One UI 5 features: All the big additions to Samsung's Android 13 update

Samsung has confirmed that the stable version of One UI 5 will land on Galaxy S22 devices at the end of October, meaning we only have a couple of weeks to go.

The company’s lengthy update commitment means that a ton of devices will get One UI 5 at some point though, so there’s no need to buy a Galaxy S22 series phone if you want the Android 13-based update.

Want to know more about Samsung’s new update? Then we’ve got you covered with a look at the most noteworthy One UI 5 features.

Bixby Text Call

Google is renowned for its use of machine learning to create new experiences around calling, such as Direct My Call and Call Screening. But Samsung is also entering the fray with its Bixby Text Call feature.

This function lets you answer a call by typing a message, with Bixby then converting the message to audio so the caller can hear it. And yes, the caller’s audio will be converted to text so you can keep the conversation going. Samsung says this is ideal for environments such as public transport or a concert.

Bixby Text Call is already available in Korea as part of an earlier One UI update, but the English version is coming in early 2023.

Modes

We’ve previously seen the likes of LG and Apple offer smart settings functionality, tweaking your sound profile and more based on your location and other factors. The Modes feature in One UI 5 seems to take this a step further, joining Bixby’s Routines functionality.

Samsung offers Modes for various situations, such as sleep, exercise, and driving. Activate the exercise mode, for example, and your phone notifications will be muted so you don’t have any distractions. Activate the sleep mode and your phone’s sounds are turned down and the brightness is lowered. Pretty handy.

Security and privacy dashboard

Google announced at the Pixel 7 launch that a new security and privacy dashboard would come to Pixel phones down the line. But Samsung is getting in on the action too with One UI 5, offering its own dashboard.

“With one quick glance, you can get a quick overview of your device’s security and find suggestions and warnings depending on the status,” the company explained.

This isn’t the only privacy-related addition to the Android skin, as One UI 5 will also warn you in the share panel if you’re about to share a photo that contains sensitive personal info (e.g. credit card info, driver’s license, passport, social security number).

Video Wallpaper

The Galaxy maker has long offered a video wallpaper feature in its Lockstar Good Lock app. Now, Samsung is bringing this feature to One UI proper, letting you trim a video and add it to your lock screen.

This comes after One UI 5 beta images surfaced to show that Samsung could be taking a few cues from Apple for its lock screen customization. Either way, more customization is coming soon.

Anything else?

Samsung is also bringing a few more features to the table, such as more intuitive notifications, a new pop-up call display, new stack widgets and smart widget suggestions, a new connected devices menu, and the ability to extract text from images.

These tweaks are set to join existing Android 13 features we expect to see in One UI 5. Android 13-specific features we expect to see include per-app language controls, improved Material You support, and opt-in notifications for third-party apps.

Which Samsung phones will get One UI 5?

Samsung has already confirmed that stable One UI 5 is coming to the Galaxy S22 series in October. We don’t have launch windows for other devices, but the brand has brought One UI 5 beta releases to phones like the Galaxy S21 range, Galaxy S20 series, and Galaxy A52. So it stands to reason that these handsets will get the stable update too.

Otherwise, Samsung’s update pledges suggest that the Galaxy Note 20 series, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Fold 2, and later models should all receive Android 13. Samsung’s pledges also mean that the Galaxy A71, Galaxy A51, and several other A series phones should get One UI 5.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Galaxy S10 series, Galaxy Note 10 family, and Galaxy Fold won’t be eligible for One UI 5.