One UI 7.0 beta: Samsung admits animations need more work

In response to a valid critique made by a One UI 7.0 beta tester on the US Community forums, Samsung admitted the first One UI 7.0 beta update has not yet perfected app transition animations (via @tarunvats33).

The user highlighted how an earlier One UI 7.0 version, spotted during internal testing, had better app opening and closing animations than the ones we got in the first official One UI 7.0 beta build.

A Samsung Community moderator responded and confirmed that more work is to be done. “The unfolding effect with deceleration in ZXKN [internal testing build] indeed sounds more fluid and natural, as you've described,” said the moderator before adding that “our software development is on the way.” Below is a screenshot of the full message.

UI animations play a crucial role in the visual user experience of smartphone users. Virtually everything we do on our phones is preceded and succeeded by an animation of some kind, from opening and closing apps to scrolling and swiping panels.

During SDC 2024, Samsung revealed how it wants One UI 7.0 to create a stronger bond between users and their Galaxy phones and trigger “a positive emotional response.”

At the core of the One UI 7.0 experience are the keywords “Simple,” “Impactful,” and “Emotive.” Samsung aims for purposeful simplicity, a new signature look, and UI elements, such as new animations and a blur engine, with a wow factor.

By the sound of it, Samsung wants to continue improving animations during the One UI 7.0 beta testing period. There's no guarantee when that might happen, but signs indicate that a 2nd beta build shouldn't be far. Until then, we have One UI 7.0 beta 1 to keep us busy.