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Hayls World's Samsung One UI 9 Review

Samsung · Reviewed by Hayls World · Published 2026-08-11

Rating 4.5/5Source quality 85/100Evidence 15Claims 16Q&A 7Pros 14Cons 2Independent creator

Based on a review by Hayls World (accessed 2026-08-11).

What they actually found

  • Loved — Bigger, easier-to-control volume and brightness sliders
  • Annoyed by — Privacy concerns regarding the detailed driving report data collection

Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about bigger, easier-to-control volume and brightness sliders — just accept privacy concerns regarding the detailed driving report data collection.

This source's evidence 🎬

Source verdict

The reviewer concludes that One UI 9 brings many useful and long-awaited features that significantly improve the user experience. They express enthusiasm for updates like easier slider control, artistic contact cards, the detailed driving report, and the new ability to open PDFs directly in the Files app.

About this source

The video provides a detailed overview of the new features and improvements introduced in Samsung's One UI 9 update. It covers various aspects including user interface enhancements, customization options, camera functionalities, driving activity tracking, and security updates.

Review notes

One UI 9 is a highly recommended software update for Samsung users, delivering a wealth of useful new features and quality-of-life improvements. The update makes everyday interactions smoother with bigger, easier-to-control volume and brightness sliders, and introduces a new 24-megapixel photo resolution option for enhanced camera versatility. However, the new driving report feature raises privacy concerns as it tracks detailed driving habits including speed, turns, and phone usage. If you own a compatible Samsung device, this update significantly enhances the user experience, making many features more accessible. If you prioritize comprehensive privacy, be mindful of the driving report's data collection before enabling it.

What the reviewer liked

  • Bigger, easier-to-control volume and brightness sliders
  • Resizable media controller and movable side buttons for sliders
  • Creative Studio for artistic contact call screens
  • Lock screen clock font can auto-resize around wallpaper subjects
  • Vertical split option for dual recording with front and back cameras
  • New 24-megapixel photo resolution option alongside existing ones
  • Driving report tracks car rides with detailed stats like speed and turns
  • Separate browser windows in Samsung Browser for multitasking
  • Redaction tool in Notes app to hide sensitive text
  • Improved DeX interface with visual desktop management
  • Directly view and stop apps using camera, microphone, or location
  • Manage unknown apps feature for easy uninstallation of third-party apps
  • Direct PDF file opening within the Files app
  • Network speed tracker via QuickStar in Good Lock

What the reviewer criticised

  • Privacy concerns regarding the detailed driving report data collection
  • Direct PDF opening in the Files app took a long time to implement

Structured claims

The volume and brightness sliders in the quick settings panel are now bigger, which makes them much easier to control.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The lock screen now has a sleeker design with waves that feature a slight, subtle glow.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The My Files app has been upgraded with bigger and better laid out categories, and a slightly different storage design.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The media controller now offers more resizing options, and the side buttons on the sliders are completely separate, removable, and resizable, enhancing accessibility.

reviewer_claimmoderate

Within the phone app, users can now create personalized artistic contact cards using Creative Studio, by selecting a picture and style to generate unique caller screens.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The first clock font on the lock screen can now auto-resize and wrap itself around subjects in the wallpaper, a feature that previously only worked with the second font.

reviewer_claimmoderate

In video mode, the camera app introduces a brand new vertical split option for dual recording, allowing simultaneous recording with both the front and back cameras.

reviewer_claimmoderate

A new 24-megapixel photo resolution option has been added under camera assistant settings, providing choices of 12, 24, 50, and 200 megapixels.

specification_claimmoderate

One UI 9's new Driving Report feature tracks entire car rides when connected to a car's Bluetooth, providing detailed statistics including speed graphs, sharp turns, rapid accelerations, sudden decelerations, speeds below 12.5 mph, and phone usage duration.

reviewer_claimstrong

The browser now offers a 'manage windows' option, allowing users to open and manage up to five totally separate browser windows at the same time.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The Notes app now has a text redaction tool in the drawing menu, offering various pattern and color options, and adjustable thickness for hiding sensitive information.

