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The most useful One UI 7 upgrades on the Galaxy S25 are not limited to generative AI. The Now Bar, improved Circle to Search, Gemini cross-app actions, Writing Assist, Audio Eraser, camera controls, and the redesigned Quick Settings layout can save time every day.
The Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra launched with Android 15 and One UI 7. Samsung later introduced One UI 7 to additional Galaxy devices, and its support documentation now identifies One UI 8 as the latest update. Menu names and feature availability may therefore differ on an S25 running a later version, depending on your model, carrier, region, language, and installed apps.
One UI 7 features worth using first
| Feature | Best for | Verdict | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Now Bar | Timers, music, workouts, recordings | Worth enabling for almost everyone | Only supported activities and apps appear |
| Now Brief | Schedules, weather, health summaries | Useful after setup | Depends heavily on permissions and personal data |
| Gemini actions | Multi-step productivity tasks | High potential | Requires supported apps, accounts, and verification |
| Circle to Search | Researching images, text, places, and products | Excellent everyday tool | AI summaries and actions vary by search and region |
| Writing Assist | Rewriting, translating, and proofreading | Practical for short text | AI output still needs checking |
| Audio Eraser | Cleaning up phone-recorded videos | Useful for occasional edits | Strong processing can sound unnatural |
| Log video | Creators who color-grade footage | Powerful but specialized | Footage looks flat until edited |
| Panel redesign | Faster access to controls | Personal preference | The default layout differs from older One UI versions |
| AI Privacy | Users limiting cloud processing | Worth reviewing | Some features may become unavailable or less capable |
Samsung lists the feature limitations and availability conditions in its Galaxy AI and One UI support documentation. Basic Samsung Galaxy AI features are described as free, while enhanced Samsung or third-party AI features may have different terms or fees.
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The Now Bar places ongoing activities at the bottom of the lock screen, so you can check or control them without fully unlocking the phone. It can also surface activity information in the status bar and Notification panel.
#1 Best Overall
- MULTIPLE TASKS WITH ONE ASK: Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25+ handles multiple tasks with a single ask.¹
- START THE DAY SMARTER: Stay one step ahead with a phone that gives you the info you need before you even know you need it with Now Brief.²
- REDUCE THE NOISE. REVEAL THE MAGIC: AI Camera with Audio Eraser lets you capture vibrant videos in low light and minimize unwanted noises so you can relive your favorite moments with fewer distractions.³
- BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERY FACE: Capture every portrait with clarity and confidence on the Galaxy S25+ Series. The advanced portrait features adjust skin tones and preserve natural textures, giving every shot a polished, professional look.
- MORE POWER TO YOU: Reimagine what’s possible with the Galaxy S25+, featuring our most powerful processor yet. Effortlessly translate your calls, slow down a video, or edit your photos without skipping a beat.
Supported examples include media playback, timers, stopwatches, voice recording, Interpreter, Samsung Health activities, and selected live scores. It is conceptually similar to a live-activity surface, but it is not Samsung’s version of Apple’s Dynamic Island.
How to configure it
Go to Settings → Lock screen and AOD → Now bar. Select the activity types you want to appear.
Useful examples include:
- Checking a timer while cooking without opening the phone.
- Controlling music from the lock screen.
- Monitoring a workout or voice recording.
- Accessing Interpreter during a live conversation.
The Now Bar is most valuable when your frequently used apps expose supported ongoing activities. It does not provide a universal live feed for every app, sports provider, or service, and availability can vary by country.
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Now Brief creates scheduled, personalized summaries that may include weather, calendar information, tasks, and health insights. You can reach it through the Now Bar, a Home-screen widget, or the Edge panel. Samsung says it is enabled by default and that its content can be managed through Galaxy AI settings.
Its usefulness depends on how much relevant information your phone has access to. Detailed Calendar entries, weather and location permissions, Samsung Health data, notifications, and connected Galaxy devices can make the briefings more relevant. With a sparse calendar and few permissions, the feature may feel generic or empty.
