Samsung Releases OneUI 4.0 with Android 12

Samsung says that it is delivering a major OS update to its most recent flagship smartphones that adds Android 12 and new capabilities.

“We are committed to giving everyone access to the best mobile experiences possible, as soon as possible,” Samsung executive vice president Janghyun Yoon says. “One UI 4 delivers on that promise, equipping Galaxy smartphone users with the latest customization and, privacy features. But we won’t stop there. Soon, other smartphone and tablet users will also be able to benefit from this software update, enabling a more seamless experience across our entire ecosystem.”

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OneUI 4.0 is rolling out to the Galaxy S21 series—the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra—starting today, Samsung says, and it will come to previous-generation Note, S series devices, as well as Galaxy Z series, A series, and Samsung tablets soon*. And this is a major update. Key new features include:

Fully customizable user experience. OneUI 4.0 is deeply customizable. You can change the look of the home screen, icons, menus, buttons, and background. There are “reimagined” widgets that are also more customizable, new emoji features, and more.

Improved security and privacy. A new privacy dashboard brings all related settings into a single interface, and OneUI 4.0 includes all the new Android security features as well.

 

* The complete list of devices that will eventually get OneUI 4.0 includes: Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, S20 FE, Note20, Note20 Ultra, S10, S10e, S10+, S10 5G, Note10, Note 10+, Galaxy Fold, Z Fold3, Z Flip3, Z Fold2, Z Flip, Z Flip 5G, Galaxy A82 5G, A72, A52, A52 5G, A52s 5G, A42 5G, and Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+.

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Conversation 12 comments

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    15 November, 2021 - 9:04 am

    <p>Hmm, which will come first? Android 12 on my Galaxy S20+ or my iPhone 13 Pro?</p>

    • jgraebner

      Premium Member
      15 November, 2021 - 1:56 pm

      <p>I’m pretty sure that Android 12 will never come to your iPhone 13 Pro. :)</p>

  • winner

    15 November, 2021 - 1:51 pm

    <p>Has Samsung gotten rid of their bloated mess of numerous duplicate apps? Like two app stores, two messaging apps, and two browsers?</p>

    • jgraebner

      Premium Member
      15 November, 2021 - 2:15 pm

      <p>They still have them, but it has at least improved over the last year or so. They finally now default to Google Messages and they retired their email client quite a while back. Starting with OneID 3, it now supports the Google Feed for the far left home screen for those that prefer it over Samsung’s. They do still supply their own browser (and it’s still regularly updated and enhanced), but it is pretty easy to ignore it if you prefer Chrome or some other third-party browser like Edge. </p><p><br></p><p>The main ones that still tend to be intrusive are Samsung Pay and Bixby. While you can switch to Google Pay and Google Assistant (which I do), there are still shortcuts that only work with the Samsung apps.</p>

      • ebraiter

        15 November, 2021 - 5:17 pm

        <p>They retired Samsung Email? I haven’t found a site mentioning it was discontinued.</p>

        • wolters

          Premium Member
          15 November, 2021 - 5:36 pm

          <p>Yes…Microsoft Outlook is default mail on the newer Samsung Phones. </p>

          • ebraiter

            15 November, 2021 - 7:49 pm

            <p>I sent an Email to Samsung’s app team and said there is some type of compatibility issue with Samsung Email but users will be able to download it from Play Store and the Samsung one when fixed. Of course by that time, those who were using Samsung Email may have moved elsewhere.</p>

    • wolters

      Premium Member
      15 November, 2021 - 4:23 pm

      <p>It has greatly improved and you can hide them as well…I think for one thing, they are going to default to Google Messages. </p>

  • wunderbar

    Premium Member
    15 November, 2021 - 2:37 pm

    <p>I think we should definitely be celebrating the fact that the biggest Android OEM in the western world is accelerating their timeline for Android version releases. This is the fastest Samsung has ever got a version out the door, and It is a big deal.</p><p><br></p><p>with the Z fold/flip 3, S20 and Note 20 series getting it in December, and then the Fold 2, Note 10 and S10 series getting it in January that’ll represent the biggest single chunk of Android devices in the last 3 years.</p><p><br></p><p>Samsung’s UI isn’t perfect, but neither is Google’s. Regardless this should really help move Android 12’s adoption forward.</p>

  • wolters

    Premium Member
    15 November, 2021 - 4:24 pm

    <p>Hey Paul…</p><p><br></p><p>Side note to this topic…you mentioned in WW last week if Samsung’s fingerprint reader was any better…I have the S21 Ultra (and a Pixel 6 Pro) and it is fast and consistent on the S21 Ultra. </p>

  • jdawgnoonan

    15 November, 2021 - 7:57 pm

    <p>On my Z Fold 3 the One UI 4 beta is really great. </p>

  • Cosmocronos

    15 November, 2021 - 7:58 pm

    <p>Nice, in the meantime my Duo is still waiting for, at least, Android 11… </p>

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