Samsung has always tried to make its Galaxy phones easier to use. Now with One UI 7 (which runs on Android 15), the company added something really cool called Now Brief. It will tell you what you need to know, right when you need it. No more digging through apps to check the weather or see if you have meetings today. Let’s break down what this feature does, how to use it, and why it’s pretty awesome.

What Exactly Is Now Brief?

You pick up your phone in the morning, and right on the lock screen, you see a quick summary of your day. The weather, your next meeting, how many steps you took yesterday – all the stuff you actually care about. That’s Now Brief. Easy explanation, right?

This smart feature uses AI to collect information from apps you already use, like Samsung Calendar or Samsung Health, and puts it all in one simple view.

Here’s what it shows you:

• Current location weather (“It’s 75°F and sunny today”)
• Upcoming meetings or events from your calendar
• Your fitness stats, like how many steps you have walked
• Travel info or how long your travel will take
• Health insights like sleep patterns and energy levels
• Wallet reminders for expiring tickets, coupons, and important dates
• Missed calls and task reminders

The cool part? The information changes throughout the day. Morning might show the weather and your first meeting. Afternoon could remind you about lunch plans. Evening might show how close you are to your step goal.

Where you will see it: Now Brief appears on your lock screen in the Now Bar (it looks like a small pill-shaped widget). It’s basically like having a personal assistant who actually pays attention to what matters to you.

How to Set Up and Use Now Brief

It is really easy to get started. Here’s what you need to do:

Check if your phone works with it: Right now, you need a Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, or S25 Edge. These phones come with One UI 7 already installed.

Turn on the Now Bar:

1. Go to Settings, then Lock screen and AOD, then Now Bar
2. Switch on the Now Brief option
3. You can also enable other Now Bar features like live notifications and music controls

How to Access Now Brief

You can get to Now Brief in three different ways:

1. From the Lock Screen: Tap the Now Bar (that small pill-shaped widget) when Now Brief notifications appear
2. From the Home Screen: Add the Now Brief widget to your home screen and tap it
3. From the Edge Panel: Swipe left from the top right of your screen to open the Edge panel, then tap the Now Brief icon

How to Personalize Your Now Brief Content

This is where you make Now Brief work for you:

1. Open Settings and tap Galaxy AI
2. Tap Now Brief
3. Tap “Content to include”
4. Choose what you want to see – toggle on or off different types of content like:
   • Health info (sleep patterns, energy levels)
   • Wallet alerts (ticket expiration dates, coupons)
   • Events and tasks (upcoming meetings, missed calls)
   • Weather updates
   • Samsung Health fitness data
   • Calendar events and reminders

Extra Settings You Should Know About

Expand Now Brief without unlocking: Turn this on if you want to see full Now Brief details just by tapping the Now Bar on your lock screen (no PIN or fingerprint needed)

Active hours: Now Brief works between your wake-up time (default 6 AM) and bedtime (default 9 PM)

How It Actually Works

Once you have got it set up, Now Brief does its thing automatically. It watches what you do and shows you relevant info. For example:

• Got a 2 PM meeting? You might see a reminder around noon
• Tracking your steps? It could show “You’ve walked 5,000 steps today!”
• Have tickets expiring soon? You’ll get a wallet reminder
• Just tap the Now Bar on your lock screen to see more details

The best part? Once you set it up, it pretty much runs itself. The AI figures out what you need without you having to do much. Plus, all the AI processing happens right on your phone, so your data stays private and secure.

Which Phones Can Use It (And What’s Coming Next)

As of July 2025, Now Brief only works on the Galaxy S25 series. That means:

• Galaxy S25
• Galaxy S25+
• Galaxy S25 Ultra
• Galaxy S25 Edge

Now Brief is also available on some mid-range devices like the Galaxy A36 5G and A26 5G, but the Now Bar feature (where Now Brief appears on the lock screen) is limited to the S25 series.

Other Galaxy phones like the S24, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, and S23 are getting One UI 7 updates, but they don’t get Now Brief yet. Samsung says this is because Now Brief needs really powerful AI chips to work smoothly, and only the S25 phones have them right now.

What’s Coming with One UI 8

There could be some good news: Samsung will release One UI 8 this month, and many people think Now Brief will work on more phones then, including:

• Galaxy S24 series
• Galaxy S23 series
• Galaxy Z Fold and Flip phones
• Some mid-range phones like the Galaxy A56

Samsung hasn’t officially said which phones will get it, though. Some older or cheaper phones might miss out if they can’t handle the AI processing.

Why Only S25 Phones for Now?