Samsung does not present Now Brief as a fully autonomous personal assistant. Independent coverage from Tom’s Guide likewise found that its recommendations depended on calendar and notes data, as well as connected Samsung devices.
Verdict: Enable it if you maintain your calendar, use Samsung Health, or own Galaxy wearables. Limit or disable it if you prefer a quiet lock screen or do not want proactive recommendations.
3. Gemini cross-app actions
Google Gemini is integrated into the Galaxy S25 experience and can handle certain multi-step requests across supported Samsung and Google apps. Samsung’s examples include saving information from a YouTube video to Samsung Notes, finding a team schedule and adding games to Samsung Calendar, or finding nearby restaurants and sending the result to a contact.
How to open Gemini
- Press and hold the Side button to open Gemini.
- Type or speak your request.
- For Gemini Live, press and hold the Side button and tap the Gemini Live icon.
Useful prompts to try
- “Find three Italian restaurants near me, compare their hours, and put the best one in a message to Alex.”
- “Summarize this YouTube video and save the main points to Samsung Notes.”
- “Find my team’s next games and add them to Samsung Calendar.”
These are examples, not guaranteed commands. Gemini may require a Google Account, internet access, supported languages, and compatible app integrations. Always review the selected contact, date, restaurant, or calendar event before confirming an action. AI can misunderstand ambiguous requests, and Samsung warns that availability and accuracy vary by region, device, language, carrier, and feature.
Rank #2
- BIG. BRIGHT. SMOOTH : Enjoy every scroll, swipe and stream on a stunning 6.7” wide display that’s as smooth for scrolling as it is immersive.¹
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN, EVERYDAY EASE: With a lightweight build and slim profile, Galaxy S25 FE is made for life on the go. It is powerful and portable and won't weigh you down no matter where your day takes you.
- SELFIES THAT STUN: Every selfie’s a standout with Galaxy S25 FE. Snap sharp shots and vivid videos thanks to the 12MP selfie camera with ProVisual Engine.
- MOVE IT. REMOVE IT. IMPROVE IT: Generative Edit² on Galaxy S25 FE lets you move, resize and erase distracting elements in your shot. Galaxy AI intuitively recreates every detail so each shot looks exactly the way you envisioned.³
- MORE POWER. LESS PLUGGING IN⁵: Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S25 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance⁴. And when you need a top off, Super Fast Charging 2.0⁵ gets you back in action.
4. Circle to Search: the best feature for quick research
Circle to Search lets you search an object, word, phrase, image, video, or sound without leaving the current app. One UI 7 adds AI Overviews and action chips for supported searches. Action chips can offer shortcuts such as calling, opening Maps, emailing, or opening a URL.
How to use it
- Long-press the Home button or your designated navigation control.
- Circle the object, text, or phrase on screen.
- Review the results or AI Overview.
- Tap an action chip if one is offered.
Circle to Search is a Google-powered integration rather than a feature developed solely by Samsung. AI Overviews and action chips are not available for every query and may require an internet connection. Treat generated summaries as a starting point, particularly for medical, financial, legal, or technical information.
The Tool Desk
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AI Select lets you mark an area of the screen and choose actions based on what you selected. It can send content to Writing Assist or Drawing Assist, set a selection as wallpaper, or share it.
- Open the Edge panel handle.
- Tap AI select.
- Draw around the relevant text, image, or screen area.
- Choose an available action.
It is useful for extracting part of a screenshot, selecting text from a video, or quickly sharing a visual element. For a simple rectangular crop, the ordinary screenshot editor may still be faster. AI Select also requires the Edge panel to be enabled and the available actions depend on the selected content.
6. Writing Assist for messages, notes, and email
Writing Assist can translate, reformat, adjust tone and style, and check spelling and grammar for selected text in supported apps such as Messages, email, Notes, and social-post composers.
