Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 gets One UI 5.1.1 beta with many new features
Samsung has started a beta program for the Galaxy Z Fold4's upcoming One UI 5.1.1 release in South Korea today, and apparently the first beta build has already arrived for those who signed up. Despite what the minor increment might imply, One UI 5.1.1 actually beings a lot of new features to the foldable smartphone.
The changelog mentions improved previews in Recent Apps for split screen, full screen, or pop-up apps, switching from pop-up to split-screen directly, moving pop-up apps out of the screen for safe keeping until you want to get back to them, previewing apps when hovering with the S Pen over their icons, the Taskbar now being able to display up to 4 recently used apps (from 2 previously), and automatic adjustment of the Taskbar area if there are 7 or fewer icons displayed on it.
Further, many more apps can be forced to support Flex Mode Panel, and speaking of which, when using this with media you now have buttons to quickly jump forward or backward 10 seconds, while pressing the time bar will skip to that specific position on the timeline. The toolbar of the Flex Mode Panel is customizable, and Quick Sharing with contacts is now always possible, even when they're not nearby. You can also set an expiration date on a shared file, and even unshare it if you want, at anytime.
Samsung Health gets improvements in sleep coaching content and design for Galaxy Watch4 or newer smartwatches, and it's easier to see and better understand the factors affecting your sleep score. Skin temperature is measured during sleep too for Galaxy Watch5 models, and the summary info screen is improved too.
The Camera app gets some improvements for Pro Mode in Flex Mode, the ability to select multiple photos when using capture view on the main screen, a more convenient remaster preview, easier application of effects, and the ability to copy and paste tones and filters applied to your photos.
Drag and drop works with both hands now - you can select the items you want to move with one hand, then continue the gesture with the other one. This is available in My Files and the home screen. You can also use your phone while charging other devices with wireless battery sharing, if it's placed with the main screen down on a surface - you can use the outer screen.
There are additional improvements to storage and memory management, and the Samsung Internet screen layout can be customized to your taste.
This is definitely an update that's way bigger than a .1.1 release has any right to be. One UI 5.1.1 is expected to be officially introduced alongside the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 at a special event towards the end of this month. Thus, its focus on folding features is no coincidence. Older Fold and Flip family members will receive the finalized update to One UI 5.1.1 after the newest models arrive, probably around August or September. The beta program might spread to other territories too before that, we'll keep you posted.