Samsung Galaxy Z Flip users have faced a wave of dissatisfaction following the arrival of the One UI 9 update, which introduced radical changes to how the Cover Screen works. Instead of the customized interface users were accustomed to, the update imposed a new system based on the "Now Brief" information panel and widget pages, leading to the loss of many customization features that were at the core of the foldable phone experience.
Radical Changes in User Experience
Before the update, the cover screen functioned as a flexible platform that allowed users to display their favorite wallpapers, various clock designs, and quick shortcuts, with direct access to applications and notifications. With One UI 9, opening the phone leads directly to the "Now Brief" panel or the widgets page, making the traditional background and clock interface feel like just a "lock screen" that is difficult to return to without relocking the phone again.
Users reported via platforms such as Reddit and Samsung forums several technical and experiential issues, including:
- Loss of navigation features: difficulty in using standard notification gestures and the loss of the double-tap to turn off the screen feature.
- Customization restrictions: the appearance of blurred wallpapers and restricted ability to fully customize widgets, in addition to difficulty accessing Work Profile applications.
- Decline in add-on support: the impact on Good Lock app features (specifically MultiStar), which professionals used to expand the capabilities of the cover screen.
What is changing in practice?
The core of the dispute lies in Samsung's new philosophy; the company has moved from an "absolute customization" model that gives the user full control over screen aesthetics to a "convenience and ready-made functions" model by providing proactive information through Now Brief. While some see this direction as reducing setup effort, loyal users of the Flip series feel they have lost the visual identity that made this device special, as the "personal touch" has been replaced by a unified informational interface.
A Positive Aspect and Temporary Solutions
Despite the criticism, the update provided a positive feature in the form of a dedicated "App Drawer," making it easier to access a wider range of applications on the cover screen without the need for complex software solutions. For those wishing to reduce the annoyance, the "Show the Now brief and favorite apps" feature can be disabled from the cover screen settings, but this action will not restore the old interface or the previous navigation method, leaving users dissatisfied with the radical change in the device experience.