Don't be surprised if One UI 9 feels smoother to use

While we wait for Samsung to release One UI 8.5 for Galaxy phones and tablets, Google has already rolled out the Android 17 Beta 1 update to select Pixel devices. One UI 9, which will be based on Android 17, could feel smoother to use, as Google has introduced several under-the-hood improvements aimed at enhancing overall UI performance and responsiveness.

Google revealed that Android 17 includes a new implementation of MessageQueue. In this version, the MessageQueue function uses a lock-free data structure. MessageQueue is a core component of the Android system that manages how apps schedule and display UI updates on the screen.

Its previous implementation relied on serialized processing, meaning one thread was handled after another. If a thread took longer than expected, the next thread had to wait, which could lead to dropped frames and visible UI stutter.

The updated system, called DeliQueue, uses a lock-free approach that allows threads to proceed without waiting on others to finish, reducing delays in UI rendering.

With this change, Google says it observed 4 percent fewer missed frames in apps and 7.7 percent fewer missed frames in system UI and launcher interactions. While these gains may appear modest, they can still translate into noticeably smoother transitions, such as moving from the camera app to the home screen or navigating other parts of the interface.

This is just one of several improvements introduced in Android 17. Additional optimizations could further enhance UI smoothness on devices running the new version of Android. Together, these changes may help make Samsung’s upcoming One UI 9 feel smoother and more responsive than One UI 8 and One UI 8.5. One UI could debut in June or July of this year with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8.