One UI 7 Charging Icon Changes & Customization Tricks: A Fresh Look at Samsung’s Software Evolution

Samsung’s One UI 7 : Charging Icon Tweaks & Customization Highlights

Samsung has officially begun beta testing for its Android 16-based One UI 8 software, but the tech giant hasn’t forgotten to highlight the polish it brought with One UI 7. While One UI 8 is in early testing and still under the radar in terms of big changes, Samsung has turned attention to the current stable version — One UI 7 — especially spotlighting the new charging icon design and lock screen customization options.

One UI 7 vs One UI 6 Charging Icon Comparison, New AOD Settings, Samsung Galaxy Lock Screen Animation

Although it may seem minor at first glance, these updates bring a refined user experience that fans of Samsung Galaxy phones will appreciate. From visual changes in charging indicators to deeper customization controls, One UI 7 continues to show that it's all about subtle innovation.

Let’s explore the differences between One UI 6 and One UI 7, with a focus on the charging icon transformation and new lock screen customization tricks.

Classic vs Modern: The Charging Icon Evolution

One UI 6: The Functional but Crowded Design

In One UI 6, Samsung followed a fairly traditional design language for the charging icon and battery status:

• The battery icon appears vertically in the status bar.

• The battery percentage is shown next to the icon.

• On the lock screen, plugging in the charger triggers a central charging animation, a bit flashy and hard to ignore.

This setup was functional but could look cluttered, especially when multiple notification icons filled up the status bar. The lock screen animation, although informative, often took over the screen in a way that distracted from the overall user interface.

One UI 7: A Sleek, Space-Saving Overhaul

With One UI 7, Samsung cleaned up the battery and charging UI in a subtle yet efficient way. Here's what changed:

• The status bar no longer displays a separate battery icon. Instead, it shows only the battery percentage, neatly placed inside a pill-shaped capsule on the top-right corner of the home screen.

• The new design feels minimal, modern, and space-efficient, giving your status bar a tidier look even when notifications pile up.

The real game-changer, however, is on the lock screen and always-on display.

Lock Screen Charging Animation: Subtle Yet Smart

One UI 6 Lock Screen Charging Behavior

In One UI 6, when users plugged in their devices:

• A bright charging animation appeared in the center of the screen, signaling that the phone was charging.

• While clear, this animation would temporarily take over the lock screen, reducing usability until it faded away.

One UI 7 Lock Screen Charging Behavior

With One UI 7, Samsung gave the charging animation a refined treatment:

• The animation is now moved to the bottom of the lock screen.

• It is smaller, sleeker, and appears as a dimmed charging pill—especially useful in low-light environments.

• When the screen is off, the pill subtly illuminates, showing charging progress without lighting up the entire display.

These changes improve the user experience significantly. You no longer need to wait for the full-screen animation to clear to check time or notifications. The design is functional, aesthetic, and ambient-friendly.

One UI 7 vs One UI 6 Charging Icon – A Quick Comparison Table

Customization Tricks in One UI 7

Beyond charging visuals, One UI 7 brings several user-facing customization enhancements, making it one of Samsung’s most polished UI updates yet. Here's what stands out:

1. Always On Display (AOD) Gets Smarter

The Always On Display has always been a highlight of Galaxy devices. But with One UI 7, it gets smarter:

• You can now display charging details—like battery percentage—even when the screen is off.

• This wasn’t possible in One UI 6, where AOD only showed the clock and minimal notifications.

How to enable charging info in AOD:

1. Swipe down to open the Notification Panel.

2. Go to Settings > Lock screen and AOD.

3. Tap Always On Display.

4. Turn it on and select when to show (e.g., tap to show, always, scheduled).

5. Choose to display battery status and clock during charging.

This small trick adds convenience—especially when you want to quickly glance at battery status while your phone is charging.

2. Lock Screen Customizations: More Freedom Than Ever

Samsung has greatly expanded lock screen customization in One UI 7. New options include:

• Clock Style: Pick from modern fonts, digital or analog layouts, and animated styles.

• Now Bar: A new feature that shows live activity updates from apps like music players, timers, and more—directly on your lock screen.

• Animations and Effects: Smooth transitions and minimal effects now grace your lock screen when charging or unlocking.

These upgrades make your lock screen more interactive and fun without compromising battery life or simplicity.

Why These Changes Matter

While some may see UI updates like this as merely cosmetic, Samsung's design tweaks offer real-world benefits:

Less Clutter, More Clarity

Removing the bulky battery icon and shifting charging indicators to cleaner spaces reduces cognitive overload. It’s easier to focus on what matters—especially on a small screen.

Improved Usability in Low-Light

The dimmed charging pill is perfect for nightstands or dark rooms. It doesn’t interrupt your sleep with a bright flash while still keeping you informed.

Smarter Personalization

By offering fine-tuned control over what appears on the lock screen or AOD, Samsung gives users more ownership of their devices' appearance and behavior. That’s a big win for everyday use.

One UI 7 Might Not Be Flashy — But It’s Solid

While One UI 8 beta testing is underway with promises of AI enhancements and deeper Android 15 integration, One UI 7 quietly solidifies Samsung’s mastery of subtle refinement.

From new charging icon placements to user-customizable lock screen features, the software upgrade is focused on making daily smartphone use smarter and cleaner.

Final Thoughts: Should You Care About These Changes?

Absolutely. These are the kinds of updates that enhance how we interact with our devices daily. Even without major system overhauls, One UI 7 provides thoughtful, real improvements that make Galaxy phones feel even more modern.

Whether you're a Galaxy S24 user or holding on to your Z Flip, checking out these features and tweaking your settings will help you get more from your device.

And as we move closer to the full release of One UI 8, now is a great time to appreciate the small, impactful details that One UI 7 delivers.

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