Discover the Game-Changing One UI 8 Features that Supercharged My Samsung Galaxy Experience

Samsung Unveils One UI 8 Powered by Android 16

While Google dropped Android 16 a few weeks ahead of its regular cycle, Samsung followed in the same vein by announcing One UI 8 built on Android 16. The update is currently available for Samsung’s seventh‑generation foldables.

Testing One UI 8 on the Galaxy Z Fold 7

I’ve been experimenting with the new software on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for a couple of weeks, and several notable changes have emerged:

• Refined Foldable UX – The interface has been streamlined for better folding gestures.
• Enhanced Performance – Optimizations reduce battery drain and boost app launch speeds.
• Improved Security – Builds in additional privacy controls for a smoother user experience.
• Updated One UI Features – New visual tweaks and a refreshed theme palette.

What Samsung Fixed and Lifted this Year

Here’s a concise rundown of the key adjustments and additions that One UI 8 brings to the foldable ecosystem:

1. Foldable‑specific UX refinements
2. Performance boosts and battery‑drain reduction
3. Security updates and privacy controls
4. Visual updates and refreshed theme palette

With these changes, One UI 8 sets a new standard for Samsung’s foldable phones, delivering a smoother, more secure, and visually appealing experience.

The improved multi-tasking experience

Samsung One UI 8 Faces New Multitasking Milestones

Samsung’s One UI has long been celebrated for delivering a superior multi‑tasking experience on smartphones and tablets. But as the ecosystem expands to include foldable devices and large‑screen tablets, and with Google’s Android 12L ushering in dedicated support for expansive formats, the company’s software gains fresh challenges. One UI 8 incorporates several upgrades aimed at reconciling these evolving form factors.

Key Multitasking Enhancements

• 90:10 Split‑Screen Format – The new interface allows two applications to occupy the screen in a 90:10 ratio, giving the secondary window a minimal footprint. This layout is ideal for overlaying an app on a cover‑screen view or along the top or bottom edges.
• Enhanced Stage Manager‑Style Workflow – One UI 8 introduces a stage manager‑like approach that partitions the screen into distinct areas, providing a seamless environment for apps to occupy separate workspaces.
• Open Canvas Capability on Foldables – OnePlus introduced the Open Canvas system for split‑screen multitasking on foldable phones. Samsung’s new design mirrors this philosophy, offering intuitive controls for scene‑based output on foldables.

Supporting Features for Large‑Screen Devices

• Android 12L Compatibility – Tailored gestures and UI adjustments for large‑screen usage.
• Improved Live Wallpaper Controls – Allows developers to better manage performance on high‑resolution displays.
• Adaptive Throttle – Dynamic CPU scaling to maintain battery life while multitasking.

Early Adoption and Market Impact

Samsung’s launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 demonstrates the practical application of these multitasking features. Users can now conduct professional workflows that require two applications—such as a design tool and a communication platform—simultaneously with ease. This positions the Galaxy lineup as a compelling choice for productivity‑oriented consumers.

Future Outlook

• Continuous refinement of app launch lag on foldables.
• Expanded partner support for manufacturer‑specific multitasking extensions.
• Exploration of AI‑driven suggestion for optimal split ratios based on user behavior.

With One UI 8, Samsung is stepping up its game in the multitasking arena, ensuring that the user experience remains fluid whether on a traditional phone, a foldable, or a large tablet.

Optimized Split‑Screen Interaction on the Galaxy Z Fold 7

Natural Window Dimensions

The Galaxy Z Fold 7’s tall aspect ratio preserves a normal feel for the foreground application, despite a slightly reduced app window. This design eliminates any distorted UI that might otherwise occur.

Seamless Focus Switch

• Eliminate the need to drag the horizontal divider bar.
• Tap the bottom or top bar to instantly bring the secondary app to the center stage.
• Experience a snappy and convenient switch, thoughtfully executed.

Efficient Cross‑App Reference

In scenarios where you must reference information in one app and then supply it to another, the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s cover display allows you to interact with either split‑screen app in a near full‑view. This approach ensures no odd cropping or crushed UI elements.

A more convenient camera app

Modern Phones: Slimmer but Harder to Use

Trend Overview

• Designs are becoming slimmer and lighter.
• Smaller sizes are not a guaranteed progress.
• Major pain point: the upper screen is now harder to reach.

