Every feature Google should copy from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5

For a few years, there wasn’t any doubt about who made the perfect foldable cellphone. Samsung kickstarted the brand new class in 2019 and didn’t face a whole lot of critical competitors for a great 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 big in relation 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 machine that has the higher software program arguably supplies a greater total expertise because it truly takes benefit of all that additional 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 slightly over a month now, and I’m regularly 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 clarify each change Samsung made to Android that I like or dislike, so as an alternative, I needed to focus on simply the adjustments that enhance the expertise of utilizing a book-style foldable cellphone. A number of the options I’m going to say aren’t discovered within the open-source model of Android (AOSP) — not less than 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 could enhance the expertise of utilizing the Pixel Fold and different foldable units. Of course, Google can’t copy each function from the Galaxy Z Fold 5 since they’ve so much to contemplate earlier than they will add any new function to inventory Android. Still, there’s so much that Google may pull from Samsung and different OEMs, particularly in relation to multitasking and productiveness options.Split-screenTo start with, let me present how multitasking is healthier in One UI than on inventory Android, due to 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 set three apps on display screen directly. One app takes up half the display screen, whereas the opposite half of the display screen is break up between the opposite two apps of your alternative. 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 a whole lot of respiratory room. Three-way split-screen mode isn’t one thing you’ll use fairly often, however the choice is good to have. I’m positive some folks will discover it helpful every now and then or fairly often. That’s form of the factor with One UI: it’s packed stuffed with options to the purpose that it could actually really feel overwhelming to a brand new consumer, however when you discover a function or two that actually fits your fancy, you’ll miss them if you swap units. Image 1 of 23 manner break up display screen with system bars displaying (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)3 manner break up display screen with out system bars displaying (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)But I digress. It’s truly attainable to suit a bit extra content material into 2-way and 3-way split-screen mode via one other function not current in inventory Android: “full screen in split screen view.” This function, discovered below Settings > Advanced options > Multi window, permits you to conceal the standing and navigation bars if you’re in split-screen mode. I personally go away this selection off, as I like having the taskbar seen always so I can shortly swap between apps.That leads me to my subsequent level: initiating split-screen is simply typically sooner on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. For one, if you open your first app to start out 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’ll be able to faucet the search button to shortly discover the app you need 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, not less than, allow you to launch apps in split-screen mode from the house display screen, in contrast to One UI. On the opposite hand, Google’s software program lacks arguably the perfect function for split-screen multitasking: saving app pairs. Image 1 of twoSplit display screen app selector (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Taskbar search bar (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)One UI permits you to save your split-screen format as an app pair that you would be able to pin to the taskbar or house display screen. You can later relaunch the duo or trio of apps saved within the app pair by tapping an icon. This is a function that the Pixel Fold at the moment lacks, however Google may very well be introducing the function 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 permits 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 3Split display screen context menu (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Saving an app pair (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Launching a saved app pair (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Freeform multi-windowFreeform multi-window is a multitasking mode Google launched all the best way again in Android 7.0 Nougat, nevertheless it 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 palms 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 degree, the pop-up view is mainly a extra versatile model of Android’s chat bubble function. Under Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Floating notifications, One UI permits you to select whether or not to open notifications in a bubble or in a pop-up view window. You may also, 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 need to use the buttons within the window’s title bar to reduce 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 considered one of 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 3Pop-up view window (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Transparent pop-up view window (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Minimized pop-up view window (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)The final freeform-related change I needed to focus on is the nifty “show multi window menu with 1 window” choice (as I mentioned, One UI can really feel overwhelming…). This choice 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 function 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 manner than remembering the particular swipe gestures I have to carry out.TaskbarLaunching apps in split-screen/pop-up view can be made simpler in One UI due to 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 tablet. The transient taskbar is aesthetically higher because it offers you extra display screen house, nevertheless it’s worse for multitasking. You should swipe as much as reveal the transient taskbar anytime you need to swap apps, which is awkward sufficient because it’s simple to swipe too far and return house 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 seek out the app you need to launch. Image 1 of twoTaskbar settings in One UI (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Gesture navigation settings in One UI (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)The persistent taskbar isn’t at all times superior, although. It takes up valuable display screen house which you’ll be able to 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 attributable to the truth that I hid the gesture tablet via the “gesture hint” toggle in settings, however I feel it’s higher visually to not have the gesture tablet at all times displaying beneath the taskbar. The transient taskbar turned Android’s default method after Android 13 QPR2, however I feel 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 swap between the 2.Cover display screen & inside screenLet me let you know upfront: I’m not a giant fan of the quilt display screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. While its slender profile does make the cellphone simpler to carry in a single hand, it additionally makes it awkward to sort or use many apps. The flip aspect is that the inside display screen will get to be much less huge, 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 quilt display screen. Samsung developed two options that I’d prefer 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 machine turns the display screen off, however this function permits you to “choose which apps you want to continue using on the cover screen when you close your phone.” This is helpful for if you need to provoke one thing whereas utilizing the inside show, like navigation, music playback, or viewing an inventory, that