One UI 8 is a good, small update: Here’s some of our favorite features [Video]

While we’re already an update ahead on Pixel, One UI 8 based on Android 16 has rolled out far and wide to Samsung phones. Here are a few things we think you’ll love getting to grips with.

A little bit of housekeeping right up top though One UI 8 is, thankfully, in no way shape or form a “dramatic” redesign. It’s an honed wave of refinements with just a sprinkling of new features that are gradually expanding across Samsung’s entire ecosystem. If you’ve been wondering just what there is to this OTA, we’re diving into some of the key things that have changed, and why you should care.

Lockscreen level up

The lock-screen clock gets a creative and much-needed upgrade in One UI 8. You can now choose a shifting clock style that intelligently moves around your screen to avoid blocking the key parts of your wallpaper – if there are any. So for instance, If you’re using a personal photo like a snap of your dog or your kids then the clock will automatically reposition itself so it doesn’t block the main subject. It’s not as extensive as what you’ll see on iOS, but it’s still a lovely touch.

Why this is nice: Seriously, I could complain all day about clumsy lock screen elements, but this tiny visual enhancement adds both elegance and a huge dose of practicality. It’s a win.

Even more dynamic Dynamic Wallpapers

Samsung has always been about personalization, and this dynamic wallpaper feature takes that to another level. We’ve seen similar stuff from Google’s Material You, but this version feels like it has that distinctive Samsung polish. The wallpaper subtly changes its color tone throughout the day. So it’ll be brighter in the morning, warmer and calmer when the evening hits.

Why this is nice: When night falls, your wallpaper automatically darkens to reduce eye strain, which is a big win for your eyes and makes the whole experience feel naturally adaptive. This is one of those quality-of-life updates that makes your phone feel more alive and context-aware. That said, it’s not exactly a life changing feature.

Now Brief gets more options

Let’s be honest, the Now Brief feature ain’t all that. As a Galaxy S25 Ultra user, I’ll be honest, I ignored it altogether as I’m sure tons of other Samsung fans have too. In One UI 8, Samsung is trying to give it a little bit more purpose. Under the Content to Include section, you’ll find new options like Parking Spot Reminders so you never lose track of where you parked, but I really love the new YouTube Integration as it gives you quick updates for quick updates and content recommendations.

Why this is nice: This change, while minor on paper, turns Now Brief into a genuinely helpful hub for daily convenience—especially for those who commute or frequent large garages and parking lots. YouTube is also just the start, it’d be great to see more apps and services added as this could be a killer way to surface interesting content.

Fully flexible split-screen

Multitasking is where Samsung phones, particularly the Fold series, truly shine. One UI 8 makes it even better. You can now resize split-screen apps with greater flexibility, allowing for extreme ratios like 90/10 or 80/20 splits beyond the old, balanced 70/30 limit. Even better? When you minimize one of the apps, the split-screen panel doesn’t completely disappear; it stays docked, ready for quick access.

Why this is nice: For anyone using a foldable device, this is a big productivity benefit, giving you greater control over your screen real estate. It makes switching between multitasking setups smoother and more intuitive. Even smaller screens it lets you keep something running simultaneously – like Pokemon Center queue IYKYK – without it taking up all of your screen.

Better camera control gestures

Here’s a quality-of-life improvement that mobile photographers will absolutely love. Previously, swiping up in the camera app just switched between front and rear cameras. Now, you can change that gesture under Camera Settings to “Open Quick Controls.” A swipe now brings up a mini control panel to quickly toggle the timer, resolution, megapixel mode, and other settings.

Why this is nice: This means fewer taps and faster access when you’re trying to capture the perfect moment—something I’ve wanted for ages. It’s about time Samsung made this easier to use.

Smarter screenshot organization

If your Screenshots album is a chaotic mess (and whose isn’t?), you are going to love this. One UI 8 automatically categorizes your screenshots into logical groups—things like boarding passes, shopping lists, and locations. This makes it infinitely easier to find what you’re looking for later.

Why this is nice: It’s a small, very practical organizational improvement for everyday use that will save you from endless scrolling.

Expanded and smarter Routines

Finally, One UI 8 upgrades the Routines feature (which was previously known as Bixby Routines, I know). Under the Discover tab, Samsung has added pre-made suggested routines that you can use as templates—think automatically enabling Do Not Disturb during bedtime, or turning on power-saving mode when your battery hits 20%. There are also new “Then” actions, allowing for more complex automation chains.

Why this is nice: This update puts One UI’s automation capabilities much closer to what iOS Shortcuts and Google Assistant routines can do, but with a uniquely Samsung spin.

Improved My Files app

Samsung’s file manager also sees a usability boost, which is always welcome. The new layout presents categories more clearly, and within the Downloads section, you can now filter files by source (e.g., Chrome, Google Drive, email).

Why this is nice: This simple change makes it much easier to locate files you’ve downloaded across different apps. No more endless scrolling trying to find that one document.

A better Weather app

Samsung’s Weather widget has always been a solid functional homescreen widget, but in One UI 8, it finally looks as good as it feels. The animations are smoother, richer, and more colorful, actually turning a mundane weather check into a small visual treat.

Why this is nice: Is it a groundbreaking feature? Nope. But it totally reflects Samsung’s ongoing focus on aesthetic refinement, and I appreciate that effort.

Cleaner and smarter Quick Share

Quick Share has seen a number of updates over the years but in One UI 8 it gets a much-needed polish and redesign. You’ll now see separate Send and Receive tabs, a cleaner layout, and more flexible attachment options. You can select photos, videos, documents, and other files simultaneously, preview them all at once, and easily send them off.

Why this is nice: It’s more intuitive and faster to use, which is exactly what you want when you’re sharing multiple file types in one go. Good on Samsung for the clean-up.

Unified Calendar and Reminders

One of the best workflow changes in One UI 8 is the tighter integration between Calendar and Reminders. You can now create both events and reminders from within the same interface, which is a massive time saver. Plus, reminders appear directly in your calendar view, and you can simply drag and drop them to different dates. The standalone Reminders app also got a facelift, adding category breakdowns and a new toolbar for adding checklists, locations, dates, and even photos.

Why this is nice: It’s a streamlined approach that makes managing your schedule and to-dos simpler and more visual. You can easily build detailed reminders—for example, a camping trip checklist with gear items to check off, plus an image of the tent you plan to buy. It’s practical and highly customizable.

Final Thoughts

We knew that One UI 8 was never going to be about dramatic, over-the-top redesigns. Luckily, no clear UI elements…yet. Like Google and previous Android updates, One UI 8 feels like a it’s about refinement, integration, and quality-of-life upgrades. Samsung continues to polish its interface to make it more adaptive and user-centric.

The real strength of One UI is that it manages to balance a ton of features with simplicity, offering deep customization without completely overwhelming you. If you haven’t received the update yet, keep an eye out—it’s has been rolling out across Samsung’s lineup in waves and should be available for most Galaxy phones.

What are you loving or loathing in this update though? Did Samsung miss something or mess something up? Let us know down in the comments section below.

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