Galaxy S9 and Note 9 Android 9 Pie update: Samsung reveals best new features arriving soon

Samsung Android 9 Pie

Samsung has revealed more news about its Android 9 Pie update (Image: GOOGLE • SAMUSNG)

fans who own a Galaxy S9 and Note 9 could soon see the latest version of Android 9 Pie arriving on their smartphones.

A recent update from the Korean smartphone firm revealed that this major refresh will start being pushed out to devices later this month.

The Galaxy S9 looks set to be the first to get this upgrade in January with the Note 9 following in February and Galaxy S8 and Note 8 in March.

There’s no official release dates but when Android 9 Pie does finally launch it seems Samsung fans will be in for a treat with it featuring a new skin called One UI.

Samsung has emphasised this new software has been designed from the ground up to make navigation on larger devices, such as the Note 9, easier with one hand.

Discussing One UI, Samsung said: “One UI helps you focus on what really matters to you.

“With hardware and software working together in harmony, see only what you need, using and viewing your phone with an experience that feels second nature.

“Because it’s the small details that make a big difference.”

Now the firm has released more details about One UI and here’s some of the biggest updates coming to your phone.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Android 9 Pie update

Samsung Galaxy S9 Android 9 Pie update (Image: SAMSUNG)

More natural interactions

Samsung says that One UI’s streamlined structure reflects a deep understanding of how smartphone users interact with their devices today.

The interface makes navigating big-screen phones simple by effectively splitting the display in half.

With One UI, the top half of the screen is for viewing content, while the lower half is for interacting with your device.

Focus on the Task at Hand

Samsung has opted for a minimalist design in One UI and the firm says this eliminates unnecessary distractions to make it easier to focus on one thing at a time.

The interface pares down the amount of information on display , offer users a more focused and fluid experience.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Android 9 Pie update

Samsung Galaxy S9 Android 9 Pie update (Image: SAMSUNG)

It does this with subtle design enhancements like ‘focus blocks’, which direct your eyes to the content that matters without overwhelming you with information.

With One UI’s streamlined approach to app management, when a user launches an app, instead of filling the screen with functions that may not be useful at that particular moment, One UI keeps things simple, displaying only the functions and info the user needs to complete their task.

This means that, for example, once a user enters a phone number into the dial pad, menu options unrelated to entering a phone number vanish, and new options to create a contact or start a video call appear.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Android 9 Pie update

Samsung Galaxy S9 Android 9 Pie update (Image: SAMSUNG)

Easier on your eyes

Many tech firms are introducing ways to help reduce eye strain and Samsung is following this growing trend.

Samsung has built a customisable Night Mode into One UI which adjusts the screen’s tone, brightness and contrast to offer users a more focused and comfortable viewing experience.

Visual comfort is especially important when it’s dark, which is why Samsung built a customisable Night Mode into One UI.

Easily accessible and incorporated across the entire interface, Night Mode, once enabled, adjusts the screen’s tone, brightness and contrast to offer users a more focused and comfortable viewing experience.

A whole new look

Along with new features, there’s a big new look coming to One UI with Samsung saying its design has a focus on beauty and consistency.

The rounded corners of the interface’s app icons and focus blocks are perfect examples of this attention to detail.

Standardising these design elements not only enhances the UI’s aesthetic appeal but it also creates pleasing consistency with the rounded corners of Galaxy devices.