I can’t stand Galaxy AI, and it has nothing to do with how it functions. The features work pretty well, but nothing about the experience feels intuitive.
I’m always a much more active participant than I’d like to be, and Samsung makes the same mistake several other companies do — I don’t want to have to learn how to use AI, I want AI to learn how to assist me.
However, there was a One UI software addition this year that I wound up enjoying way more than I thought.
At first, I considered the Now Bar as just a vehicle for Galaxy AI. A way for the Now Brief to deliver goofy, quasi-inspirational messages throughout the day, before showing me a news story I had no interest in, and the weather.
Thankfully, it’s done a lot more than that. And I find myself missing the feature when I’m testing other phones.
The Now Bar is a real advantage for Samsung; here’s why.
My Samsung Galaxy S25 became a productivity weapon with this one-tap app strategy
The experience is surprisingly seamless
The Now Bar keeps me up to date on sports scores
I’ll never miss another New York Knicks game
Following sports like I used to is a lot more difficult with a toddler in the house.
We don’t want our daughter staring at screens just yet, which limits my opportunities to watch the New York Knicks and Rangers.
Still, I’d like to keep track of my favorite teams throughout the season, even if that means nothing but pain as a Rangers fan.
The Now Bar is perfect. I simply add teams to follow in the Google app, and Samsung integrates and does the rest.
Yes, One UI isn’t the only Android software that’ll show your followed sports teams, but I like Samsung’s implementation. It’s unobtrusive, and it’s easy to track on the lock screen.
I never miss a game, and am kept up to date with scores. If I want a play-by-play experience, I can open my Galaxy Z Flip 7 or follow along on the always-on display.
It also helps enhance the lackluster cover screen experience on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 — something the device sorely needed.
Turn-by-turn navigation is easier
No need to have your phone open
I’ll be the first to admit that while driving in the car, it’s hard to follow the turn-by-turn directions on the Now Bar.
It’s possible, but not ideal, especially with a phone like the Galaxy Z Flip 7, where I can use the entire cover display to show the map. However, when I’m walking around, it’s fantastic.
Even if I’m not using a flip phone, it’s so much easier to glance down to get information on upcoming turns from the lock screen without having to open the app constantly. It saves on battery and is a more enjoyable experience.
The Now Bar makes it easy to flip through different cards, so I’m not limited even while navigating. I can pause or skip tracks using my other favorite Now Bar function: media control.
The Now Bar is excellent for flipping through tracks
I love the ease of use
I’m not proud that Apple Music is my preferred app for my songs. However, I do love how well it works with the Now Bar.
Regardless of what you use, the Now Bar is an excellent way to control your media.
Sure, lock screen media controls aren’t new, but the Now Bar is subtle and out of the way. It doesn’t clog up my entire lock screen, but I can still see which tracks are playing and control my music.
It’s a small item, but I love that I don’t need to unlock my phone to interact with the controls.
It’s one less step, and on my Galaxy Z Flip 7, it’s easier to hold the device in one hand and use the media controls without having to shift to unlock the phone.
If I unlock the phone, a single tap plays or pauses a song, or skips to the next one. When locked, it takes a double-tap to interact.
It prevents errant touches when I’m moving the phone around in my hand, but I can still do what I need.
Thankfully, Galaxy AI wasn’t the only addition this year
It’s been a rough year for Galaxy AI. I didn’t think it was enough to propel sales of the Galaxy S25 series, and it’s not the kind of AI I’m looking for.
Thankfully, it wasn’t the only addition Samsung made this year.
While it appeared the Now Bar was meant to be more of a Galaxy AI function, I’m thrilled it’s been given practical uses.
It’s more helpful than I thought initially, and Samsung’s done an excellent job improving the Now Bar this year.
If you haven’t given it a chance, load up some music or follow your favorite sports teams, you’ll be glad you did.
