Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR One UI 8 could change sound quality settings for Samsung Galaxy devices.
The new interface reportedly shows different menus with and without Galaxy Buds connected to the phone.
Samsung may be exploring ways to integrate options from the Galaxy Buds Manager right into system settings.
Samsung’s One UI 8 update is arriving soon. From Android 16’s live updates to more insights in Now Brief and improved lock screen customization features, the One UI 8 beta has already given us a glimpse of some notable improvements. And then, there might be some unwelcome additions affecting a subset of users.
With One UI 8, Samsung is reportedly changing how we configure the “Sound quality and effects” settings on our Galaxy devices. SamMobile notes this interface appears differently when your phone or tablet is connected to a pair of Galaxy Buds compared to when it’s not.
Samsung appears to be embedding controls for the Galaxy Buds right into the system Settings instead of just limiting them to the dedicated Galaxy Buds Manager or the Galaxy Wearable apps. Therefore, with One UI 8 beta, the menu at Settings > Sound and vibration > Sound quality and effects shows controls exclusively for the earbuds when they are connected.
In contrast, the same menu shows settings for the phone’s speakers (or any other audio devices) when the earbuds are not connected. This essentially means that audio settings for the phone’s speakers are hidden and cannot be tweaked when earbuds — and more specifically, any version of the Galaxy Buds — are connected.
Among the most significant changes, the update replaces system-wide EQ settings with just those for the Galaxy Buds and Dolby Atmos settings with 360-degree audio for the Buds. Here’s a comparison between the menu on One UI 8 (left) and One UI 7.
Sound quality and effects settings on One UI 8 beta with Galaxy Buds connected. Settings on One UI 7.
... continue reading