reviewer_claimmoderate

DeX now allows users to visually see all their desktops and open apps at the top, enhancing control and making the experience feel more like a computer.

reviewer_claimmoderate

One UI 9 allows users to tap active camera, microphone, or location icons to directly see and stop the applications using them, and also provides a 'recent access' list showing every app's sensitive info usage with timestamps.

reviewer_claimstrong

Under more security settings, a new 'Manage unknown apps' menu lists all apps downloaded outside the Play Store, making them much easier to uninstall.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The Files app in One UI 9 finally allows users to open PDF files directly without needing a separate viewer, a feature the reviewer noted was long overdue.

reviewer_claimmoderate

Users can enable a network speed indicator, showing Wi-Fi and mobile data speeds in the notification bar, by going into the Good Lock app, then QuickStar settings, and turning on 'network speed' under 'visibility of indicator icons'.

reviewer_claimmoderate

Evidence items

Bigger Volume and Brightness Sliders

hands_on_demopositivet=00:00–00:30

The volume and brightness sliders in the quick settings panel are now bigger, which the reviewer prefers because it makes them much easier to control.

Sleeker Lock Screen Design

visual_inspectionpositivet=00:30–00:40

The lock screen now features a sleeker design with waves that have a slight subtle glow, which the reviewer really loves.

Improved My Files App Layout

visual_inspectionpositivet=00:40–00:50

The My Files app received an upgrade with bigger and better laid out categories. The storage design is also slightly different.

Customizable Media Controller and Sliders

hands_on_demopositivet=01:06–01:50

Users now have more options for resizing the media controller, including making it small. The side buttons on the brightness and volume sliders are now completely separate and removable, allowing them to be positioned anywhere and resized.

Artistic Contact Card Creation

hands_on_demopositivet=02:15–02:50

The phone app now allows creating artistic contact cards using Creative Studio. Users can select a picture, choose a style, and generate a new contact card that will display during calls.

Auto-Resizing Lock Screen Clock Font

hands_on_demopositivet=03:00–03:20

The first clock font on the lock screen can now auto-resize to wrap around subjects in the wallpaper, a feature previously only available for the second font.

Vertical Split Dual Recording in Camera

hands_on_demopositivet=03:21–03:55

The camera's video mode now includes a brand new vertical split dual recording option, enabling users to record simultaneously with both the front and back cameras.

24-Megapixel Photo Resolution Option

hands_on_demopositivet=03:55–04:14

A new 24-megapixel photo resolution option is available in the camera settings, allowing users to choose between 12, 24, 50, and 200-megapixel options.

Driving Report Feature

hands_on_demopositivet=04:14–05:10

One UI 9 introduces a driving report feature that tracks entire car rides when the phone is connected to the car's Bluetooth. It provides detailed stats like speed graphs, sharp turns, rapid accelerations, sudden decelerations, and phone usage during the drive.

Multi-Window Support in Browser

hands_on_demopositivet=05:20–05:55

The browser now supports managing up to five separate windows simultaneously, allowing users to have multiple independent browsing sessions.

Text Redaction in Notes App

hands_on_demopositivet=05:55–06:40

The Notes app now includes a text redaction feature in its drawing menu. Users can select various patterns, solid colors, and adjust the thickness for redacting text.

Improved DeX Experience

reviewer_claimpositivet=06:40–07:05

DeX now visually displays all desktops and open apps at the top when connected to a TV, enhancing control and making the experience feel more like a traditional computer.

Enhanced Privacy Controls for App Usage

hands_on_demopositivet=07:05–07:55

Users can now tap on active camera, microphone, or location icons in the notification bar to directly see and stop apps using them. A 'recent access' list provides a detailed history of sensitive info usage with timestamps.

Manage Unknown Apps Setting

hands_on_demopositivet=07:55–08:30

A new 'Manage unknown apps' setting under security consolidates all apps downloaded outside the Play Store, making it easier to manage and uninstall them.

Direct PDF Support in Files App

hands_on_demopositivet=08:30–08:55

The Files app now supports directly opening PDF files without needing a separate viewer, a long-awaited feature that the reviewer is glad to see.

