Wikipedia

Samsung Experience

This article is about the software overlay by Samsung Electronics. For the company's retail chain, see Samsung Experience Store.

Samsung Experience (stylized as SΛMSUNG Experience) was the name of the software overlay by Samsung for its Galaxy devices running Android 7.x “Nougat” and Android 8.x “Oreo”. It was introduced in late 2016 on a beta build based on Android 7.0 “Nougat” for the Galaxy S7, succeeding TouchWiz.[1] It has been succeeded in 2018 by One UI based on Android 9 “Pie” and later versions.

Samsung Experience
Samsung Experience 8.1 (based on Android Nougat) running on a Samsung Galaxy S8
DeveloperSamsung Electronics
OS familyAndroid (Based on Linux), Unix-like
Working stateDiscontinued
Source modelOpen source with proprietary components
Initial releaseDecember 7, 2016; 7 years ago (2016-12-07)
Final releaseSamsung Experience 10.0 (Android 9.0) / 2019
Available in100+ languages and 25 locales worldwide
Update methodFirmware over-the-air
Kernel typeMonolithic (modified Linux kernel)
Default
user interface		Graphical
Preceded byTouchWiz
Succeeded byOne UI

History

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Main article: TouchWiz

TouchWiz was the former name that Samsung used for its UI and icons. It was originally released in May 2008 for the SGH-F480 mobile phone. Reviewers had criticized Samsung for including too many features and software bloat, especially in the Galaxy S4, which included what many users called a Samsung "feature creep".[2] In the following years, though, Samsung had incrementally removed the bloatware and extra features, until TouchWiz was no longer recognized as TouchWiz, leading them to rename it.[3]

Features

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Home screen

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Samsung Experience makes several changes to Android's default homescreen. The apps icon is on the bottom right of the screen instead of the bottom middle, the Google Now search bar is just below the middle of the screen instead of at the top, and there is a weather widget (provided by The Weather Channel or AccuWeather in select countries or devices) at the top right corner of the screen. In addition, a user can edit the apps grid layout.[4]

Edge UX

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The "Edge" (curved glass at the edge of the screen) was originally introduced in the Galaxy Note Edge, and popularized with the Galaxy S6 Edge.

Edges

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The tasks edge gives users a shortcut to commonly utilized tasks, such as making a phone call to a certain contact, setting a timer, and creating an event in S Planner. It is an assortment of icons (e.g. contact pictures [with phone, messaging, or mail icons], an app icon with a plus symbol on its bottom right corner, or a photo [from your library] masked in the shape of a circle [with the gallery icon on the bottom right corner]) on the right of the screen.[5] The people edge allows the user to add 5 different contacts to display on the screen, for quick access to functions such as calling, texting, and emailing. It displays the contact's name and photo.[5] The apps edge displays ten of a user's most frequently used apps, with five in two columns. A user can also add a complete folder to the screen.[5]

 
A Galaxy S7 edge phone in the process of switching from the Yahoo! finance panel to the Apps edge panel

Edge panels

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Yahoo! sports, finance, and news are panels that are included with the phone.[5] A user can download extra panels for ease of use, such as an RSS reader, Twitter trends, and news from CNN.[6]

Quick tools

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With quick tools, the Edge transforms into a ruler, compass, or flashlight.[5]

Edge feeds

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When a user swipes the edge of the screen and the screen is off, the edge display turns on and displays missed calls, the current time, weather, and news.[7]

Grace UX

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First released with the Galaxy Note 7 for Android Marshmallow, the Grace UX was named after the device's codename, and eventually made its way to some later phones with Android 6, such as the 2017 edition of the Galaxy A series. The Grace UX features a cleaner, flatter look to iconography and extensive use of white space. TouchWiz Grace UX devices also benefit from the Secure Folder functionality, which enables users to keep certain data, and even apps, behind a secure password.

In addition, for most countries, all the languages that were absent from previous versions (Android Marshmallow or earlier) are be available in this release.

Always-on display

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Main article: Always on Display
 
The always-on display on the Galaxy S7 Edge, displaying the time and the calendar

Most of Samsung's mobile devices have AMOLED displays and the screen is left mostly black when the always-on display is active; only illuminated pixels require power since they are LEDs. The screen will display the current time, the calendar, or a selected image. There are different styles for each option (the clock has 7 styles, the calendar has 2 styles, and the image has 3 styles).[8] Later on, additional functionality was added to turn on the always-on display feature either in a scheduled manner, or keep it always on. The always-on display also adjusts its brightness as per the ambient light brightness automatically.

