For a few years, there wasn’t any doubt about who made the greatest foldable telephone. Samsung kickstarted the brand new class in 2019 and didn’t face lots of critical competitors for whereas, however the discipline has modified considerably in 2023. Other smartphone makers haven’t solely caught as much as Samsung however arguably surpassed the Korean tech large with regards to making book-style foldable {hardware}.
But {hardware} isn’t the one issue to contemplate in a head-to-head comparability of two foldables, because the gadget that has the higher software program arguably gives a greater total expertise because it truly takes benefit of all that further house. Samsung’s years-long head begin on making foldable telephones has given them extra time to optimize Android for foldables, and it actually reveals.
I’ve been utilizing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 for a little bit over a month now, and I’m frequently shocked by simply what number of helpful options I preserve discovering in its One UI 5.1.1 software program. It would take ages to elucidate each change Samsung made to Android that I like or dislike, so as an alternative, I wished to spotlight simply the adjustments that enhance the expertise of utilizing a book-style foldable telephone.
A variety of the options I’m going to say aren’t discovered within the open-source model of Android (AOSP) — at the very least not but, which implies in addition they aren’t discovered within the Google Pixel Fold. If Google have been so as to add these options, it will enhance the expertise of utilizing the Pixel Fold and different foldable units. Of course, Google can’t copy each feature from the Galaxy Z Fold 5 since they’ve lots to contemplate earlier than they will add any new feature to inventory Android. Still, there’s lots that Google might pull from Samsung and different OEMs, particularly with regards to multitasking and productiveness options.
Split-screen
To start with, let me present how multitasking is best in One UI than on inventory Android, because of the adjustments and enhancements that Samsung made to split-screen mode, windowing, and the taskbar.
Android on the Pixel Fold helps placing two apps side-by-side in split-screen mode, however Samsung takes issues a step additional by letting you place three apps on display screen without delay. One app takes up half the display screen, whereas the opposite half of the display screen is cut up between the opposite two apps of your selection.
To be honest, the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s inside show is barely 7.6 inches diagonally, so giving an app 1 / 4 of the display screen doesn’t give it lots of respiration room. Three-way split-screen mode isn’t one thing you’ll use fairly often, however the possibility is sweet to have. I’m certain some individuals will discover it helpful from time to time or fairly often. That’s sort of the factor with One UI: it’s packed stuffed with options to the purpose that it could possibly really feel overwhelming to a brand new consumer, however when you discover a feature or two that basically fits your fancy, you’ll miss them if you change units.
Image 1 of 2
But I digress. It’s truly doable to suit a bit extra content material into 2-way and 3-way split-screen mode via one other feature not current in inventory Android: “full screen in split screen view.” This feature, discovered below Settings > Advanced options > Multi window, helps you to cover the standing and navigation bars if you’re in split-screen mode. I personally depart this feature off, as I like having the taskbar seen always so I can shortly change between apps.
That leads me to my subsequent level: initiating split-screen is simply usually sooner on the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
For one, if you open your first app to begin split-screen mode (via both the “swipe for split screen” gesture or the multi-window menu), One UI instantly opens an app choice display screen on the opposite half. This app choice display screen neatly categorizes your apps by part by your current apps, adopted by your most used apps, and eventually, all of your apps sorted alphabetically. Also, you may faucet the search button to shortly discover the app you wish to launch.
The Pixel Fold, in distinction, doesn’t actually have a search bar in its taskbar (but), so it’s awkward to pick out a second split-screen app if you provoke split-screen mode from the recents menu. Google’s software program does, at the very least, allow you to launch apps in split-screen mode from the house display screen, not like One UI. On the opposite hand, Google’s software program lacks arguably one of the best feature for split-screen multitasking: saving app pairs.
Image 1 of 2
One UI helps you to save your split-screen structure as an app pair you could pin to the taskbar or residence display screen. You can later relaunch the duo or trio of apps saved within the app pair by tapping an icon. This is a feature that the Pixel Fold presently lacks, however Google may very well be introducing the feature quickly in a future Android 14 launch.
