Samsung OneUI 7: 6 standout features you should know about | Technology News

A new quick settings panel

New quick settings panel on the OneUI 7. (Express Photo)

One of the most distinguishable features that helps differentiate between OneUI 7 and OneUI 6 is the updated quick settings panel. By default, the quick settings panel separates settings and notifications, which can be accessed by swiping from the right and the left, respectively. There is also an option to unify the notifications and quick settings for those who like it that way.

The new quick settings panel, although not fully customisable as the control centre on the iOS 18, still offers a bit of flexibility on the look and feel, and the colour palette of the icons can be matched with that of the system theme or wallpaper, enabling a cohesive look and feel across the UI.

Galaxy AI with new experiences

Galaxy AI can be disabled on the OneUI 7. (Express Photo)

OneUI 7 packs all the AI tricks from the OneUI 6 and introduces some more, including capabilities like best face. This ensures that you or your friend will never look dull in a selfie, and I hope Samsung will also add this capability to photos with single human subjects. Another AI experience that I used multiple times on the Galaxy S25+ running on OneUI 7 is the audio eraser, which ensures I can record a voice-over for an Instagram Reel even in a noisy street and can remove unwanted audio with just a click of a button. While the results aren’t perfect, it enhances the overall audio experience, and this works for videos shot on other smartphones too. Similarly, auto-call transcribe is also a feature that comes in handy at times.

Now bar

Now bar stays at the bottom of the screen. (Express Photo)

The all-new Now bar on the OneUI 7 stays at the bottom of the lock screen, which gives you access to music control, stop clock, alarm, and access to important notifications. This tiny widget on the lock screen does tasks like finding and presenting important details from emails that might include a movie or a flight ticket. This is definitely one of the most useful widgets on a smartphone that can help cut down on unwanted phone unlocks, leading to reduced screen time.

A simple yet sophisticated camera app

The new camera app is easy to use and intuitive. (Express Photo)

The camera app on the OneUI 7 has gone for a more simplified approach with fewer and clutter-free user experience (UX) and the ability to access more when needed. This makes the camera app on the OneUI 7 more intuitive for most users, while also retaining everything that a power user needs. Again, the camera features will vary from device to device, and one will need the latest Galaxy S25 series to access features like pro video or LOG mode.

A quick search window at the bottom of the app drawer

Quick search toggle at the bottom. (Express Photo)

This minor but important upgrade makes multi-tasking on devices running on OneUI 7 a lot more intuitive. Allowing users to search between various apps and settings, especially on devices with large screens. The search window accepts text and voice inputs, making it accessible, even for those, who face challenges in typing on a smartphone.

New and improved Good Lock

OneUI 7 offers top-tier AI features with customisation support. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

The latest version of Google Lock, compatible with OneUI 7, enables the next level of customisation on the home screen and lock screen. This includes the ability to place as many apps and widgets on the home screen, the ability to resize these icons and customise the animation speed and style. However, the Good Lock app does not come out of the box and needs to be downloaded manually from the Samsung Store.