- Complete redesign of the quick panel and notifications, making it easier to access and organize functions.
- Advanced improvements to the camera and gallery, including customizable widgets, improved editing, and new quality options.
- New customization options for the Home screen, Lock screen, and Settings, along with improved security and productivity.
Samsung continues its leadership in innovation with the arrival of the One UI 6.0 update , its new customization layer based on Android 14. This version not only integrates the improvements inherent to Google's system, but also enhances its offering with intelligent settings , exclusive new features, and a clear focus on usability and productivity. The daily user experience on Galaxy devices reaches a new level, with refined features for both smartphones and tablets.
In this article, you'll discover all the new features of One UI 6.0 : from the most noticeable interface changes to the lesser-known but equally important details regarding apps, widgets, security, productivity, and compatibility. If you own a Samsung Galaxy device or are planning to buy one, this is the ultimate guide to understanding all the improvements and new tools you can enjoy with this update.
New challenges for Galaxy devices: Compatibility and scope of One UI 6.0
The One UI 6.0 update is coming to a wide range of Samsung Galaxy devices , including the S, M, and A series, the foldable Galaxy Z series, and the Galaxy Tab tablet line. Some of the featured models that are currently receiving (or will receive) this version are:
- Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S22, S22+, S22 Ultra, and previous models like S21 and S21 FE.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 5, Z Flip 4 and recent previous generations.
- Samsung Galaxy A73, A72, A54, A53, A52, A34 and more models in the A family.
- Samsung Galaxy M54, M53 5G, and other M series.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S9+, Tab S9, Tab S8 and other recent Tab models.
Samsung's policy of offering extended update periods ensures that many users can enjoy the new features of One UI 6.0 on both new and older devices. To check if your device is compatible and how to access the update, simply go to Settings > Software update > Download and install on your Galaxy phone or tablet.
Quick Panel and Notifications: Complete Redesign and Smart Access
One of the most visible changes in One UI 6.0 is the revamped quick panel and notification system . The goal is to make it easier to access frequently used functions, improve visual organization, and offer more customization.
- New button layout: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth now occupy prominent positions at the top, allowing you to turn them on or off with a tap, while features like Dark Mode have moved to the bottom.
- Instant access to the full dashboard: Thanks to gesture settings, you can display the entire Quick Panel with a single gesture, eliminating intermediate steps to save time.
- Improved Brightness Bar: The brightness control bar appears, by default, in the compact quick panel for quick adjustments without having to switch screens.
- Refreshed media and music controls: The built-in player now sports a more visual and functional design, displaying album art and advanced controls.
- Notifications on separate cards: Each notification is presented on its own card, allowing you to better differentiate alerts and messages. You can also choose the order of appearance: by priority or chronologically, showing the most recent ones at the beginning if you prefer.
Panel settings allow you to further customize the experience, choosing which shortcuts appear, their order, and how you interact with them. This is key for users looking for speed and convenience, especially on large screens.
Advanced camera enhancements: Widgets, controls, and professional quality
Samsung's camera has always stood out for offering advanced yet user-friendly features, and with One UI 6.0, this aspect takes a significant leap forward. Both visual and functional improvements are introduced:
- Simplified and intuitive interface: The app's design is clearer, with updated buttons, better icons, and options accessible from the preview.
- Customizable camera widgets: You can now place widgets on your home screen to open the camera directly in specific modes (Portrait, Night, Pro, Video, etc.) or choose a specific camera (front or rear). You can even assign captured images to specific albums via the widget, saving you steps and better organizing your content.
- Fast resolution and quality control: You can adjust the resolution of photos and videos from the main screen with just one touch, also accessing three levels of quality optimization (maximum, medium, minimum) depending on whether you prioritize speed or maximum image quality.
- Leveling line and grid support: For precise photography, activating the grid now displays a level line to help achieve perfectly aligned images.
- Disabling the camera switch gesture: Those who don't want to switch between cameras with a vertical swipe can disable this feature, avoiding accidental errors.
The improvements also extend to video recording , with clearer access to size and quality settings, and real-time effect previews. The overall experience makes mobile photography much more professional and versatile.
Multimedia Gallery and Editing: A Leap in Creativity
The Gallery app and Media Editor receive notable improvements, making it easier to manage, edit, and customize images and videos:
- Advanced image editing: The tools have been reorganized into a new menu to reveal features like editing stickers, text, backgrounds, and drawing. The "Straighten" and "Perspective" options have been consolidated into a single tab for easy photo transformation.
- Creating custom stickers: You can cut out parts of your photos and turn them into reusable stickers on other images or videos.
- Access to quick actions: From the detailed view of an image, you can edit, share, or delete with a single gesture; you can also drag and drop images between albums using two fingers, optimizing organization.
