latest OTA is available first for Beta participants, with general users who didn’t join Beta will shortly start getting the Stable update.

Original Story: April 8, 2025

Samsung has started the One UI 7 Beta Program for the Galaxy A55 smartphone in India, following its launch in Korea. This Beta Program lets users try out the new One UI 7 features before the official release.

If you have a Galaxy A55 in India, you can join the Beta Program through the Samsung Members app. The update brings a refreshed design, new features, and improvements over the previous software.

To join, make sure you’re logged into the Samsung Members app with your Samsung account. Then, go to the Notice section, tap the Beta banner, and sign up. Once you’ve signed up, you can download and install the Beta update by going to Settings >> Software Update >> Download and install.

One UI 7 takes your Galaxy experience to the next level by offering a revamped interface from icons to a quick settings panel, new AI features, advanced security features, new widgets, powerful photo and video editing tools, and more.

Don’t wait too long to sign up and try out the new features before other Galaxy A series phones. The Galaxy A55 is the first Galaxy A series phone to receive the One UI 7 Beta update along with other Samsung flagships.

Samsung rolled out an Android 15 update to several Galaxy S series, Z series, and A series phones. Now, the company has finally begun rolling out the One UI 7 update for Galaxy M series phones, starting with Galaxy M35 5G.

The major One UI update for the Galaxy M35 smartphone is currently available in India, and Samsung will expand it soon. This update takes your Galaxy experience to the next level with new features and enhancements.

Users of the Galaxy M35 smartphone are getting the One UI 7 update with One UI build version M356BXXU4BYD6. The installation package size of this update is around 3.7GB. Since this is an initial rollout, it may take some hours or days to reach all eligible devices.

One UI 7 introduces a massive design shift over the previous versions. Icons have got a brand new identity with dynamic colors, the shapes are also rounded, plus the Quick Settings and Notification Panel have been revamped and separated.

Moreover, it introduces a new feature called the Now Bar, which displays useful information on your lock screen so you don’t have to unlock your phone to stay updated. Live notifications give you quick access to voice recordings, sports scores, and other ongoing activities.

This major software also updates several stock apps to the latest available version to add new features and improvements. Not only this, the update installs April 2025 security patch to improve system security and stability.

You can update your Galaxy device through Settings >> Software update > Download and install. The update package is big, so connection to an unmetered network is advised. Also, maintain your phone’s battery above 50% for seamless installation.

Samsung is rolling out the One UI 7 update to several Galaxy devices. Owners of Samsung’s flagship phones, foldables, and tablets have received the update in several markets, while select Galaxy A phones have also joined the party.

Android 15-based One UI 7 introduces a brand new interface. The Quick Settings and Notification Panel are redesigned to offer a fresh feel. Icons are modern and dynamically colored, while shapes are unified to offer a unified look.

Now Bar is available across the entire Galaxy lineup, while the lock screen placement differs. The position of the in-screen fingerprint area is the key factor behind alignment, while it’s at the middle of the screen on non-premium devices.

Samsung devices getting the One UI 7 update gain new features and UI changes as per their hardware specifications. The company has tried to expand features as much as it can, but the availability is not universal.

Here’s a list of devices that have received the update so far:

Galaxy S Series

• Galaxy S24 series
• Galaxy S23 series
• Galaxy S22 series
• Galaxy S21 series
• Galaxy S24 FE, S23 FE and S21 FE

Galaxy Z Series

• Galaxy Z Flip6 and Fold6
• Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5
• Galaxy Z Flip4 and Fold4
• Galaxy Z Flip3 and Fold3
• Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition

Galaxy Tab S Series

• Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Ultra
• Galaxy Tab S9, Plus and Ultra
• Galaxy Tab S8, Plus and Ultra
• Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+
• Galaxy Tab A9 and A9+

Galaxy A Series

• Galaxy A55
• Galaxy A35
• Galaxy A54
• Galaxy A16
• Galaxy A15

Note that the rollout is expanding gradually. Your phone’s availability may vary by region or carrier. Meanwhile, you can force the update fetching process through Settings > Software update > Download and install.

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