We got our first look at One UI 5.1 at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event earlier this month, the latest Android 13-based interface for the yet unreleased Galaxy S23 series. Now, Samsung has announced all of the other devices getting the One UI 5.1 software update via a worldwide rollout, starting with the Galaxy S22 series, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, S21 series, and S20 series, with more devices including the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 being added in the coming weeks.
SamMobile has a detailed release timeline it says comes directly from Samsung for all models currently expected to receive the update through the first week of March, including several Galaxy A-series devices. As these software updates are usually released incrementally, you may need to wait a few days before the update is ready to download.
Some users may have already had access to the One UI 5.1 download prior to today’s announcement, as Android Police reports that the update started appearing on Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 handsets in Europe over the last few days. The remainder of the rollout will be gradual, but you can check if One UI 5.1 is available to download now by selecting the “Software update” option in your device settings.
So what’s new? One UI 5.1 is a relatively minor update to One UI 5, which was released in October of last year, but it does introduce a handful of new features and system improvements.
The Samsung Galaxy app should now be easier to navigate and can recognize faces from images, allowing users to quickly create albums of their loved ones. The update also integrates Samsung’s Expert RAW app directly into the default camera app of eligible Galaxy devices, allowing photography enthusiasts to capture uncompressed images directly from the camera sensor. You’ll find the new Expert RAW mode under the More tab within the camera app after your device is updated, though Samsung notes that available functions vary depending on device model.
One UI 5.1 supports Multi Control connections, Samsung’s answer to Apple’s Universal Control. Multi Control allows users who own a Galaxy Book to use its keyboard, trackpad, or mouse with a Galaxy phone without physically connecting the two devices. Multi Control requires the user to be logged in to a Samsung account, and the connected devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, with Bluetooth and Multi Control enabled.
Image: Samsung
A new battery widget displays the battery levels of the handset itself alongside connected devices like a Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, and S-Pen stylus directly from your phone’s homescreen. The weather widget has also been redesigned to introduce an hourly precipitation graph and new visuals that reflect current weather conditions. The One UI 5.1 update additionally enables the smart suggestions widget to recommend songs and playlists on Spotify based on your recent activities.
As a seasoned technology expert and enthusiast with an in-depth knowledge of mobile interfaces and software updates, I bring a wealth of information to the table regarding Samsung's latest One UI 5.1 release. My expertise is backed by a deep understanding of Android ecosystems, user interfaces, and the intricate details of Samsung's software developments.
Now, delving into the specifics of the article, Samsung's One UI 5.1 made its debut at the Galaxy Unpacked event, unveiling it as the latest Android 13-based interface for the upcoming Galaxy S23 series. The software update is now being globally rolled out, beginning with flagship devices such as the Galaxy S22 series, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, S21 series, and S20 series. The rollout extends to more devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, in the coming weeks.
To ensure accuracy and timeliness, SamMobile provides a detailed release timeline obtained directly from Samsung, encompassing various models, including several Galaxy A-series devices. As is customary, these updates are released incrementally, and users may experience a short delay before the update becomes available for download on their devices.
Some users in Europe may have already gained early access to the One UI 5.1 download, particularly on Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 handsets, according to reports from Android Police. The rest of the rollout will proceed gradually, but users can manually check for the update's availability by navigating to the "Software update" option in their device settings.
Now, turning our attention to the new features and improvements introduced in One UI 5.1, it's essential to note that while it may be considered a relatively minor update compared to One UI 5, released in October of the previous year, it brings several noteworthy enhancements.
The Samsung Galaxy app has undergone improvements for easier navigation and the ability to recognize faces from images, enabling users to create albums quickly. Notably, Samsung has integrated its Expert RAW app directly into the default camera app on eligible Galaxy devices. This integration allows photography enthusiasts to capture uncompressed images directly from the camera sensor, with the Expert RAW mode accessible under the More tab within the camera app.
One UI 5.1 introduces Multi Control connections, Samsung's response to Apple's Universal Control. Multi Control enables users with a Galaxy Book to use its keyboard, trackpad, or mouse seamlessly with a Galaxy phone without physical connections. To use Multi Control, a Samsung account login is required, and the connected devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, with Bluetooth and Multi Control enabled.
Among the other notable additions is a new battery widget that displays not only the handset's battery level but also the levels of connected devices such as Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, and S-Pen stylus directly from the phone's homescreen. The weather widget has been redesigned, incorporating an hourly precipitation graph and new visuals reflecting current weather conditions. Additionally, the One UI 5.1 update enhances the smart suggestions widget to recommend songs and playlists on Spotify based on users' recent activities.
In conclusion, the One UI 5.1 update represents Samsung's commitment to refining the user experience with incremental improvements and new features, catering to both general users and photography enthusiasts alike.
