Samsung Experience
| Company type | Software interface |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Founded | 2016 or early 2017 |
| Founder | Samsung Electronics |
| Fate | Replaced by One UI in 2018 |
| Headquarters | Seoul , South Korea |
| Products | User interface for Android devices |
| Parent | Samsung Electronics |
Samsung Experience (stylized as SΛMSUNG Experience) was the software interface developed by Samsung Electronics for its Galaxy lineup operating on Android 7.x “Nougat” and Android 8.x “Oreo”. Its initial release occurred in late 2016 or early 2017 as a beta version based on Android 7.0 “Nougat” for the Galaxy S7, replacing the previous TouchWiz interface. The software was eventually replaced in 2018 by One UI, which was built on Android 9 “Pie” and subsequent Android versions. Devices that received Android 7.0 Nougat updates, such as the Galaxy S7, were upgraded to Samsung Experience 8.0, whereas newer models like the Galaxy S8 launched with Android 7.0 Nougat alongside Samsung Experience 8.1. Exceptions included the Galaxy Xcover 4 and the Tab S3, both of which came equipped with Samsung Experience 8.0.
History
Originally, Samsung branded its user interface and icon set as TouchWiz, which debuted in May 2008 on the SGH-F480 handset. Critics often pointed out that Samsung’s software contained excessive features and considerable software bloat, particularly noticeable on devices like the Galaxy S4, where users described it as suffering from significant "feature creep". Over time, Samsung gradually eliminated much of this unnecessary software and streamlined the interface to such an extent that it no longer resembled TouchWiz, prompting the company to rebrand the UI as Samsung Experience.
Home screen
Samsung Experience introduces various modifications to the standard Android home screen layout. Rather than being centered at the bottom, the apps icon is positioned on the lower right side of the display. The Google Now search bar is relocated to just below the center of the screen instead of its usual top placement. Additionally, a weather widget—sourced from The Weather Channel or AccuWeather depending on the region or device—is situated in the upper right corner. Users also have the option to customize the arrangement of their app grid.
Edge UX
The "Edge" feature, characterized by curved glass along the screen's border, was first seen on the Galaxy Note Edge and gained widespread recognition with the release of the Galaxy S6 Edge.
Edges
The tasks edge provides quick access to frequently performed actions such as calling specific contacts, setting timers, or adding events in S Planner. This edge consists of a collection of icons located on the right side of the screen, including contact images accompanied by phone, messaging, or email symbols; app icons marked with a plus sign in the lower right corner; or circularly cropped photos from the user's gallery with a gallery icon overlay. The people edge enables users to pin up to five contacts for rapid interaction via calls, texts, or emails, displaying both their names and photos. Meanwhile, the apps edge showcases ten of the user's most regularly used applications arranged in two columns of five icons each. Users can also incorporate entire folders into this panel.
Edge panels
Preloaded panels include Yahoo! sports, finance, and news content. Users have the ability to download additional panels to enhance functionality, such as RSS feed readers, Twitter trend updates, and news delivered by CNN.
Quick utilities
By utilizing quick utilities, the Edge can be converted into tools such as a ruler, compass, or flashlight.
Edge notifications
When a user swipes along the screen’s edge while the display is off, the edge panel activates to show missed calls, the current time, weather updates, and news headlines.
Always-on display
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Most Samsung smartphones feature AMOLED screens, which consume power only for lit pixels when the always-on display is active, keeping the rest of the screen black. This mode can present the current time, calendar events, or a chosen image. Each category offers several design options—seven for clocks, two for calendars, and three for images. Subsequently, enhancements introduced scheduling capabilities to activate the always-on display at set times or maintain it continuously. Additionally, brightness adjusts automatically in response to ambient light levels.
The Always-on Display functionality is supported on devices including the Galaxy A series (2017 & 2018), S7/S7 Edge, S8/S8+, Note 8 and newer models, as well as Galaxy J7 (2017)/J7 Pro/J7+ (or C7 2017), and Galaxy C5/C7/C9 Pro and above. However, some OLED-equipped devices lack this feature.
File Manager
Unlike standard Android versions, Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones come equipped with a built-in file manager. This app also integrates access to cloud storage services like Google Drive and OneDrive, along with support for connecting to FTP servers.
Game Launcher
Users can consolidate all downloaded games into a single folder where frame rate and resolution settings can be fine-tuned. The feature includes Game Tools—a floating button available during gameplay that allows muting notifications, disabling capacitive buttons, minimizing the game window, capturing screenshots, and recording gameplay footage. In late 2023, this feature was rebranded as Gaming Hub.
