Samsung users enrolled in the One UI 7.0 Beta program may soon receive an update resembling a stable version, although it’s still a beta release labeled with the build number ‘ZXL5’. The second beta introduces new features like alarm grouping and customizable app/widget sizes. Future beta updates are anticipated, with the third potentially launching on December 23. Official release of One UI 7.0 is not expected until January 2025.
Samsung One UI 7.0 Beta Update: What to Expect
If you’re a Samsung smartphone user, you might have found yourself wondering about the latest updates available for your device. If you’ve enrolled in the beta program for the new Samsung operating system, One UI 7.0, there’s a chance you’ve recently encountered or will soon encounter an update that appears to be the stable version, rather than a beta. However, recent reports indicate that the official release isn’t anticipated until January 2025.
Accessing the Update on Your Galaxy Device
For those with a Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, or Galaxy S24 Ultra, you can check for this update by navigating to ‘Software Updates’ in your settings. Currently, these are the only Samsung models that have access to the One UI 7.0 Beta, and they are also receiving this new update, which looks like the first stable version of the operating system—though the term ‘Beta’ is notably absent from the update details. You can identify this software by the build number string ‘ZXL5’.
While it’s understandable to feel a surge of excitement at the sight of this software update, a closer look at the Samsung Members app and the notifications section (accessible via the speaker icon) reveals that this update is, in fact, still a beta version that isn’t clearly labeled as such.
The notification for the second beta of One UI 7.0 clarifies that the update with the ‘ZXL5’ build number is indeed a beta release, dashing hopes for an early stable version. Nonetheless, it may still be beneficial to download this update as it introduces several new features for your device.
Exciting New Features in One UI 7.0 Beta 2
The second beta version of One UI 7.0 brings some innovative features to enhance your smartphone experience. One notable addition is the ability to group alarms. If you have multiple alarms set, you can now long-press on them to merge them into a single group using the new ‘Group’ function. This will appear as a tile above your other alarms, allowing you to toggle all alarms in that group on or off with a single tap. This is particularly handy for managing alarms that differ between weekdays and weekends, although currently, you can only create one grouping at a time.
Another significant improvement is the customization of app and widget sizes on your home screen. By long-pressing on the screen and accessing the new ‘Settings’ under the gear icon, you can adjust the size of your apps and widgets. Additionally, you can choose to add labels for your apps and widgets to enhance organization and accessibility.
Looking ahead, the subsequent beta updates, including One UI 7.0 Beta 3 and 4, are expected to roll out soon. According to speculation from the fan blog SammyMobile, based on the beta update timeline in India, the third beta could be available in Germany as early as December 23 and the fourth by December 30. Samsung has also recently shared further details regarding the stable version of One UI 7.0, heightening anticipation among users.