- Improvements to preview when sharing: Before sending a photo or video, you can see exactly what you'll be sharing, and even generate screenshots with a link for added context.
- New video editor: Samsung Studio:
Studio, the new video editing tool, allows you to create and edit complex projects using a timeline interface. It's ideal for those who want to work with multiple tracks, effects, transitions, and audio without relying on external applications.
Complete customization of the home and lock screen
The look and feel of your device is now more flexible than ever:
- Positioning the clock on the lock screen: You can freely move the watch to different positions and choose from various styles.
- Clearer and cleaner icons: Native app names have been shortened, eliminating terms like "Galaxy" or "Samsung." The display is limited to a single line of text under each icon for a more minimalist desktop.
- System font updated: One UI 6.0 introduces a modern, stylish typography that improves readability and overall visual appeal.
- Improved icon reordering: You can easily move icons from one screen to another using multi-finger gestures, making organization easier.
Multitasking, productivity and extra features
Advanced device use benefits from new options that optimize work and improve fluidity:
- Always-on multitasking pop-up: Pop-ups stay open when switching between apps or accessing the Recent Apps menu, allowing you to pick up where you left off without interruption.
- Samsung DeX Enhanced: Switch between DeX and tablet mode while maintaining the same home screen layout, with access to all your usual apps and widgets. Transitioning between modes is more seamless, making the experience closer to that of a PC.
- Link to Windows for tablets: Connect your Galaxy tablet to a Windows PC to view notifications, use mobile apps directly from your computer, and transfer files faster.
- Browser optimized: Samsung's browser now lets you play videos in the background, manage tabs more easily, and take advantage of the larger screens on foldable phones and tablets.
- Improved file management: The “My Files” app suggests smart actions to free up space and makes it easy to copy content between folders using multi-touch gestures.
- Most powerful reminders, calendar, and weather app: Weather widgets now feature more information and better graphics, the calendar makes it easier to view and organize your tasks, and reminders have new categories and an all-day option, with the ability to add photos when creating reminders.
- New quick actions from Finder: When searching for apps, long-pressing an app icon displays quick actions to save time.
- Smart Select: Available on select models, it allows you to select and zoom in on areas of the screen to accurately copy text or images.
Enhanced settings, security, and accessibility
The update includes many "invisible" but crucial improvements to the experience, security, and accessibility:
- Smart airplane mode: The system remembers whether you had Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled before entering airplane mode and reactivates them when you exit it.
- Independent battery menu: The battery now has its own dedicated area in Settings, where you can analyze its usage and customize power management.
- Auto Blocker: Advanced threat-blocking features prevent the installation of apps from unknown sources and avoid malware risks, ensuring extra protection for your data and apps.
- New accessibility options: Improved pointer display, cursor thickness adjustments, advanced zoom, and more colors available to improve customization based on user needs.
- Improvements to Samsung keyboard emojis: Emojis have been redesigned to adapt to current trends and offer more expressive communication.
Automation, routines and smart modes
Another key aspect is device customization through automation and routines:
- Automatable clock modes and routines: You can have modes set for your phone (such as "Exercise", "Movie" or "Sleep") automatically control functions of your Galaxy Watch, such as Always On Display, Do Not Disturb mode, raise wrist to activate and more.
- Unique wallpapers per mode: Customize a different background for each usage mode (work, relaxation, night, etc.), allowing your device to automatically adapt to your habits and preferences.
- New conditions and actions for routines: You now have more triggers and actions to create automations that respond to your location, time, connection, and more.
How to update to One UI 6.0 and get started
To update your Galaxy device to One UI 6.0:
- Opens Settings and go to Software update.
- Press on Download and installIf your version is available, the system will automatically detect it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and be sure to back up your data for safety before proceeding.
Remember that rollout may vary by model and region, starting with high-end devices and gradually expanding to mid-range devices and tablets.
Compatible phones: Who can enjoy One UI 6.0?
While Samsung publishes updated lists periodically, the main devices that will receive One UI 6.0 include:
- Galaxy S series (S23, S22, S21, S20 FE and variants)
- Galaxy Z Series (Fold 5/4/3, Flip 5/4/3)
- Galaxy A series (A54, A53, A34, A73, A72, among others)
- Galaxy M Series (M54, M53 5G, and more)
- Galaxy Tab S9, S8 and other recent models
For exact compatibility details, you can check the official Samsung website or the updates section in Settings.
The arrival of One UI 6.0 marks a milestone for Samsung Galaxy users, offering a suite of enhancements that elevate the experience , from greater fluidity, customization, and productivity to strengthened security and top-tier multimedia tools. Whether you're an advanced user or someone looking for ease of use on a daily basis, this update transforms your device into a more intuitive, powerful, and well-protected tool against today's challenges.