Samsung presents One UI 9 with seven innovations and greater customization for users
Samsung officially unveiled One UI 9 on July 22, 2026, the latest version of its user interface, based on Android 17. This update brings significant improvements and expanded customization options, mainly for the new line of foldable phones Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip 8, which were launched simultaneously at the Galaxy Unpacked event.
Launched in public testing in May this year, One UI 9 promises to refine the existing features of Samsung’s interface. In the official announcement, the company emphasized the new customization features available in the Quick Settings panel, which is now more organized and allows greater resizing of quick access buttons.
Although Samsung did not detail all the innovations of One UI 9 during the presentation, it is certain that the software features of the recently launched foldables are part of the new version of the system. The new editions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip 8 already come with One UI 9 pre-installed from the factory, while other devices will wait for the update to be released.
The Galaxy S26 line should be the first to receive the update to One UI 9. With Samsung’s policy of offering up to six years of support for most of its recent releases, the expectation is that the update will reach a wide range of the brand’s devices over time.
Quick Settings Panel gains more freedom for customization
Samsung has constantly invested in customizing the Quick Settings panel over the generations. One UI 9 deepens this trend, giving users even more autonomy. Elements such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and “Airplane mode” now appear ungrouped and can be freely adjusted in size.
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A notable improvement includes the ability to reduce the volume and brightness sliders, which can now take up just two to one spaces in the grid, optimizing the visual layout of the panel.
Media player updated with new design
As anticipated, the One UI 9 media player app also received a visual overhaul. Buttons are now presented in a circular format, and the display of sound waves in the progress bar has been improved, offering a richer visual experience.
Now Nudge tool now works independently of the keyboard
Now Nudge, a Samsung feature that uses artificial intelligence to propose actions based on the content displayed on the screen, now operates without the need for the brand’s keyboard. Additionally, the solution presents contextual suggestions, such as adding an event to the calendar or sharing photos directly.
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For foldable devices, there are specific optimizations, including shortcuts that make it easier to open relevant applications at the moment, increasing practicality for users.
Smarter data transfer with Smart Switch
In an effort to simplify migration between different ecosystems, as already done by other market giants, One UI 9 improves Smart Switch for Samsung cell phones. The transfer process can be carried out via Wi-Fi or cable, eliminating the need to install additional applications, which makes the transition between devices more fluid and direct.
The new One UI 9 makes it considerably easier to change data between smartphones, including from iPhones to Android and vice versa. Among the items that can be transferred are passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi credentials, alarms, applications (if available) and the eSIM chip, covering a wide range of essential information for the user.
More card options for Now Brief
The Now Brief feature in One UI 9 has been expanded, making it more robust and customizable. The tool now offers more than 100 different types of quick information cards and, for the first time, allows users to create their own personalized cards.
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Important news for the camera app
The One UI 9 camera app has been updated with notable features:
- Smart Photo:Displays side-by-side edits and other editing tools, now with support for text descriptions.
- My FanCam:Automatically crops videos, making it possible to focus and follow a single person in a wider video, allowing the creation of more elaborate content, including support for Horizontal Lock.
- Native Document Scanner:A document scanner integrated directly into the application.
Samsung warranty and service management directly from your cell phone
Samsung added an exclusive section for managing the Samsung Care+ subscription in the One UI 9 settings menu. This centralized area allows you to consult information about the contracted plan, request services such as in-person repairs or remote support and activate self-diagnosis tools for both the cell phone and a Galaxy Watch linked to the account.
Other news may still reach the system
Although the initial focus was on the most important features for the recent foldable models, One UI 9 still reserves other features for the other devices, although these have not been confirmed so far.
Among the expected functions, the Privacy Screen support for Picture-in-picture videos and the release of Horizontal Camera Lock for Galaxy S25 cell phones stand out.
