Originally released on the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, one UI 5.1, Samsung's newest Android 13-based software experience, has since found its way to phones in the Galaxy S22 and S21 series among others.
In the Android sphere, Samsung has evolved into something of a software update hero. Samsung's last mobile software, One UI 5, wasn't a major shift coming from One UI 4.1, and One UI 5.1 is an even more incremental version. You might be wondering what has changed given that. Here is all you need know about One UI 5.1.
What is Samsung One UI 5.1?
One UI is Samsung's collection of enhancements to Android, its software skin. Since One UI's launch in 2018, each numbered Android release has also seen a major One UI update. Android 9 formed one UI 1; Android 10 formed one UI 2; and so on.
One UI 5 was built on Android 13; One UI 5.1 is a small update on that basis although is still based on Android 13. Many Samsung phones—including the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 series—as well as others have the update available. The next weeks and months will see more devices get the update.
What's new in Samsung One UI 5.1?
Being a point update, One UI 5.1 is not a significant departure from One UI 5, bestowing a few new features including gallery and camera app enhancements, updated widgets, and the ability to customize it such that screenshots save somewhere else than your camera roll. Here, we touch on some of the largest functional upgrades — although "biggest" is a relative phrase.
Camera and gallery refinements
On devices that can support it, One UI 5.1 provides a shortcut to Expert RAW in the More tab of the camera app. The app isn't installed with One UI 5.1 by default. The shortcut downloads Expert RAW the first time you tap it.
But after that, it's a quick and easy way to access Samsung's fully featured camera interface, which is great if you're the type of person to dabble with manual settings like ISO and shutter speed on phone cameras.
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There are also some updates to Samsung's Gallery app incorporated in One UI 5.1. The app now detects faces across photos and prompts you to share albums with the people in your shots. It also detects items inside photographs.
Press and hold on an object in a picture, and the Gallery app does its best to chop it out, creating a transparent PNG you can save separately or distribute to other apps. In a less spectacular move, you can now swipe up on any photo in the Gallery app to display its info, including EXIF data and where the picture was shot (if you turned on location).
New and enhanced widgets
A pair of new battery widgets in One UI 5.1 show the battery life of your phone and connected accessories, including Samsung gadgets like the Galaxy Watch 5 and other devices currently linked to your phone by Bluetooth. Samsung's Weather widget has also been spruced up with some new animations.
New Modes and Routines functionality
Modes & Routines, formerly Bixby Modes, gain some new tricks in One UI 5.1. Modes sets of settings One UI can apply automatically based on what you're doing can each have its own wallpaper, in case you'd prefer something more tranquil during your Sleep mode, for example.
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Routines acts that happen automatically when certain conditions are fulfilled acquire additional features, including the ability to change your ringtone, and new triggers, such as turning airplane mode on or off.
A huge enhancement for screenshots
By default, Samsung phones save your screenshots to the same folder as the images you shoot. You could prefer that, but if you're a Google Photos user, it can lead to a bunch of screenshots gumming up your timeline. In One UI 5.1, you choose where screenshots end up, sparing you the effort of wiping out your camera roll after each time you wish to share a meme.
Android 13 built in
One UI 5.1 is a tiny update over One UI 5, but if you're coming from a phone running Android 12 or earlier, you'll benefit from the system-level updates the latest version of Android delivers. That includes features including a new notifications permission, better dynamic theming, and more.
Android 13 is a pretty low-key upgrade, but many of the little tweaks it makes are really brilliant. We cataloged the changes in Android 13 at length, so read our guide to Android 13 for more on how One UI 5 laid the groundwork for the new One UI 5.1.
When will my phone get One UI 5.1?
One UI 5.1 was first offered on the Samsung Galaxy S23 series when it arrived in February. Since then, previous Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S22 series, S21 series, and S20 series, as well as the Galaxy Z Flip 4, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 3, and Z Fold 3, have seen the update.
Tablets in the S8 and S7 also got a bump to One UI 5.1. Beyond that, Samsung is yet to release an official rollout timeline. If your Samsung phone or tablet is still eligible for software updates, you should either already have One UI 5.1 or you will shortly.
Make the most of your Samsung experience
If you have a Samsung smartphone that's still eligible for One UI upgrades, you should have gotten the One UI 5.1 upgrade. If you want to get the most of your Samsung phone or tablet.
Check out the ways you can configure Samsung's keyboard or obtain the greatest Samsung Messages experience (sure, new Samsung phones come with Google's texting program, but Samsung Messages still remains). If you're wearing a Samsung handset that won't ever get One UI 5.1, it might be time to purchase a new phone.
FAQ's -
Is One UI 5 the same as Android 13?
One UI 1 was based on Android 9, the One UI 2 upgrade was based on Android 10, and so on. One UI 5 was built on Android 13, and One UI 5.1 is a modest improvement on that basis but is still based on Android 13. The update is available on several Samsung phones, including the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 series, and more.
What did Android 13 add?
Android 13 adds rendering support for COLR version 1 fonts and upgrades the system emoji to the COLRv1 format. Apps that supply custom tiles can make such tiles visible in Quick Settings. Starting in Android 13, apps utilize a standard visual confirmation whenever content is added to the clipboard.
Is One UI 5 good?
Four years on, it is the brand to beat in this area; Galaxy phones get more software updates than any other Android devices - including Google's own hardware. Furthermore, Samsung has proved that it can offer platform updates faster than just about every other manufacturer.
Is Android 13 faster than Android 12?
The change between Android 12 and Android 13 isn't overwhelming, but you should anticipate your phone's general usability, speed and performance to increase when it's updated to Android 13.
Is Android 15 out yet?
The good news: Android 15 is available! The less-good-news: It's probably not on your phone just yet. Rather, on September 3, Google stated that Android 15 is ready and that the software upgrade has been given to the Open Source Project.