- A UI 8 must bring new features to the now bar
- The software can also solve a problem with the secure folder
- A UI 8 assets for watches have also leaked
With a UI 7 (based on Android 15) that only goes out to older Galaxy hand sets, Samsung is already prepared an UI 8 (based on Android 16) – and there are some key upgrades in the pipeline for both phones and watches.
We know that Google is planning to push Android 16 very soon in front of Pixel 10 phones and it looks like Samsung is eager to catch up. There have been rumors that a UI 8 could launch with the next Galaxy Foldables sometime in July.
Let’s start with the now bar, the dynamic widget to lock screen added in a UI 7. per. @Topraks9plus on social media (via 9to5Google), the UI 8 version of the widget will add the possibility of displaying phone calls and ‘not disturb’ modes.
Both would be useful additions. Right now, it can now show live updates from apps like Samsung Health and Google Maps, but the more information available on the lock screen, the better.
Phones and watches
Separately suggests a social post from @devofipos (via Android Authority) The secure folder in a UI 8 will be based on the private space function in Android 15. This would be a small change, but it would solve one of the few privacy problems with secure folder.
Right now, apps and files in secure folders can be postponed in certain scenarios. Samsung has not publicly recognized the problem, but it seems that it may be about to fix it.
We have also seen assets for a UI 8 -ur leaked, again leaked by @devofipos (via Sammobile). There are new system sounds, refined app icons and several hints that Gemini will soon appear on Galaxy Watch devices.
Samsung has not yet updated any of its Galaxy watches to a UI 7, and it almost certainly looks that Wearables like Galaxy Watch 7 instead jumps directly to a UI 8. We can expect more leaks in the near future, and hopefully some official news pretty soon too.