Bixby
Bixby debuted alongside the Galaxy S8, serving as Samsung's replacement for the previous S Voice assistant. It is composed of three main components: Bixby Voice, Bixby Vision, and Bixby Home. Users can activate Bixby Voice by either saying "Hey Bixby" or by pressing and holding the dedicated button beneath the volume controls, known as the Bixby Button. Integrated within the camera app, Bixby Vision functions as an augmented reality tool that identifies objects in real time, enabling users to search for them across various platforms and even purchase items when available. Additionally, Bixby Vision can translate text, scan QR codes, and recognize landmarks. The Bixby Home interface is accessible by swiping right on the home screen and provides a vertically scrolling feed of interactive information such as weather updates, fitness data, and controls for smart home devices.
Keyword Functionality
Bixby supports command execution based on single keywords. For instance, uttering "Good Night" prompts the device to switch to silent mode and activate the Night Mode display.
S Pen
(Available exclusively on Galaxy Note and Tab models)
- Air Command: A suite of shortcuts that appears when the S Pen is removed.
- Smart Select: Enables creation of custom GIFs (also accessible on Galaxy S8/+ and S9/+ following the 7.0 Nougat update).
- Samsung Notes: Offers note-taking, drawing, and annotation capabilities with a broad range of brushes, pens, and colors (available as a standalone app via Galaxy Apps; while S Pen input is exclusive, finger or keyboard input remains possible).
- Live Message: Allows users to create personalized emojis, produce animated GIFs, or write messages over photos (also introduced on Galaxy S8/S8+, S9/S9+, and Note FE after the 7.0 Nougat update).
- Screen Off Memo: Permits note-taking even when the screen is turned off.
- Glance: Facilitates easy switching between two simultaneously open applications.
- Magnify: Provides zoom functionality for detailed viewing.
- Translate: Translates words or sentences and converts currencies and measurement units.
- Remote Control: Via Bluetooth connection, it can operate the camera shutter, browse the web, or control media playback functions such as play, pause, and fast forward (exclusive to the Note 9).
Version history
| Version | Android version | Release date | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Experience 8.0 | Android 7.0 "Nougat" | January 19, 2017 | Revamped User Interface
Updated Edge UX
Tilt to Unlock
Enhanced Always-On Display
Samsung Cloud
Theme Store Enhancements
Blue-light Filter
Wide Selfie Mode
Multi-Locale Support
|
| Samsung Experience 8.1 | Android 7.0 "Nougat" | April 21, 2017 | Design Modifications
Samsung DeX
Bixby Integration
Bixby Vision
Samsung Connect Support
Additional Features
|
| Samsung Experience 8.5 | Android 7.1.1 "Nougat" | September 15, 2017 | App Pairing (available on Galaxy S and Note series post-7.0 Nougat update)
Expanded S Pen Capabilities
Enhanced Facial and Iris recognition (exclusive to Galaxy S and Note series)
UI Stability Improvements
|
| Samsung Experience 9.0 | Android 8.0 "Oreo" | February 8, 2018 | Bixby Enhancements
Dual Messenger
Finder Improvements
Home Screen Updates
Quick Panel Enhancements
Samsung Cloud Updates
SmartThings (formerly Samsung Connect)
Samsung Keyboard Upgrades
Other Improvements
|
| Samsung Experience 9.5 | Android 8.1 "Oreo" | August 9, 2018 | Bixby 2.0 Introduction
Emoji Updates
|
| Samsung Experience 10.0 (pre-release iteration of One UI) |
Android 9 "Pie" | November 7, 2018 | Template:Mainarticle
Subsequently rebranded as One UI version 1.0. |
Devices utilizing Samsung Experience
Please note that this compilation is not comprehensive.
Smartphones
Tablets
| Device | Model number | Version | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | Upgradable | ||
| Galaxy Tab S2 (8.0 and 9.7) Versions from 2015 and 2016 |
All except T819C, T815C, T719C | 2015: TouchWiz Zero UX (Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop") 2016: TouchWiz Hero UX (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow") |
Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat") |
| Galaxy Tab S3 | SM-T820, SM-T825 | Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat") | One UI 1.0 (Android 9.0 "Pie") |
| Galaxy Tab S4 | SM-T830, SM-T835 | Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") | One UI 2.5 (Android 10) |
| Galaxy Tab A 8.0[4] | SM-T350, SM-T355, SM-P350, SM-P355 | TouchWiz Zero UX (Android 5.0.2 ''Lollipop'') | Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")[5][6] |
| Galaxy Tab A 9.7[7][8] | SM-T550, SM-T555, SM-P550, SM-P555 | ||
| Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017) Galaxy Tab A2 S |
SM-T380, SM-T385 | Samsung Experience 8.5 (Android 7.1.1 "Nougat") | One UI 1.0 (Android 9.0 "Pie") |
| Galaxy Tab Active 2[9] | SM-T390, SM-T395 | ||
| Galaxy Tab A 10.5 (2018)[10] | SM-T590, SM-T595 | Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") | One UI 2.0 (Android 10) |
| Galaxy Tab E 9.6[11][12][13] Only US model |
"SM"-T560NU | "TouchWiz Noble UX" ("Android 5.1.1 Lollipop") | "Samsung Experience 8.0" ("Android 7.0 Nougat") |
References
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- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).