Samsung’s One UI 4.1.1, based on Android 12L, first appeared on devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4. Samsung has today started rolling out the UI 4.1.1 update to Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 devices globally, which should reach all users in the coming days. Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold have also been confirmed to receive Samsung’s One UI 4.1.1 update, though no timeline was provided.

Users of these older folding phones will be able to enjoy features like the taskbar, which allows you to quickly switch between apps and drag and drop apps to create a split view. A new two-finger gesture is also available for multitasking, allowing immediate switching of full-screen apps to pop-ups or splitting the screen in half for greater productivity.

Other new features introduced on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 include adjusting settings from the cover screen, making calls, calling back missed calls and replying to text messages (using voice-to-text), and taking selfies with the main camera using Rear Cam Selfie.

One UI Watch 4.5 first received a full release on the Galaxy Watch 5 and will now also appear on the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. That means six new interactive watch faces and additional customization features are being introduced, as well as a new QWERTY keyboard, though Samsung hasn’t provided a release date for Watch version 4.5.

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 are eligible to receive a separate software update around the end of September. The update will offer “select features” from One UI Watch 4.5, such as two new watch faces, snore analysis, and support for blood pressure and ECG measurements in the Samsung Health Monitor app.

The post Samsung starts bringing new features to its older folding devices and smartwatches appeared first on TechGoing.

In 2011, Samsung Electronics first launched the Note series of smartphones. Over the years, with larger screen size, the Note series of phones has been a modest success.

But as smartphone screens continued to grow, including Samsung’s own Galaxy S series, forcing the Note phones eventually cease production. the Note 20 was released in 2020 and was the last phone in the Note series. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics filled the void with the Galaxy S Ultra model.

In 2019, Samsung Electronics launched its first folding screen phone, the Galaxy Fold. since then, Samsung Electronics has released a number of other models of folding screen phones. But to date, the foldable screen phone is still a “niche” product in the overall smartphone market.

And Samsung Electronics said today that it wants to turn them into “mainstream” products to improve the profitability of its smartphone division. Sung Koo Kim, vice president of Samsung Electronics’ mobile experience division, said on a conference call today, “We will continue to maintain the sales momentum of the Galaxy S series phones in the second half of this year. In addition, we will also launch a new folding screen phone and drive its sales beyond those of the Note series.”

It is unclear when the Samsung foldable screen phone sales will surpass the Note series. But for reference, the Samsung Note series phones shipped 190 million units over their entire lifecycle. So far, Samsung’s foldable screen phones have shipped just over 10 million units.

Samsung Electronics plans to release a new folding screen phone next month. Currently, Samsung’s two latest folding-screen phones are Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3, with cumulative sales of about 8 million units so far.

Bryan Ma, an analyst at authoritative research firm IDC, said, “It makes sense for Samsung to bet on foldable products: it’s a high-end and high-margin product that can push up the average sales price and set Samsung apart from the competition.”

Brian Ma added: “Even though the Note series still has a loyal fan base, it’s still a decade-old product. Betting on a foldable screen phone will allow Samsung to stay ahead of the game.”

The profitability of its smartphone division has also been a major concern for Samsung Electronics. In the second quarter of this year, Samsung Electronics mobile business saw a decline in profits from a year earlier due to rising costs and unfavorable currency effects. However, at the same time, revenue grew year-over-year due to increased sales of high-end products such as the Galaxy S22 smartphone and Tab S8 tablet PC.

Samsung Electronics expects the smartphone market to remain flat or grow modestly in the second half of this year, and foldable screen phones will be key to improving profitability.

The post Samsung wants to push folding screen phones into the mainstream, sales will exceed the Galaxy Note series appeared first on TechGoing.