Ever since Samsung switched to One UI as its custom Android skin back in 2018, the tech giant has enjoyed significantly more praise from its fans compared to its older TouchWiz skin.
At the same time, there are people who would pick stock Android over One UI in a blink of an eye for being the cleanest software you can get on Android. And although that's true, we still think One UI is better than stock Android in a variety of ways. Here are six reasons why.
1. One UI Has More Features
While stock Android is indeed clean and doesn't bother you with any unnecessary bloatware apps, it's easily overshadowed by the plethora of useful features on One UI. No matter your needs, you can almost always find settings in One UI that fulfill them.
Your screen is too bright to view at nighttime? Use Extra Dim to dim it beyond the minimum brightness level. Need a faster way to multitask and quickly access your favorite apps and contacts? Set up and use edge panels.
Hate having to change the same settings every day? Automate your phone with Bixby Routines. Not happy with the sound quality of your phone? Turn on Dolby Atmos or set up a custom sound profile. We could go on, but you get the idea.
2. One UI Is More Customizable
Another category where One UI trumps stock Android is customization. Now, you might argue that a stock Android user can just download customization apps from the Play Store if they wanted to do so—and you'd be right; that's a perfectly sound argument.
However, there's a difference between having the freedom to do something and the support required to actually do it. With One UI, you don't have to go around searching for good customization apps; you can customize your Galaxy phone directly from the settings. And if you want to go a step beyond, you can always use Samsung's Good Lock app.
3. One UI Does More for Privacy and Security
Unless you're buying a cheaper-end Galaxy phone such as one from the M series, every Samsung device comes with Knox security pre-installed. Knox is Samsung's proprietary security platform consisting of hardware and software security features built into One UI and is certified by several government agencies worldwide.
Knox is responsible for protecting your private data including your passwords, fingerprints, face unlock, and more. This data is stored and processed on your device in a separate hardware unit isolated from the rest of your phone, so it can't be sent to or communicate with any malicious third-party apps or services.
In comparison, stock Android is far more vulnerable to hacking. The only exception to this is Google Pixel phones which come with a Titan M security chip, but Google hasn't boasted any credible certifications for the same.
It's also worth noting that some of the more recent Samsung phones such as the Galaxy S22, Galaxy A53, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and the like are set to get a total of five years of security updates, meaning your phone will be protected for longer via regular security patches.
4. One UI Can Be Made Suitable for Everyone
There's one amazing thing about One UI that isn't talked about enough: its adaptability. What we've talked about till now might make you believe that One UI is only made for regular buyers and there's no place in it for people with different needs. That's not at all the case.
A direct benefit of being such a heavy feature-packed skin is that One UI can serve everyone at the same time. For seniors, there's Easy Mode. For kids, there's Samsung Kids. For casual users, the default settings are pretty much spot-on. And for enthusiasts and power users, there are tons of software features to optimize your Galaxy device.
Stock Android isn't nearly as capable in this regard.
5. One UI Is More Exclusive
It's not just more features, better customization, and stronger security that make One UI one of the best Android skins out there, it's also its overall design language. This includes its icons, widgets, Quick Settings panel, system navigation style, and more.
If you handed over your stock Android phone to a stranger, they'd probably not be able to tell at first sight whether your phone is from Motorola, Nokia, or Google since stock Android is not exclusive to a particular brand. That means any Android OEM can easily put stock Android on its phones whenever it wants, making the launcher less special.
That's not the case with One UI since it's Samsung's proprietary software skin and is hence only found on Galaxy phones and tablets. This exclusivity makes One UI more unique and easily recognizable than stock Android.
6. One UI Is Integrated With the Galaxy Ecosystem
Aside from great apps and services, one thing that's becoming increasingly important in today's tech-savvy world is having an ecosystem. The Galaxy ecosystem is admittedly not as good as the gold standard set by Apple, but it's about as good as you can get on Android.
One UI is designed to connect seamlessly with Samsung products such as the Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Tab, and Galaxy Book. So, if you're looking for an interconnected experience, One UI is your best bet.
Granted, it comes with a lot of pre-installed Samsung apps, some of which are not that useful, but a number of them are quite underrated for how they improve your device's functionality. In comparison, stock Android has nothing as such going for it. However, with Google's growing portfolio of products, the Pixel ecosystem can become a strong competitor soon.
One UI Is Smarter, Safer, and More User-Friendly
It's true that stock Android consumes less battery, occupies less internal storage, and doesn't hog your processing power as much. However, despite these qualities, it's still not right for most people because its limitations outweigh its benefits.
It's why almost every major Android brand develops its own Android skin, some heavier than others. We might recommend stock Android on certain occasions depending on whose asking and their specific needs, but for the most part, you're better off with One UI.