Saving an app pair in One UI requires tapping the divider when in split-screen mode after which hitting the star icon when the pop-up seems. This is because of the truth that Samsung selected to not show a context menu when long-pressing an app icon within the recents menu. Instead, long-pressing an icon within the recents menu or taskbar helps you to drag the app to at least one half of the show to launch it in split-screen mode or to the middle to open it in a pop-up view.
Image 1 of 3
Freeform multi-window
Freeform multi-window is a multitasking mode Google launched all the best way again in Android 7.0 Nougat, but it surely was left in an unfinished state. Google seems to be to lastly be sprucing it up for a future Android 14 launch, however Samsung way back determined to take issues into their very own arms and make one thing out of freeform multi-window.
Enter pop-up view, One UI’s model of a freeform multi-window. At a base stage, the pop-up view is mainly a extra versatile model of Android’s chat bubble feature. Under Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Floating notifications, One UI helps you to select whether or not to open notifications in a bubble or in a pop-up view window. You also can, as talked about earlier than, open any app in a pop-up view from the recents menu or taskbar.
Once an app is in a pop-up view window, you should utilize the buttons within the window’s title bar to attenuate it, increase it, change the opacity, launch it in split-screen, or shut it. You may even long-press the title bar after which drag and drop it to provoke split-screen mode. Pop-up view is one among One UI’s most helpful multitasking options, which is why so many different smartphone makers have made their very own model of it.
Image 1 of 3
The final freeform-related change I wished to spotlight is the nifty “show multi window menu with 1 window” possibility (as I mentioned, One UI can really feel overwhelming…). This possibility is discovered below Settings > Advanced options > Multi window, and it provides a mini deal with on the prime of every app window that, when tapped, reveals buttons to launch the app in split-screen mode or pop-up view. I personally preserve this feature enabled as an alternative of the “swipe for split screen” or “swipe for pop-up view” gestures, as I really feel it’s simpler to launch split-screen/pop-up view this fashion than remembering the particular swipe gestures I must carry out.
Taskbar
Launching apps in split-screen/pop-up view can also be made simpler in One UI because of the persistent taskbar. The taskbar on the Pixel Fold, in distinction, is “transient,” because it solely seems for a number of seconds after you swipe up from the gesture capsule. The transient taskbar is aesthetically higher because it provides you extra display screen house, but it surely’s worse for multitasking. You need to swipe as much as reveal the transient taskbar anytime you wish to change apps, which is awkward sufficient because it’s simple to swipe too far and return residence or present the recents menu.
Samsung’s persistent taskbar, in distinction, is at all times on display screen by default and might even present as much as 4 current apps (on One UI 5.1.1 and later). It additionally has a search bar in its app drawer to make it simpler to search out the app you wish to launch.
Image 1 of 2
The persistent taskbar isn’t at all times superior, although. It takes up valuable display screen house which you’ll reclaim by “stashing” the taskbar via a long-press on an empty spot. However, it’s a bit awkward to “unstash” the taskbar because the contact goal space could be very small. This could also be because of the truth that I hid the gesture capsule via the “gesture hint” toggle in settings, however I believe it’s higher visually to not have the gesture capsule at all times displaying beneath the taskbar.
The transient taskbar turned Android’s default strategy after Android 13 QPR2, however I believe there are clear advantages to each the previous persistent taskbar and the brand new transient taskbar. That’s why I hope Google follows via on its work so as to add a toggle that lets us change between the 2.
Cover display screen & inside display screen
Let me inform you upfront: I’m not an enormous fan of the duvet display screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. While its slim profile does make the telephone simpler to carry in a single hand, it additionally makes it awkward to kind or use many apps. The flip facet is that the inside display screen will get to be much less vast, which implies it really works higher with apps that don’t have tablet-optimized layouts. That brings up its personal share of issues and workarounds, which I’ll get into under.
