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November 12, 2026 • 2 min read
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Samsung is testing One UI 9.5 internally, and leaks keep giving us an early look at what’s coming. The latest one shows redesigned Phone and Contacts apps that move the search button to the bottom of the screen. This makes them easier to use with one hand, which has always been Samsung’s goal with One UI.
One UI 9.5 brings search closer to your thumb
The One UI 9.5 versions of the Phone and Contacts apps have surfaced online as APK files ahead of the official launch. This gives us a look at the design tweak Samsung is planning for its upcoming software update.
Currently, the One UI 9 Phone app shows three tabs in its bottom navigation bar: Keypad, Recents, and Contacts. Some users may also see a Voicemail tab on the far right, depending on their carrier and region. Meanwhile, the Search button stays in the top-right corner.
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That changes with One UI 9.5. Samsung is moving the Search button down into the floating pill-style navigation bar, right next to the other existing tabs. As such. you no longer need to reach the top of the screen to look up a number or contact.
In addition to design tweaks, Samsung could also bring a useful feature to the Phone app. A previous report suggested that One UI 9.5 may let you record calls made through third-party VoIP apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Meet.
Now, coming to the Contacts app, Samsung gives it similar treatment. The search icon at the top is gone. Instead, it now appears as a floating search pill at the bottom of the screen. The company has also merged “My profile” and “Groups” into a single card. Moreover, the Groups option now shows the exact number of groups you have saved.
The Phone and Contacts apps are not the only ones getting the search button shift. In One UI 9.5, the Calendar, Clock, and Samsung Notes apps also move it to the bottom-right corner. Samsung appears to be bringing one-hand-friendly design to more of its apps.
Anyway, you may not have to wait long to try these changes. Samsung could begin the One UI 9.5 beta program for the Galaxy S26 series later this month or in early December. The stable version may debut alongside the Galaxy S27 series in early 2027.
Everything we know, in one place: we keep Will Your Galaxy Phone or Tablet Get the One UI 9 Update? current as new details are confirmed.
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