Thumb Reach Problem

When you need to click icons in the top quarter of the display, you often have to:

• Stretch your thumb vigorously.
• Use the other hand in a two‑hand stance.
• Adjust the phone twice when holding it.

Camera App Challenge

The camera must occupy as much screen as possible, especially in full‑screen 9:16 mode. This means:

• Viewfinder takes the majority of the display.
• Taking a photo while the phone is unfolded creates a tablet‑like view that is even more difficult to control.

Bottom Line

Even though phones are getting technically lighter, the practical use experience is losing touch with everyday thumb reach and camera simplicity.

Samsung’s Camera App Gets a Handy Flick Gesture

What’s New?

Samsung has finally solved that elusive flick issue. Earlier, swiping on the viewfinder area would toggle between the front and rear cameras. Now, you can flick to bring the entire suite of camera controls out of the upper‑right corner as a sliding carousel right above the shutter button.

How to Use It

• Flash: toggle on or off with a flick.
• Timer: set your preferred delay.
• Aspect ratio: choose from portrait, square, or landscape.
• Resolution: adjust the pixel count.
• Exposure: fine‑tune, with HDR options.
• Photo styles: apply preset looks.
• Settings hub: swipe down to dig deeper.

One‑handed Convenience

Although the controls are still located in the upper right corner, the new swipe gesture brings them to a position that is now much easier to reach when using one hand.

File sharing is easier

Android’s File‑Sharing Maze

If AirDrop feels like a silver bullet, Android’s Quick Share still feels more like a bottle cap. The system has evolved—big name changes, fresh branding, small feature tweaks—but it hasn’t matched the effortless flow of Apple’s wireless file‑sharing tech.

What Quick Share Is Missing

• Speed – Android lags behind Apple when initiating a transfer.
• Reliability – Connections drop more often on Android’s side.
• Fluidity – The user interface feels clunky and unintuitive compared to Apple’s clean layout.

Why the Gap Stands

1. Hardware constraints – Android devices vary widely, making a one‑size‑fits‑all approach difficult.
2. Software fragmentation – Developers juggle numerous OEM versions, slowing cohesive updates.
3. Competitive pressure – Apple’s strong brand loyalty pushes Android’s quick‑share steps slower.

Possible Steps Forward

To bring Android closer to AirDrop, the guidelines might include: universal quick‑share compatibility; a smoother drive‑and‑receive flow; and a unified UI that feels as intuitive as Apple’s.

Takeaway

Android’s latest Quick Share upgrades bring incremental improvements, yet the system still falls short of the near‑instantaneous connectivity offered by Apple’s AirDrop. A future update that tightens the hardware and software collaboration could narrow this gap.

One UI 8 Transforms Quick Share for Seamless File Exchange

Key Redesign Highlights

• Prominent Bottom Controls: New Receive & Send buttons eliminate the need to scroll.
• Streamlined Sending Interface: Clean layout simplifies file selection for both singles and bundles.
• Dedicated Nearby‑Device Carousel: Frequently shared hardware appears in an isolated scroll bar, bypassing the scan step.
• Instant QR & URL Generation: Quick access on the Send page for single files or entire collections.
• Receive Section Focus: Stay in the Receive tab for effortless file reception.

Why Devices Ready in One Click?

When a device is within proximity, the One UI 8 interface automatically displays it in the carousel, saving time and removing the scan hassle. The QR code or link is generated instantly on the Send page, enabling fast sharing across the network.

Receive‑Only Convenience

In the Receive mode, simply position your phone in the designated tab, and the app handles all incoming data, ensuring a hands‑free, receive‑only experience.

Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

Wireless File Transfer on One UI 8

When you navigate to the Receive page, the system automatically enables the wireless connection lanes. Depending on the visibility setting you choose, the device will appear either on the sender’s phone or tablet. In every instance I’ve tried, the transfer has worked flawlessly atop One UI 8.

Missing Bluetooth? Switch to Internet

• If Bluetooth connectivity fails, you can opt to share files over the internet, utilizing either Wi‑Fi or cellular data.
• To prevent accidentally sending a large cache of files and consuming your data allowance, set up sharing exclusively in Wi‑Fi mode only.