You’ve probably swapped out the default home screen launcher for an alternative ever since you started using Android. But Samsung’s 7th version of One UI, currently rolling out to Galaxy phones, might be the first you’ll genuinely like.
The ability to completely customize how your home screen looks and works has likely been a major reason you chose Android in the first place. But with all the thoughtful attention to detail in One UI 7, you might actually find yourself leaving your phone exactly the way it is.
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These Might Be the Smoothest Animations You’ll Ever Experience
In One UI 7, tapping on an app icon triggers a smooth animation where the icon expands and transforms into a fullscreen window. When you exit the app, it elegantly shrinks back into place—provided the icon is still visible on your dock or home screen. The same polished transitions apply when you interact with widgets or use quick settings. Even something as simple as adjusting the volume feels more cohesive, thanks to the more fluid animation of the toggle.
If you’re coming from a Google Pixel, this might feel familiar—Pixel phones have long had refined animations, and that’s been one of their standout features. But now, phone makers across the board are stepping up their visual game, and with One UI 7, Samsung hasn’t just caught up—it’s delivered something that truly stands out.
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The New Icons Are a Visual Treat
App icons might seem like a minor detail, but they can be a big enough reason to switch to a different launcher. If there’s an icon you’re stuck seeing every day and the default launcher won’t let you customize it, it’s only natural to start looking for one that does.
While Samsung can’t control how third-party app icons look, I really appreciate the refreshed design of its own first-party icons. Since I regularly use many of Samsung’s built-in apps, these updated icons are ones I see—and tap on—all the time.
Bigger App Folders Make a Visual Difference
When you group two or more apps on your home screen, they form a folder—usually sized like any regular app icon. But now, there’s a new option to expand those folders into a larger, widget-like layout. This lets you see and tap individual apps directly, without needing to open the folder first. It’s a smart way to stay organized without sacrificing quick access.
Widgets Have Finally Won My Heart
A lot of my go-to apps now offer multiple widget options. For example, I can pick between a stylish monthly calendar view, a functional daily agenda, or a combo widget that shows both. There are widgets to check the weather, track my daily energy or sleep, control media playback, monitor device battery levels, and more. As someone who uses Samsung Notes a lot, I’ve even pinned specific notes directly to my home screen for easy access.
What really makes the difference isn’t the variety of widgets—most of these have been around for a while. It’s the rounded corners, the transparency, and the degree of customization. It’s all about the overall aesthetic.
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Greater Separation Between Apps and Widgets
One key difference that’s stood out to me between Android and iPhone widgets is the focus on spacing. Android widgets have often felt more like they’re just randomly placed on the home screen, while iPhone widgets are designed to fit neatly into the standard grid and are spaced accordingly.
Samsung’s widget placement on One UI 7 is almost spot-on. The first-party widgets are well-designed, while third-party options can be a bit hit or miss. However, the Play Store has made it much easier to discover widgets, which is a welcome change.
The Vertical App Drawer Is a Game Changer
You have never been a fan of Samsung’s old paginated app drawer. Instead of a straightforward list, you had to swipe sideways through multiple pages of apps. To be fair, Samsung wasn’t alone in this—early Android versions used the same horizontal layout.
But stock Android moved to a vertical scrolling drawer years ago, and most manufacturers followed suit not long after. It’s great to see Samsung finally adopting this more efficient design.
Samsung Debuts a Brand-New Taskbar
If you’re using a Galaxy Z Fold 6, you might remember that earlier versions of One UI included a taskbar along the bottom of the screen—much like what you’d find on a Windows PC or Chromebook. Now, Samsung has replaced that with a dock you can access by swiping up from the bottom, offering quick access to your favorite apps without keeping the bar visible all the time.
You might find the new dock more visually appealing than the old taskbar. If you’re familiar with Samsung’s edge panels, it works in a similar way—just anchored to the bottom of the screen instead of the side, and without the need for a visible handle.
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