Samsung has taken every detail into consideration with the design of the UI that underlies the Galaxy S20 series. Read on to learn more about how Samsung made this satisfying sensory experience a reality.

Scroll, Zoom and Explore in Peace

A display’s ‘refresh rate’ refers to the number of times a monitor loads new information every second. The Galaxy S20 series features a display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring the viewing experience is responsive and satisfying to engage with no matter the task.

Not only is the display easier on your eyes, the faster refresh rate means anything with motion or animation appears much smoother. Whether you are scrolling through your favorite website, flipping through apps on your Home screen, or playing a game, you will get a more polished experience.

Natural, Dynamic Interaction

One UI 2’s motion and interaction design are optimized for various Galaxy devices, from smartphones to foldables and tablets. Regardless of screen size, Samsung designed the UI to allow for effortless screen transitions, showcasing the swift and elegant design achievements made over the years. Those design achievements have culminated in a UI for the Galaxy S20 with intuitiveness, seamlessness, tangibility, and vibrancy at its core.

From picking up an incoming phone call to moving an app’s icon around the Home Screen, the Galaxy S20’s interaction responses fit intuitively with the way the device functions.

Interface responses are also seamless, allowing for smooth and continuous feedback to your touch inputs. When launching an app from the Home Screen, for example, the icon expands, and the screen switches to a new page in one fluid motion that feels more natural.

In addition to its seamlessness, the Galaxy S20 responds in real-time to user control and understands delicate touches to provide tangible, satisfying feedback.

Further adding to that experience is the streamlined style of notifications and other alerts the Galaxy S20 provides. Vivid animations and concise layouts deliver information in a clear, vibrant manner.

Tactile Satisfaction

A phone’s haptic feedback is that satisfying kinesthetic communication—or vibration—you get from your phone when interacting with it. In designing the Galaxy S20’s haptic feedback, Samsung prioritized two things: a satisfying sensation and applying haptic feedback to relevant features and actions. One of the areas you will feel the sensations is the camera.

Fine-tuned vibrations complement the S20’s powerful camera when pressing to take a picture, zooming in and out, and adjusting the Pro mode controls, such as the shutter speed and aperture. That same satisfying haptic sensation has been applied to many other features throughout the Galaxy S20.

When quickly flipping through the Contact list to search for “Mom,” for example, a vertical index appears on the right side. When scrolling through the index, you will get enhanced haptic feedback that signifies moving from one letter to the next in the index. Not only does it make it easier to find “M” in the index, it reduces the potential of skipping past your destination when scrolling. So, you get more precision when looking up friends, family, or business contacts. Toggle switches also have a gratifying new haptic design that mimics a light switch, so you will really feel like you are switching features on and off. The keyboard has also received significant improvements in haptic feedback.

When typing, more precise and refined feedback allows for a better overall experience. The haptic feedback also varies by input, providing distinct vibrations for regular keys, feature keys, and delete keys. There are also noticeable differences in feedback when holding down the backspace button to delete characters and when moving the cursor where you will find concise, tactile sensations.

Sound for a New Experience

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but songs and sounds can form lasting memories. Samsung took that lesson to heart by designing a satisfying auditory experience for the Galaxy S20. This year’s Over the Horizon song, for example, was built around the theme of ‘Digital Wellbeing’. The iconic ringtone features 26 monochords to deliver a soothing sonic experience powered by nature, reminding listeners to indulge in the delights of life offline.

There are four sound themes to choose from on the Galaxy S20, including Galaxy, Calm, Retro, and Fun. Each theme applies to the ringtones, notifications, and system sounds.

The Galaxy theme applies the classic Samsung sounds, including Over the Horizon. Tranquility and acceptance are at the heart of the Calm theme, which leaned on the atmosphere of a coffee house or beach for inspiration. Samsung styled the Retro theme after the iconic sounds of the ‘80s, including the video games and pop music of the era. Finally, the Fun theme embraces silliness and optimism, drawing inspiration from upbeat pop hits for a more light-hearted sonic experience.

To help you catch up with some of the biggest updates from the company’s jam-packed year, we proudly present the top 15 stories – spanning various categories – that were covered right here in the Samsung Newsroom. Click on the thumbnails in the graphic below to view the stories for yourself, and read on to learn more about what made each one so meaningful.

