Samsung is already working on the next version of its custom Android skin, One UI 8, even as the rollout of One UI 7 continues. A recent leak suggests that the upcoming update will bring several enhancements to the Now Bar feature, which was first introduced with One UI 7 on devices running Android 15. The Now Bar currently offers a quick, glanceable summary of AI-driven insights via Galaxy AI’s Now Brief. However, the new version is rumored to add useful functions like phone call management and a Do Not Disturb toggle directly accessible from the lock screen.
According to tipster @opraks9plus, a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) shows the Galaxy S25 Ultra running an early build of One UI 8, featuring a Do Not Disturb button embedded in the Now Bar. While it’s unclear if this button will simply indicate when DND is active or allow users to toggle the setting on and off, the addition signals a move toward more interactive quick controls. Another leak hints at an active call feature within the Now Bar, where users might see call duration and recipient details in a pill-shaped interface, allowing them to monitor ongoing phone calls without unlocking their phones.
The Now Bar itself is an AI-powered tool designed to provide personalized and contextually relevant information right on the lock screen. It acts as an extension of the Now Brief feature, which offers users customized content like health stats, calendar events, news updates, and travel info in a series of scrollable cards. One UI 8’s enhancements appear to be geared toward making these interactions more actionable, adding convenience by integrating core phone functions such as call handling and DND management into the lock screen experience.
Since these updates were spotted in an early One UI 8 build, they could still undergo changes before the official release. Samsung has positioned the Now Bar as a key component of its Galaxy AI ecosystem, aiming to make daily device interactions more seamless and intuitive. If the rumored additions hold true, users can expect a smarter, more interactive lock screen that offers quicker access to essential controls without needing to dive into deeper menus.