One UI
One UI (also written as OneUI) is a software overlay developed by Samsung Electronics for its newer Android devices. Succeeding Samsung Experience UX and TouchWiz, it is designed to make using larger Smartphones easier and become more visually appealing. To provide more clarity, some elements of the UI are tweaked to match the colours that are based on the colour of the user's phone. It was unveiled at Samsung's developer conference in 2018 alongside the Galaxy S10 series, Galaxy Buds and the Galaxy Fold, and first introduced as part of Samsung's firmware updates for Android 9 Pie.
Screenshot of One UI 1.0 running on Galaxy Note 9 smartphone | |
Developer | Samsung Electronics |
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OS family | Linux (Based on Android), Unix-like |
Working state | Current |
Initial release | 7 November 2018 |
Latest release | 2.1 (Based on Android 10) / 12 February 2020 |
Available in | 100+ languages and 25 locales worldwide |
Update method | Firmware over-the-air |
Kernel type | Monolithic (modified Linux kernel) |
Default user interface | Graphical |
Preceded by | Samsung Experience |
Official website | Official website |
Features
One UI was designed as part of a goal to make Samsung's hardware and software "work together in perfect harmony" and provide a more "natural" experience on large-screen smartphones. A prominent design pattern in many of Samsung's system applications is to intentionally place common features and user interface elements along the middle of the screen rather than near the top. This makes them easier to reach with a user's thumb when using the device one-handed. For similar reasons, apps utilise large headers to push their main content towards the vertical centre of the screen. The navigation bar supports the use of gestures and the usual 3-button system, while a system-wide "night mode" was also added (which gives UI elements and supported applications a darkened color scheme). As with Android Pie upstream, the Overview screen of recent apps uses a horizontal layout, as opposed to the vertical layout of previous versions.[1][2][3][4]
Version history
One UI 1.0, the first version of One UI, brought about many features which were becoming increasingly popular among various apps and iOS. First and foremost, dark mode was added to make viewing in dark spaces easier on your eyes. This feature was included in many apps and eventually brought to iOS 13 and Android 10. The first version also brought native screenshot editing tools, refined curves, refinements to the Always-On Display (tap to show), an upgraded Bixby with support for remapping the Bixby button, and a new way to navigate the device: gestures. While Android 9 Pie did come with gesture support, it was only available on Pixel devices and stock AOSP devices and is said to be 'half baked' by many users. However, Samsung decided to create their own gesture system to navigate devices with OneUI installed. All you had to do was swipe up from the bottom of the device in the three locations of the 'buttons' to navigate. There have been many mixed reviews of this system, but is by far one of the better ones of the trend.
One UI 1.1, a minor update for OneUI, brought a few camera, fingerprint, and facial recognition stability fixes and performance optimizations. This update has not yet reached the Galaxy S8, Note8, S9, and Note9 range, but was an OTA update for the Galaxy S10 series devices. It launched with the 2019 Galaxy A series devices, such as the A30, A50 and A70.
One UI 1.5, another minor update, was primarily for Galaxy Smart Watches, however, does provide native Link to Windows support. It launched with the Galaxy Note10 series devices. It also had a notification sound Cosmic Radio changed.
One UI 2.0, the second generation update to One UI, provides Galaxy users with a skinned Digital Wellbeing experience, a more refined UI in some default apps such as Device Care, a minor UI change to the clock position in quick settings, a native screen recorder, the new Android 10 gesture system, Dynamic Lock Screen (different wallpaper with every unlock), a Trash folder in Files, native Android Auto, and harder Location permission access. OneUI 2.0 has already rolled out to current devices (Galaxy S10, Note10) and is still in Beta for others (Galaxy S9, Note9).
Release
One UI 1.0 based on Android 9 Pie was periodically released to the Galaxy S8, Note8, S9, and Note9 devices throughout January, February, March and April 2019. Newer Galaxy A and M devices also have the new Samsung skin as does the Note FE (Fan Edition). One UI 1.1 was released alongside the Galaxy S10 series and the Galaxy Fold.
One UI 1.5 was pre-installed on the Galaxy Note10 devices after Samsung's partnership with Microsoft to bring better mobile integration to Windows 10. While the Galaxy S7 series and Note 5 devices did not officially receive the update from Samsung, many developers in the Open Source community have ported the system to these devices and many more.
One UI 2.0 is stable for the S10, Note 10, S9, Note 9, and Tab S6 devices.
One UI 2.1 was pre-installed on the S20 and most Samsung devices released in 2020.
Devices running One UI
Smartphones
Device | Version |
---|---|
Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+/S8 Active | Original: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat") Upgradeable: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") |
Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ | Original: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0.0 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy S10e/S10/S10+/S10 5G | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite | Original: One UI 2.0 (Android 10)
Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy S20/S20+/S20 Ultra (LTE/5G) | Original: One UI 2.0 (Android 10)
Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Note Fan Edition (FE) | Original: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat") Upgradeable: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") |
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 | Original: Samsung Experience 8.5 (Android 7.1.1 "Nougat") Upgradeable: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") |
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 | Original: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Note 10/Note 10+ (LTE/5G) | Original: One UI 1.5 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite | Original: One UI 2.0 (Android 10)
Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Fold | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip | One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A8/A8+ (2018) | Original: Samsung Experience 8.5 (Android 7.1.1 "Nougat") Upgradeable: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") |
Samsung Galaxy A6/A6+ (2018) | Original: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0.0 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) | Original: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0.0 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A8 Star (2018) | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) | Original: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0.0 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A10 | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A10s | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A20 | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A20e | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A20s | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A30 | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A30s | Original: One UI 1.5 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A40 | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A50 | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A50s | Original: One UI 1.5 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A60/M40 | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A70 | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A70s | Original: One UI 1.5 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A80 | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A90 5G | Original: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A51 | Original: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy A71 | Original: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) | Original: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat") Upgradeable: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") |
Samsung Galaxy J7 / J7 Pro (2017) | Original: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat") Upgradeable: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") |
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018) | Original: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0.0 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy J6 | Original: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0.0 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy J8 | Original: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0.0 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy J6+ | Original: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy M20 | Original: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") Upgradable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Tablets
Device | Version |
---|---|
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 | Original: TouchWiz Grace UX (Android 7.0 "Nougat") Upgradeable: One UI 1.1 (Android 9 "Pie") |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 | Original: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017) | Original: Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat" Upgradeable: One UI 1.1 (Android 9) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2018) | Original: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 | Original: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") Upgradeable: One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e | Original: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 | Original: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) | Original: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) | Original: One UI 1.0 (Android 9 "Pie") Upgradeable: One UI 2.1 (Android 10) |
References
- Zhou, Marrian. "Samsung's One UI, which will power the Galaxy S10, makes US debut on the Galaxy S9". CNET. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- "Galaxy S10 preview: One UI is the clean break from Android Samsung has always wanted". PCWorld. 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
- Bohn, Dieter (2019-02-19). "Samsung's One UI is the best software it's ever put on a smartphone". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
- Tibken, Shara. "Samsung redesigns its smartphone user interface with One samsung UI". CNET. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
Preceded by Samsung Experience |
One UI 2019–present |
Succeeded by |