Why One UI is Better Than Others

Naveen Thakur

18 Nov, 2023

Samsung’s One UI has consistently positioned itself as the gold standard among custom Android skins. Since its debut in 2018, One UI has grown into a sophisticated, user-focused interface with deep customization, fluid design, and unmatched device ecosystem integration. But in 2025, how does it stack up against the competition like Xiaomi’s MIUI, Google’s Pixel UI, and OnePlus’s OxygenOS?

This article explores why One UI is better than other Android skins – comparing real-world usage, exclusive features, software update timelines, design, security, and user control.

1. User-Centric Design Philosophy

At the core of One UI lies Samsung’s commitment to "making big phones easier to use." It splits the screen into two actionable areas:

Interactive (bottom half): where users can tap, swipe, and type
Visual (top half): for displaying content

Other Android skins like MIUI and ColorOS often prioritize flashy animations and advertisements, but One UI focuses purely on usability, especially on large-screen devices like the Galaxy S24 Ultra or Z Fold6.

Key Advantage:

One-handed usability is simply unmatched.

2. No Ads, Clean UX (Unlike MIUI)

One UI does not bombard users with ads, bloatware promotions, or popups — a significant advantage over MIUI, which often integrates ads across Settings, Notifications, and built-in apps.

This clean user experience makes One UI more professional and trustworthy, especially in premium Galaxy devices.

3. Samsung Ecosystem Integration

Like Apple, Samsung has crafted a tight ecosystem across devices — phones, tablets, watches, TVs, and even refrigerators. One UI is the glue that holds it all together.

Examples:

Call & text continuity: Answer calls on Galaxy Tab S9 from your S24.
Samsung DeX: Turn your phone into a desktop experience.
Galaxy Watch integration: Sync health data, control phone camera, or SmartThings.

In contrast, Pixel UI lacks such cross-device cohesion, and OnePlus or Xiaomi ecosystems aren’t this mature.

4. Frequent Feature-Rich Updates

Samsung’s update speed has dramatically improved. With One UI 6 and 7, it became one of the fastest OEMs to deliver Android version upgrades — sometimes even faster than Google for non-Pixel devices.

Example:

Galaxy S23 Ultra got Android 15-based One UI 7 in April 2025, months ahead of most brands.

Not only are updates timely, but they’re also loaded with features – unlike Pixel updates which tend to be minimal.

5. Customisation Without Root

Samsung doesn’t lock down its interface. With One UI, you can:

Change themes, icons, and fonts using Galaxy Themes
Add widgets anywhere
Adjust grid size
Hide apps, clone them (Secure Folder)
Use Good Lock for advanced customizations like NavStar, LockStar, Sound Assistant

Pixel UI and OxygenOS offer limited customization. One UI turns your phone into your personal canvas.

6. Secure Folder: Privacy Champion

No other Android skin offers a feature as robust as Samsung’s Secure Folder:

Encrypted space on your device
Store private apps, photos, videos, notes, and files
Lock it with fingerprint, password, or pattern

It's like having a second phone inside your phone. This level of built-in security and privacy is absent in OxygenOS or Pixel UI.

7. Multitasking Like a Pro

One UI shines on large devices with split-screen multitasking, pop-up view, and drag-and-drop support.

Features like:

App Pairing: Launch two apps together in split-screen
Taskbar: On foldables and tablets
Floating Windows

These are nowhere near as refined or user-friendly in MIUI or even Pixel UI, which lacks native app pairing.

8. Powerful Battery Management & Device Care

The built-in Device Care system in One UI monitors:

Battery health
Background apps
Device temperature
RAM usage

And offers smart suggestions for optimization. Meanwhile, MIUI and ColorOS sometimes kill background apps aggressively, breaking notifications and multitasking.

9. Samsung Keyboard + S Pen Features

One UI’s Samsung Keyboard supports:

AI-based grammar suggestions
Language translation
Clipboard and undo/redo buttons
Advanced handwriting-to-text with S Pen

These features aren't available in Gboard or other OEM keyboards. Plus, if you use a Galaxy S Ultra or Tab S device, S Pen gestures and note-taking elevate the experience.

10. Good Lock Modules: Next-Level Control

If you want to go deeper, Good Lock is One UI’s playground for power users. It’s a set of official modules that let you:

Customize lock screen (LockStar)
Create custom taskbars (Task Changer)
Personalize vibration patterns (Sound Assistant)
Auto-lock apps, remap buttons, and more

OxygenOS and Pixel UI offer zero alternatives to this level of official power-user support.

11. Better for Foldables and Tablets

Samsung leads the foldable space with its Z Fold and Z Flip series, and One UI has been optimized for foldables from the start:

Adaptive UI elements
App continuity across cover/main screen
Taskbar and Flex Mode support

Compare this to MIUI or Pixel UI, which only recently started adapting to foldables with limited success.

12. DeX Mode: Turn Phone Into PC

Samsung DeX transforms your phone into a desktop computing experience. Plug into a monitor or use it wirelessly, connect keyboard/mouse, and enjoy a desktop-like UI.

This feature does not exist in MIUI, Pixel, or OxygenOS — a productivity game-changer.

13. AI-Powered Enhancements

One UI now includes Galaxy AI (introduced with Galaxy S24 series), which offers:

Circle to Search (in collaboration with Google)
Live Translate during calls
Generative Edit in Gallery
AI summarizer in Notes and Voice Recorder

Samsung has enhanced Android AI features, making them more accessible and practical than on Pixel or OnePlus.

14. Longer Update Commitments

Samsung has announced 7 years of Android OS and security updates for select devices like the Galaxy S24 series — matching or even surpassing Google Pixel.

Many Xiaomi and Realme phones barely get 2–3 major updates, while Samsung’s new policy ensures long-term support and better resale value.

15. One UI Is Consistent Across Segments

Whether you buy a Galaxy A15 or Galaxy S24 Ultra, the One UI experience remains consistent:

Same icons, gestures, layout, and apps
Seamless upgrade path
Familiarity across devices

Other OEMs like Xiaomi often change interfaces drastically between Redmi and Mi devices.

Final Thoughts

Samsung’s One UI is more than just a custom skin — it’s a refined, thoughtful, and polished user experience layer that stands at the forefront of Android innovation.

From faster updates, deep customization, and AI enhancements to foldable readiness and a clean ecosystem, One UI continues to set the benchmark in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is One UI better than Pixel UI?
Yes. Pixel UI is clean but lacks features, multitasking tools, and customization. One UI offers a richer, more versatile experience.

Q2: Does One UI work well on mid-range phones?
Absolutely. Samsung offers the same One UI feel even on Galaxy A series phones, optimized for performance.

Q3: Is One UI bloat-free?
Mostly. While some Samsung apps are pre-installed, they serve real purpose and don’t show ads like MIUI or Realme UI.

Q4: How does One UI compare to OxygenOS?
OxygenOS has become more like ColorOS now, losing its original stock feel. One UI is now more polished and feature-rich.

Do you use One UI? What’s your favorite feature? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more Samsung updates!

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