Samsung One UI 8: Now Bar Enhancements, DeX UI Overhaul, and More!
Samsung's upcoming One UI 8 is generating buzz, and for good reason. While the One UI 7 introduced the Now Bar, its functionality felt somewhat limited. Now, leaks and early firmware tests suggest that One UI 8 is poised to deliver significant improvements, particularly in the Now Bar's capabilities and a revamped DeX experience. Let's dive into what Galaxy users can expect from this major update.
The initial implementation of the Now Bar in One UI 7 offered basic features like charging indicators, sports scores, and Morning Brief interaction. However, it fell short of becoming the anticipated hub for proactive suggestions and quick actions. According to a post by @Topraks9plus, One UI 8 aims to address this by adding useful functionalities such as a Do Not Disturb button and a call status indicator. The call pill displays call time and the recipient, offering at-a-glance information during active calls.
One of the most notable changes in One UI 8 is the overhaul of Samsung DeX. This feature, which allows users to transform their Galaxy phone or tablet into a desktop-like environment, has received a significant UI refresh. In line with Android 16's desktop mode, One UI 8's DeX now features a centered taskbar, reminiscent of Windows, that centers all app icons. Furthermore, frequently used app shortcuts are persistently displayed on the taskbar, enhancing accessibility.
The app drawer has also been redesigned, appearing as a smaller pop-up window instead of occupying the entire screen. These changes aim to provide a more streamlined and efficient desktop experience.
Beyond DeX improvements, One UI 8 brings enhanced quick panel controls for Galaxy Buds. Extending the features available for Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro to older models, users can now long-press the volume slider to access a pop-up menu with controls for volume, ambient sound, and noise cancellation. These refinements offer more convenient control over audio settings.
Samsung is also working on refining general UI elements, such as the glass-like background blur in pop-up menus, aiming to create a more polished and visually appealing user experience.
While these leaked builds offer a glimpse into what to expect, Samsung might still have a few surprises up its sleeve, possibly unveiling new features alongside the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, which are expected to come preloaded with One UI 8 and Android 16.
One UI 7, based on Android 15, is currently rolling out to Galaxy devices, bringing a new design, enhanced AI features, and customization options. The update began in April 2025, with a brief pause due to a bug, but has since resumed. Samsung has rolled out the stable One UI 7 update to Galaxy S series, Galaxy Z series, etc.
These improvements offer a glimpse into the future of Samsung's software experience. What features are you most excited to see in One UI 8? What improvements would you like to see Samsung prioritize? Share your thoughts and expectations in the comments below!
