South Korean tech giant Samsung is moving full speed ahead with its work on One UI 9, the new user interface based on Android 17. The latest leaked test builds have revealed exciting new features currently undergoing extensive testing on flagship devices like the Galaxy S26. This major update, expected to launch this summer, focuses on “Tap to Share” technology—which aims to fundamentally change how users share files and contact info—and new Bixby widgets designed to enhance home screen productivity. These innovations reinforce Samsung’s AI vision by making the mobile ecosystem more fluid.
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Samsung is building the new One UI 9 directly on the Android 17 base instead of Android 16.
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With the Tap to Share feature, users can share files and contact profiles simply by tapping their devices together.
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New Bixby widgets for the home screen facilitate easier access to the AI assistant via voice and text commands.
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The update is initially planned to be released alongside the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 models.
Tap to Share Simplifies the Sharing Process
According to leaked details, the “Tap to Share” feature is being developed as a competitor to Apple’s similar technologies. While the Gallery or Quick Share panel is open, users can tap their phone against another compatible device to send photos, videos, and documents in seconds. This system allows for rapid data transfer without getting lost in complex menus.
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This system is not limited to file sharing. If devices are tapped together while on the home screen, a user profile containing contact info like phone numbers and email addresses is automatically transferred.
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For the transfer to occur, both devices must be unlocked and their back panels must make contact.
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This feature appears compatible with a similar technology Google is working to spread across the wider Android ecosystem, potentially allowing for cross-brand “tap-to-share” in the future.
Bixby Widgets Take Up More Space on the Home Screen
Samsung continues to modernize its voice assistant, Bixby, with One UI 9. The new leaks confirm that specially designed Bixby widgets for the home screen are on the way. These widgets make the assistant’s capabilities more visible and speed up user interaction.
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These widgets allow users to interact faster with the assistant via both keyboard and voice commands.
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Powered by a partnership with Perplexity, Bixby aims to stand stronger against Google Gemini with these new interface elements.
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The new Bixby widgets bring AI support directly to the user’s fingertips, maximizing accessibility.
One UI 9 is expected to gain official status with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 and will likely enter wide distribution toward the last quarter of the year. As the update schedule becomes clearer, older supported models are also expected to receive these features.
What do you think about Samsung’s new “Tap to Share” feature and these Bixby updates? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section.
