Samsung One UI 3.1: The biggest new features, changes, how to

Samsung introduced One UI 3.1 based on Android 11 OS at the Samsung Galaxy 2021 Unpacked event, which came with the Galaxy S21 series out of the box. The One UI 3.1 is now available on the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy S20, and some other Samsung smartphones.

Read More: Here’s the list of eligible devices that will get the One UI 4.0

Samsung One UI 3.1, which first launched with the Galaxy S21 series, brings select, new camera capabilities for capturing and editing incredible photos and videos and smart new features that enhance everyday life, so you can get even more out of your Galaxy device.

Let’s talk about the features:

Samsung One UI 3.1 Features:

One UI 3.1 brings relatively few changes and some new features. Some of the One UI 3.1 features depend on the newer hardware, such as the option to use the 120Hz display refresh rate. Some of the features will not be available on the rest of the eligible devices even after the update.

• Improved Single Take 2.0
• Object eraser tool
• Improved touch autofocus
• Improved autoexposure controller
• New Multi Mic Recording
• Night Hyper Lapse Mode
• New Eye Comfort Shield
• Private Share
• Auto Switch feature
• New video calling effects
• Integrated Google Duo
• Google Discover

Google Discover:

With the One UI 3.1, Galaxy users can customize the One UI home to choose the Google Discover function for the minus-one screen. The system launcher is set to Samsung Free but you can switch to Google Discover by opening customization settings.

Google Home Device Controls:

Google’s Android 11 version brings several features including a Device Controls function which is combined in the quick settings option in One UI 3.1. It lets you add and control smart home devices from Google Home and more compatible smart home apps without opening the Home app.

Integrated Google Duo:

Samsung One UI 3.1 comes with an integrated Google Duo function in the system dialer app. With the help of Google Duo, users can experience a seamless video calling experience. This function can be enabled in a newly added ‘Make video calls using’ option.

After selecting Google Duo as your preferred video calling option, you will found a new Google Duo icon nearly the call button. With Google Duo, the added auto-framing feature automatically keeps you front and center during video calls.

New video calling effects:

One UI 3.1 comes with a wonderful Video call effects feature that can be found in the ‘Advanced features’ option in device Settings. The new video call effects allow you to add excellent background effects during video calls.

The video call effects consist of three background effects — Blur, Color, and Image. The “Blur” option will add background blur to the video call, the “Color” option will cover the background with a solid color, and the “Image” option will cover the background with a custom image of your choice.

Object Eraser:

The One UI 3.1 comes with an interesting new photo trick called object eraser that allows users to delete people from the backgrounds of their images. After taking an image, you can simply tap on the people you want to remove, and AI will do your work in a smarter way. Read more

Private Share:

With the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung introduced a new tool that protects and monitors the privacy of users. The One UI 3.1 adds a new “Private Share” function that allows Samsung device owners to safely remove location metadata from photos before sharing. Know more

Eye Comfort Shield:

One of the new features of One UI 3.1 is “Eye Comfort Shield” which is an upgraded version of the currently available ‘blue light filter option’. As we know, enabling the Blue light filter option decreases the amount of blue light displayed on the screen of the device. Read in detail

Continue apps on other devices:

Samsung bringing an impressive feature for the users that owned/use more than one Galaxy device regularly. The new One UI 3.1 feature called ‘Continue apps on other devices” allows you to resume using an app on a different device that’s signed in to the same Samsung account.

• How to use this feature:
  • Open the Recents screen on the other device and tap on the new icon.

• Note:
  1. Need to turn on Bluetooth on both devices
  2. Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  3. This feature currently only works with the Samsung Internet and Samsung Notes

Dedicated camera features:

Single Take 2.0:

With the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung also updated the Single Take feature to Single Take 2.0. This newly updated feature lets you capture more frames each second. Now, Single Take 2.0 can record slow-mo videos and allows you to choose the type of shots you wish to capture.

You can click the new arrow icon in the upper right corner and select a photo from the menu below. This function provides 6 options for you to choose-Filtered videos, Filtered photos, Speed effect clips, Portraits, Wide/cropped shots, and Highlight videos.

Focus enhancer:

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s stock camera app features a Focus enhancer option. When using the main 108MP camera, the focus enhancer option will pop up in the lower right corner of the viewfinder. This switch will only be displayed when you are trying to take a photo of a nearby object and make sure that the entire object remains in focus.

We can expect that this feature will be surely available for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy S20 Ultra with the upcoming One UI 3.1 update.

Vlogger view:

The latest Galaxy S21 feature Vlogger view makes you able to use the front and rear camera at the same time. This feature can surely helpful for vloggers because it allows users to capture their reactions while recording something from the rear camera simultaneously.

Director’s view:

Samsung Galaxy S21 series’ Director’s view feature allows you to capture video from all cameras on the device at the same time. With the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you can simultaneously access four different camera angles in the viewfinder, and you can switch between them seamlessly.

Auto Switch Feature:

As well as a consistent interface that makes switching between your phone and tablet hassle-free, Galaxy Buds Pro, Buds Live, and Buds+’s Auto Switch feature means that your audio follows you when you switch between Galaxy devices.

If you’re watching videos on your phone or listening to your favorite song or podcast, you can enjoy more realistic and immersive sound by connecting your compatible phone and Galaxy Buds Pro thanks to 360 Audio – allowing you to stay at the center of your listening experience.

Autofocus and Autoexposure controller:

The One UI 3.1 features improved touch autofocus and autoexposure controller, making adjusting the focus and brightness of your photos easier than ever so you can capture your best shot every time. With just a swipe left or right anywhere on the screen, you can now edit the brightness of your image before you’ve taken the shot.

Multi Mic Recording:

One UI 3.1 also introduces the new Multi Mic Recording feature, which, when in Pro Video mode, allows you to simultaneously record audio through both your phone and a connected Bluetooth device such as Galaxy Buds Pro, Buds Live, and Buds+.

Additional changes in One UI 3.1:

1. More vibration patterns for calls.
2. New option to select vibration patterns for notifications.
3. Access Home Screen settings from within the Settings app.
4. New option in the Privacy settings to turn off customization services (ads/personalized recommendations) while using mobile data.
5. Additional custom call backgrounds.
6. New Bedtime & wake-up alarms in the Clock app.
7. Live focus and Live Focus video options renamed to Portrait and Portrait video.
8. Samsung Free is now available as a standalone app.