Samsung has formally extended the One UI 7 beta program outside of the Galaxy S24 lineup to more devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
This release brings several major software improvements, including a revamped music playback panel in the notification shade and fresh changes specifically targeted at Samsung's foldable devices.
Enhanced App Continuity for a Smoother Foldable Experience
One of the highlights of the Galaxy Z Fold 6's One UI 7 beta is the improved app continuity. In the past, users would have to manually pre-choose which apps would carry over to the cover screen when closing the foldable screen. With One UI 7, Samsung has made this more streamlined with three new simple options, according to Android Police.
Swipe Up to Continue - With an easy swipe up on the cover screen, the user can instantly continue an app.
Always - Leaves apps running when transitioning between the main and cover screens.
Never - Automatically locks the screen as soon as the device is folded.
These features make it much easier to switch between screens. This is a good move that Samsung has made for its foldables. Its competitors Google, Honor, and Oppo have been using similar functionality for years.
Improved Taskbar Features for Better Usability
Samsung has also made a minor but notable modification to the taskbar functionality in One UI 7. Formerly, users could either always show the taskbar or completely hide it. The new update includes a third toggle that hides the taskbar automatically when launching an application, resulting in a cleaner, distraction-free experience, 9to5Google writes.
For users who like the taskbar to stay on screen, Samsung has kept the option to pin it. This level of flexibility means that users can tailor their workflow to suit themselves.
One UI 7 Takes the Samsung Foldable Experience to the Next Level
Samsung already has a reputation for providing one of the most excellent software experiences on foldable phones, and the One UI 7 update proves that. Although some of these are minor changes, they all help towards a smoother and more intuitive user experience.
One UI 7 is currently being offered as a beta update to Galaxy Z Fold 6 users. A stable rollout will follow in the months ahead, extending these improvements to all qualifying devices.
It may not be game-changing features that Samsung users would like to see, but it's a great step to keep the innovation alive for the foldable technology.
In other news, Tech Times reported some interesting information about the new iPhone 17 Air dummy phone. Based on the leak, the upcoming new iPhone variant will be "extremely thin." If Ming-Chi Kuo's claims about its thinness are true, we could see it boasting a 5.5mm thickness.
What's more, the iPhone 17 Air will have a dual-camera setup in the rear part. Aside from this, the Camera Control Button and the Action button could also arrive in this model.