Some Galaxy fans are annoyed that only the newest (and most expensive) phones get this feature. While Samsung might be trying to get people to buy new phones, it’s also true that Now Brief probably needs serious processing power to work well. Hopefully, One UI 8 will bring it to more devices soon.

How It Beats the Competition

Now Brief isn’t the first feature like this, but it does some things better than what Google and Apple offer:

Better Integration with Samsung Apps

Vs Google’s “At a Glance”: Google’s version shows similar info, but Now Brief works better with Samsung’s own apps like Samsung Health and Calendar

Why it’s better: Everything feels more connected when you are using Samsung apps

Smarter AI

Vs Apple’s Siri Suggestions: Apple mostly shows app shortcuts, but Now Brief gives you full summaries that change throughout the day

Why it’s better: It actually learns what you need and when you need it

Lock Screen That Actually Helps

Vs Apple’s Live Activities: Apple shows live updates from apps, but Now Brief gives you a broader view of your day

Why it’s better: You get both real-time updates and daily summaries in one place

Less Mess, More Useful

Unlike Google’s widgets or Apple’s lock screen stuff, Now Brief keeps things clean and simple. It doesn’t spam you with notifications – it just shows what matters.

Why it’s better: Perfect if you want helpful info without the chaos

Why Now Brief Actually Matters

Now Brief is genuinely useful because it saves you time. Instead of opening three different apps to check weather, calendar, and fitness stats, you get it all at once. It’s especially great for busy people who want their phone to actually help them instead of just sitting there.

The downside? If you don’t have a Galaxy S25, you are stuck waiting. But Samsung usually brings new features to older phones eventually, so there’s hope.

Samsung’s Now Brief is one of those features that actually makes your phone more helpful. Getting personalized updates about weather, meetings, and fitness right on your lock screen just makes sense. Sure, it’s only on the Galaxy S25 series right now, but One UI 8 will probably bring it to more phones later in 2025.

Compared to what Google and Apple offer, Now Brief stands out because it works really well with Samsung’s apps and the AI is genuinely smart about what you need.

Want to try it? If you have a Galaxy S25, go to Settings > Galaxy AI > Now Brief > Content to include, and customize what you want to see. Everyone else should keep checking Samsung’s website for One UI 8 news. This feature shows Samsung is actually thinking about how to make phones more useful in everyday life.

For the latest Samsung software update news and announcements, follow @SamsungSWUpdate on X.

Samsung may soon enhance its mobile payment and contactless features with the introduction of a new NFC standard. The NFC Forum, the global standards body for Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, recently announced a major update, NFC Release 15, that extends the effective communication range.

Currently, most NFC-enabled devices, including Samsung Galaxy smartphones, operate with a maximum range of approximately 0.5 centimeters. NFC Release 15 expands this distance to 2 centimeters, offering a 4x increase. Though seemingly small, this change can greatly improve the user experience.

With the extended range, devices will no longer need to be perfectly aligned with a payment spot or access point. This results in faster, more reliable connections for tasks such as making payments, unlocking smart locks, or pairing accessories.

Some devices already have a 2cm NFC range, but they use custom-made systems. NFC Release 15 will offer a standard way for all brands to use the longer range, without needing to build their solutions.

Samsung and other tech companies can start testing this new version in Fall 2025, which means around September this year. Many people hope Samsung will include this upgraded NFC in the next Galaxy S series, Galaxy S26 series, expected early next year.

If that happens, using your phone for payments or unlocking things could become much smoother and more reliable. This upgrade could make everyday tasks faster and less frustrating for Galaxy users.

As NFC capabilities evolve, Samsung might be one of the first to bring that smart upgrade to your hands. Stay tuned!

Samsung makes some of the best phones in the world. But lately, the smartphone company has been creating too many different models that don’t really make sense. Let’s talk about why Samsung should focus on its best phone, the Galaxy S series Ultra, instead of confusing customers with unnecessary options.

The Problem: Too Many Choices

Take the Galaxy S25 Edge, for example. It’s actually a beautiful phone – super thin at just 5.8mm and incredibly light. The camera is excellent with 200MP, and the design is stunning. But here’s the thing: most people don’t even know it exists.

Samsung didn’t do a good job telling people about this phone. What’s it for? Who should buy it? At $1,099, it costs almost as much as their top phone, the S25 Ultra, but doesn’t offer as much value. This creates confusion for customers who are trying to decide which phone to buy.

The same thing happened to Apple with its iPhone 16e. It’s supposed to be a “budget” option, but it’s still expensive, and people aren’t buying it because they don’t understand why they need it.

