OneUI in the current scene, is arguably the best Android skin. Its latest iteration, the One UI 7 speaks volumes on this. But just because the UI is good, doesn't mean it will work the same across every Samsung smartphone. For this exact reason, I tested the OneUI 7 on a midrange and a flagship Samsung phone. And I'll be sharing my experience with everything in this One UI 7 review.

One UI 7 Review on a Midrange and a Flagship Samsung Phone

So let me reveal the phones I have tested the One UI 7 on, which are none other than the newly launched Samsung Galaxy A56 and Samsung Galaxy S25. The former is a midrange or let's say premium midrange and the latter is a flagship device.

Similarities

User Interface, Animation, and Icons

The One UI 7 feels almost identical on both of these phones. Be it the notification bar or the Bubbly App icons, it's hard to find the difference. Likewise, the brightness and volume sliders are bundled, which is quite similar to iOS. Meanwhile, the toggles don't come with labels any more, providing more space in the process. And this new notification panel is something that I adore much about One UI 7 and the battery icon looking similar to the iPhone is also acceptable. And as for the animation, it's imminent that a flagship phone would feel snappier than a midrange guy. Left:- S25 Right:- A56[/caption]

Vertical App Drawer, Finally!

One thing I really didn't like about the One UI was its app drawer. It didn't let me choose the vertical mode, which I'm more fond of. Now finally on the latest iteration, you can do that. Just hit the sort option after clicking the three-dot menu and choose "Alphabetical Order" and voila!

Now Bar

Both the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S25 enjoy the new Now Bar, a pill-shaped bar, that can show ongoing and live activities. I wouldn't call it a copy of Apple Dynamic Island though, it's similar but also different. It only shows on the lock screen while playing music, recording voice, or charging the phone. Overall, this add-on the One UI 7 is a welcome addition.

What's Different?

Now let's address the difference between One UI 7 on a flagship phone and a midrange Samsung phone. Apart from chipset, design, display, and performance, a company would also differentiate on the software side for sure. And here's what I have found so far.

Lockscreen Customizations

Long pressing the lock screen, you can access the customization menu, and here's where the differentiation begins. S25 allowed me to change the lock screen elements like the clock, add frame, and add cool effects while on the A56, I could only tamper with the clock font and add widgets. No fancy effects, frames, or AI suggestions on this midrange guy. [caption id="attachment_212058" align="alignnone" width="900"]

Left:- S25 Right:- A56

AI features

And the next cut-off is on the AI features. The flagship Galaxy S25 enjoys Galaxy AI features such as Call Assist, Wiriting Assist, and much more. On the contrary, the Galaxy A56 is confined to a few basic AI features. Thankfully, the magic eraser and Portrait studio feature are present. Actually, Samsung terms it Intelligent Features on the A56 while it's Galaxy AI on the flagship S25. So, you know, there is that. By the way, you can have a look at the screenshots below to find the AI features on both devices.

One UI 7 Review on a Midrange and a Flagship Samsung Phone: Conclusion

In conclusion, One UI 7 stands out as one of the most refined Android ROMs available. It’s ell-polished, well-optimized, and entirely ad-free, delivering an impressively smooth experience. The redesigned notification panel and enhanced lock screen customization add to its appeal, though the latter is fully realized only on the flagship S25, while the A56 misses out. That said, the core UI elements and overall user experience remain consistent across devices. Of course, hardware plays a role—flagship chips make the interface feel even snappier, while lower midrange Samsung devices running One UI 7 may not feel as fluid. Still, Samsung’s commitment to providing an ad-free, well-optimized software experience remains a strong suit, and the latest iteration continues this legacy. Ultimately, the experience across midrange and flagship Samsung devices remains largely similar, apart from Galaxy AI features and certain lock screen customizations exclusive to high-end models.