Samsung Newsroom’s Top Stories of 2019

Mobile

• 
  In-Depth Look: Galaxy Note10 | Note10+
  
• 
  [Video] Galaxy Fold’s Folding Test
  
• 
  Galaxy S10 Update
  

TV ∙ Home Appliances

• 
  Project PRISM Bespoke Launch
  
• 
  The Wall 2019 Interview
  
• 
  Introducing Samsung Flip
  

Semiconductors

• 
  64Mp ISOCELL Image Sensor Announcement
  
• 
  Guide to Samsung’s SSD Selection
  
• 
  [Video] The Future of Autonomous Driving
  

Technology

• 
  Hearing from an AI Expert
  
• 
  [Video] Meet the Samsung Bots
  
• 
  Top Themes from SDC19
  

Corporate News

• 
  Environmentally Sustainable Packaging
  
• 
  [Video] Giving Old Products New Life
  
• 
  Samsung OneWeek in Kazakhstan
  

Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the most popular content featured in the Newsroom this year was centered on Samsung’s latest mobile devices. An article presenting a short video of the Galaxy Fold’s folding test drummed up considerable attention before the device’s launch. The Galaxy Note10’s in-depth series, which included an infographic and article outlining the new flagship’s most exciting features, along with a piece offering useful information regarding One UI 2 on the Galaxy S10, were also particularly popular.

Other eye-catching content demonstrated how Samsung constantly evolves its TV and appliance offerings to better suit consumers’ lifestyles. The articles featured above discuss how customizable innovations like The Wall 2019 and Samsung’s Project PRISM home appliances, as well as the Samsung Flip digital flipchart, are transforming the way we work, enjoy content, and enhance our décor.

Highlights in the semiconductor category include content describing what makes Samsung’s first-of-its-kind 64Mp ISOCELL image sensor a game-changer for mobile cameras, and a video showcasing how the company’s newest memory solutions are steering the future of autonomous driving. One of the most popular articles explored Samsung’s wide-ranging SSD selection, and walked readers through finding the perfect drive to suit their needs.

There was also a great deal of content that focused on Samsung innovations that are shaping the future of tech. Standout articles include our exclusive look at the Samsung Bots, our recap of the top themes that were discussed at this year’s Samsung Developer Conference, and our enlightening ‘AI Expert’ series, in which we interviewed seven distinguished leaders of Samsung’s global AI centers.

Last but not least, some of the most meaningful content that was featured in the Newsroom this year examined Samsung’s efforts to strengthen its commitments to sustainable innovation through packaging and recycling, and to nurturing bright young minds in communities across the globe. Click on the links above to see how the company is tackling e-waste by recycling resources safely and efficiently, how its decision to replace plastic packaging with paper and other eco-friendly elements will help minimize its plastic footprint, and how employee volunteering initiatives like Samsung OneWeek are bringing smiles – and education – to communities in need.

As part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that its technologies are accessible to all users, on October 29 at SDC19, Samsung Electronics unveiled One UI 2. The latest version of Samsung’s signature UI includes an array of advanced audiovisual functions that make it easy for any user to get the most out of their Galaxy device.

Improving Visibility for Everyone

When it comes to core accessibility functions like high-contrast features, user demand is resoundingly clear.

Samsung’s high-contrast theme, which helps people with low vision see their smartphone more clearly, has so far recorded more than 15 million downloads. To make users’ displays more accommodating to their eyes, Samsung has introduced, among other features, options to 1) adjust the screen’s color settings, which enhances visibility for users who have difficulty seeing certain hues, and 2) utilize a high-contrast keyboard featuring colors that make keys really stand out.

Another way that One UI 2 offers users with low vision a helping hand is by visualizing Bixby’s dictation function. This convenient feature allows users to, for instance, easily send messages to friends by simply telling Bixby what they’d like to type. Users can also use their voice to make notes and save ideas in the Samsung Notes app.

Having visual impairment can also make it difficult to sense when lights have been turned on around you. Galaxy devices’ unique Light Sensing feature addresses this difficulty by detecting the status of nearby lights and informing the user through vibration. Users may then decide whether they’d like to turn the lights on or leave them off.

