NEWS
Google Maps now supports Galaxy S24 series’ Now Bar much more useful
Samsung changed the Now Bar settings page with the One UI 7 beta 3 updates by removing the deleted Voice Recorder, Health, Google Maps, Samsung Notes, and, Bixby. Now seems that the Korean tech giant is slowly adding “Google Maps” on the Galaxy S25 and Galax S24 series’ Now Bar on the lock screen.
Recently, Google Maps received a new update with version number 25.05.01.719889437, which supports the Now Bar on the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 series’ lock screen. This development suggests that the company will soon release the stable One UI 7 update for the Galaxy S24 series in the coming days.
Once you’ve entered an address on Google Maps and started navigation, just lock your phone and the directions will transfer to the Now bar. A single tap will open a pill-shaped card, giving you more detailed information about your next turn. Also, you can end navigation from the Now bar once you’ve completed your trip.
Previous repeats suggest that the Korean tech giant would release the official version of One UI 7 for older Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S24 series gradually after February 7. On January 22, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series launched with One UI 7 software update. The Galaxy S25 lineup will officially hit stores on February 7.
With the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung has also expanded the One UI 7 Now bar functionality by introducing Now Brief, you can get a personalized briefing of specific content that gets updated in the brief card throughout the day.
Additionally, a user recently shared an image that reveals that the Galaxy S25 series with One UI 7 now supports live activities on AOD (Always On Display) with the Now Bar.
Currently, the Now Bar feature is only available for Galaxy S24 beta users and the S25 series. We expect Samsung to bring this feature to older Galaxy devices including the Galaxy S24 series when the stable One UI 7 update rollout begins.
On February 25, Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series, and these phones will be available starting March 11. A day later, the company began rolling out Beta 6 for the Galaxy S25 series, but it seems this may not be the last beta before the stable version is released. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 series is still receiving updates through the One UI 8.5 beta program.
Samsung One UI 8.5 beta 7
A reliable tipster, @TarunVats, spotted a new One UI 8.5 beta build for the Galaxy S25 series on testing systems. The build ending in ZZC3 indicates that Samsung is preparing the seventh beta update for the S25 phones. It’s worth noting that this build began rolling out in March, but the patch level is still February 2026.
The new build suggests that the beta program is still active even after the Galaxy S26 series launched with One UI 8.5 features and improvements. Galaxy S25 Users may have to wait a little longer for the final stable update.
The latest One UI 8.5 Beta 6 update fixed many problems and improved the phone’s performance, including Bixby, Gallery, Now Bar, Now Brief, Display settings, Modes, and Routines.
At this time, Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed how many more beta updates will arrive or when the stable One UI 8.5 version will be released for the Galaxy S25 series and older phones. However, the new beta build is a strong indication that at least one more beta update is on the way. Galaxy S25 users who are part of the beta program should keep an eye out for new updates.
At the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event on February 25, 2026, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S26 series. The series includes the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26. These new smartphones come with smarter AI features that help simplify everyday tasks. Now, we are talking about four hidden Galaxy S26 Ultra camera improvements, helping improve image and video quality.
Notably, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features Samsung’s most advanced camera system to date. Samsung has integrated its 200MP primary camera and 50MP telephoto camera into the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a wide aperture to allow more light to reach the sensor.
Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, allowing Samsung to improve camera performance, even though the phone uses the same sensor as the previous Galaxy S series Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra gets four camera improvements
1. Improved 200MP images
The Galaxy S26 Ultra feature a mutltiframe HDR processing, so that it may now capture the better 200MP images. The company says these 200MP photos deliver clearer, more detailed, and greater dynamic range than 200MP shots taken on earlier Galaxy S series models.
2. New 24MP mode in the stock camera app
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a new 24MP resolution option in the stock camera app. This new mode combines a 12MP multi-frame processed image with a 50MP high-resolution image using a system called AI Fusion. The resulting 24MP photo offers more detail than a 12MP image to reach the sensors, resulting in brighter, cleaner, and sharper images.
3. Virtual Aperture in Portrait Mode
The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with a virtual aperture feature, but it was limited to the Expert RAW app. Now, Samsung adds a virtual aperture feature to the Portrait mode of the stock camera app on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, allowing users to digitally adjust the aperture.
4. Auto option for Motion Photo
As the name suggests, a motion photo is a short video clip captured alongside a still image. It includes a few seconds before and after the shutter button is pressed.. Now, on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, when the Auto option is on, Motion Photos are only recorded when significant movement is detected in the scene. If you capture a static scene, such as a…. landscape, with no visible motion, the Motion Photo will not be saved.
Samsung has released the February 2026 security update for four more Galaxy devices – the Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6. This update keeps your phone secure and running smoothly instead of adding new features or changing its look.
As always, this update improves the phone’s security and makes the system run more smoothly. This update fixes issues with the previous software version and helps make the device more stable. Samsung says this update is important because it protects users from security risks and keeps personal data safe.
Galaxy Z Flip 7 February 2026 update
Users of these devices can verify the latest update via the One UI build versions given below.
- Galaxy Z Flip 7: F766NKSS8AZB2
- Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: F761NKSS8AZB2
- Galaxy Z Fold 6: F956NKSS3CZB2
- Galaxy Z Flip 6: F741NKSS3CZB2
.
Samsung usually rolls out updates gradually, so users in other markets should also receive the same update in a week or two.
To manually download the update, go to Settings >> Software Update >> Download and Install. Once the download is complete, tap Restart/Install Now to complete the installation. Make sure your phone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and has enough battery.
In addition to the security update, Samsung is also working on One UI 8.5. The beta version is currently available for the Galaxy S25 series in some regions, and Samsung has confirmed that the stable version will launch with the Galaxy S26 series tomorrow. Stay tuned for more details.
-
NEWS1 year agoAbout the Battery Health and performance of Galaxy S25
-
NEWS1 year agoSamsung Android 15 update: Which Galaxy devices will get One UI 7
-
NEWS9 months agoJoin the One UI 8 Beta Program: Experience the latest One UI with Android 16
-
NEWS1 year agoMore evidence suggests the Galaxy S25 Ultra may eventually adopt this Pixel security feature
-
NEWS1 year agoSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra battery and Charging test: Upgrade results
-
ANDROID11 months agoSamsung Galaxy phones and tablets that should receive Android 16 and One UI 8 update
-
NEWS1 year agoGalaxy S25 to integrate Bixby and AI into camera app
-
NEWS1 year agoOne UI 7 battery icon to show charge levels with dynamic colors