Samsung’s One UI 7 update for its devices is a major one, introducing several new features that enhance the overall user experience. However, a closer look reveals a distinct influence from Apple’s iOS.

From redesigned UI elements to features that resemble iOS functionality, Samsung seems to have drawn inspiration from its rival in a number of areas.

Below, we’ve highlighted the key ways in which One UI 7 mirrors iOS, alongside some of the standout improvements in Samsung’s latest Android update.

1. Dynamic Island-Inspired Features: Now Bar and Live Notifications

One of the most notable additions to One UI 7 is Samsung’s take on iOS’s Dynamic Island. Samsung has introduced two features that serve a similar purpose, though with a few differences:

  • Now Bar: Located on the lock screen, the Now Bar shows ongoing tasks, such as timers, stopwatches, and music playback. While it functions similarly to Dynamic Island, it’s confined to the lock screen for now.
  • Live Notifications: Positioned within the status bar, Live Notifications provide real-time updates for activities like music or timers. Tapping on these notifications reveals additional controls.

Though these features are a clear nod to Dynamic Island, they don’t yet support third-party apps, which limits their usefulness at the moment. Still, it’s a solid start, and we may see more integration in future updates.

2. Home Screen Customizations: App Icon Sizes and Widget Names

In iOS 18, Apple introduced greater customization for the home screen, allowing users to change app icon sizes and display widget names. Samsung has followed suit in One UI 7 by offering similar options. Here’s what’s new:

  • Widget Names: Users can now enable or disable labels on widgets, just like iOS.
  • Icon Size Customization: You can adjust the size of app icons, a feature that was notably absent in previous versions of One UI.

These tweaks make the home screen more customizable, bringing it in line with what iOS offers in terms of personalization.

3. Redesigned Multitasking Page

Samsung has also redesigned the multitasking interface, making it strikingly similar to iOS. In One UI 7, the app switcher now features a cleaner layout that allows for easier app management. This redesign improves the overall multitasking experience and is another area where Samsung has adopted Apple’s approach.

4. New Battery Icon and Charging Animation

Samsung’s updated battery icon in One UI 7 is another instance where the company has borrowed from iOS. The new icon now more closely resembles Apple’s design, offering a simpler, more uniform look. Additionally, when charging, the icon turns green, mirroring iOS’s charging animation. These small visual updates bring a fresh look to the battery status indicator.

5. Split Notification and Quick Settings Trays

One of the most significant structural changes in One UI 7 is the separation of the notification tray and Quick Settings. This change mirrors the design Apple has been using for several years, where:

  • Swiping down from the top left reveals the Notification Tray.
  • Swiping down from the top right reveals Quick Settings.

While this split system has been adopted by many Android manufacturers, Samsung’s version is fully optional. Users can choose whether to keep the traditional all-in-one tray or opt for the more segmented approach inspired by iOS.

Is Samsung’s iOS Inspiration a Bad Thing?

While many of these changes clearly draw from iOS, they’re not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, several of these features improve the user experience by adding polish, simplicity, and customization options that users have long wanted.

Whether it’s the ability to adjust app icon sizes, the convenience of the split notification tray, or the new multitasking interface, Samsung’s One UI 7 update includes a lot of welcomed changes. And while some features (like the Dynamic Island clones) might need further refinement, they show promise for future versions.

In the end, Samsung’s One UI 7 strikes a balance between innovation and imitation, incorporating helpful features from iOS without sacrificing its own identity. Android users now get the best of both worlds.