Samsung is poised to shake things up with One UI 7, a major visual and functional update to its Android skin. Leaked mockups suggest a sleek, iPhone-esque aesthetic for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, featuring a redesigned Control Center, app drawer, and more.
For years, Samsung has steadily refined its One UI Android skin, building upon each iteration with performance enhancements and feature additions. With One UI 7, however, it appears Samsung is ready for a more radical departure. Recent leaks and mockups hint at a significant visual overhaul accompanying the Android 15 update, bringing a fresh look and feel to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. You can read more about the anticipated design changes of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, including smoother curves and a repositioned S Pen, in our recent blog post: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Are Smoother Curves on the Horizon? (And Why It Matters)
A New Era for One UI
Traditionally, Samsung rolls out major One UI updates alongside its flagship Galaxy S series. This year, however, the company took a detour with One UI 6.1.1, a feature-rich update focused on integrating new AI capabilities introduced with the Galaxy S24 series. This interim update, while substantial, paved the way for the more comprehensive redesign expected with New One UI. This article was reported by 9to5Google: Samsung pushes One UI 7 to the Galaxy S25 launch in 2025. Samsung confirmed the delay of One UI 7 to coincide with the Galaxy S25 launch at its recent Developer Conference.
One UI 7 Embraces a Modern Aesthetic
Leaked mockups of the Galaxy S25 Ultra running One UI 7 showcase a sleek and modern interface reminiscent of Apple’s iOS. Key changes include:
- Redesigned Control Center: The Control Center adopts a split notification panel with rounded corners, transparency, and uniform control widget sizes, giving it a clean and organized appearance. This design shift aligns with the trend towards simplified and intuitive user interfaces, as discussed in this Android Authority article on early One UI 7 builds: Samsung’s Android 15 update is a big one.
- Revamped App Drawer and Home Screen: The app drawer and home screen have also undergone a redesign, with subtle tweaks to icons, layouts, and overall aesthetics.
- Updated Settings App: The settings app receives a refresh, likely with improved navigation and organization.
- Modernized Battery Indicator: The battery indicator sports a new look, potentially offering more detailed information at a glance.
- Reimagined Camera App: The camera app features a redesigned interface with controls relocated to the bottom for improved one-handed usability.
Beyond the Surface: Performance and Functionality
While the visual changes are striking, One UI 7 is expected to deliver more than just a fresh coat of paint. Samsung is likely to leverage the capabilities of Android 15 to enhance performance, improve battery life, and introduce new features. Some anticipated improvements include:
- Enhanced AI Integration: Building on the foundation laid by One UI 6.1.1, expect deeper integration of AI across various system functions and apps.
- Improved Privacy Controls: Android 15 is rumored to bring granular privacy controls, and One UI 7 is likely to incorporate these enhancements.
- Refined Multitasking: Samsung may introduce new multitasking features or refine existing ones to improve productivity.
- Seamless Ecosystem Integration: The latest One UI could further enhance Samsung’s ecosystem, offering seamless connectivity and interoperability across Galaxy devices.
A Bold Move for Samsung
The significant visual changes in One UI 7 represent a bold move for Samsung. While some loyal users may initially find the new aesthetic jarring, the updated interface appears to prioritize a modern, streamlined experience.
When Can We Expect One UI 7?
Every year in the first quarter, Samsung releases its new flagship Galaxy S series. If this trend persists, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and with the latest One UI, is projected to appear in early 2025. You can read our earlier post, which delves into the Samsung One UI update and its launch on Galaxy handsets, here: Samsung One UI 7 Update: Android 15 Arrives on Galaxy Devices
Stay tuned for updates.
Further information on One UI 7 is certain to surface as the Galaxy S25 series debut date draws near. Stay tuned for further updates and an in-depth review of Samsung’s new Android skin.