Reports show that the S25 Edge isn’t selling well. Samsung keeps offering deals and bonuses to try to get people interested, but it’s not working. This happens when companies make unnecessary products – customers get confused and don’t know what to choose.

What’s Working: The Ultra Success Story

While the S25 Edge struggles, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is doing amazing. This phone is Samsung’s flagship – its best and most expensive model. It has a huge 6.9-inch screen, incredible cameras, and comes with the S Pen stylus that no other phone has, YES, the stylus.

Even though it costs $1,299, people are buying it like crazy (don’t forget, you can get it for much less, thanks to offers and discounts). Samsung sold over 5 million S25 Ultra phones in just three months. That’s more than S25 and S25+ models combined! This shows that people are willing to pay more for a phone that’s clearly the best option.

The Ultra consistently ranks in the top 10 best-selling phones worldwide. It’s popular in the US, Europe, and other markets because customers know exactly what they are getting – the best Samsung phone available.

Why Focus Makes Sense

Making multiple phone models takes a lot of time, money, and effort. Instead of spreading themselves thin, Samsung should put all the energy into making the Ultra even better. Here’s what they could do:

Better Cameras: The Ultra’s cameras are already great, but they could be even better. Some users want better photos in dark places.

Longer Battery Life: The 5,000mAh battery is good, but power users always want more. Samsung could make the battery last longer or charge faster. But keep it safe, we know about the Note7.

Smarter Features: The AI features are cool but sometimes feel like gimmicks. Samsung should make them more useful for everyday tasks.

Keep the S Pen Special: The stylus is what makes the Ultra unique. Samsung should keep improving it and adding new features.

Simpler Choices: Instead of four different S-series phones, Samsung could offer just two – a regular S25 and the premium Ultra. This would make it easier for customers to choose.

Quality Over Quantity

Samsung is at its best when it focuses on making fewer, better products. The Galaxy S25 Ultra proves this – it’s a phone that doesn’t compromise and gives customers everything they want in a premium device.

Meanwhile, phones like the S25 Edge feel like experiments that don’t quite work. Samsung doesn’t need to copy what Apple does or flood the market with confusing options. By focusing on the Ultra brand, they can stay ahead of the competition.

My Take

Samsung’s next phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, is a chance to show what they can really do. Instead of chasing every trend or launching phones that don’t have a clear purpose, the company should double down on its flagship.

Make it faster, smarter, and more polished. Listen to what customers actually want. If Samsung focuses on what makes the Ultra special, it can keep leading the Android market for years to come.

The message is simple: sometimes less is more. By making fewer phones but making them better, Samsung can create products that customers actually want to buy.

As always, I am there to listen to your opinion on my X handle (@SamsungSWUpdate). Enjoy Sammy!

Get ready, Samsung Galaxy fans! Android 16 is set to arrive as early as June 2025, bringing exciting changes to your smartphones and tablets. Google has confirmed that this new operating system will roll out to Samsung devices this summer, with some devices possibly getting it sooner than expected.

The big question: Will your Galaxy phone or tablet be eligible for this major update? Let’s explore which Galaxy devices will support Android 16.

Which Samsung devices will get Android 16?

Samsung maintains a clear software update policy that makes determining device eligibility straightforward. Here’s the breakdown:

Flagship Phones (Guaranteed Support)

• Galaxy S Series: S22, S23, S24, and S25 series
• Galaxy Z Foldables: Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6, and upcoming Z Fold7
• Galaxy Z Flip Series: Z Flip4, Z Flip5, Z Flip6, and upcoming Z Flip7

All flagship phones launched in 2022 or later are guaranteed to receive the Android 16-based One UI 8 update. The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, expected to launch in July 2025, will likely come with Android 16 pre-installed.

Mid-Range Devices (Select Models)

Some mid-range devices will also receive the update, including:

• Galaxy A55
• Galaxy A35
• Galaxy A16 5G (with six years of updates guaranteed)

Samsung’s promise of four years of OS upgrades for select models extends Android 16 compatibility to these devices.

Devices that won’t get Android 16

Unfortunately, older flagships like the Galaxy S21 series won’t receive Android 16. Launched in 2021, these devices have already received the final major update with Android 15 (One UI 7).