Quick answers

  • What are the new UI changes in Samsung One UI 9? The One UI 9 update brings several user interface improvements, including bigger volume and brightness sliders for easier control.
  • How has customization improved in One UI 9? One UI 9 enhances customization with the new ability to create artistic contact cards via Creative Studio, allowing users to personalize incoming call screens with custom pictures and styles.
  • What new camera features are available in One UI 9? The camera app in One UI 9 introduces a new vertical split option for dual recording in video mode, enabling simultaneous capture from both the front and back cameras.
  • Does One UI 9 offer driving activity tracking? One UI 9 introduces a new Driving Report feature that activates when your Samsung phone connects to your car's Bluetooth.

Buyer questions answered

What are the new UI changes in Samsung One UI 9?

The One UI 9 update brings several user interface improvements, including bigger volume and brightness sliders for easier control. The lock screen now features a sleeker design with a subtle glow. The My Files app has been upgraded with larger, better-laid-out categories. Additionally, the media controller offers more resizing options, and its side buttons are now separate and movable for greater accessibility.

How has customization improved in One UI 9?

One UI 9 enhances customization with the new ability to create artistic contact cards via Creative Studio, allowing users to personalize incoming call screens with custom pictures and styles. Furthermore, the lock screen's first clock font now automatically resizes to wrap around subjects in wallpapers, a feature previously limited to only one font, offering more dynamic lock screen aesthetics.

What new camera features are available in One UI 9?

The camera app in One UI 9 introduces a new vertical split option for dual recording in video mode, enabling simultaneous capture from both the front and back cameras. Additionally, a 24-megapixel photo resolution option has been added under camera settings, expanding the available choices alongside 12, 50, and 200-megapixel settings.

Does One UI 9 offer driving activity tracking?

One UI 9 introduces a new Driving Report feature that activates when your Samsung phone connects to your car's Bluetooth. This report tracks entire car rides, providing detailed statistics such as speed graphs, records of sharp turns, rapid accelerations, sudden decelerations, driving below 12.5 mph, and even phone usage duration during the drive.

What productivity app updates are included in One UI 9?

In One UI 9, the browser now allows users to manage up to five separate windows simultaneously. The Notes app gains a text redaction feature with customizable patterns and thickness for secure sharing. Furthermore, DeX improves the desktop experience by visually displaying all active desktops and open apps, offering greater control and making it feel more like a computer.

Are there any new security and privacy features in One UI 9?

One UI 9 significantly boosts security and privacy by allowing users to tap on active camera, microphone, or location icons in the notification bar to directly see and stop the applications using them. A 'recent access' list provides a comprehensive history of apps that have accessed sensitive information, including timestamps. Additionally, a new 'Manage unknown apps' setting consolidates all apps downloaded outside the Play Store, making their review and uninstallation much easier.

Can the Files app directly open PDFs in One UI 9?

A highly anticipated feature in One UI 9 is the ability of the Files app to directly open PDF files. Previously, a separate viewer application like Notes or Acrobat was required, but this is no longer necessary, simplifying document access and management.

Not covered in depth by this source

  • Not covered: Durability
  • Not covered: Traction
  • Not covered: Weight
  • Not covered: Value
  • Not covered: Breathability

Why this source is included

85/100 source quality

  • ✓ Independent of the brand
  • ✓ Hands-on demonstration
  • • Specific testing or measurements
  • ✓ Clear sponsorship / relationship disclosure

Transcript summary

This video offers a comprehensive look at the top new features in Samsung One UI 9. It highlights UI improvements such as larger, more controllable volume and brightness sliders, a sleeker lock screen, and a better organized My Files app. Customization receives an upgrade with artistic contact cards and an auto-resizing clock font. Camera enhancements include a vertical split dual recording mode and a 24-megapixel photo resolution option. The review also demonstrates a new driving report feature, app updates for Browser, Notes, and DeX, along with bolstered security and privacy controls, including direct PDF viewing in the Files app and a network speed indicator.

Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.

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About this page

This page converts Hayls World's review of the Samsung One UI 9 into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.

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