One UI 8 on Galaxy S25: A look at the new features worth checking out
Remember the One UI 7 rollout? It wasn't Samsung's finest hour, to put it mildly. But let's not dwell on the past! The tech giant is already rolling out One UI 8 to Galaxy S25 devices. While it might not be a complete revolution like its predecessor, there's plenty to get excited about.
After test-driving Samsung’s vision of Android 16, here are some of the features that have truly impressed me.
Enhanced Multitasking: A Breath of Fresh Air
I've always relied on Android phones for multitasking, but the experience hasn't always been smooth. For the longest time, I was stuck with a 50/50 screen split, which wasn't ideal. One UI 8 introduces a game-changing feature: a flexible split-screen.
You can now easily adjust the app balance, going as far as 90/10 in either direction. Trust me, this has made a world of difference when I’m typing out emails. I can now plan my logistics without any kind of issues.
DeX Evolved: Embracing Android Desktop Mode
Samsung is shifting from its proprietary DeX desktop mirroring app to a more standard Android Desktop Mode. While some might miss the old DeX, I think this change is a step in the right direction.
You can still use an S Pen, customize your display layout, and connect to displays wirelessly. Although there are some features that I'd like to see return, the important thing is that I can still mirror my Galaxy S25 Edge to my Surface Laptop when I need more screen space. The essential functions are still there.
Quick Share: Closing the Gap with AirDrop
I've always been a bit envious of iPhone users and their seamless AirDrop sharing. Thankfully, One UI 8 is addressing this with improvements to Quick Share.
Quick Share now uses visually distinct tabs to show whether your files are coming or going, which I find helpful. While it's a welcome improvement, I'd love to see Samsung take it a step further and introduce a feature similar to NameDrop, allowing users to easily share information by simply tapping their devices together.
Portrait Studio for Pets: Finally!
When Samsung first launched its generative Portrait Studio, I wasn't blown away. It was limited to people and didn't preserve much beyond their faces. But now, Portrait Studio finally supports pets!
You can now give your furry friends a makeover using various art styles, such as Studio, Fisheye, Oil Painting, and 3D Cartoon. It's a fun and quirky addition that I'm sure many pet owners will appreciate.
Audio Eraser: A Much-Needed Upgrade
One UI 8 brings a significant overhaul to Audio Eraser. The idea is simple: clean up background noise from your recordings. After trying Samsung's Audio Eraser in a crowded climbing gym, I was eager to see how this update performed.
The results are impressive. I've re-treated my original clips and added new ones, and the audio is much cleaner than before. Audio Eraser now supports both the Voice Recorder and Samsung Notes apps, making it easier to clean up interviews recorded in noisy environments and voice memos.
Of course, Audio Eraser still has its limitations, but it's a definite improvement over its previous iteration.
That's my initial take on One UI 8. If you own a Galaxy S25, you can update now. If you have an older device, you'll have to be patient, but Samsung has provided a roadmap to let you know when the update will be available for your device.
Source: AndroidAuthority