Our pick of the coolest customisation features of One UI 5.1
Our smartphones have become indispensable, and despite their sizes, are capable of holding our entire world within them. One UI enables the seamless connection between innovative hardware and intuitive and easy-to-use software, giving people greater control over their mobile devices.
With Samsung always being at the forefront of innovation, the recently unveiled One UI 5.1 is no exception! Launched together with the Galaxy S23 series at Galaxy Unpacked 2023, Samsung has announced that One UI 5.1 will be rolled out worldwide to other Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy Flip4 and Fold4, Galaxy S22 series and more.
With One UI 5.1 integrated into your Galaxy devices, Samsung has enhanced your overall user experience and connectivity. From fine-tuning the appearance of your mobile devices to configuring them to suit your needs, Samsung has got you covered! With new functionality features and greater personalisation abilities, One UI 5.1 update is set to give you greater control over how you use your gadgets.
What are the latest One UI 5.1 updates that we think are the coolest features and are most excited about? Let us share them with you!
Check the battery status of your Samsung ecosystem
Have you ever wished for a hub that tells you the status of all your devices before you head out? Well, now, with One UI 5.1, we have got you covered.
The latest battery widget feature in One UI 5.1 is designed to let you display the battery status of up to 8 Samsung devices, including your Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch and even the S Pen. You can choose if you prefer the battery status to be displayed in circle graphics or a list format. With the updated battery widget, you can quickly check which devices require charging at a glance.
How to set the battery widget:
Step 1: Touch and hold the Home screen.
Step 2: Tap on Widgets.
Step 3: Tap on Battery.
Step 4: Select Battery status and choose between circles or list.
Step 5: Tap Add.
A more efficient Gallery search system
The enhancements that Samsung made to its Gallery feature, including AI updates, have made your image filtering process a lot easier and quicker. Searching for images became more manageable with One UI 5.1, as it now allows you to enter multiple search terms. You can also search for photos tagged with various people by tapping on their faces.
And if you are in the habit of sharing pictures taken with family and friends, Samsung has made it convenient. With AI detection, your Gallery can now detect the faces of family and friends listed in your Shared Album feature, suggesting images for you to add. Once you’ve added them to the Shared Album, those with permission to access the album will automatically see the photos on their devices. No more back-and-forth messaging to share your pictures!
Create stickers from images in seconds
You can create stickers of your favourite person, pets or objects with just one touch. With One UI 5.1 on Galaxy S23 devices, touch the subject for a few seconds; voila, you have just created a new sticker! With these stickers, you can add them to other images, use them in your chats, or even create memes.
How to create stickers:
Step 1: Open the Gallery app.
Step 2: Tap on the selected image.
Step 3: Touch and hold the subject you want to create into a sticker.
Step 4: Choose to Copy, Share or Save as image.
Instant updates with a dynamic weather widget
The new dynamic weather widget gives you a custom design that reflects the climate in your area. With an animated person dressed for the weather walking into the weather widget frame, you’ll instantly know how to dress before heading outdoors!
How to set dynamic weather widget:
Step 1: Touch and hold the Home screen.
Step 2: Tap on Widgets.
Step 3: Tap on Weather.
Step 4: Select Dynamic Weather (2x2).
Step 5: Tap Add.
Screen calls with Bixby text call feature
Are you tired of spam calls? Can’t talk at work or answer a call during a meeting? Then you will love Bixby’s latest update, Bixby text call. This cool feature gives you greater control over how you communicate, no matter where you are!
Bixby text call is like your personal assistant on your mobile device. If you are unable or don’t wish to answer your calls, Bixby text call will do it for you and find out the purpose of the call. Bixby will then transcribe what the caller is saying in real-time, and you can type a response or select an automated answer. Bixby text call will then read out your message to the caller. How convenient!
How to set up the Bixby text call:
Step 1: Open the Phone app.
Step 2: Tap on the three dots (top right-hand corner)
Step 3: Tap on Settings.
Step 4: Select Bixby text call.
Step 5: Tap the toggle to On and select language pack preference1.
Step 6: Download the language pack.
1 Bixby text call feature is currently available in Korean and English languages.
Enhanced Modes and Routines capabilities
If you have been using Bixby Routines, you’ll find that One UI 5.1 has updated it, beginning with its name. Now known as Modes and Routines, you will find that you can have a more personalised experience, from custom wallpapers to fonts, for different activities.
This means you can customise your mobile experience for different times of the day and set a wallpaper of your choice in different modes. You can also select which apps and notifications you want to be enabled in each mode.
How to set up different wallpaper for each mode:
Step 1: Open the Settings app.
Step 2: Tap on Modes and Routines.
Step 3: Customise the settings as per your preferences.
Step 4: Tap on Wallpapers and set image.
One UI 5.1 is full of new and exciting features that will make your mobile user experience much more personalised and reflect you and your lifestyle!
For the best One UI 5.1 experience, try it on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Learn more about One UI 5 and its updates.
Image simulated for illustrative purposes. Actual UI may be different. Available functions may vary depending on the device, country, region, carrier, or the version of One UI.