How to use Writing Assist
- Type text in a supported app.
- Select the text.
- Tap the Galaxy AI icon on Samsung Keyboard.
- Choose Chat translation, Composer, Writing style, or Spelling and grammar.
This is most useful for polishing short messages, changing a casual note into a more formal one, or checking a translation. Compare the result with your original and verify names, dates, technical terms, and translated phrases. Depending on the feature, a Samsung Account and network connection may be required.
7. AI Privacy: control where supported AI processing happens
To request on-device processing for supported Galaxy AI features, go to Settings → Galaxy AI → Process data only on device.
This setting prioritizes local processing where supported; it does not mean every AI feature works offline or that every operation remains on the phone. Features that rely on cloud processing or an internet connection may become unavailable or less capable when the setting is enabled.
Review this control alongside app permissions and your Samsung and Google account settings. It is particularly relevant if you use Writing Assist, image generation, or other tools with personal content and want to reduce cloud processing where possible.
Rank #3
- 6.2" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X QHD+, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, HDR10+, 1080x2340px, Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- 128GB, 12GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 830 GPU, 4000mAh Battery
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8, wide + 10MP, f/2.4, telephoto + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, wide
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: UMTS 1(2100)/2(1900)/4(AWS)/5(850)/8(900), 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: N1/2/5/7/25/28/41/66/71/77/78/257/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
- US Model - Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
8. Audio Eraser: clean up noisy videos
Audio Eraser can reduce unwanted speech, music, general noise, crowds, nature sounds, and wind-related noise in supported videos.
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- Open Gallery and select a video.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap the speaker or audio icon.
- Tap Audio eraser.
- Choose the sound category, then adjust the slider or use Auto.
- Preview the result and tap Done.
Begin with a low setting and compare the result with Hear original. Strong processing can make voices and background ambience sound artificial. Preserve the original video before exporting an edited copy. Tom’s Guide also noted that aggressive settings could produce unnatural audio.
9. Camera and video tools that matter
One UI 7 reorganizes camera controls and modes, updates the More modes menu, adds a default 2x zoom button, provides more adjustable filters, and can preserve exposure settings by camera mode. Pro and Pro Video controls are also simplified.
Creators get more specialized tools, including Zebra and False Color exposure monitors, Log video recording, audio playback while recording video, separate grid-line and level controls, and vertical-level assistance.
How to enable Log video
- Open Camera.
- Tap the Quick controls icon, then Settings.
- Tap Advanced video option.
- Tap Log.
- Choose whether to add Log to Video, Pro Video, or both.
- Return to the camera, select Video or Pro Video, and tap LOG near the top right.
Log video is intended for later color grading. It usually looks flatter before editing and is not automatically better for ordinary point-and-shoot clips. Casual users will benefit more from the reorganized controls, zoom access, exposure persistence, and filters. Creators who edit footage will get more from Log, exposure monitoring, and Pro Video.
10. Gallery AI and generative editing
One UI 7 includes Drawing Assist, Portrait Studio, Evolved Story, Live effects, Generative Edit, Best Face for Motion Photos, and Auto Trim in Samsung Studio.
Common paths include:
- Open a photo in Gallery and tap the Galaxy AI icon for Portrait Studio.
- Open a photo, tap Edit → Photo Assist for Generative Edit.
- For Motion Photos, open the image and choose More options → Details → Choose best face.
These features are best treated as creative tools, not faithful restoration. Generated results can contain inaccuracies or visual artifacts. Samsung says Sketch to Image may require a Samsung Account and network access, can resize output up to 12MP, and adds a visible watermark when saved. Keep the original file and avoid presenting AI-generated changes as documentary evidence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.11. The redesigned Notifications and Quick Settings panels
By default, One UI 7 separates the panels:
- Swipe down from the upper-left or center for Notifications.
- Swipe down from the upper-right for Quick Settings.
You can move between them by swiping left or right. If you prefer the older combined layout:
- Swipe down from the upper-right.
