Samsung has announced that it will be rolling out the One UI 5.1.1 update, based on Android 13, to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets starting this month. The overlay debuted with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (review) and Galaxy Z Flip 5 (review) last month. Discover the Samsung smartphones and tablets affected by the One UI 5.1.1 update and the new features it brings.
In a press release, Samsung said the first devices to receive the update and its new features will be last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4. The software could arrive on both foldable smartphones sometime in August.
The rollout date for older foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 3 (test), Galaxy Z Flip 3 (test), Galaxy Z Fold 2, and Galaxy Z Flip 2 was not mentioned. But, it was meant that it would happen consecutively. What can you expect from this update?
The new Flex mode for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
The firmware will introduce a new way to access and interact with Flex mode. Icons will now float and can easily be arranged by drag and drop. The screen will have shortcuts to multi-window, screenshot and touchpad functions, among others.
Additionally, Flex Mode incorporates updated media playback controls with a 10-second rewind or forward button. This button is displayed on the entire lower screen. At the same time, videos will continue to play even if you launch a new application via the multi-window shortcut.
Samsung added a new Flex Mode screen with the One UI 5.1.1 update. / © Samsung / Edit by nextpit
More gestures for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold
Galaxy Z Folds will also receive improved multitasking gestures with this update. For starters, the new two-finger drag and drop will let you select and hold files with one finger and tap on a destination app with another finger, then drag those files. This productivity gesture will also be supported on the Galaxy Tab S8.
Furthermore, the manufacturer has added a hidden pop-up mode for certain applications, such as the Internet browser. This mode is useful if you want to focus on a specific window when browsing or watching a video and only access the hidden window by touching it from the edge.
One UI 5.1.1 update improves pop-up and multi-window views on Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Tab S8. / © Samsung / Edit by nextpit
It is now also possible to switch to multi-windows by holding the top of an active window and dragging them to the sides. Samsung said these aforementioned changes to the pop-up option and new taskbar on the main screen will be available on the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Galaxy Tab S8.
One UI 6 beta update on Android 14 OS expands to more countries
Apart from the One UI 5.1.1 update, Samsung has also launched the beta program for One UI 6 based on Android 14. For now, the beta is only available on the Galaxy S23 trio (test) in some countries, including the United States, Germany and South Korea.
The new version of the operating system was recently delivered in India, China, Poland and the United Kingdom. It’s still unclear when the beta will come to Samsung’s foldable smartphones and tablets.
Have you updated to One UI 5.1.1? What new features have you found useful?
To go further, check out our selection of the best foldable smartphones. Also discover the official name of the first OnePlus foldable smartphone, it is really weird
