While Google is already on its final leg of its Android 15 beta program for Pixel phones, Samsung has yet to begin its testing phase for the update, which will arrive as One UI 7. New reports have narrowed down an earlier launch window for the beta program while hinting at massive visual changes in tow with the firmware.
When can you download the One UI 7 update?
According to prolific and frequent leaker Ice Universe, there’s a chance this year’s One UI 7 beta will arrive on Samsung Galaxy devices sooner than you think. The tipster mentioned users should expect Samsung to announce the One UI beta program as early as the end of July if there are no roadblocks along the way.
If this were to materialize, this will place the upcoming update a few weeks ahead of the supposed annual schedule. As a reference, the One UI 6 beta landed on the second week of August last year, although the availability of the update was staggered depending on the Galaxy models.
What could be new in One UI 7?
Apart from the timing, the One UI 7 will apparently bring a handful of major changes that will be a larger update than One UI 6.
The same source first reported Samsung’s plans to overhaul the quick settings or drop-down menu in One UI 7, which already received a moderate makeover in One UI 6. Unfortunately, it did not detail what the new design will be.
The company could also take inspiration from iOS 18, as it is tipped they will redesign the home screen app icons, making them more colorful and with a slightly updated shape from the current squircle icons. Moreover, Samsung is said to tweak the notifications panels and the default Galaxy camera app in One UI 7.
Apart from the visual changes, there are new system features arriving as well, including a new way to lock apps known as App Lock. This is most likely Samsung’s version of Private Space which debuted with Android 15. Basically, the latter allows you to hide apps in a separate container while disabling your device’s system from accessing the content and notifications of these apps.
It is safe to assume the Galaxy S24 (Plus) and Galaxy S24 Ultra (review) could receive the beta firmware first before Samsung rolls it out to more Galaxy devices.
On a separate note, Samsung is also set to release a minor update to Galaxy devices, One UI 6.1.1, in the coming weeks. One should take note the firmware is already available out-of-the-box for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (review) and Galaxy Z Flip 6 (review), which primarily introduced new generative AI features.
Do you intend to enrol in Samsung’s One UI beta program and test Android 15 on your Galaxy phone or tablet? Let us hear your plans.
