Galaxy Users Report Battery Drain After One UI 7 Update – Here’s What’s Going On

The long-awaited One UI 7 update, based on Android 15, began rolling out to Galaxy devices in April 2025. The update promised a range of new features—smoother animations, improved multitasking tools, a new “Now Bar” for quick access to notifications, and advanced AI capabilities like live call transcripts. However, shortly after installation, many users began noticing a frustrating side effect: battery drain.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Battery Drain Issue After One UI 7 Update

Across social media platforms, community forums, and Reddit threads, Galaxy users are reporting that their phones are losing battery faster than normal, even with light use. Devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, S24 series, S23 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Fold 6 appear to be among the most affected.

One UI 7: A Feature-Rich Update with Some Unexpected Side Effects

One UI 7 represents a major software evolution for Samsung Galaxy devices. With Android 15 under the hood, the update includes several improvements:

• Smoother animations for a more fluid user experience

• The Now Bar, offering quick access to alerts, similar to iOS’s dynamic notifications

• AI-based tools, like voice-to-text call transcription

• Smarter multitasking, especially for foldables and larger-screen devices

• Improved privacy and security controls

• New system icons and UI refinements

These changes were well received at first, but after a few days of usage, many users began to observe something alarming—faster battery depletion, often by 10–20% compared to their usual usage patterns.

Community Feedback: What Galaxy Users Are Saying

Reports of battery issues began appearing on Reddit, Samsung’s official forums, and X (formerly Twitter) within a week of the update rollout. Users from across the globe echoed similar problems:

• Battery life dropping by early afternoon, despite minimal use

• Phones heating up during regular activities like video streaming or video calls

• Apps running in the background unnecessarily

• System UI glitches, including duplicated status bar icons and laggy animations

Here’s what users have been saying:

“Before One UI 7, my S25 Ultra could easily go a full day with 40% left. Now I’m reaching for the charger by 3 PM.”
— Reddit user on r/Samsung

“The battery drain is real. Even on light usage, I’ve lost over 20% more than usual. Hope Samsung pushes a fix soon.”
— X user, Galaxy S24 Ultra

These kinds of widespread complaints suggest the problem is not isolated to a few units but is likely related to the One UI 7 software.

What’s Likely Causing the Battery Drain?

Several factors may be contributing to the post-update battery issues. Here are some of the most plausible explanations:

1. Post-Update Reindexing and Optimization

Whenever a major Android update is installed, the system undergoes background optimization, where it relearns usage patterns and reindexes media, files, and apps. This process can take several days and may temporarily cause high battery consumption. However, many users are still reporting issues weeks after updating.

2. Unoptimized Features or Bugs

There is speculation that some One UI 7 features, such as background AI services or the new “Now Bar,” are not yet fully optimized. These could be drawing more power than intended, especially on devices set to high performance modes.

3. Network Issues

Users on forums have noted frequent network switching between 5G and Wi-Fi or weak mobile signals causing excessive battery drain. Signal instability often causes the phone’s modem to work harder, which drains the battery faster.

4. Previous Update Pauses

The April 2025 rollout of One UI 7 was briefly paused due to a lock screen bug, which may have forced Samsung to rush a patch. In doing so, it's possible that battery optimization was not fully addressed in time for the re-release.

Affected Devices

Battery drain after the One UI 7 update has been reported on the following devices:

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

• Samsung Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

• Select mid-range phones such as Galaxy A55 (beta testers)

While not all users are affected, a significant portion of reports suggest the problem spans multiple series, with flagship models most frequently mentioned.

Temporary Fixes to Improve Battery Life

Until Samsung releases a bug fix or optimization patch, here are some steps users can take to minimize battery consumption:

✅ Switch to Light Performance Mode

Settings → Device Care → Performance Profile → Light
Reduces CPU and GPU performance slightly but can dramatically reduce power usage during idle or light tasks.

✅ Enable Dark Mode

Settings → Display → Dark Mode
Dark Mode helps AMOLED screens consume less power, particularly with system menus and common apps.

✅ Turn Off Always On Display (AOD)

Settings → Lock Screen → Always On Display → Off
AOD continuously uses power, especially overnight or when idle. Turning it off can save several percentage points daily.

✅ Clear Cache for Key System Apps

Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Storage → Clear Cache
Clearing cache for apps like One UI Home, System UI, Samsung Keyboard, and others can remove outdated temporary files causing performance inefficiencies.

✅ Wipe Cache Partition

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone

2. Hold Power + Volume Up to enter recovery mode

3. Use volume buttons to highlight “Wipe Cache Partition” and confirm
   This does not erase user data but can fix post-update system glitches.

✅ Use Galaxy App Booster

Available via the Galaxy Labs app (downloadable from the Galaxy Store).
This tool optimizes installed apps and system resources to improve performance and battery life.

Should Users Be Concerned?

For users of premium devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or Z Fold 6, experiencing rapid battery drain after a major update is understandably frustrating. However, based on Samsung’s track record, issues of this nature are typically resolved within a month or two through software patches.

The May 2025 security update is expected to contain stability and battery performance fixes. Users are encouraged to install it once available.

For those who have not yet installed One UI 7, it may be wise to wait until Samsung confirms a fully stable build—especially for those reliant on all-day battery performance.

Samsung’s Response (So Far)

Samsung has not issued a public statement specifically addressing battery drain on One UI 7. However, company representatives in the Samsung Members community have acknowledged ongoing feedback and encouraged users to submit error reports.

To report issues:

• Open Samsung Members app

• Go to Support → Send Feedback → Error Reports

• Select Battery or Performance and describe the symptoms

The more detailed reports Samsung receives, the faster it can deploy a corrective patch.

Final Thoughts

One UI 7 brings meaningful improvements to Samsung’s Android skin, offering features that align with modern user needs. But the current battery issues across devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, S24 Ultra, and Z Fold 6 highlight the importance of stability alongside innovation.

While the problem is irritating, especially for flagship users, it appears to be a software-level issue that should be resolved in upcoming updates.

Share Your Experience

Are you facing battery issues after updating to One UI 7? Let the community know:

• Device model

• Region or carrier

• Typical screen-on time before and after update

• Workarounds that helped

Join the discussion on forums or platforms like X using hashtags like #OneUI7Battery or #GalaxyUpdateIssue to raise awareness and help speed up a resolution.

Disclaimer:
Not all Galaxy devices are affected by battery drain. Devices such as the Galaxy Fold6, S24 Ultra, and S23 Ultra continue to run One UI 7 without noticeable performance or battery issues in many cases.