Samsung Introducing Updated One UI Features to Older Devices
Samsung has announced that its latest One UI 5.1.1 update, which includes new features from the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Tab S9 series, and Watch 6 series, will soon be available for older Samsung foldable phones, tablets, and watches. This update will support most of Samsung’s foldable devices and recent tablets and smartwatches released before 2023.
The One UI 5.1.1 update supports a long list of recent Samsung devices, but some may have to wait. It will be released for Samsung’s foldable phones, which are set to reach the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 “starting this month,” while the Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3, Z Fold 2, and Z Flip will receive it “back-to-back” later. Tablet multitasking updates arrive for Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8+, Tab S8 Ultra, Tab S7, Tab S7+, Tab S7 FE, Tab S6 Lite, Tab A8, Tab A7 Lite, Tab Active 3 and For Tab Active 4 Pro phones. Finally, the new smartwatch features support the Galaxy Watch 5, Watch 5 Pro, Watch 4, and Watch 4 Classic models.
Samsung’s foldable Phone updates in One UI 5.1.1 make it easier to show or hide the Flex Mode panel (the controls appear at the bottom of the screen when the phone is folded in half). “When you fold your phone in Flex Mode, the panel icon floats on the screen for easy access,” the company wrote. “Enjoy a more personalized Flex Mode Panel experience by simply dragging and dropping the toolbar icon.” Additionally, Samsung says the media playback bar button (now includes 10-second fast-forward buttons) is more visible and easier to find when the Flex Mode Panel is activated. You can also press down on the timeline to browse media more efficiently.
Samsung controls multitasking on recent tablets and foldables, making it easier to switch between multi-window modes and pop-up modes by long-pressing the handle. It also adds two-handed drag and drop, which lets you hold your finger over a document in one app, open something else with your other hand, and drag a file to it to share or save. The company also says that the taskbar on the Z Fold 4 and Tab S8 is faster and contains newer apps. “Now the taskbar provides lightning-fast task switching and access to up to four recent apps,” Samsung said.
In the field of smartwatches, the company is adding sleep tracking updates from the Galaxy Watch 6 to older wearable devices. Changes include a “more intuitive user interface” with the addition of sleep point factors, sleep consistency, and sleep animal symbols. Sleep coaching is also available on the watch without looking at the paired phone. The Galaxy Watch can also automatically adjust SmartThings home devices to create a more restful atmosphere at bedtime.
Smartwatches also get fitness updates. The Watch 6’s personal heart rate zone feature trickles down; it analyzes your physical capabilities and “determines five optimal running intensity levels to help users set their own goals based on their abilities – from fat burning to high-intensity training.” The Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 4 series also add irregular heart rhythm notifications in the update, which could be a lifesaver for some.
Meanwhile, Track Run, which (as the name suggests) records your runs on a track, is also coming to the Watch 6. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has access to a database of GPX files to download map data to your watch. Finally, One UI 5.1.1. you can control Flip 4’s camera with a paired Galaxy Watch. A new hotkey lets you use your watch as a remote shutter release, and it also lets you switch camera modes and control zoom levels.
