4 Minutes
One UI 8 brings a major tablet UI update
The Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra debut Android 16 with One UI 8.0 out of the box, and Samsung has rethought how tablet notifications and system panels behave. Alongside deeper Samsung DeX and Secure Folder upgrades, One UI 8 introduces a fundamental change to the notification experience on large screens.
What’s new: floating notification islands
On One UI 8 tablets, notifications no longer occupy the full display. Instead, alerts and the Quick Panel appear in a compact floating island that can be positioned center, left, or right depending on your swipe direction. Swiping down from the top-right opens the Quick Panel as its own floating module, maintaining visibility of the underlying app or home screen instead of blurring the entire background.
Features and usability improvements
- Improved multitasking: Smaller notification islands preserve context—ideal for split-screen workflows and content consumption.
- Consistent behavior with stock Android: One UI 8 aligns tablet notifications with Android 16’s tablet patterns for a more predictable experience.
- Quick Panel in a floating card: Faster access to toggles without covering the whole workspace.
Secure Folder and Samsung DeX reworked
Samsung rebuilt Secure Folder on top of Android 15’s Private Space, increasing parity with platform privacy features. Samsung DeX now leverages Android 16’s Desktop Mode, delivering a more native desktop-like experience when you connect a keyboard, mouse, or monitor.
Comparison: One UI 7 vs One UI 8
One UI 7 rendered notifications across the full screen, with actual messages confined to a small region while the rest of the UI blurred. One UI 8 refines that approach by using a compact island that improves screen real estate and reduces visual disruption—especially useful on 11–14-inch tablets.
Advantages, use cases and market relevance
Advantages:
- Better productivity: Keep apps visible while responding to messages or adjusting settings.
- Cleaner UX: Less intrusive alerts preserve workflow and media playback.
- Security and desktop parity: Updated Secure Folder and DeX improve privacy and productivity for professionals.
Use cases:
- Remote work: View a video call while reviewing a notification without distracting overlays.
- Creators: Edit photos or drawings while receiving nonintrusive alerts.
- Enterprise: DeX + Private Space improvements simplify secure, desktop-like access for business users.
Market relevance: One UI 8’s tablet refinements signal Samsung’s focus on using software to differentiate Galaxy tablets from other Android rivals and even laptops. As tablets become primary productivity tools, these UI decisions help bridge the gap between mobile convenience and desktop power.
Rollout and eligible devices
One UI 8.0 will begin rolling out later this month. The Galaxy Tab S11 lineup ships with Android 16 preinstalled, and other Samsung tablets included on the One UI 8 eligibility list are expected to receive the same notification island experience—check Samsung’s official update tracker for the full device list.
Bottom line
One UI 8 is a meaningful step for Galaxy tablets: floating notification islands, revamped Secure Folder, and a modernized DeX make the Tab S11 family and future updates more productive and less disruptive. For users who rely on tablets for work and creativity, these changes tighten the experience while aligning more closely with stock Android's tablet direction.
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