The Always-on Display is available on Galaxy A series (2017 & 2018), S7/S7 edge, S8/S8+, Note 8 and higher, Galaxy J7 (2017)/J7 Pro/J7+ (or C7 2017), Galaxy C5/C7/C9 Pro, and higher devices only.

File Manager

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Samsung includes a file manager with its Galaxy phones, unlike stock Android.[9]

It also gives access to Google Drive and OneDrive cloud storage solutions and ability to connect to FTP servers.

Game Launcher

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Any game that a user downloads is combined into a single folder. In that folder, one can optimize frame rate and resolution.[10] It includes Game Tools, a button that appears when a user is playing a game. When tapped, it can mute notifications, turn off the capacitive keys, minimize the game, screenshot, and record gameplay.[10] This feature was renamed as gaming hub in late 2023.

Bixby

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Bixby is an assistant that launched with the Samsung Galaxy S8. It replaces S Voice on Samsung phones and has three parts, including Bixby Voice, Bixby Vision and Bixby Home. Bixby Voice can be triggered by saying "Hey Bixby" or pressing and holding the button located below the volume rocker, dubbed the Bixby Button. Bixby Vision is built into the camera app and can "see" what one can see as it is essentially an augmented reality camera that can identify objects in real time, search for them on various services, and offer the user to purchase them if available. Bixby is also able to translate text, read QR codes and recognize landmarks.[11] Bixby Home can be found by swiping to the right on the home screen. It is a vertically scrolling list of information that Bixby can interact with, for example, weather, fitness activity, and buttons for controlling their smart home gadgets.[11]

Keyword

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Bixby can do tasks related to a single keyword. For example, a simple "Good Night" can request the device to turn to silent mode and turn on the Night Mode display.

S Pen

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(exclusive to the Galaxy Note and Tab series)

  • Air Command: A collection of shortcuts that appear when the S Pen is taken out.
  • Smart Select: Create custom GIFs (also available on Galaxy S8/+ and S9/+ after 7.0 Nougat update)
  • Samsung Notes: The user can take notes, draw, annotate, with a wide selection of brushes, pens, and colors (available as app on Galaxy Apps, except of S Pen writing, but still possible with finger or keyboard type)
  • Live Message: The user can draw custom emojis, make animated GIFs, or write messages on photos (also available on Galaxy S8/S8+, S9/S9+ and Note FE after 7.0 Nougat update)
  • Screen Off Memo: Capture notes when the screen is off.
  • Glance: Have two apps open simultaneously and switch back and forth with ease.
  • Magnify: Take a closer look whenever you need to.
  • Translate: Translate words or sentences, and convert currencies and measurement units.
  • Remote Control: Connected with Bluetooth, can trigger camera, navigate web browser, play/pause/fast forward in music apps. (exclusive to the Note 9)

Version history

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See also: Android version history
Version Android version Release date Features
Samsung Experience 8.0 Android 7.0 "Nougat" January 19, 2017 Redesigned UI
  • Consistent iconography.
  • More sophisticated look.

Updated Edge UX

  • New Task edge options.

Tilt to Unlock

  • Tilt the phone upwards to unlock it.

Updated Always-On Display

  • Third-party app and calendar notifications.
  • Custom signature.
  • Screen-off memo.
  • Additional clock styles.

Samsung Cloud

  • 15 GB free cloud storage.

Additions to Theme Store

  • Now includes support for icon packs.

Blue-light filter

  • Adjust warmth of light on the screen.

Wide Selfie

  • Selfie with a field of view of up to 120º degrees.

Multi-Locale

  • Supports more than 100 system languages and 25 locales.
  • The ability to use two or more languages at the same time.
Samsung Experience 8.1 Android 7.0 "Nougat" April 21, 2017 Altered design
  • Outline iconography
  • Other tweaks

DeX

  • Connect the Galaxy S8/S8+/Note8/S9/S9+ to a monitor, keyboard and mouse for a desktop experience.

Bixby

  • Intelligent interface that learns from you to help you do more. It works with select apps like email and messages, serves up reminders and can help you understand your settings and set up your Samsung devices.

Bixby Vision

  • Translate foreign languages, scan business cards, scan QR codes, through camera

Samsung Connect support

  • Control smart appliances

Other

  • Swipe up for App Drawer
  • Redesigned settings pane

[11][12][13]

Samsung Experience 8.5 Android 7.1.1 "Nougat" September 15, 2017 App Pair (Galaxy S and Note series phones from 7.0 Nougat update)
  • Open two apps at once using Multi Window

Expanded S Pen features

  • Glance, magnify, and translate

Facial and Iris recognition improvements (exclusive to Galaxy S & Note series)

  • More efficient, and faster

More stable UI

  • No frame drops
  • Improved user experience
Samsung Experience 9.0 Android 8.0 "Oreo" February 8, 2018[14] Bixby
  • "Bixby briefing" gives updates on weather when an alarm rings

Dual Messenger

  • Install a second copy of a message account to use with a separate account

Finder

  • Faster results
  • Search results from Contacts, Settings, My files, Messages, and Email shown in cards
  • New results from Galaxy Apps and Google Play

Home

  • Redesigned Quick Shortcuts
  • Notification badges on app icons and the panel are synced.

