GoKawiilI’ve used Samsung foldables for half a decade, spanning both Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold models. The hardware hasn’t always been on point — my Galaxy Z Flip 3 screen protector cracked along the crease in less than a year, and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 I replaced it with became outdated quickly. Only recently has Samsung flexed its hardware muscle with the impressive Galaxy Z Fold 7, and to a lesser degree, the Galaxy Z Flip 7. All the while, One UI software and its optimization for the foldable form factor never let me down.
Samsung’s One UI software has long tried to go above and beyond the basic Android features, occasionally to its detriment. The extra utility truly helps you make the most of Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold phones, though. From app and operating system behaviors set by folding status to handy Flex Mode controls, there are a lot of One UI customization features built just for foldables.
Which Android phone brand has the best foldable software? 3 votes Samsung 67 % Google 0 % Motorola 0 % OPPO / OnePlus 33 % Huawei 0 % Honor 0 % Vivo 0 % Another brand (comments) 0 %
Set modes and routines based on folding status
Brady Snyder / Android Authority
One UI has a robust automation suite under the “Modes and Routines” page in the Settings app, and foldable users can create routines tied to whether their phone is opened or closed. Samsung foldables know whether their folding display is currently open, closed, or even partially folded. You can leverage this information to initiate custom routines based on the phone’s folding status. For instance, a routine could automatically enable auto-rotate when the phone is opened and rotation lock when the device is closed.
This is particularly helpful for using One UI with a foldable phone, as the cover screen and folding display are each used for different tasks. Let’s say you have a Galaxy Z Fold 7 and use it at your desk as a digital calendar or to-do list. You can create a custom routine that extends the screen timeout period to 10 minutes only when the foldable is opened, so the screen doesn’t go dark while you’re at your desk. When the phone is closed, the screen timeout period could remain shorter. Similarly, it’s possible to create routines that specify unique font styles, font sizes, and screen zoom profiles for when a foldable is opened or closed.
The possibilities are almost endless. To try it for yourself, open the Settings app on your foldable and find the “Modes and Routines” page. Switch to the “Routines” tab and press the “+” icon to create a new routine. Select “Folding status” as the trigger for the routine and pick any action as the “Then” statement for the routine. When you’re finished, the routines you’ve created will automatically take effect based on your foldable’s hinge status.
Use Flex Mode to control media and more
Brady Snyder / Android Authority
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