Samsung's One UI 7 update was the most exciting Android update in years.

Quick Links Aiming for visual improvements Finally, the vertical app drawer! Speeded up and slimmed down notifications and fast toggle Ready to try the bar now Further improvements in charging settings Enhancements in camera, gallery, and video apps Regular Android updates feel a bit outdated Android updates are no longer as frequent as before. Recently, I couldn't receive updates without checking the version number. However, with One UI 7, I can feel the difference and enjoy new features. I couldn't find an ad area below the bottom paragraph. No ad area was found within the content's native ad area.

I am interested in visual improvements

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The update for Samsung's One UI 7 includes new features, but the most significant change is in appearance. Samsung devices have long felt the same, and this update aims to make them feel up-to-date. Therefore, Samsung has introduced new icons and other visual adjustments throughout the interface.

The app icons are small, but many Samsung app users find them familiar. I am happy to see them restored.

Other changes may be noticeable as various sides of the interface have become rounder. Widgets have been paid attention to, and they feel different from Apple and Google.

Other changes are simply visible.

Finally, the vertical app drawer!

When you open the app drawer on smartphones like Pixel, Motorola Razr, or Samsung Galaxy, you can see a series of apps displayed in different ways depending on the model. On Pixel, you can swipe vertically to see all apps continuously. Motorola Razr does the same. On Samsung Galaxy, you can swipe horizontally through multiple pages of apps.

This is one reason I prefer Samsung's default over an Android launcher. Almost all launchers are designed to support vertical app launchers. The one I like the most is Niagara Launcher, which allows you to swipe right and stop at a specific letter to display apps in that alphabet's section.

"With One UI 7, there's no need to install an alternative to the vertical app drawer. Samsung now allows scrolling up and down, and you can quickly move past the alphabet section. Thank you."

Fast and simplified notifications and quick switching

I am interested in Samsung's more efficient quick toggle and notifications compared to Android. I can see many toggles at once, and I like Samsung's semi-transparent atmosphere.

"In One UI 7, notifications and fast switching are separated by default. Swipe left to see notifications, and swipe right to see fast switching."

"I haven't tried this yet (I don't use an iPhone, but this is already a common habit). However, I like this idea. Notifications and quick switching are separate, and I don't want to see the other one when I need the other. After the initial adjustment period, keeping them separate will result in a clean look without anything slowing down."

Ready to try it now

Samsung

The Dynamic Island of the iPhone is said to be an attractive feature. I don't know what it is. I think the island is really ugly and ruins the look of the iPhone (and third-party Android copycat apps are equally attractive). For this reason alone, I am drawn to Samsung's implementation, which is placed cleanly at the bottom of the lock screen and sometimes even on the status bar.

Samsung's version only works with the first-party app. I hope this changes in the future, but even then, I use Samsung apps. One of my main reasons is to display music I am playing on a local media player and an active timer. If there were a cleaner way to see these two, it would be sufficient.

Other first-party apps are also supported. Additionally, you can check if the phone is translating speech, the recording progress, and the current execution time in the Now Bar.

More detailed battery settings

It may seem good that the battery is at 100%, but in reality, it is not. Lithium-ion batteries do not like such a high state of charge. Some phone manufacturers, including Samsung, include a feature to limit charging to a specific threshold.

In One UI 6.1, charging can be limited to 80%. In One UI 7, Samsung provides more detailed options. Charging up to 85% or 90% is also possible in the current beta version.

Enhancements in camera, gallery, and video apps

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Many people, like me, use their phone's camera as their primary camera. I use it professionally. I upload many photos from my Z Fold 6, so I frequently use Samsung's camera app. Samsung's camera has many hidden features that other users