Samsung may skip One UI 7.1 as rumours hint at early Android 16 based One UI 8 rollout

Samsung recently confirmed that the Android 15-based One UI 7 update will start rolling out to select devices next month. The update will first be available in beta for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, Z Fold 6, and Z Flip 6 models starting this week, with the public update following in April (in a phased manner).

Interestingly, popular tipster Ice Universe has claimed that Samsung might skip smaller incremental updates like One UI 7.1 or 7.1.1. According to the tipster, the company could jump straight to One UI 8.0, possibly based on Android 16. If true, this could mean Samsung is accelerating its software timeline to bring bigger updates to users sooner.

What to expect in One UI 7

Despite the potential early shift to One UI 8, Samsung’s One UI 7 still brings plenty of exciting features and improvements.

Design and UI enhancements

• Now Bar: A pill-shaped UI on the lock screen for quick access to music, timers, and navigation.
• New icons: Brighter, easier-to-recognise stock app icons.
• Widgets: More customisation options with a sleek, modern design.
• Revamped camera UI: A cleaner layout with simplified zoom controls.
• Charging animations: A new green progress bar when charging.
• Smoother animations: Faster, more fluid transitions between apps.

Also read: One UI 7 release date, features, supported devices and everything else we know so far

Customisation upgrades

• Vertical app drawer: Scroll through apps vertically for easier access.
• Lock screen: More clock styles, font options, and widget customisations.
• Quick settings: Swipe from the top-left for notifications and top-right for quick settings.

Galaxy AI Features:

• Writing Assist: Helps improve text across the UI using AI.
• Call Transcriptions: Converts call recordings into text in 20 languages.
• Now Brief: Displays AI-generated, relevant info based on your usage patterns.
• Audio & Object Eraser: Removes unwanted sounds and objects from videos.

What I believe is if Samsung does jump to One UI 8.0 earlier than expected, users could get even more advanced features and improvements sooner. Whether or not this happens, Samsung’s current focus on customisation and AI integration shows its commitment to delivering a better smartphone experience. We’ll have to wait and see if Ice Universe’s prediction comes true.