- Tap the pencil or Edit icon.
- Tap Panel settings.
- Tap Notification and quick settings view.
- Select Together, then tap Back and Done.
The separate layout gives notifications and controls more dedicated space. The Together layout is more familiar and may be quicker if you routinely check both at once.
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Rank #4
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
12. Home-screen and lock-screen personalization
One UI 7 makes the S25 easier to tailor without relying on third-party launchers. Changes include larger folders that expose apps more directly, new icon styles, adjustable icon size, optional icon labels, redesigned widgets, and controls for widget shape, transparency, and backgrounds.
The lock screen gains more flexible clock sizing and positioning, additional widgets, and customizable shortcuts. These are quality-of-life improvements rather than headline AI features, but they benefit virtually every S25 owner and do not depend on a particular language, account, or accessory.
13. Live Translate and call transcription
Samsung says Live Translate supports 20 languages and extends to selected third-party apps, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Signal, Line, WeChat, Telegram, Meet, and KakaoTalk. Language, app, carrier, and regional support can differ.
Live Translate paths
- Samsung Phone:
Phone → Call Assist → Live translate - Third-party call app: open the app’s three-dot menu and tap Translate
Call transcription setup
- Open Phone.
- Tap the three-dot menu and choose Settings.
- Tap Record calls → Transcript assist.
- Enable automatic transcription.
- During a call, tap the record icon.
Samsung states that the other party is notified when recording begins. Recording laws vary by country and, in the United States, by state. Obtain consent where required. Machine translation and transcription can contain errors and should not be treated as a legal, medical, or otherwise authoritative record.
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14. Connected Galaxy devices make some features richer
Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring can add sleep, health, workout, and activity data to Samsung Health, potentially giving Now Brief more context. Galaxy Buds pair naturally with media and activity controls surfaced through the Now Bar. SmartThings devices can provide connected-home context for SmartThings and Home AI features.
These accessories are ecosystem multipliers, not requirements. The core One UI 7 experience works without them, and buying a wearable or earbuds solely for Now Brief is difficult to justify if you do not already want the device for its primary purpose.
Set up One UI 7 features correctly
- Update the phone at
Settings → Software update → Download and install. - Check the installed version at
Settings → About phone → Software information. - Sign in to a Samsung Account where Samsung AI features require one.
- Sign in to Google for Gemini and Circle to Search functions.
- Update Samsung apps, Google apps, and supported third-party apps.
- Check language, region, permissions, and network requirements.
- Review
Settings → Galaxy AI → Process data only on deviceif privacy is a priority.
If a feature is missing
- Confirm the phone is running One UI 7 or a later version.
- Check both Samsung and Google account sign-ins.
- Install pending app updates and connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Verify support for your language, region, carrier, and specific S25 model.
- Enable the Edge panel for AI Select.
- Check Galaxy AI and lock-screen settings.
- Restart the phone after a major update.
- Look for a renamed or relocated setting if the phone has updated to One UI 8 or a later patch.
Samsung explicitly notes that AI availability varies by device, OS version, carrier, network, region, language, and feature.
Which One UI 7 features should you use?
- For everyone: Try Now Bar, Circle to Search, and whichever Notification panel layout feels faster.
- For productivity: Use Gemini actions, Writing Assist, and Now Brief after adding useful calendar and task data.
- For creators: Learn Audio Eraser, Log video, exposure monitors, and Gallery editing tools.
- For privacy-conscious users: Enable on-device processing for supported Galaxy AI tools and review permissions.
- For minimalists: Limit Now Brief, proactive recommendations, and decorative generative-image features.
One UI 7 is strongest when treated as a collection of targeted tools rather than a reason to enable every AI option. The Now Bar, improved search, panel controls, and writing tools offer the broadest practical gains. Gemini and Now Brief can be more powerful, but they demand more account access, data, and user verification.
Quick Recap
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