First, although, the duvet display screen. Samsung developed two options that I’d wish to see Google add in some kind to the Pixel Fold. The first is “continue apps on cover screen” below Settings > Display. By default, folding the gadget turns the display screen off, however this feature helps you to “choose which apps you want to continue using on the cover screen when you close your phone.” This is beneficial for if you wish to provoke one thing whereas utilizing the inside show, like navigation, music playback, or viewing a listing, that you just wish to proceed accessing from the duvet display screen as you progress about.
The Pixel Fold doesn’t have an possibility like this, although, by default, it does transition apps to the duvet display screen if you’re watching a video or utilizing Google Maps. It could be good if Google added a menu like Samsung’s to manage this habits on a per-app foundation, however on the very least, an extra possibility should be added that retains the duvet display screen on till the display screen timeout is reached.
The different cowl screen-related feature Google should take into account is a toggle to show off residence display screen mirroring. By default, the Pixel Fold syncs the house display screen structure between the duvet and inside screens. In distinction, Samsung helps you to select whether or not you wish to do this via Settings > Home display screen > Cover display screen mirroring. I personally preserve cowl display screen mirroring off, as I like to make use of the duvet display screen for fast entry widgets and the house display screen for my full app assortment.
Next, the inside display screen. Earlier, I discussed that Samsung’s selection of facet ratio has some advantages but in addition some downsides. Well, Samsung solves a few of these downsides via non-compulsory settings you may allow on a per-app foundation. Since the facet ratio of the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s inside show isn’t vast sufficient to be thought of a pill, and its default unfolded place is taken into account its “portrait” orientation, most apps present their telephone UI as an alternative of their giant screen-optimized UI. You need to flip the Z Fold 5 over to get apps like Discord, Gmail, and YouTube to indicate their two-pane layouts.
Image 1 of 2
The Pixel Fold’s inside show, in distinction, has a large sufficient facet ratio and by default is in its “landscape” orientation, so that you don’t need to flip the telephone over to get apps to indicate their giant screen-optimized UI. However, this causes a problem with many apps which might be locked to portrait mode. Google labored round this by forcing portrait-locked apps into a letterbox, however which means that apps are proven with black bars on each side.
Samsung’s workaround for portrait-locked apps like Reddit and Twitter (sorry, X) is thru the “landscape view for portrait apps” below Settings > Advanced options > Labs. This feature is extra highly effective than Android’s built-in orientation override, because it not solely lets the consumer choose which apps to override orientation for but in addition lets the consumer select to stretch the app to fill the display screen. One UI individually has one other menu, Settings > Display > Full display screen apps, that lets customers power a full display screen, 16:9, or 4:3 facet ratio on apps.
Image 1 of 3
Google actually wants so as to add a compatibility possibility that lets customers power a selected facet ratio on apps slightly than patiently look forward to builders to optimize their apps for big screens. If Google have been so as to add this, then I believe the app expertise on the Pixel Fold may turn into higher than on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, however till then, I’ll take a blown-up telephone UI over a letterboxed one.
Image 1 of 2
Lastly, Samsung’s “flex mode panel” feature deserves a shout-out. Currently, solely a choose variety of media apps assist tabletop/flex mode. YouTube, for instance, reveals media controls on the underside half of the display screen when a foldable is positioned in tabletop mode. But not each media app does this, which is the place the flex mode panel is available in.
Flex mode panel is accessed via a button that seems on the backside left when the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is folded in half. This panel reveals media controls for no matter is enjoying and has shortcuts to launch split-screen mode, pull down the notifications, take a screenshot, and extra. While the “flex mode panel” sadly reveals the identical media management actions for each app, it’s a helpful stopgap till extra apps implement tabletop/flex mode assist.
Image 1 of 2
Miscellaneous
Here’s a fast roundup of another options in One UI that I believe Google should implement themselves:
Desktop mode assist
I might spend all day speaking about Samsung DeX, however this text is already too lengthy. Google is engaged on higher desktop mode assist in Android 14, however sadly, the Pixel Fold lacks show output assist. Maybe subsequent 12 months.
