One UI is Samsung’s custom Android skin, which is currently in its second and soon third iteration. One UI 2.5 is Samsung’s latest software that debuted with the Galaxy Note 20 series. It’s still based on Android 10 like One UI 2.0 and One UI 2.1 that were before it. However, the new update is very extensive and contains a whole range of new functions.
All the new functions of Samsung One UI 2.5 are summarized below, as soon as more devices are available. We’ve also added an update list at the bottom of the article so you can find out when your Samsung phone will get One UI 2.5.
Samsung One UI 2.5 features
Wireless DeX support
One of the major new features in One UI 2.5 is support for Wireless DeX. This feature allows you to mirror your phone’s screen to a supported TV and use it as a touchpad to control the TV with multi-finger gestures. You can access this feature by tapping the Samsung DeX icon on the quick panel.
According to Samsung, Wireless DeX mode works best with custom TVs that were launched in 2019 or later. However, you can also use it with other smart TVs if they support phone mirroring.
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To control what’s on the TV screen, you can swipe up with three fingers to view recently opened apps, swipe down to return to the home screen, or swipe left or right to switch apps.
You are also given some screen zoom and font size options to allow for adjustments for different display sizes.
Smarter Wi-Fi connectivity
A 2.5 user interface also brings some connectivity smarts with it. You will now receive notifications about the quality of Wi-Fi connections from nearby Wi-Fi routers. The information is displayed as Very Fast, Fast, Normal, or Slow.
You can also share Wi-Fi passwords with nearby Galaxy devices that are in your contact list. So if you’re trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network, you can get the password from a nearby Galaxy user who is already connected to it. The password request button will appear on the Wi-Fi password input screen.
New camera functions
In the camera department, the One UI 2.5 update brings several improvements to pro video mode. In Pro Video mode, you will now see a button in the upper right corner that allows you to quickly record Full HD video at 30 frames per second. This button can also be configured to record 4K video at 60 frames per second. You also get a button that allows you to change the autofocus area from center to multiple focus.
also read: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 vs. Galaxy Note 10 Series: Should You Upgrade?
In addition to these new options, you can now control the microphone direction of your smartphone in Pro Video mode. You can record specific sounds while recording video by selecting the sound options for front, rear, or omni direction. In conjunction with the Galaxy Buds, you can use the earbuds as a pro-style lavalier microphone to minimize background noise and record better quality audio.
Elsewhere, you now have the option to record footage in any video mode in a larger aspect ratio of 21: 9. Videos recorded with this aspect ratio fill the entire screen of your phone, leaving no black bars on the side.
Samsung keyboard improvements
With One UI 2.5, you get some minor improvements to your Samsung phone’s native keyboard. You now have a new YouTube option in your keyboard’s settings – the three-dot menu on the far right. A 2.1 user interface did not have this option.
Tapping the new YouTube shortcut in Samsung Keyboard Settings will allow you to quickly browse popular videos and even search for a video in the app where you use the keyboard. So if you are messaging someone, there is no need to leave this app and open YouTube to look for a video. You can just search for it using the keyboard and share it on your chat.
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New options in messages
The standard Samsung messaging app also offers some new tricks thanks to One UI 2.5. You can now add, remove, and rename message categories. There’s also a new feature that allows you to send SOS location sharing messages to a contact of your choice every 30 minutes for 24 hours.
Navigation gestures with third party launchers
If you have a third party launcher like the Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, or any other on your Galaxy phone, you can use Android 10’s full-screen navigation gestures after the One UI 2.5 update.
Samsung One UI 2.5 for Eligible Phones release date and update list
A user interface 2.5 is currently available for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series, the Galaxy Note 10 series, the Galaxy S20 series and the Galaxy Z Flip. The current update is around 1 GB in size, depending on the phone used. It also includes some device stability improvements as well as bug fixes. Samsung has announced that the One UI 2.5 will head towards a number of Galaxy devices, including some older flagships. You can see the full list of Samsung phones in line for the update below.
- Whole Galaxy S20 series
- Entire Galaxy Note 20 series
- All Galaxy S10 devices including the S10e and S10 Lite
- Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus
- All Galaxy Note 10 devices including Note 10 Lite and 5G models
- Samsung Galaxy Note 9
- Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G
- All Samsung Galaxy Fold models
Unfortunately, Samsung hasn’t confirmed the One UI 2.5 update for either of its A- or M-series phones. However, the update could make it to high-end phones on those lines at some point. Samsung just didn’t make any promises. Keep your eyes peeled for a One UI 2.5 Beta for these devices.
Meanwhile, Samsung has promised three years of Android updates for several Galaxy devices, including the cheaper A-series phones. This new update policy makes Samsung very popular and we know that we are currently working on our website thanks to a survey. You can also take the survey below and let us know if you are considering buying a branded phone based on Samsung’s new commitment.
We’ll update this article as soon as more details about One UI 2.5 are released. In the meantime, let us know in the comments if you like how the latest upgrade is developing.