Key Takeaways
1. Samsung’s One UI 7 faced significant criticism due to rollout delays, serious bugs, and poor communication.
2. Users are frustrated with the lengthy rollout and changes to the user experience, including notification and quick settings layout.
3. One UI 7’s beta was delayed, and the update was initially limited to the Galaxy S24 series, causing frustration among other Galaxy users.
4. Samsung has an opportunity to improve with One UI 8, which is set to roll out between June and September, focusing on refining previous changes.
5. The development of One UI 8 is ongoing, with internal builds in testing, aiming to restore user trust and satisfaction after the issues with One UI 7.
What started as an expected significant update from Samsung has turned into a major discussion topic in the Android community, but not for good reasons. With delays in rollout, serious bugs, and poor communication, Samsung has faced a lot of criticism regarding One UI 7. These issues have overshadowed the positive aspects of the update.
Frustration Among Fans
Samsung’s latest update has left many of its fans feeling exasperated and uncertain about how future updates will be handled. The upcoming One UI 8, which will be based on Android 16, presents a vital chance for Samsung to correct its earlier errors. However, the company is pressed for time—Android 16 is set to be released sooner than usual, which means Samsung has less time to fix its mistakes.
Problems From the Start
One UI 7 encountered problems right from the start. After a beta version was delayed until December 2024, it was only available to the Galaxy S24 series for an extended period, leaving other Galaxy users frustrated as they awaited their turn for early access. There was no clear schedule for when the public would get the update.
Throughout this situation, Samsung struggled with communication. Nearly six months after the release of Android 15, the company was prepared to launch One UI 7 stable, but quickly halted it due to a serious bug. Thankfully, the pause was not prolonged.
User Experience Issues
Frustrated by the lengthy rollout, users found the software experience to be even more disappointing. Many were particularly annoyed by the change in how notifications and quick settings were displayed. While it’s a nice optional feature, making it the default was not the best move, as it altered the familiar way users interacted with the UI.
The Now Bar, an interesting addition to the UI, is awkwardly placed on several Galaxy models. One UI 7 is also marred by various design inconsistencies. Users expressed dissatisfaction with alterations to the lock screen, app drawer design, and other features. Those who are familiar with One UI might navigate the new changes, but it doesn’t erase Samsung’s previous mistakes. Regular users may struggle to adjust to the updates.
Looking Ahead to One UI 8
Samsung should ideally correct its past errors with One UI 8, and it seems the company is already making efforts in that direction. During The Android Show earlier this month, Samsung’s Vice President and Head of Smartphone Planning, Minseok Kang, revealed that One UI 8 is set to begin rolling out this summer. This could mean anywhere from June to September, but it’s reassuring to see Samsung commit to a timeline.
Reports indicate that One UI 8 won’t be a major upgrade, which is understandable given how significant the previous update was. However, users are eager to see Samsung refine its bold changes for an improved experience.
The development of One UI 8 is underway, with multiple internal builds identified on the testing server. This suggests that progress is being made. Hopefully, Samsung can restore the trust and goodwill it lost with One UI 7 by providing a faster rollout and more sensible adjustments.