What to expect from One UI 8

Samsung’s Android 16-based One UI 8 promises to be both smooth and exciting. Here’s some important information:

Key Improvements

• Slicker animations and smoother performance
• Subtle design refinements
• Enhanced user experience optimizations

New Features

• Android 16 Live Updates: Real-time notifications on your lock screen
• Samsung Now Bar Integration: Seamless experience with live updates
• Improved system responsiveness

Beta Program Timeline

Samsung is already testing One UI 8 internally. A beta program for devices like the Galaxy S25 series could start as early as late May or early June 2025. This update aims to avoid the delays experienced with One UI 7, ensuring a quicker and smoother rollout.

How to check your device’s eligibility

1. Navigate to Settings > Software Update on your Galaxy device
2. Check if your device is still receiving regular software updates in 2025
3. Review your device’s launch year and model

Update guarantee by Series

• 7 Years of Updates: Galaxy S24 series and newer foldables (2024+)
• 4-5 Years of Updates: Galaxy S22, S23 series, and their FE models
• 6 Years of Updates: Galaxy A16 5G

Stay informed:

You should regularly check Samsung’s official website or trusted sources like Sammy Fans for the final list of eligible devices when One UI 8 is officially announced.

Timeline and rollout expectations:

• Android 16 Release: June 2025 (Google)
• One UI 8 Beta: Late May to early June 2025
• Samsung Rollout: Shortly after Google’s release, starting with the flagship devices
• Priority rollout sequence:
  • Galaxy S25 series and new foldables
  • Recent flagship devices (S24, S23, S22 series)
  • Eligible mid-range devices

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

If you own a Galaxy S25, S24, S23, S22, or any Z Fold/Z Flip models from 2022 onward, Android 16 is headed your way. The update should begin rolling out to Samsung devices shortly after Google’s June release, with flagship models leading the deployment.

For users with older devices like the S21 or Z Fold 3, you’ll continue receiving security updates, but Android 16 may be beyond reach. Stay tuned for Samsung’s One UI 8 beta program to preview the upcoming features and ensure your device is ready for the next evolution in Galaxy software.

Google is moving at full speed. I am expecting the same from Samsung as the Android 16 QPR1 beta is already here, and we are still waiting for the first official word about the Android 16-based One UI 8 beta program.

Regardless of this waiting, Google’s latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta introduces one of the most requested features: resizable Quick Settings tiles.

Google’s Android 16 is expected to come next month, but it won’t bring the full Material You “Expressive” redesign, expect it to arrive with the September Pixel Feature Drop. However, you can enjoy the UI improvements by joining the QPR beta channel (Pixel device exclusive).

Resizable Quick Settings:

In this beta, you now have the ability to customize the Quick Settings panel with resizable tiles. This long-awaited feature allows for better space utilization and personalization of your notification shade. We tried this on a Google Pixel device running Android 16 QPR1 beta.

How does it work?

1. Access the edit mode by tapping the pencil icon in the Quick Settings panel.
2. Tap any tile to reveal a draggable handle.
3. Resize tiles between the standard 2×1 size and the new compact 1×1 size.
4. Create your ideal layout with up to 16 tiles in the first panel (compared to just 8 previously).

Note: The smaller 1×1 tiles display only the function’s icon, omitting text labels to maximize space efficiency. You get a “Reset” button at the very bottom.

The update also brings improved organization to your Quick Settings management. This easy categorization makes finding and adding specific tiles much faster than scrolling through an unorganized list. Unused tiles are now logically grouped into categories, including:

• Connectivity
• Utilities
• Display
• Privacy
• Accessibility
• From system apps

Apart from this specific feature, the update adds several other notable improvements:

• Redesigned brightness slider
• Updated internet tile icon
• Refined typography
• New Settings app icons
• Enhanced animations and blur effects

Do we have these features in One UI 7? Could we see this in One UI 8:

Samsung’s One UI 7, based on Android 15, does not support resizable Quick Settings tiles—a feature introduced in Android 16 QPR1 Beta. Users cannot adjust tile dimensions (e.g., from 1×1 to 2×1) in the current One UI implementation.

Available customization options include:

• Rearranging tiles (tap and hold to reposition)
• Toggling between split and combined panel layouts

The architectural difference between One UI 7’s split panel design and Android 16’s unified Quick Settings experience is notable. One UI 7 also lacks Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive features, including background blur effects.

For reference, Android 16 QPR1 Beta maintains a unified Quick Settings and notification shade, requiring two distinct pull-down gestures—one for notifications and a second for Quick Settings access.

If you are seeking resizable Quick Settings tiles will likely need to wait for One UI 8, which is expected to bring Android 16’s expanded customization capabilities.

I am curious about your thoughts on these latest features. Please share your opinion on my X profile @SamsungSWUpdate.