Last updated: May 13th, 2026 at 16:12 UTC+02:00


A closer look at One UI 9's design changes and new features

There is not a lot that is fundamentally different compared to One UI 8.5.

Asif Iqbal Shaik

Reading time: 2 minutes

one ui 9 on a galaxy s26 ultra

Max Jambor / SamMobile

Phone

One UI 9 on the Galaxy S26 Ultra - Source: Max Jambor / SamMobile

Samsung released the first public beta build of One UI 9.0 earlier today for the Galaxy S26 series. The update brings improvements to stock apps, including Samsung Notes, a more customizable Quick Panel, enhancements to Game Booster, and several new accessibility options. Let us take a look at the major features and UI design changes introduced with the new software.

The Quick Panel, which was already highly customizable in One UI 8.5, becomes even more flexible with One UI 9.0. As you can see below, users can now change the sizes of the display brightness slider, media player widget, and volume slider. You can also separate the Display Mode and Sound Mode toggles from the Display Brightness and Volume sliders, respectively.

samsung one ui 9.0 quick panel ui design size adjustment options

Max Jambor / SamMobile

Quick Panel's editing options in One UI 9.0 – Source: Max Jambor / SamMobile

The new Game Booster panel design, which was introduced with One UI 8.5, now offers shortcuts to settings directly on the same screen. This means you can change options such as screenshot resolution and the placement of the in-game panel without leaving your current game.

samsung one ui 9.0 game booster panel design

Max Jambor / SamMobile

Game Booster panel design in One UI 9.0 – Source: Max Jambor / SamMobile

samsung one ui 9.0 game booster settings design

Max Jambor / SamMobile

Game Booster settings in One UI 9.0 – Source: Max Jambor / SamMobile

The precise location permission pop-up has also received a UI redesign. When an app requests precise location access, you now see two options: Approximate and Precise. A blue check mark makes it easier to identify which option you have selected for each app.

samsung one ui 9.0 precise location permission pop-up status bar icon

Max Jambor / SamMobile

Precision location permission pop-up and status bar indicator in One UI 9.0 – Source: Max Jambor / SamMobile

Samsung Notes introduces a new feature called Tape. It allows users to cover specific parts of a note with decorative tape and reveal the hidden content whenever needed. The app also adds more pen styles, giving users additional options for drawing and writing.

samsung one ui 9.0 notes tape settings

Michel Groenheijde / GalaxyClub

Tape feature in Samsung Notes in One UI 9.0 – Source: Michel Groenheijde / GalaxyClub

samsung one ui 9.0 notes new pen styles

Michel Groenheijde / GalaxyClub

New Pen styles in Samsung Notes in One UI 9.0 – Source: Michel Groenheijde / GalaxyClub

We will keep updating this story whenever we discover major new features or UI design changes. You can read the complete One UI 9.0 changelog by clicking here.