Enhancements to Help All Users Communicate Better

Samsung believes that a smartphone cannot truly be called a smartphone if it doesn’t allow users to make the most of its call function. In One UI 2, users will now be able to enjoy an improved experience when engaging in phone conversations, even in places with lots of background noise.

One UI 2 also comes with the Live Transcribe feature. This feature will automatically put spoken words into a text form on the screen that live updates so users can follow along with a conversation straight from the palm of their hand.

Furthermore, users of Galaxy Note devices can harness the convenience of Screen Off memo and other S Pen features to quickly and easily write down what they wish to communicate in situations where the need arises.

Where Accessibility Meets AI

Since the launch of its artificial intelligence (AI) platform Bixby, Samsung has been working to provide wider accessibility to its products and services for all users. As these AI technologies develop, so too will the range of accessibility capabilities offered across all Samsung devices and services.

When it was first introduced, Bixby was envisaged as an assistant for general smartphone users to enhance their experiences. As the service developed, it became of use particularly to the elderly, and to children who did not have a strong understanding of how Samsung’s products and services operated.

Samsung is committed to bringing more AI features to its technologies and devices in the future. Thanks to users’ continuous usage of these accessibility features, Samsung has developed a better understanding of how they should be enhanced. This means that more advanced customization options will soon become available.

“When developing One UI 2, we considered accessibility to be the most important element in the development process,” noted Eui-Suk Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of Software and Artificial Intelligence at Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “This is our philosophy regarding accessibility here at Samsung.”

Chung is determined of the value accessible products and services will have in the future. “If we take care to implement accessibility into our products thoroughly, many more people will be able to use our products and services comfortably,” Chung explained. “Better accessibility will improve the user experience not only for those with impairments, but also for the youngest and eldest members of our society. It can also benefit users in general when they are driving, cooking, or simply want more comfort.”

“I hope that the enhancements we have made to our accessibility features in One UI 2 are valuable to those whom they can help,” Chung continued. “It may not seem like a lot to people would require assistance in this way, but we know these functions can be essential for those who need them. Accessibility should no longer be considered as something extra – it should be at the core of all development, technological and otherwise.”

For more information about the Samsung Mobile Accessibility, please visit here.

In less than a week, thousands of individuals from around the world will gather in San Jose, California to take part in the sixth annual Samsung Developer Conference (SDC). Held from October 29–30 at the San Jose Convention Center, this year’s showcase of the latest trends in tech will offer creators and developers an opportunity to get to know Samsung innovations that will allow them to take consumers’ AI and IoT experiences to the next level.

A wide variety of sessions – led by Samsung and tech industry leaders – will offer attendees a first look at the company’s latest SDKs and dev tools, as well as exclusive previews of cutting-edge advancements in the fields of AI, 5G, secure solutions and more.

Read on for our roundup of SDC19 sessions that attendees won’t want to miss.

Bixby

SDC19 features a variety of sessions that showcase just how easy it is to develop seamless device experiences using Samsung’s open AI platform, Bixby. Included among these are:

• Game Changing Voice Assistant: Industry Perspectives
  Listen to industry leaders and premier developers share their experiences developing Bixby Capsules and scaling their services for the Bixby experience. Speakers will discuss the platform’s ability to drive business growth, and outline their vision for the future of intelligent voice assistants.

• Building Bixby Conversational Experiences for Devices with and without Screens
  This session will explore how Bixby behaves across devices both with and without screens, and discuss how to provide the best user experience for multiple devices. Learn from the best Bixby engineers in the world how to account for the many interfaces you’ll encounter in the Bixby device ecosystem.

• Bixby Developer Center and Marketplace
  Learn how to configure and submit Bixby Capsules for launch in the Bixby Marketplace, and how to set up teams for seamless collaboration. Plus, gain insight and access to Samsung’s exclusive Bixby Premier Developer Program.

5G

The 5G era is officially upon us, and at SDC19, Samsung is spotlighting some of the incredible opportunities that 5G connectivity offers businesses and developers. Those in attendance should be sure to check out:

• Unleashing Business with 5G Solutions
  This session offers valuable insights into how 5G will transform enterprises and businesses. Beyond the increase in speed, 5G will remove a wide range of existing limitations. Speakers will discuss 5G’s impact on key industries, offer predictions for the future, and share how developers can use these insights to identify new opportunities for B2B app development.

