UI 7 IS HORRIBLE. What are you switching to?

[JG082222]

UI 7 Is so horrible and the fact you can't use previous version is ridiculous.  I have been a Samsung girl since way back in the Samsung Fascinate days. I have never considered switching but this update has gone so wrong. What would possess them to roll out something like this without any kind of feedback first? 

I'm due for an upgrade on my phone next month and for the first time ever not looking at the next S series samsung. Who is switching phones and what are you switching to?  Looking for ideas thinking of going with a google pixel. 

[johnz237 · Accepted solution]

Hi! Welcome to the Samsung Members community!

The launch was very iffy—in terms of the changes, what don't you like? I'm asking because many of the changes (not including visuals—the battery icon, for example) were made by Android 15/aka Google (Pixel)—i.e., on all Android devices.

The beta was running for quite a while, and users could submit feedback. I was on it and personally found nothing I disliked—beta on S24 before upgrading to S25.

I've only experienced two devices—iOS and Samsung. I've seen positive feedback on Google Pixels; of Android devices besides Samsung, I would say that's the best. Google develops Android, so if the updates are most important, and you don't mind not having a unique UI, that's the place to go.

[Glenntech]

OK
So what is it you don't like?
Could it be a few changes will improve things.
Don't forget that a lot of Samsung devices have access to Samsung Goodlock app

[JG082222]

Firstly I hate all the new widgets. They are chunky block the screen and not functional at all. The search bar being at the bottom of the apps pages and having to scroll down instead of having pages to scroll across is irritating. The overall look in general is unpleasing. The new icons for several apps and basic phone info that's always shown (like battery life etc.) are ugly and don't vibe with the overall layout of the phone.  The pull down menu makes you close out of apps before you can use bluetooth. Overall I hate it and can't believe they would make so many drastic changes in one update, seems like many others feel the same.  I big L for Samsung on this.   So any advice on a different product or no?

[JG082222]

Oh no, so even the Google pixel has these icons 😨😨 the icons and widget look is the main thing I really hate. You would think they would have made some kind of big announcement before it happened. I feel like most people didn't know until it started to make a big splash from people being upset.

[johnz237 · Accepted solution]

Ah, see—a lot of those changes were done by Google, especially the search bar being at the bottom. This will be the same on the Pixel phone. I'm unsure about the exact specifics of all the features, but for the most part, Samsung just redesigned what Google did, same as all Android devices. To be honest, Android 16 is coming soon, and even more changes will be made! I would highly recommend going to a retailer store if you did want to change to pixle.

Tips I made-These may help:

UI 7 Tip—Quick panel back to before UI 7/similar/combine both panels
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/samsung-lounge/ui7-tip-quick-panel-back-to-before-ui7-similar-co...

UI 7 Tip—App drawer—from swipe to scroll
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/samsung-lounge/ui7-tip-app-drawer-from-swipe-to-scroll/td-p/1227...

You can also go to Good Lock to change the visuals of the UI and change it how you want. It's the functions themselves which can't exactly be changed—but these are Google's changes.

[AndrewL · Accepted solution]

@JG082222: You can also customise the look of most widgets to remove the background, so they look cleaner on the screen. To do so, press and hold on a widget until a pop-up menu appears > Settings > Background > Toggle this off > Save

[Jammy97]

Do you know when Android 16 is coming? Thanks.

[johnz237]

Android 16 has been finished by pixle- pr at least the beta is coming out- being google develops Android. When samsung does UI8- which- nobody can say "when" beyond "leaks" and guesses- June, July, or August probably

[Jammy97]

Thanks for the information 👍