One UI
Loving the Now Bar? Get ready for Now Brief in One UI 7

Samsung is set to unveil the new flagships on January 22 in the US. A recent leak revealed that the Galaxy S25 series will bring a new Now Brief feature to the Now Bar, which would ultimately expand with the One UI 7 stable release.
The leaked promotional material shows the Now Bar chip exposing “Now Brief” with a “Get today’s highlight” prompt. The development aligns with a previous leak that promised an AI-powered briefing feature in the stable One UI 7 update.
The S25 series will introduce Now Brief in One UI 7 Now Bar. The feature is expected to be based on Samsung’s Knowledge Graph technology. The system will present useful relevant highlights and suggestions right on the lock screen.
Now Brief
While details remain unknown, the Now Brief may offer a briefing on relevant info and topics. It may be linked with Samsung Free to elevate the highlights tailored for you, based on what you explore, what you like, and what you avoid.
Beyond briefing, the AI-powered Now Bar chip would also present messages, emails, weather, stock, and health. The Galaxy lock screen is going to be a smart home alone, making the smartphone your true AI companion.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Leaked Promotional Image | Credit – evleaks
Stable One UI 7 update should bring this upgrade for eligible devices. If Samsung keeps it exclusive to the new flagships, the wait may be stretched by 3 months as a feature drop or probably One UI 7.1 could be introduced in May 2025.
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One UI
One UI 8 (Android 16) to combat hacks with one-click Advanced Protection

A new finding indicates that Android 16 will better combat hacks with a one-click Advanced Protection feature, which could potentially be available on Samsung phones with One UI 8.
Recently, Google released Android 16 Beta 2 for Pixel phones. The update brings a new API called AdvancedProtectionManager, allowing apps to check if you are enrolled in Advanced Protection.
Android 16’s new API further cements app security with a rigorous layer of protection. Compatible apps can toggle their own security features based on whether you’re enrolled in the program.
Simply put, if you have opted for Advanced Protection, the supported app will automatically deploy available security settings without manual intervention for maximum protection.
- Example: Signal could automatically enable its built-in screen lock and screenshot blocking features.
Meanwhile, the new Advanced Protection mode is still under development and be functional once Google brings a dedicated page for this solution within Google Play Services.
Samsung is currently busy perfecting Android 15-based One UI 7 for Galaxy devices. The rollout timeline hasn’t been dropped while Samsung intends to roll out One UI 7 in Q1 2025.
One UI 8 will be based on the Android 16 operating system. There’s no chance of this version’s debut until the SDC25, which could be held in early October this year.

Source – AssembleDebug
Advanced Protection
With privacy breach risks increasing with the rapidly evolving AI and Generative AI landscapes, Google is working to deploy a comprehensive Advanced Protection feature with Android 16.
Advanced Protection mandates a security key or passkey to sign into a Google account, blocks potentially harmful files from being downloaded, and disables app sideloading.
Android 16 significantly improves the smartphone’s security and reliability. When enabled, the 2G connectivity will also be disabled and the MTE feature will be turned on for supported apps.
One UI
These One UI 7 features will make your old Galaxy device a new flagship

Samsung is optimizing many One UI 7 features that will make your Galaxy device like new. While the company is holding silence on the software’s availability, Galaxy users are patiently awaiting the One UI 7 as a promising update.
One UI 7 is set to bring many new features to older Galaxy devices. Recent developments suggest that select features will be expanded from the Galaxy S25 series, while others will debut as a core part of Samsung’s Android 15 update.
Galaxy S series devices that will receive One UI 7 update:
Samsung will deliver One UI 7 upgrade to the Galaxy S24 series, S23 series, S22 series, and S21 series. The Fan Edition models launched in between the flagships are also eligible, with the list including the S24 FE, S23 FE, and S21 FE.
Note that all features from the new S25 models won’t be offered on older devices. Nearly all design changes and revamped components will be expanded, however, features that require modern hardware will be absent.

Credit – Sammyfans
Here’s what could potentially be provided to older models:
One UI 7 features for older flagship devices:
New App Icons and UI Refinements: Visual revamps like Quick Settings, Notification Panel, new One UI app icons, and a fresh camera UX will be part of the update for older models to enhance the user interface.
Vertical App Drawer: The most-demanded feature for Apps Screen is highly anticipated to be available on all Galaxy models with One UI 7 update.

Vertical App Drawer
Now Bar: It will arrive as a core feature of One UI 7 software that allows users to access important notifications without unlocking the device, providing quick access to activities like Interpreter, Music, Recording, and Stopwatch.
AI Writing Tools: Enhanced writing assistance for emails, social media posts, and more could be introduced to older Galaxy S and Z series flagship models as part of helping users with spelling, grammar, and style.
Call Recording and Transcription: US residents may finally receive a Call Recording feature with AI-powered Transcriptions. One UI 7 Beta brings it to the Galaxy S24 series and more flagship models will likely get it with Stable update.
Galaxy S25 AI Features for Older Devices:
AI-powered Camera features: Camera enhancements like “Best Face” and “Log Video” may be expanded to existing flagships such as the Galaxy S24, S23, and S22 series with the One UI 7 update.
Audio Eraser: Samsung’s community moderator confirmed that the Audio Eraser will be added to Galaxy Studio and Gallery. It will allow you to enhance your videos by removing unnecessary noise, crowd, wind, music, and so on.
However, Galaxy S25’s Now Brief and Personal Data Engine might not be available on older devices due to hardware requirements.
One UI
This one upgrade proves that One UI 7 is a major overhaul