• Making 5G Wireless Technology a Reality and Initiatives Towards 6G
  The 5G platform is expected to play a critical role in connecting devices not just in the home, but across a wide range of industries. This session will explore Samsung’s 5G leadership, chart 5G’s evolution, and outline Samsung’s vision for the next generation of wireless technology: 6G.

Security

SDC19 features several sessions that underscore Samsung’s commitment to providing comprehensive security. Notable sessions include:

• Is Your Code Secure? Automatic Security Analysis Tools and Systems
  This session will introduce Samsung’s automatic analysis tools and systems for detecting security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in developed software. Discover how Samsung utilizes these tools, and learn how to make your code more secure.

• Samsung Blockchain Is Open for Partnerships
  Samsung believes in an open environment and embraces the idea that a decentralized world will revolutionize how we interact, work and play. This engaging session will outline the company’s approach to blockchain technology, and examine its efforts to further this revolution through collaboration with developers.

Enterprise Solutions

In addition to serving as a platform for partners and developers to unlock exciting business opportunities, SDC19 will showcase Samsung collaborations that are redefining what’s possible for enterprises. Notable sessions include:

• How AI Can Improve Operational Effectiveness, Safety and Wellbeing
  IBM and Samsung are expanding a decades-long partnership. This session will discuss the companies’ shared objective – to bring their combined innovation capabilities from the lab to your daily life – and showcase examples of this reinforced cooperation.

• Knox Partner Program and Knox Dev Tools
  This session will introduce the mobile enterprise-focused Knox Partner Program, which places a wide range of valuable resources and B2B dev tools – including EMM, Mobile Threat Detection, Remote Control and Secure Voice – at developers’ fingertips.

IoT (the Internet of Things)

This year at SDC, Samsung will introduce enhancements to its open IoT platform, SmartThings, that will enable partners and developers to enrich people’s lives with better connected living experiences. Highlighted sessions include:

• IoT 2.0: The Next Phase of IoT Engagement and Growth
  Learn more about SmartThings, its services and devices, and Samsung’s plans for the platform going forward. Find out how to join the SmartThings ecosystem, and how Samsung improved the platform to help partners and developers grow their businesses.

• Digital Marketing and e-Commerce Development for Smart Appliances
  Whether it’s e-commerce or digital content, developers are leveraging IoT and emerging technology to drive innovation and offer consumers additional convenience. Find out how partners are working hand-in-hand with Samsung to make this happen through collaborative development.

And Much More

All in all, SDC19 features more than 90 sessions covering a wide range of important subjects – including, in addition to those listed above, topics like developing apps for foldable devices, 8K content streaming, and Samsung’s One UI. Notable sessions include:

• More Than Foldables: Android Apps for Foldables and Larger Screens
  Android apps are now available on more than just single and small screens. Consumers are increasingly demanding versatility in screens, and this broadening device landscape is fueling a shift toward more immersive and productive usage. This interactive session will offer insights from Samsung, Google, VSCO and top developers on how to make your applications work well across multiple form factors, including foldables, tablets and desktops. Listen to experts share best practices on improving the user experience, expanding your audience, and increasing engagement across screens and devices.

• One UI : Designed for Everyday Simplicity
  Since introducing One UI at SDC18, Samsung has been hard at work refining its signature mobile software in ways that enhance users’ daily lives. Join this session for a deep dive into One UI 2’s design principles and visual language, and examine Samsung’s vision as well as its progress toward creating a single, unified user experience.

• 8K Streaming, Low-Latency Livestreaming, and AI Streaming
  This session will discuss Samsung’s collaborations with various content and service providers on 8K streaming services. Discover how to integrate 8K streaming support into new and existing apps, and learn how Samsung’s neural network-based AI streaming technology intelligently scales images and videos in order to dramatically improve image quality and enable users to enjoy more 8K content.

More details on these and other SDC19 sessions may be found here. And don’t forget to follow @samsung_dev on Twitter and keep an eye on the hashtag #SDC19 for the latest news and updates from San Jose.