Recounting Everything we know about the One UI 7 Updates

Samsung fans have been very patient in their wait to see the One UI 7 updates arrive on their devices, but the brief intermission between releases is almost coming to an end. Proudly sharing that the beta testing of the software has earned “rave reviews from tech enthusiasts,” Samsung has continued to be non-committal in providing a date for the release of the UI update to non-S25 users.

The latest Samsung Galaxy software update brings a whole new assortment of features that boost the usability and security of the device, and as expected, has arrived with the new S25 series of devices that the company launched during the Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025.

The rollout for other Samsung devices will be understandably gradual, but it doesn’t hurt to get a sense of the new features of One UI 7 that the company has worked hard on in the meantime. Samsung claimed that the first round of beta users registered at twice the rate of the One UI 6 beta, so it’s worth exploring whether the update will live up to expectations.

Image: Samsung

One UI 7 Updates Are Reserved for Galaxy S25 Users for Now—Expect a More Widespread Rollout through Q1 2025

First things first—when is the One UI 7 release date set for older devices? The One UI 7 features can be expected to arrive on supported Samsung devices in the first quarter of 2025, which means users should be able to experience the update before March 31, 2025.

Apart from the much-awaited Galaxy S25 series of smartphones, the S24 lineup will likely be the first series to receive the Samsung Galaxy software update around mid-February. Galaxy S24 users who participated in the One UI 7 beta program in select regions like the US, UK, Germany, Poland, Korea, and India, already have some insight into the features, but those who didn’t sign up for the program don’t have a long wait in front of them either.

Which Devices Will Receive the One UI 7 Update?

The South Korean tech giant has not released a full list of the other devices that will receive the update, however, Samsung devices running Android 13 or higher versions of the OS could expect its arrival in upcoming months.

The Galaxy S series models starting from the S21, the Galaxy Z series starting from the Fold 3 and Flip 3, a number of the Galaxy A series devices, and Galaxy M series smartphones including the M15 and devices that came after the M33, are likely to receive the update.

The Galaxy F series of smartphones—F55, F54, F34, F15—and a number of Galaxy Tab series devices will also receive the update. The final list of handsets that are set to receive the update will be released by Samsung eventually, but for now, S25 users will be the only ones to bask in the glory of One UI 7.

Image: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung One UI 7 Overview—What Are the Upcoming Features You Should Be Excited About?

The new features of One UI 7 are built on the capabilities of Android 15 while also adding Samsung’s own AI flavor into the mix to spice things up. The new update does a little bit of everything—improvements to the user interfaces, security changes, additional AI features, introduces new avenues for customization, etc.

The most interesting aspect of the One UI 7 updates has to be the arrival of the Now Bar, which appears on the lock screen and provides information or controls for ongoing tasks like the music player or stopwatch. The Now Bar picks up on user habits and tendencies and adapts itself to provide on the basis of its learning. The live notifications are a big part of the convenience component of the UI, allowing users to control apps without having to unlock their phones.

The updated camera layout and controls also add style to the interface, making various settings and modes more accessible. The redesigned mode selection menu, improved zoom controls, enhanced Pro shooting modes, and refined grid support are all designed to make life easier.

If images still don’t turn out the way you’d prefer, the object eraser is set to be your best friend. Some fun tools can help you include motion effects in your photos or animations of your videos, leaving you with content that is more engaging and alive.

The accessibility updates are also of note, with easier single-finger zoom capabilities and customizable touch controls that can be adjusted to suit you.

Summary of the Samsung Galaxy Software Update

Other features included in the One UI 7 updates include:

Galaxy AI for support with writing the perfect message or transcribing a recorded call for further review
Improved alarm grouping system with better control of alarm volume
Drag-and-drop control on calendar events, with separate calendar widgets for different calendars
Repeating reminders and event countdowns are easier to set, and old reminders can be reused or automatically deleted after a period
Redesigned widgets and home screen grid for a more pleasant layout, along with a better home screen view when you shift to landscape mode
Faster swipe-down access to notifications and the quick settings panel
Notifications from apps are easier to identify or even stack together
Widget customization options like size, color, transparency, app name placement, etc. are available and folders can also be resized
Improved UX changes that introduce updated animations alongside redesigned visual elements
Improved control over battery charging and new effect when the device is plugged in
Quick Share continues over the internet if users move too far from each other, eliminating interruptions in the file transfer
New clock styles that can be adapted to suit your aesthetic in addition to other lock screen upgrades
New health badges, medication reminders, and a mindfulness feature to help you meet your physical and mental health goals
Easier access to files for sharing on apps and better organization of files on larger screened devices
Simplified access to security threat notifications and the necessary action to resolve them
Improved Auto Blocker to protect from cyberattacks and restrictions on 2G networks

From the overview of the Samsung One UI 7 update, it’s apparent that the company has focused on revitalizing the functioning of multiple aspects of the device to guarantee that there is something of interest for every user. It’s a smart strategy and it’s delightful to see that the company didn’t choose to rely solely on AI to see this update. We also have the rumored Samsung tri-fold expected to see a release later this year along with three other foldables, so there’s a lot to look forward to in 2025.