Samsung introduced the Now Bar in One UI 7 with big promises of AI-powered interactivity. But for many Galaxy users, the reality has fallen short. Instead of delivering groundbreaking features, the Now Bar feels more like a placeholder for a concept that hasn’t fully materialized. However, new leaks hint that the Now Bar might finally get some practical functionality in One UI 8.
According to a recent leak on X (formerly Twitter) reported by 9to5Google, the NowBar is set to gain some useful features in the upcoming OS update. The leaked images show the Now Bar handling active calls, displaying call duration, and potentially identifying the contact involved. There’s also a Do Not Disturb toggle, but it’s unclear if it’s interactive or just another status indicator.
When Samsung unveiled One UI 7 back in January, it hyped the Now Bar as a game-changing feature, promising contextual AI that would elevate the user experience. But the rollout has been underwhelming, with the NowBar feeling more like a static widget than a smart interface. It’s drawn comparisons to Apple’s Dynamic Island, though positioned in a less convenient spot on the screen.
In its current form, the Now Bar in One UI 7 displays basic information like battery status, sports scores, and morning briefings. If the upcoming update makes active calls and Do Not Disturb status interactive, it could be a step in the right direction. But without more advanced AI-driven suggestions and third-party app integrations, it’s still far from being the smart assistant Samsung promised.
What users want is a Now Bar that leverages contextual AI — a feature that suggests playlists when commuting, displays relevant apps based on user activity, or provides quick access to important folders during work hours. That’s what Samsung pitched, and that’s what users are still waiting for.
What’s Next for the Now Bar?
It’s worth noting that One UI 8 hasn’t entered the beta phase yet. Samsung is still sorting out the messy rollout of One UI 7, so these leaks are based on pre-release builds and could change before the official launch. What we’re seeing might just be early groundwork for a more comprehensive update — or another minor tweak to a feature that still hasn’t found its purpose.
Whether Samsung is setting the stage for the Now Bar to evolve into a true AI-powered assistant or simply adding more cosmetic updates remains to be seen. Galaxy users will have to wait and see if One UI 8 finally delivers the smart, context-aware Now Bar they were promised — or if it’s just more hype without substance.