One UI 7 comes with new features and UI/UX upgrades but there’s one change in this software that suggests that this new One UI version is a major overhaul rather than an incremental release.
One UI 7 has new charging animations, providing intriguing responses with rich animations. The company has focused on dynamic elements to bring this upgrade into smartphones.
It has two separate charging animations for locked and unlocked states. While locked, the phone will show you a Now Bar-based charging indicator on the bottom side.
The second animation will trigger when the phone is unlocked. It will expand from the battery icon in the status bar. This few-second expansion looks very interactive each time you initiate the charging.
So, what’s changed?
Since the early version, One UI had this circling charging indicator with the battery level in the center. It appears for 2-3 seconds and blocks the entire screen.
Unlike this old version, One UI 7’s two separate animations ensure unhinged visibility and don’t let you miss a single frame when you plug in a charger. Besides visibility, smooth animations add an extra layer of interest.
We’re one of the first to reveal these new charging animations and there’s another discovery that might have left overlooked, which eventually caught our attention.
Specifically, Samsung has not only introduced the new charging visuals on the phone’s runtime but also when the phone has no power at all.
In One UI 6 and prior, you will see a static white circle in the center of the blacked screen. It turns into a charging animation as soon as the battery reaches 1%.

One UI 6 power-off charging animation
Compared to this, a shutdown One UI 7 phone triggers a small round shape with a power icon. This screen soon transits into a Now Bar charging animation.

One UI 7 power-off charging animation
Why does this charging animation matter?
Samsung has been using its old charging indicator since One UI 2. Over the years, the company added gradient colors with minor optimizations.
This is the first time, the South Korean tech maker has overhauled the charging animation even when the phone is off.
Such changes also require changes in OS-level code change, which suggests that One UI 7 has received a major overhaul in the front and back end.
The software also hints at Samsung’s new approach to One UI, which focuses on an all-round experience. What’s your opinion on this matter, please let us know via our social media channels.
One UI
One UI 7 delay raises questions on Samsung’s 7-year OS upgrade policy

A long list of Samsung devices are waiting for One UI 7 release but the stable software is nowhere near, this situation around the latest software is raising questions about the 7-year OS upgrade policy. One UI 7 delay raises questions on Samsung’s 7-year OS upgrade policy.
Over the past few years, Samsung has become the Android ecosystem’s front-line soldier. The company has ramped up its software support and become the first phone maker to offer a 7-year OS update alongside Google.
And Galaxy S24 series is at the center of this discussion. Launched in early 2024, these devices run One UI 6 out of the box and receive monthly security and system optimizations via over-the-air (OTA) software updates.
However, the South Korean tech company has tripped on the first year of this 7 major software update promise with One UI 7. Why? Because the company is running late in the rollout schedule compared to the previous software.
In the past two years, we’ve seen new enhancements in Samsung’s software testing but One UI 7 has made that progress look nothing. The One UI 7 beta opened in December exclusively for the S24 lineup.
The new software has intriguing user interface upgrades and smoother animations. As a beta user, I can say that the One UI 7 is by far the best software Samsung has ever released for its smartphones.

Credit – Sammyfans
These good words make the new One UI even more compelling for existing users and that’s where the disappointment begins.
The phone maker has not shared any updates on the One UI 7 stable release for eligible devices including flagships with the 7 OS upgrade promise.
Reports suggest One UI 7 beta program may continue until March or April. This timeline might only be related to S24. That’s not it, other 7-year OS upgrade devices including Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 are nowhere to be seen in this conversation.
In the meantime, Samsung introduced the S25 series as the newest member of the 7-year OS upgrade club. Interstingly, these phones offer One UI 7 out of the box. This scenario makes them only phones with a fully functional latest software.
It’s also reported that Samsung is still working on this software development and some work is left to be done especially on the optimizations side. This might also be holding the company back from releasing the new OS update to all users.
Even with this reason, the delay doesn’t sum up the customers’ wait for this new software release. Eventually, It’s up to Samsung to listen to its customers and increase efforts to deliver One UI 7 to build a trustworthy 7-year OS upgrade cycle.
One UI
One UI 7 to introduce Now Bar, design upgrades and advanced customization for all Samsung phones

One UI 7 is highly likely to bring Now Bar, design upgrades, and most of the advanced customization features to all Samsung phones. Leaked promotional material indicates that even entry-level Galaxy phones will get rich UI.
Recently, a tipster revealed promo stuff of the Galaxy A06 5G. This phone could cost around $150 and ship with the latest software. The leaked image shows One UI 7 introduces the Now Bar, design revamp, and customization for all Samsung phones.
Experience of One UI 7 features and design may differ due to hardware. However, it’s great to know that almost every Samsung device will benefit from the significantly redesigned software, newly added features, and that iconic Now Bar.

Source – Abhishek Yadav
Now Bar is a smart addition to Samsung’s One UI 7 software interface. It’s designed to boost productivity by offering instant access to frequently used apps, features, and tools right from the lock screen of your Galaxy device.

Samsung One UI Now Bar
The new One UI 7 introduces a customizable Quick Settings panel with a single swipe from the top-right corner, inspired by iOS but with unique Samsung touches. One UI 6 had a less customizable, dual-swipe access.
One UI 7’s Notification Panel feels more intuitive with smoother animations and easier access to quick settings compared to One UI 6. It offers a cleaner look and enhanced customization for a better user experience.
- Quick Panel Separate | Image: SammyFans
- Notification Pane | Image: SammyFans
One UI 7 Update – When it’s coming?
One UI 7 update’s rollout schedule hasn’t been published by Samsung. Rumors suggest that the public distribution may start in late April or early May. The initial phase is highly likely to cover premium phones and foldables.
Once the release begins, Samsung will ramp up the distribution pace. The coverage of devices would increase sequentially and Galaxy users won’t have to wait much to receive the official version of the One UI 7, powered by Android 15.
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