Edge panels
While the default edge panel has been made redundant because of the taskbar, the clipboard and particularly the sensible choose panel are extremely helpful. The former provides you fast entry to your clipboard on any display screen, which is much more helpful on One UI since Samsung inexplicably took away Android’s clipboard overlay.
The latter helps you to draw a rectangle or oval to pick out textual content or pictures on display screen, create a GIF out of part of the display screen, or pin part of the display screen as a floating window. (Pixel lets you choose textual content/pictures from the recents overview, however I nonetheless assume Samsung’s sensible choose panel is extra helpful since you may have more room and options to work with.)
Double faucet to show off display screen
One UI has an possibility that allows you to double-tap on an empty spot on the lock or residence display screen to show off the display screen. This is beneficial when the telephone is unfolded as a result of it could possibly typically be onerous to succeed in the ability button on the facet (very true for the Pixel Fold with its wider inside show).
Stylus assist
One UI has stylus assist built-in into the default keyboard and notes apps, so you may handwrite, exactly choose, or draw. Google is engaged on bettering stylus assist in Android and of their first-party apps, however sadly, solely their pill helps stylus enter. Maybe subsequent 12 months.
One-handed mode
Google bafflingly determined to disable Android’s one-handed mode on the Pixel Fold, which is certainly a nasty resolution because it’s not simple to succeed in the highest of the display screen with one hand. The reason they disabled it’s as a result of one-handed mode isn’t supposed for big screens, which doesn’t apply to the Pixel Fold’s cowl display screen.
One UI gives much more options than I’ve touched upon on this article.
I’m effectively conscious that, via numerous Good Lock modules, One UI gives much more options than I’ve touched upon on this article. As I discussed within the intro, although, One UI merely has too many options to record to start with, at the very least if I wish to preserve this text an affordable size. That’s why I’m chopping issues right here, however I do briefly wish to point out some options that different smartphone makers launched for their very own foldables that I believe Google (and Samsung) should look into.
Features for foldables from different OEMs that Google should copy
Since I don’t have lots of expertise with different foldables, I requested two consultants, Michael Fisher, aka Mr. Mobile, and Ben Sin from XDA-Developers, for his or her enter. One feature highlighted by Ben on social media comes from the Honor Magic V2. Honor’s software program, according to Ben, “can force Twitter to open in [a] two-pane layout” in distinction to the blown-up telephone UI you get on the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Samsung does have a feature that’s much like this, but it surely doesn’t work with Twitter. Under Settings > Advanced options > Labs > App cut up view, you may power choose apps like Line and WeChat to open in a two pane structure.
Michael, in the meantime, introduced up level about Samsung’s “swipe for split-screen” gesture. Samsung’s gesture requires swiping with two fingers throughout the inside show. In distinction, the equal gesture on the OPPO Find N2 entails swiping down with two fingers, which is extra ergonomic. He additionally famous that, in his expertise, different foldables deal with cowl display screen mirroring higher.
Conclusion
Samsung’s head begin over its competitors positively gave it a bonus in growing new options and optimizing Android for foldables, however the hole between its software program and that of different foldable telephone makers will shrink over time. Samsung presently gives essentially the most options for foldables out of anybody, however even it is behind in some areas. Honor, for instance, has a feature that makes its Magic V2 the higher foldable to browse Twitter on. Google, in the meantime, has a better auto-rotate system than Samsung (and a a lot better keyboard app, in my opinion).
I’m eager about seeing what further options for foldables Samsung plans so as to add to One UI. The firm’s subsequent model of its OS, One UI 6, is presently in beta for its flagship non-foldable gadget, so we’ll have to attend and see what Samsung will deliver to the desk. Google, then again, has already introduced that it plans to deliver a dual-screen interpreter mode in Google Translate with the Android 14 replace.
Apart from the options that we’ve already uncovered within the Android 14 betas, we don’t know what else the corporate plans to deliver to the Pixel Fold. Hopefully, Google is already working to deliver a number of the options I discussed on this article, just like the per-app facet ratio one, as foldables throughout the ecosystem stand to learn from no matter Google introduces to AOSP.