An In-depth Look into Samsung’s Android 12-Based One UI 4.1
Hey guys, Will here from GSM Arena. Samsung’s phones are known for their solid and well-supported software package, and today we’ll be taking a closer look at their latest Android 12-based interface, One UI 4.1, which premiered with the Galaxy S22 series.
For those of you who are new to Samsung altogether, we’ll start with the basics. The One UI interface is straightforward, but its vivid colors and large icons make it stand out from some competitors. Thanks to a new Android 12 feature, there’s extra customization through color palettes, where the software can create a system-wide theme based on the colors of your wallpaper. You can even apply them to the app icons too.
Swiping down on the home screen will access notification shades, quick toggle options, device control, and media output buttons that are always visible. However, one nitpick is that by default, the brightness slider is only visible when you pull the notification shade all the way down to the bottom. You’ll have to go into the settings to make it show always on the left side of the home screen.
The One UI 4.1 interface includes the option for Google Discover news feed based on your interests. Alternatively, there’s Samsung Free, which offers news, music, podcasts, and videos. The app tasks on One UI 4.1 are pretty straightforward, and you can easily open apps in split screen or pop-up view mode by long-pressing the app icons on the top.
One staple Samsung feature is the Edge Panel, which is an area for shortcuts that you access by swiping from the edge of the screen. From here, it’s easy to drag apps into split screen together, and then you’ll find a shortcut for those split screens for easy access later. You can also use the power button as a shortcut to launch a particular app, the camera or Bixby.
Samsung’s proprietary software package includes a web browser with an ad blocker, a file manager, a calendar and notes app, the gallery, a game launcher, and Samsung health. These are well executed, and we prefer them over Google’s alternatives when using a Galaxy smartphone. The phone dialer allows you to choose between layouts and even use your images as a background, but this is across all your calls. You can’t have a different one for each contact.
One feature you’ll find from Android 12 is the privacy dashboard. Here you can control which permissions can be accessed by your apps, both system-wide and per app basis. The secure folder is handy for keeping files and apps away from prying eyes, and it’s protected by Knox encryption. You can add a passcode or biometric log.
Samsung’s game launcher acts as a hub for all your games, provides ‘do not disturb’ options, and shortcuts to social media platforms, such as Discord. The Samsung Game Plugins are an optional download available for most Galaxy phones. They can give you a wide variety of advanced options, as well as detailed hardware and performance stats.
Dex has been around for a while. It allows you to connect your phone to a monitor, either wirelessly or through HDMI, to achieve a PC-like interface. On the other hand, all of the Samsung devices have the Link to Windows interface, which allows you to operate the phone through the computer and do things like exchange images, manage notifications, or even make calls.
Compared with One UI 4.0, One UI 4.1 introduces several features that are gradually trickling down the entire Galaxy portfolio. One such feature is the Smart Widget, which allows you to stack widgets on top of each other, and then you can swipe through them. It’s handy and saves space, and for now, it’s only available on the Samsung flagships like the Galaxy S22 lineup.
The Samsung Keyboard was already quite solid, but in One UI 4.1, it brings new integration with Grammarly, which can offer suggestions to you on the fly. The camera’s Pro Mode now works not just for the main camera but also for the other rear cameras like the ultra-wide and telephoto. The Gallery app now provides even more editing options with 4.1, such as removing shadows or annoying reflections from your photos.
All in all, One UI is one of our favorite aspects of Samsung phones. Samsung’s support is among the fastest in the industry, and you can rely on monthly security updates. One UI offers reliable app notifications, making it easy to use. Thanks for reading, guys. Stay safe and see you on the next one!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is One UI 4.1?
A: One UI 4.1 is Samsung’s latest Android 12-based interface that premiered with the Galaxy S22 series.
Q: What is the One UI interface?
A: The One UI interface is straightforward but has vivid colors and large icons that stand out from some competitors.
Q: What customization options are available in One UI 4.1?
A: Thanks to a new Android 12 feature, there’s extra customization through color palettes. The software can create a system-wide theme based on the colors of your wallpaper, and you can even apply them to the app icons too.
Q: What are the tasks available in One UI 4.1?
A: The app tasks on One UI 4.1 are pretty straightforward, and you can easily open apps in split-screen or pop-up view mode by long-pressing the app icons on the top.
Q: What is the Edge Panel?
A: The Edge Panel is an area for shortcuts that you access by swiping from the edge of the screen.
Q: What are Samsung’s proprietary software packages?
A: Samsung’s proprietary software package includes a web browser with an ad blocker, a file manager, a calendar and notes app, the gallery, a game launcher, and Samsung health.
Q: What is the privacy dashboard in One UI 4.1?
A: The privacy dashboard in One UI 4.1 allows you to control which permissions can be accessed by your apps, both system-wide and on a per-app basis.
Q: What is the Samsung Game Launcher?
A: The Samsung Game Launcher acts as a hub for all your games, provides do not disturb options, and shortcuts to social media platforms such as Discord.
Q: What is Samsung Dex?
A: Dex allows you to connect your phone to a monitor, either wirelessly or through HDMI, to achieve a PC-like interface.
Q: What is the Link to Windows interface?
A: The Link to Windows interface allows you to operate the phone through the computer and do things like exchange images, manage notifications, or even make calls.