It pains me to say this, but this will be my last Samsung phone. I’ve always been a loyal customer, consistently choosing their flagship models — but the experience with One UI 7 has been the worst I’ve ever had.
Since the update, battery performance has plummeted for my S24 ultra. The battery doesn’t even last half as long as it used to before the update. My phone is only a few months old, yet it behaves like a four-year-old device. I’ve tried every troubleshooting step suggested online — from wiping the cache to adjusting background usage settings — but nothing has helped. That’s simply unacceptable. If this is an intentional move by Samsung to push users toward buying newer models, then there should be legal consequences.
What’s even more disappointing is Samsung’s increasing attempt to imitate the iPhone. The iconic edge design is gone from the Ultra models, replaced with a flat look to appeal to iPhone users. Notifications, icons, and UI elements are slowly becoming more and more like iOS. What made Samsung stand out was its uniqueness — the very reason many of us chose it over the iPhone. Now, it feels like Samsung is chasing Apple, while Apple is still playing catch-up with Samsung. I truly don’t understand the direction the decision-makers at Samsung are taking.
I’ll be looking into a different Android brand for my next phone. Paying over $2,000 AUD for a flagship device, only for it to feel like an outdated phone right after a software update, is nothing short of a crime.
Same. This will probably be my last. The latest update is horrendous. Why dont they give us the option of changing our phones over when they add new features, rather than pushing it onto us? I deliberately avoided updating my phone so i didnt get the new update. Now ive just spent an hour correcting all the changes theyve made, like the notifications panel and the side button. If i wanted an iphone i'd buy one. Instead, ive been brand loyal to samsung and now they are just annoying us with these *** updates. Will be my last samsung phone too.
While there are certainly things we can criticise Samsung for, 'being just like the iPhone' is not one of them. I use both Samsung (personal) and Apple (work) phones on a daily basis and it's certainly not true that they are the same (or even becoming the same). Keep in mind that at the end of the day they are both phones and over time certain proven design elements are going to converge, but this doesn't mean they are the same.
Can't comment on battery life. I haven't had any issues on my S25.
Oh, and while I've never had an Ultra, I have compared the previous sharp cornered design to the current one - the new design is better I think. It's more functional/ergonomic as well as more in line with the visual design of the software it runs.
Respectfully, your claim doesn’t hold up. Samsung is becoming more like the iPhone, especially with One UI 7 and recent design changes. The new notification style in One UI 7, larger, rounder, more spaced out, is clearly inspired by iOS. Same goes for the quick settings redesign and lock screen customization.
And on the hardware side, Samsung flattening the corners of the Ultra models is a clear shift toward iPhone-like design. It’s not just about ergonomics, it’s about appealing to users familiar with Apple’s aesthetic. This isn't just natural convergence, it's a deliberate move to resemble and compete with the iPhone more directly.
OneUI 6 notifications were actually closer in shape to iOS. They were rounded rectangles. Yes, they are slightly larger and more rounded in OneUI 7. This actually makes them more different than iOS. Now I understand that larger vs smaller and this shape or that shape can be a matter of personal preference. And that's fine. I am often on the go so slightly larger suits me as it increases usability. To be honest I'd be more interested in Samsung shifting their attention now to competing on features, apps, and the overall ecosystem. This is where there's so many gaps and room for improvement.
Same! This update is draining my battery like crazy! I haven't had an iPhone for years and never thought I'd ever consider going back but the way this update has destroyed the usability of my phone I'm actually considering it! I'm actually really angry 😡. I've always had the battery saving turned on and even with my screen not turning off for 5 mins it lasted over a day. Now, with battery saving on it won't let me change the screen to turn off after 5 mins, it only gives you the option for 30 seconds, yet my phone doesn't last a day. What the hell happened! Having my screen go back every 30 seconds is really *** me off!!
I'm sorry to hear you have all been experiencing this issue.
We've received reports from other users experiencing higher than expected battery discharge after updating to One UI7, and after investigation, we have determined that the issue is the result of abnormal app operation from the Instagram app. This issue has been reported to Meta for further investigation from the app perspective. Once the issue has been resolved by Meta, any fix will be distributed through an Instagram app update via the Google Play Store. It is recommended to keep your applications up to date through the Google Play Store.
