What’s the precise level of One UI 9?
Earlier than I put in the beta of Samsung’s upcoming Android 17 pores and skin, that’s the query I used to be asking myself. Positive, the small tweaks and minor customisation additions have been appreciated, however an entire new model? That felt like scraping the barrel.
After being critically underwhelmed by Android 17 on my Pixel 10 Professional XL, I assumed it was extra of the identical right here. And I used to be proper – for essentially the most half.
Nevertheless, after my three weeks of utilizing One UI 9 on the Galaxy S26, I’ve realised the true game-changing potential of 1 characteristic. And it redeems all the replace.
Some real downtime
Managing senseless web use on a smartphone could be difficult. Most of the apps we use each single day are a double-edged sword: they provide important connection and entry to extremely helpful info, but are designed to be addictive, to maintain us scrolling.
The “answer” that many providers supply is an outright ban. Nevertheless, the “forbidden fruit” impact exhibits that banning issues usually makes them extra interesting. It additionally encourages circumvention – one thing that’s remarkably straightforward with some blockers.
That’s the place One UI 9’s new ‘AI Community Guard’ characteristic is available in. As a substitute of merely blocking apps, it full-on disables the web connection while you attempt to open a restricted app.
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Most of the most alluring apps, together with social media, e mail purchasers and internet browsers, are completely reliant on the web to operate. By disabling it, you’re stripping the app of its addictive energy, but leaving essential instruments elsewhere in your telephone unaffected.
To begin looking, I’ve to be intentional and absolutely dedicated to the duty at hand
I’ve discovered it to be extraordinarily efficient. Whereas I’ve deleted all social media from my telephone, I usually faucet Firefox out of behavior, determined for a fast hit of dopamine. If the One Sec app’s pop-up doesn’t cease me, AI Community Guard nearly actually will. In different phrases, to begin looking, I’ve to be intentional and absolutely dedicated to the duty at hand, which is strictly the way it ought to be.
If you wish to hold TikTok or Instagram in your telephone however restrict use to particular instances, it might be much more efficient. An internet browser may be needed at instances through the day, however there’s most likely no good purpose to be scrolling social media while you’re meant to be working.
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Nevertheless, to say that AI Community Guard is hidden could be an understatement. It’s buried deep inside Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, requiring you to faucet the three dots within the top-right nook, then ‘Clever Wi-Fi’ 5 instances to allow the ‘Connectivity labs’ characteristic.
From there, it’s good to set a password, then select your distracting apps and a ‘downtime’ schedule for computerized restrictions.
I really like the actual fact it could actually limit all browsers and/or video games, that means you possibly can’t simply head to the Play Retailer to get round it. That’s precisely the kind of factor I’d often strive. And whereas being buried inside settings makes it straightforward to overlook, it additionally makes the method of eradicating restrictions really feel arduous. If you happen to’re something like me, this further friction will probably be sufficient to cease you.
With AI Community Guard, One UI 9 is a must have in a means that Android 17 on Pixel telephones merely isn’t
Nevertheless, AI Community Guard presently has a deadly flaw: it’s too rigid. By having the identical schedule each day, you ignore the realities of individuals’s lives.
At its most simple, lots of people would wish to keep away from distracting apps through the week, but loosen the restrictions on the weekend. At present, that is completely unimaginable, and it’s a serious oversight by Samsung.
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With a easy scheduling device (which Samsung has already applied throughout a number of One UI apps), AI Community Guard might be the game-changing display screen time device many dad and mom (and adults) have been ready for.
Don’t care about display screen time? Don’t trouble
For my part, AI Community Guard is the one purpose to obtain the One UI 9 beta proper now.
As common, there are dozens of ‘new options’, however these quantity to nothing greater than a lick of paint and a few new customisation choices.
There are new clock kinds on the lock display screen. ‘Tape’ to redact info in Samsung Notes. Thicker fast settings buttons and toggles. Oh, and now you can change the scale of the media participant within the fast settings panel. Actually groundbreaking stuff.
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There are a number of dozen additions in complete, however from testing One UI 9 for the final three weeks, I genuinely couldn’t let you know what they’re. I feel that claims the whole lot it’s good to find out about their significance.
I assumed Samsung was following the Android 17 playbook, focusing solely on minor tweaks and small quality-of-life updates. However with AI Community Guard, One UI 9 is a must have in a means Android 17 on Pixel telephones merely isn’t.
One UI 9 is anticipated to debut on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Extremely and Z Flip 8 on 22 July, earlier than rolling out to all appropriate Samsung Galaxy telephones within the coming months.
If you happen to completely can’t wait, the beta is obtainable on all Galaxy S26, S25 and S24 handsets now.