One UI 8 to revamp lock screen design language on Samsung phones

Samsung is giving your lock screen a serious visual upgrade. With One UI 8 just around the corner, the South Korean tech giant is doubling down on personalisation for smartphones.

A recent leak has lifted the curtain on some of the changes, and if you’ve ever fiddled with clock placements on your lock screen in a bid to get the perfect look, this one’s for you. Here’s what you can expect from the lock screen design with the upcoming Samsung One UI 8 update.

One UI 8: A new era of lock screen design

Samsung’s lock screen toolkit already made significant strides with One UI 7. It introduced ways to play with frames around subjects in your wallpaper and layer effects that brought a touch of drama to an otherwise static screen.

Think blurred backgrounds, overlays, and subtle highlights that made key info like time and notifications pop. And if you’re using a Galaxy phone with AI chops, the “Suggest” button could even do the heavy lifting, blending frames and effects for you.

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Now, One UI 8 is here to refine all that, with a clock that doesn’t just tell time, but plays along with your wallpaper. The redesigned lock screen clock that’s aware of its surroundings; literally. Much like the clock on iOS 26’s lock screen.

In a leak from reliable tipster Universeice on X, the clock on the lock screen is seen intelligently shifting size and position, seemingly moulding itself around the subject in the background. It’s subtle, but the effect is striking, almost as if the clock is part of the wallpaper rather than slapped on top of it.

Animation plays a big role in the One UI 8 experience. Once you’ve picked your clock style, the transition from always-on display (AOD) to full lock screen is extremely fluid. The clock gently stretches upward in a clean vertical motion, a visual cue that’s less flashy and more poetic. It’s a small detail that adds a layer of sophistication to the everyday unlock.

One UI 8: Rolling out soon

Samsung hasn’t officially announced the update yet, but according to the leak, One UI 8 should hit devices as early as next month. And while this isn’t a headline-grabbing overhaul of the entire system, it’s the kind of considered, stylish evolution that Samsung users have come to appreciate.

If you’re the type who curates your phone like a mood board, this might just be the most satisfying update in a while. For more updates surrounding all things tech, stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma.