The evolution of layers of customization in android It is a fundamental aspect to understand the development and user experience offered by the main smartphone manufacturers. Samsung, one of the most influential brands in the Android ecosystem, has been the protagonist of a profound transformation in its user interfaces, setting trends thanks to the evolution of TouchWiz a Samsung Experience and then to One UIIn this article, we take a comprehensive look at the history, visual changes, added features, and impact of these layers, with a particular focus on their transition during the upgrade to Android 7 Nougat and its current relevance.
Introduction to Samsung Customization on Android
Since its first smart devices, Samsung has opted to offer a distinctive experience through a custom layer overlaying the pure Android operating system. The main objective of this customization has been facilitate differentiation compared to other manufacturers and provide exclusive tools, applications and designs that optimize the daily use of the brand's mobile phones and tablets.
In this context, TouchWiz and later Samsung Experience were born, two names etched in the memories of millions of users and synonymous with the evolution of Samsung's Android software. This customization has influenced not only the visual appearance but also the performance, feel, and functionality of every Galaxy device on the market.
TouchWiz: The Beginning of Personalization at Samsung
TouchWiz It was Samsung's pioneering layer, introduced in the first Galaxy smartphones and continuing through several generations of devices. Its initial mission was provide a unique visual identity to the brand's terminals, moving them away from the "stock" (pure) Android experience.
Origins and evolution of TouchWiz
TouchWiz was born as a deeply integrated visual interface, designed to offer a more user-friendly, colorful, and customizable experience. Its first versions were characterized by a wide palette of bright colors, large iconography and the inclusion of exclusive widgets on the home screen. Samsung was looking not only to modify the aesthetics but also to add practical features that pure Android didn't offer at the time.
Over the years and with the arrival of new versions of Android, TouchWiz has undergone multiple updates, adding features such as:
- Smart gestures (auto scroll, motion call control).
- Pre-installed proprietary applications such as S Health, S Translator, and the full suite for the S Pen on the Galaxy Note.
- Advanced multitasking capabilities such as split screen mode.
- Themes and deep visual customization.
- Exclusive widgets and quick shortcuts in the notification bar.
However, TouchWiz was also the subject of criticism. Many users and experts pointed out that the layer was heavy and overloaded, causing system slowdowns, stability issues, excessive resource consumption, and a less fluid experience on mid-range and low-end devices.
Criticism and the myth of pure Android
During the TouchWiz years, a myth arose that the "pure" Android experience, meaning one without any additional software from the manufacturer, was the most desirable option for those seeking performance, the absence of duplicate applications, and faster updates. The main argument against TouchWiz was its tendency to duplicate apps (Google and Samsung), delay updates, and clog the system with bloatware (unnecessary pre-installed software for many users).
Despite criticism, TouchWiz was the standard for several generations, defining Samsung's identity in the Android world.
Transition to Samsung Experience: Modernization and responsiveness to users
The deterioration of TouchWiz's image forced Samsung to rethink its customization strategy. With the arrival of Android 7 Nougat, Samsung decided rename and redesign its interface, ending the TouchWiz era to make way for Samsung ExperienceThis change wasn't just a name revision, but also brought with it a profound modernization in terms of design, performance, and user experience.
Birth of Samsung Experience
The new layer debuted on Samsung's flagship devices like the Galaxy S7 in their beta versions for Android 7, and was conceptualized to offer a lighter, more modern and efficient experienceSome of the main objectives of Samsung Experience were:
- Reducing bloatware and resource optimization.
- Visual modernization with clear interfaces, uniform icons and lower color saturation.
- Greater ease of navigation and accessibility to settings.
- Adaptation to the Android Nougat design and support for new system features.
Since its launch, Samsung Experience has incorporated important new features such as:
- Reorganized settings menu to make it easier to find settings.
- Renewed notification curtain with quick access to frequently used functions.
- Improved camera interface and new options for the S Pen on the Galaxy Note.
- More customization options and themes from the official Samsung store.
- Bixby Integration, Samsung's virtual assistant.
Visual and functional differences compared to TouchWiz
The jump from TouchWiz to Samsung Experience did not imply a total break, but it did imply a significant evolution in the graphical interfaceIcons became more minimalist, animations became smoother, and mechanisms were put in place to improve the fluidity of the experience, even on less powerful devices.
The revamped skin left aside some of the most criticized elements of the past, favoring more intuitive navigation, less cluttered, and more in line with modern design standards. Additionally, it made it easier to update proprietary apps through the Galaxy Store, allowing for continuous improvements without relying entirely on system updates.
Comparison with other customization layers on Android
Samsung's strategy of customizing Android isn't unique. Other manufacturers, such as LG, Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO, have also developed their own layers, each with specific features:
- LG UX: Focused on ease of use and integration of tools like Knock Code.
- MIUI (Xiaomi): Highly customizable, with an active community of themes and frequent updates.
- EMUI (Huawei/Honor): Strong integration with its own services and a very marked aesthetic.
- ColorOS (OPPO): Focus on performance and smooth animations.
Samsung Experience stood out in the market thanks to a combination of Improved performance, balanced visual design and an integration of proprietary services that, unlike the TouchWiz era, began to provide real added value for the user.
Samsung Experience based on Android 7 Nougat: Key Features
The arrival of Android 7 Nougat was the catalyst for the Deep transformation of Samsung's customization layerSome of the highlights and distinctive features of Samsung Experience on Android 7 include:
- Redesigned interface with consistent iconography and more sophisticated styles.
- Edge UX updated for devices with curved screens, providing shortcuts and quick tools from the edges.
- Screen always on improved, allowing you to see the time, notifications and reminders even when the phone is idle.
- Samsung Cloud with free storage and synchronization of essential data.
- Support for multiple languages and regions, expanding international availability.
- Blue light filter to reduce eye strain during night use.
- Swipe to access the app drawer, making it easier to navigate between apps.
- Samsung DeX Compatibility on selected models, allowing the mobile phone to be transformed into a desktop-like environment.
- Bixby Integration and its ecosystem of smart services.
These advances represented a qualitative leap in Samsung's perception in front of users and the specialized press, improving both customer satisfaction and the brand's reputation compared to its direct competitors.
The importance of Samsung's own applications
A characteristic feature of both TouchWiz and Samsung Experience has been the inclusion of applications developed by Samsung itselfThese apps not only set the Galaxy apart from other Android devices, but also provided unique features:
- S Health: Health and fitness monitoring, integration with sensors and wearables.
- S Translator: Instant translation of text and voice into multiple languages.
- Smart manager: Performance, battery and storage optimization tool.
- Samsung Notes: Take notes, draw, and manage information intelligently, especially with the S Pen.
- Apps for the S Pen: Designed for the Galaxy Note series, allowing you to write, draw, translate, and take quick screenshots.
These applications evolved in each new version of the layer, migrating from TouchWiz to Samsung Experience and later to One UI, maintaining the philosophy of provide added value to Samsung users.
Samsung Experience vs. Criticism: A Paradigm Shift in Performance and Perception
The move from TouchWiz to Samsung Experience was not just a name change, but a response to years of criticism about the excessive weight and complexity of the interface. Samsung placed special emphasis on:
- Optimization of resource consumption: Samsung Experience was designed to take up less RAM and processor, improving fluidity even in mid-range devices.
- Faster updatesThanks to a more modular architecture, many apps and services were updated through the Galaxy Store, no longer completely dependent on Android system updates.
- Advanced customization: : Improved ease of changing themes, icons, backgrounds, and other visual aspects using the official theme store.
- Cloud service integration: Samsung Cloud, SmartThings, and Bixby have been positioned as core services, strengthening the Galaxy ecosystem.
All of this contributed to the press and users perceiving Samsung Experience as a much more mature, lightweight, and practical layer, positioning the brand as a benchmark in software innovation and user experience on Android.
Samsung Experience version breakdown and key new features
- Samsung Experience 8.0: Based on Android 7.0 Nougat, it featured a redesigned interface, consistent iconography, improved always-on display, multi-language support, and expanded access to the theme store.
- Samsung Experience 8.1: Introduced DeX for transforming devices into desktop environments, initial Bixby integration, and improvements to smart device management.
- Samsung Experience 8.5: Improvements to facial and iris recognition, improved UI stability, and optimization of exclusive features for high-end devices.
- Samsung Experience 9.0: Based on Android Oreo, it brought improvements to notifications, full Bixby integration, Dual Messenger for multiple messaging app accounts, and overall performance optimization.
- Samsung Experience 9.5: Focused on improving Bixby (version 2.0), improving keyboard speed and customization, supporting new emojis, and making additional optimizations.
Each iteration added key features, adapting the aesthetics and user experience to technological changes and market demands.
The arrival of One UI: A total redesign
Although Samsung Experience was a notable improvement over TouchWiz, the real revolution came with One UI. This new layer, presented along with new generations of Galaxy, marked a total change of philosophy:
- Minimalist and simplified interface, with accessible touch areas and a much clearer visual structure.
- Optimization for large screens, facilitating one-handed operation and organizing information into clearly differentiated blocks.
- Constant and rapid updates, with a commitment to long-term support even on affordable devices.
- Samsung Ecosystem Integration (mobile phones, tablets, televisions, wearables, etc.).
One UI not only addressed the historical shortcomings of TouchWiz and enhanced the strengths of Samsung Experience, but also placed Samsung at the forefront of customization in Android, standing out above many layers from other manufacturers and consolidating a clear and well-valued brand identity.
Advantages and disadvantages of Samsung customization
Going deeper into the and advantages that have characterized the Samsung layer throughout its evolution:
- deep customization and adjustment to the user's needs.
- Exclusive features that do not exist in pure Android (Edge screen, S Pen, DeX, Bixby, etc.).
- Complete ecosystem with cloud service integration, smart devices, and constant updates.
- Advanced Security thanks to tools like Secure Folder and Samsung Knox.
However, customization has also had disadvantages historical:
- Slower updates compared to Android One or Google Pixel devices, although this situation has greatly improved with One UI.
- Extra resource consumption (RAM, internal storage), although this problem has been corrected in recent generations.
- Duplicate applications, which can confuse less experienced users.
Today, Samsung has managed to balance these factors, and its tier is considered among the best on the market, combining innovation with solid performance even on non-premium devices.
Compatibility and supported devices
One of Samsung's strengths has been the wide compatibility of its customization layers across virtually its entire product range. From the Galaxy S and Note series to the A and J series, and even tablets and specialized devices, the interface has evolved to adapt to diverse hardware:
- Galaxy S6, S7, S8, S9, Note 5, Note 7 Fan Edition, Note 8, Note 9 and later models.
- Series A and J in its main variants.
- Galaxy Tab S and Tab A tablets.
- Mid-range and entry-level smartphones, adapting advanced features to the capabilities of the hardware.
Over time, the strategy has shifted to unify the experience, allowing both high-end and low-midrange users to enjoy consistent, secure, and modern software.
Impact of Samsung Experience on the Android ecosystem
The transition from TouchWiz to Samsung Experience and, subsequently, One UI has significantly influenced how other manufacturers approach Android customization. Samsung has laid the groundwork for:
- Improve the perception of your own software versus the competition.
- Offer differentiated services and applications with real value for the user.
- Promoting mobile productivity solutions (DeX, S Pen, advanced multitasking) that were later imitated by other brands.
- Consolidate the importance of security and data protection.
Furthermore, the support and update policy has been strengthened, contributing to Samsung devices being some of the longest-lived to receive Android updates today, especially with the arrival of One UI.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Evolution of the Samsung Layer
- Did the user experience change radically between TouchWiz and Samsung Experience?
The transformation was gradual, prioritizing visual modernization and performance optimization. Samsung Experience was an improvement, but it retained the core customization and additional features compared to pure Android. - Which models received the upgrade to Samsung Experience on Android 7 Nougat?
Mainly the Galaxy S7 series, although the update has been rolling out to other recent models in the Galaxy range through rolling updates. - Did the arrival of Samsung Experience mean the elimination of all duplicate apps?
Not completely, but the number of redundant apps was reduced, prioritizing integration with Google apps where possible and allowing the user to choose which ones to keep. - Have updates improved with the arrival of Samsung Experience?
Yes, Samsung has begun modularizing some of its apps and services, allowing for more frequent and faster updates from the Galaxy Store without relying on the operating system.
The transition from TouchWiz to Samsung Experience set the stage for a new era of Android customization by Samsung. Through active listening to the community and the integration of new technologies and services, Samsung has established its layers as benchmarks for innovation, performance and usabilityThis evolution has not only transformed the user experience of millions of people, but has also set a trend in mobile interface design globally. While Samsung's customization has been the subject of debate, it's undeniable that it has contributed to enriching and diversifying the Android universe, constantly adapting to market demands and paving the way for future generations of intelligent interfaces.