you just need to proceed accessing from the quilt display screen as you progress about. Continue apps on cowl display screen (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)The Pixel Fold doesn’t have an choice like this, although, by default, it does transition apps to the quilt display screen if you’re watching a video or utilizing Google Maps. It can be good if Google added a menu like Samsung’s to regulate this habits on a per-app foundation, however on the very least, an extra choice must be added that retains the quilt display screen on till the display screen timeout is reached. The different cowl screen-related function Google ought to take into account is a toggle to show off house display screen mirroring. By default, the Pixel Fold syncs the house display screen format between the quilt and inside screens. In distinction, Samsung permits you to select whether or not you need to try 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 quilt display screen for fast entry widgets and the house display screen for my full app assortment.Cover display screen mirroring (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Next, the inside display screen. Earlier, I discussed that Samsung’s alternative of facet ratio has some advantages but in addition some downsides. Well, Samsung solves a few of these downsides via non-obligatory settings you’ll be able to allow on a per-app foundation. Since the facet ratio of the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s inside show isn’t huge sufficient to be thought-about a pill, and its default unfolded place is taken into account its “portrait” orientation, most apps present their cellphone UI as an alternative of their massive screen-optimized UI. You should flip the Z Fold 5 over to get apps like Discord, Gmail, and YouTube to point out their two-pane layouts.Image 1 of twoDiscord in portrait mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Discord in panorama mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)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 should flip the cellphone over to get apps to point out their massive screen-optimized UI. However, this causes a problem with many apps which can be locked to portrait mode. Google labored round this by forcing portrait-locked apps right into a letterbox, however which means 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 function 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 pressure a full display screen, 16:9, or 4:3 facet ratio on apps. Image 1 of 3Landscape view for portrait app settings (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Landscape view for portrait app on reddit (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Full display screen app settings in One UI (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Google actually wants so as to add a compatibility choice that lets customers pressure a specific facet ratio on apps slightly than patiently await builders to optimize their apps for giant screens. If Google have been so as to add this, then I feel the app expertise on the Pixel Fold would possibly grow to be higher than on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, however till then, I’ll take a blown-up cellphone UI over a letterboxed one.Image 1 of twoReddit app pressured into panorama view however with app’s default facet ratio (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Reddit app pressured into panorama view however with pressured full display screen facet ratio (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Lastly, Samsung’s “flex mode panel” function 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 taking part in 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 twoTwitch put into tabletop mode (no flex mode panel) (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Twitch put into tabletop mode (with flex mode panel) (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)MiscellaneousHere’s a fast roundup of another options in One UI that I feel Google ought to implement themselves:Desktop mode supportI may 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 yr.Edge panelsWhile the default edge panel has been made redundant due to the taskbar, the clipboard and particularly the sensible choose panel are extremely helpful. The former offers 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 permits 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 suppose Samsung’s sensible choose panel is extra helpful since you’ve got more room and options to work with.)Double faucet to show off display screenOne UI has an choice that allows you to double-tap on an empty spot on the lock or house display screen to show off the display screen. This is helpful when the cellphone is unfolded as a result of it could actually typically be onerous to succeed in the facility button on the aspect (very true for the Pixel Fold with its wider inside show).Stylus assistOne UI has stylus assist built-in into the default keyboard and notes apps, so you’ll be able to handwrite, exactly choose, or draw. Google is engaged on enhancing stylus assist in Android and of their first-party apps, however sadly, solely their pill helps stylus enter. Maybe subsequent yr.One-handed modeGoogle bafflingly determined to disable Android’s one-handed mode on the Pixel Fold, which is certainly a nasty choice because it’s not simple to succeed in the highest of the display screen with one hand. The purpose they disabled it’s as a result of one-handed mode isn’t supposed for giant screens, which doesn’t apply to the Pixel Fold’s cowl display screen.One UI provides much more options than I’ve touched upon on this article.I’m properly conscious that, via numerous Good Lock modules, One UI provides 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, not less than if I need to preserve this text an affordable size. That’s why I’m slicing issues right here, however I do briefly need to point out some options that different smartphone makers launched for their very own foldables that I feel Google (and Samsung) ought to look into.Features for foldables from different OEMs that Google ought to copySince I don’t have a whole lot of expertise with different foldables, I requested two specialists, Michael Fisher, aka Mr. Mobile, and Ben Sin from XDA-Developers, for his or her enter. One function highlighted by Ben on social media comes from the Honor Magic V2. Honor’s software program, in line with Ben, “can force Twitter to open in [a] two-pane layout” in distinction to the blown-up cellphone UI you get on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Forced exercise embedding within the Twitter app on the Honor Magic V2 (Image credit score: Ben Sin)Samsung does have a function that’s much like this, nevertheless it doesn’t work with Twitter. Under Settings > Advanced options > Labs > App break up view, you’ll be able to pressure choose apps like Line and WeChat to open in a two pane format.Michael, in the meantime, introduced up a great 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 includes 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.ConclusionSamsung’s head begin over its competitors positively gave it a bonus in creating new options and optimizing Android for foldables, however the hole between its software program and that of different foldable cellphone makers will shrink over time. Samsung at the moment provides essentially the most options for foldables out of anybody, however even it is behind in some areas. Honor, for instance, has a function that makes its Magic V2 the higher foldable to browse Twitter on. Google, in the meantime, has a wiser auto-rotate system than Samsung (and a significantly better keyboard app, for my part).I’m occupied with 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 at the moment in beta for its flagship non-foldable machine, so we’ll have to attend and see what Samsung will carry to the desk. Google, however, has already introduced that it plans to carry 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 carry to the Pixel Fold. Hopefully, Google is already working to carry a few 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.