Now Bar Feature: Do All One UI 7 Galaxy Phones Support It?

Samsung launched the True AI companion device, the Galaxy S25 lineup, in the recent Unpacked Event. Having an on-device AI helps a lot in running more AI-oriented features seamlessly.

Samsung’s One UI 7 skin brings a lot of Galaxy AI’s advanced intelligence features to the S25 trio series. The “Now Bar” or “Now Brief” are such AI features that Samsung mostly showcases.

The Now Bar feature displays the live information on your lock screen. Selected information, such as live notifications, music, routine, timer or stopwatch, etc., will be shown at the bottom of the device like a tablet bar. And you can control the selected applications on the lock screen itself. Double-tap or wake the lock screen and shuffle through the apps; tap and expand the application; long press for more options; and you can always change settings or remove the application from the lock screen.

Additionally, it also displays the selected information of “Now Brief,” which is another of S25’s advanced AI features. You can activate the Now Bar feature in the “Lock Screen and AoD” section. Know more about the customization here!

Now Bar look

Mid-Range Galaxy Phones Could Miss Out on One UI 7’s Now Bar

Now Bar feature might not be available for mid-range devices, even though the device has the latest One UI 7 skin. Features like Now Bar or Now Brief have their own pros and cons. According to Sammyguru, the Now Bar feature might be limited to the S series because of the hardware difference between flagship and mid-range devices.

The majority of the problem is that S25 has the on-device AI capability, which is not presented in mid-range devices like the A series. Because of this, computing some of the algorithms will not be as seamless as the S series.

Now Bar or Now Brief are some of the advanced AI features that use more critical sets of algorithms to showcase the results. Although the Fan Edition might get these features, the selective options of the application might be limited.

Another part of the problem is the positioning of the Now Bar notification. In the current position of mid-range phones, it can overlap with the fingerprint scanner area. But this issue can be easily resolved if the repositioning of the Now Bar is made possible dynamically.

We will not have to wait longer as One UI 7 will be rolling out soonโ€”starting in February, for most of the eligible devices. Either the Now Bar feature gets limited or removed altogether in mid-range devices; that will be interesting to see.

At SamInsider, Manajit writes well-researched articles on Samsung products. When Manajit is not busy writing, you will find him sketching cartoons. You can reach him via Email: manajit8@gmail.com

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