Quick Panel

  • Manage notifications for each app with notification categories
  • Icons will be shown at the bottom of the notification panel for notifications that aren't currently visible

Samsung Cloud

  • View and manage photos and notes only stored in Samsung Cloud
  • Store any type of file in Samsung Cloud Drive
  • Open from home screen

SmartThings (formerly Samsung Connect)

  • Manage devices and scenes with cards
  • Automations based on time, status, and location

Samsung Keyboard

  • Improved settings
  • Keyboard toolbar (customization)
  • GIF keyboard
  • More emojis[15]
  • More high contrast options are available

Other

  • Improved system performance
  • More Edge screen features
  • DeX improvements
  • Find My Mobile improvements
  • Color Lens
  • Email improvements

[16][17]

Samsung Experience 9.5 Android 8.1 "Oreo" August 9, 2018[18] Bixby 2.0
  • Natural conversation
  • Individual recommendations
  • Faster response time
  • Uber hail support[19][20]

Emoji

  • Emoji 11.0 support[21]
Samsung Experience 10.0
(beta version of One UI) 		Android 9 "Pie" November 7, 2018
Main article: One UI

Later discontinued and released as One UI 1.0.

Devices running Samsung Experience

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Note that this list is not exhaustive.

Smartphones

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Device Version
Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Original: TouchWiz 5.0 (Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Galaxy S6 Edge+ Original: TouchWiz 5.1 (Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Galaxy S5 Neo (SM-G903W)
Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and S7 Active Original: TouchWiz 6.0 (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy Note 5 Original: TouchWiz 5.1 (Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Galaxy Note Fan Edition (FE) Original: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy Note 8 Original: Samsung Experience 8.5 (Android 7.1.1 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy Note 9 Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy A3, A5 and A7 (2016) Original: TouchWiz 5.1 (Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) Original: TouchWiz 6.0 (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy A8 (2016) Original: TouchWiz Grace UX (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy A3, A5 and A7 (2017)
Galaxy A8 / A8+ (2018) Original: Samsung Experience 8.5 (Android 7.1.1 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy A6 / A6+ (2018) Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy A8 Star (2018)
Galaxy A9 Star (2018)
Galaxy A7 (2018)
Galaxy A9 (2018)
A6s (2018)
Galaxy A8s (2018) Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy J5 (2016) Original: TouchWiz 6.0 (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0/9.5 (Android 8.0/8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy J7 (2016)
Galaxy J7 Prime / Galaxy On7 (2016)		 Original: TouchWiz 6.0 (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1"Oreo")
Galaxy J3 (2017) / J3 Pro
Galaxy J5 (2017) / J5 Pro
Galaxy J7 (2017) / J7 Pro		 Original: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo") or 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max (2017) / On Max (2017) Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Samsung Galaxy J7 Nxt/J7 Core/J7 Neo Original: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy J2 Pro (2018) / J2 (2018) / Grand Prime Pro Samsung Experience 8.5 (Android 7.1.1 "Nougat")
Galaxy J7 Prime 2
Galaxy J7 Prime (2018)
Galaxy J2 Core (2018) Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy J7 Duo (2018) Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy J4 (2018)
Galaxy J8 (2018)
Galaxy J4+ (2018) Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy J6 (2018) Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy J6+ (2018) Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy C9 Pro Original: TouchWiz Grace UX (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy C7 Pro Original: TouchWiz Grace UX (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Galaxy C8 / C7 (2017)
Galaxy J7+		 Samsung Experience 8.5 (Android 7.1.1 "Nougat")
Galaxy Feel Original: Samsung Experience 8.1 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy S Light Luxury (S8 Lite) Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy Xcover 4 Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Samsung Galaxy M10 / M20 / M30

Tablets

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Device Model number Version
Galaxy Tab S2 (8.0 and 9.7)
2015 and 2016 versions 		All (Except T819C, T815C, T719C)[22] Original (2015): TouchWiz 5.0 (Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop")
Original (2016): TouchWiz 6.0 (Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow")
Upgradeable (2015): Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Upgradeable (2016): Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy Tab S3 SM-T820, SM-T825 Original: Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.0 (Android 8.0 "Oreo")
Galaxy Tab S4 SM-T830, SM-T835 Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy Tab A 8.0[23] SM-T350, SM-T355, SM-P350, SM-P355 Original: TouchWiz 5.0 (Android 5.0.2 ''Lollipop'')

Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 8.0 ( Android 7.0 "Nougat)[24]

Galaxy Tab A 9.7[25][26] SM-T550, SM-T555, SM-P550, SM-P555 Original: TouchWiz 5.0 (Android 5.0.2 ''Lollipop'')
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 8.0 (Android 7.0 "Nougat")[27]
Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2017)
Galaxy Tab A2 S 		SM-T380, SM-T385 Original: Samsung Experience 8.5 (Android 7.1.1 "Nougat")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo") (SM-T380 only)
Galaxy Tab Active 2[28] SM-T390, SM-T395 Samsung Experience 8.5 ( Android 7.1.1 "Nougat")
Galaxy Tab A 10.5 (2018)[29] SM-T590, SM-T595 Samsung Experience 9.5 (Android 8.1 "Oreo")
Galaxy Tab E 9.6[30][31][32]
US version only 		SM-T560NU Original: TouchWiz 5.1 (Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop")
Upgradeable: Samsung Experience 8.0 ( Android 7.0 "Nougat")

References

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  1. ^ Vlad, Andrei. "Say Goodbye to TouchWiz UI, Hello "Samsung Experience"". softpedia. Archived from the original on 2018-06-20. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  2. ^ "Get useless bloatware off your Galaxy S4". CNET. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  3. ^ "Samsung wants to solve the main problem of their smartphones, renaming the TouchWiz in the Samsung Experience". AppleApple .top world news | All top APPLE news, iPhone, iMac, iPad, Apple Watch. 2016-12-08. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  4. ^ "5 Samsung TouchWiz features that should be in stock Android". TechRadar. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Get Things Done Faster with the Newly Enhanced Edge Screen". news.samsung.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-26. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  6. ^ "Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge best panels: what you should download – AndroidPIT". AndroidPIT. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  7. ^ "20 handy Galaxy S7 Edge tips and tricks". Digital Trends. 2016-05-14. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  8. ^ "Get to know the Galaxy S7's Always-On Display". CNET. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  9. ^ "15 TouchWiz features that make the day-to-day Android experience better". Phone Arena. Archived from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  10. ^ a b "Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge review". TechRadar. Archived from the original on 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  11. ^ a b c Bohn, Dieter (2017-03-29). "Three things we know Samsung's new assistant can do on the Galaxy S8". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2017-11-13. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  12. ^ "Samsung DeX review - can your smartphone replace a PC?". Android Authority. 2017-04-24. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  13. ^ "Galaxy S8 software: Simpler, smarter, and definitely Samsung". Android Central. 2017-03-29. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  14. ^ Abhijeet (8 February 2018). "BREAKING: Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo update now rolling out". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  15. ^ "Samsung Experience 9.0 Emoji Changelog". Emojipedia. 2018-02-12. Archived from the original on 2018-04-12. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  16. ^ "[Update: It's official] Samsung starts rolling out Oreo beta for the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus". Android Police. 2017-11-01. Archived from the original on 2017-11-05. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  17. ^ SamMobile (February 2018). "Check out Samsung's infographic of Samsung Experience 9.0 features coming with Oreo". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  18. ^ "Samsung reportedly plans Galaxy Note 9 announcement on August 9th". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2018-06-03. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
  19. ^ "Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review: Big battery and superb S Pen experience power productivity Review". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
  20. ^ "Bixby 2.0's debut on the Note 9 lets users make restaurant reservations and order Ubers". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
  21. ^ Broni, Keith (2018-08-24). "Samsung Experience 9.5 Emoji Changelog". Emojipedia. Archived from the original on 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
  22. ^ SamMobile. "Firmwares". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
  23. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for GALAXY Tab A SM-P355". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  24. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for GALAXY Tab A SM-T350". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  25. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for GALAXY Tab A SM-P550". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  26. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for GALAXY Tab A SM-P555". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  27. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for GALAXY Tab A SM-T555". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  28. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for SM-T395". SamMobile. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  29. ^ "Samsung Tab A7 10.4 2020 SM-T507 Stock Firmware ROM Flash File Download". Firmware Updates. 2022-02-16. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  30. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for Galaxy Tab E SM-T377P". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  31. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for Galaxy Tab E SM-T377V". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  32. ^ SamMobile. "Firmware download for Galaxy Tab E SM-T377R4". SamMobile. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
Preceded by Samsung Experience
2017–2019 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Samsung_Experience&oldid=1255711234"