Finally, users have been waiting for a long time: One UI 8 based on Android 16 is now officially available. The update significantly enhances the user experience and, as you might expect, Samsung is heavily focusing on AI.
The deployment begins this week for the Galaxy S25 series, which was the first to experience One UI 8 in beta form. It’s worth noting that Samsung was quite diligent, only offering the beta version to a limited number of models before expanding its program. Now, the final version is here, much to the excitement of users who have been eagerly awaiting Android 16.
Here are the smartphones benefiting from the stable version of One UI 8
However, Samsung has fallen behind in its timeline, as the company had promised availability by this summer. Ultimately, the update became available on September 15. As mentioned earlier, the Galaxy S25 will be the first to receive One UI 8, with additional models rolling out officially in the coming days:
- Galaxy S24 (Standard, Plus, and Ultra)
- Galaxy Z Fold6
- Galaxy Z Flip6
- Galaxy S24 FE
- Other models later this year
What are the new features in the stable version of One UI 8?
One UI 8 is designed to understand the context and provide tailored suggestions based on the user’s needs. Galaxy AI evolves with use, enhancing the protection of personal data. Samsung offers advanced customization tools and security features.
- Now Bar: Displays app activity and media player progress directly on the external screen of the Galaxy Z Flip, compatible with more third-party apps.
- Now Brief: Provides daily customized updates on traffic conditions, important reminders, and scheduled appointments, along with personalized suggestions based on music preferences and interests, plus access to well-being data from the Galaxy Watch.
- Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP): Utilizes personal data intelligence to create app-specific encrypted storage environments, ensuring that each app accesses only its own data.
- Knox Matrix: Automatically disconnects devices from the Samsung account if they present a significant risk, sending notifications to all connected Galaxy devices with concrete steps to protect data.
- Next-Generation Secure Wi-Fi: Incorporates post-quantum cryptography to enhance network protection against evolving threats, ensuring high privacy even on public networks.
Multimodal AI is also present in One UI 8, adapting to users. Interaction with Galaxy devices becomes more intuitive with visual, auditory, and contextual analyses:
- Gemini Live: Ensures natural and fluid communication with AI that understands what the user is seeing or watching in real-time, without needing to switch between apps.
- Surround to Search with Google: Instantly assists when the user surrounds an item on the screen, with enhanced translation capabilities to see translated text in real-time while scrolling through content.
Of course, One UI 8 has been tailored to accommodate various smartphone formats offered by Samsung between traditional phones and foldables. Depending on your device, the ergonomics have been adapted:
- Due to generative tweaks: The smartphone displays the results of AI-enabled features in a floating or separate window to preserve the visibility of the original content.
- Galaxy AI Optimized for Large Screens: Multi-Window allows users to drag and drop AI-generated content directly into their workflow, with Drawing Assistant and Message Assistant facilitating the creation and movement of visuals.
- Gemini Live: Available on the external screen of Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 for hands-free voice searches, functioning as a personal assistant directly from the external screen.
- Audio Eraser: Detects and removes unwanted background noises such as wind or traffic through a dedicated button in video and audio apps.
- New Clock Design: Stretches and adapts to the user’s wallpaper, with numbers wrapping around faces and contours to maintain visibility without compromising the image, whether it’s a selfie or a pet, with customization options for thickness, size, and font color.
- Advanced Customization Options: Easily create wallpapers even for the external screens of Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold, with recommendations and wallpapers automatically generated from the Gallery, plus customization of emojis and wallpaper colors.
Among the AI-generated creation tools, Studio Portrait allows for capturing the expression of a pet to create an artistic portrait. Call transcription turns voices into text during calls for improved communication. This feature is particularly useful in noisy environments. Finally, the Interpreter provides instant translations displayed on-screen to break down language barriers.
