OneUI 7 is full of problems. Does OneUI 8 fix them?

[MyNameIsTim]

I want to know if I should update immediately or wait until OneUI 9.

[Reylob]

You asked a question about updates, I gave you my technical opinion on any update any device based on my technical experience working with computing devices and writing software for them.

Just to be clear, I have not changed your words; this is what you wrote: Samsung with this OneUI 7 update his literally just removed features that I "require". Please note that I even kept the "his" which I assume was "has", most likely an autocorrect typo.

I cannot help with window transparency, I had not used the feature. I will take your word for it. I made the question about missing feature because there have been plenty cases where things can be configured the way it was. e.g. swipe down left for notifications, swipe down right for drop down menu.

There will always be a trade off between security and usability. If you feel that any feature is more important than any security issue then do not upgrade. As said before, your device, your decision.

[Reylob]

I am sure that the stable released fixed several issues found on the several Betas, around 7 of them. However, even Stable releases are not bug free. 

Please do not confuse research with reading several posts one agrees with. This is a community forum, where we give opinion and try to help other users based on our experiences.

I have some experience with the software release cycle and I can assure you that Beta releases are going to have issues by design. Otherwise they will be Stable or Production releases.

[MyNameIsTim]

While it's true Stars aren't paid.

There is bias. I mean, you wouldn't actively engage with the Samsung community, and give people tips and tricks, and whatnot. If you were completely neutral or disliked Samsung.

That doesn't mean, that a Star is unable to share their honest thoughts, and must always spread positivity. But, they it's pretty safe to say that there is bias.

(not to mention, some Stars, not all, but definitely more than 0, may like their status as a Star, and in order to keep it may feel incline to not share any negatives -- they may not have to do that, but they could feel that way).

All in all, if you ask 100 strangers to rate their experience using Samsung out of 10. And then 100 prominent members of the Samsung community to rate their experience. There is no denying the the average rating of the strangers will be lower that the active community members.

It probably won't be a 10/10 combined rating, but it'll be above average.

Or to put in another way: There may not be much incentive, but there's definitely bias.

[Reylob]

Just for clarity, Betas are updates. They are Beta updates. However, they are designed to catch as many issues and bugs as possible. Users usually can chose to receive updates from the Beta or Stable channel. I personally try to avoid releases that are not stable. Of course, on some case there are benefits on having Beta updates.

Betas usually are testing new features, bug fixes from previous updates, etc and by default are going to have bugs, or features that do not work properly.

[Reylob]

I agree with most of your post. It is my opinion that we all have biases even when we fully believe we don't.

One does not have to be completely neutral to avoid engaging with the community. Of course we do not dislike Samsung products. Why will we buy them?

I cannot speak for any other member, but I do linger more than usual, because I am a geek who really gets excited with technology. I also try to be as neutral as possible. My only connection to Samsung is that I have bought a few of their products.

[MyNameIsTim]

100% fair.

Just to clarify, the reason why I wrote all of that is because:
"They don't get paid, so I never understand the assumption there's bias."
I just thought I'd take the time to explain why that assumption (which is correct) exists.

[smiley]

I am not replying to get into the semantics of this argument and whether there is a bias. I am also not piping up to gang up with other stars members (before someone suggests that ! 😉

A star members, we spend countless hours on the forums monitoring questions and trying to be helpful. It is as simple as that. I have dedicated some time for the past 8 years in helping out here. Not for my own personal gains... but just to try and be helpful.

There is no pay in this role, and this is done in our own time, usually outside of our day job working hours. We all have a love for technology, and let's just remember this is a Samsung funded forum, so of course, there will be a bias in that respect.

We are encouraged to speak openly, and believe me... if I got screwed over by a delivery or I was genuinely upset about something.. you would hear about it. But thankfully I'm my experience, I have yet to be upset by Samsung for any reason under their control.

For the record, with my own hard earned money I have bought my S25 ultra, buds 3 pro, watch ultra and various other devices. These are not given or free. I am simply a consumer.

What we occasionally get is an opportunity to meet up for a day out, or an occasional test unit to trial, and which we are asked to write a blog or an insight about. This is also voluntary and a reminder that we are all our own consumers.

So all this bad talk about the forum stars is just a complete mis-underatanding of what we try to achieve here. Where you may be enjoying your weekend activities doing things that you enjoy, we all share a passion for technology and are striving helping people. This is not always easy with complaints about the UI and betas, but it is as simple as that !

Smiley

[johnz237]

Ah yes—you have an absolutely spot-on thought. The conversion was more so in the context of issues and Samsung Member Stars—in a sense, "protecting Samsung" when there are issues. So, maybe "bias" wasn't the correct term here, as, of course, as you stated, we are all here for a reason, and those who stick around long enough and put so much time into the forums to become a star will absolutely have a fondness for Samsung. My context was more that it seemed like they were implying the stars are, to some degree, not being truthful when it comes to genuine issues. However, I disagree that any of the stars would be untruthful to defend Samsung, being that they also earn said stars from accepted solutions from the public, as one example.

Socially, though, I would say it's impossible to have zero bias—that's just how it works. I have been pretty decently active on the forums and can't say I've seen any outright defensive refusal to accept a genuine problem from any of the stars.* I know this isn't what you were saying but just an observation.

Ill try throw in more context next time to extend my point to not be so "direct" in terms of absolute zero bias

[Joeeye]

I didn't have issues with the OneUI 7 beta on my S24 Ultra. In fact I found it very stable months before it was official. My S25 Ultra has only one major issue since I've had it (in February pre launch) and that is with the YouTube App. It's really the only thing I've found that constitutes as any issues I've faced. OneUI 8 beta hasn't fixed the issue unfortunately, but I'm of the belief it is linked with the Super HDR setting. Everything else in OneUI 8 has been very smooth and stable and I've yet to face any issues with any apps and games I use.

I also have both an S21 Ultra and Tab S8 Ultra, both of which I upgraded to OneUI 7 and the experience has been nothing but smooth, the tablet feels like it's brand new again.