Samsung’s One UI 7 beta is here, and its standout feature is the improved Knox Matrix. It brings a dashboard that shows your phone’s security status, turning green when everything is safe. If there’s an issue, it gives you steps to fix it. Enhanced Data Protection also makes it easy to recover data from Samsung Cloud. If you lose your device, you can transfer your data to a new one using a PIN, pattern, or password.
Samsung is pushing for a smarter Galaxy
The One UI 7 update will officially start rolling out in the first quarter of 2025, initially for the Galaxy S24 series. But the beta program for Galaxy S24 users in the UK begins on December 5, 2024. It will also extend to Germany, India, Korea, Poland, and the USA in the coming weeks.
If you have the Galaxy S24, apply to join the beta program through the Samsung Members app. The update will be rolled out gradually to Other Galaxy devices later.
One UI 7 takes a step in the right direction with security and user experience. Most people depend on their phones for many things, so a system that protects our data without getting in the way is key. The Knox Matrix and Enhanced Data Protection feel like they’re built with real-world problems in mind, and it's reassuring that there's still hope for maintaining privacy.
Samsung introduced the Knox Matrix on May 22, 2023. It’s a security system designed to protect all your connected Galaxy devices, from the phones and TVs to appliances. If one gets compromised, it isolates it to protect the others.
One UI 7 now lets you block 2G networks, which makes a lot of sense considering that it's old and weak compared to modern 4G and 5G standards. Otherwise, you'll be an easy target for hackers looking to exploit it and create fake cell towers to intercept your calls, texts, and data.
You can also strip location info from photos, block automatic downloads in messages, and stop links or shared albums from being a privacy risk. Normally, photos have geotags, which are basically location details embedded in their metadata. These tags reveal where you took the photo, down to the exact coordinates, which could leave you compromised if shared unknowingly.
Related: Here’s everything coming your way on One UI 7
Use Passkeys, Evade Thieves, and Secure
I’m inseparable from my phone. But there’s that one-minute window when I'm distracted and I lose it. In public, that's enough time for a thief to make their move on it.
One UI 7’s Theft Protection can easily save your life in such situations. If someone tries to mess with your settings, they’ll be blocked by Identity Check, which requires your biometrics.
Even if they try immediately, the Security Delay feature locks them out for an hour, giving you time to act. From another device, you can activate Remote Lock, which blocks your data and tracks your phone. It’s a relief knowing Samsung’s got your back in those panic moments.
Passkeys have been integrated as well. While Apple, Microsoft, and Google once had a monopoly on this, Samsung’s move to adopt them brings an stress-free experience. You can use them in Samsung Pass within Samsung Wallet to log in without typing passwords.
AI and UI got better with One UI 7
Leaving security aside, let's come down to Artificial intelligence. These days, you can't talk about phones or operating systems without mentioning AI, and One UI 7 is not without it. Recall that One UI 6.1 introduced Galaxy AI features, but only for flagship Galaxy devices launched from 2021 onward.
These advanced tools include AI-powered writing assistants, call transcriptions, and smart image editing. Mid-range devices or older flagship models from before 2022 won’t get these features, with only Google’s Circle to Search available for some devices. One UI 7 has improved them to perform better:
- AI-powered writing assistant: Draft, summarise content, check spelling and grammar, and automatically format notes into bullet point.
- AI-based image editing: Edit or adjust photos with object removal or background changes.
- Call transcription: AI transcribes calls to help you review conversations.
One thing I'l particularly excited to see is the redesigned camera interface. Elements are no longer crowded above the camera button. Instead, there's a pop-up trigger on the side that expands them for your selection.
There's a Now bar, too, where new notifications from music, recordings, and stopwatches appear at the bottom of the lock screen, so you don't have to open your phone as often.
