Samsung introduced a floating, pill-shaped navigation bar across several system apps in One UI 8.5. However, new test builds reveal that the tech giant is already refining this design for One UI 9, aiming for a more compact bar to optimize screen real estate along the edges.

Although the stable release of the Android 16 QPR2-based One UI 8.5 has yet to see a widespread rollout, initial details about the Android 17-based One UI 9 are starting to surface. Samsung is reportedly testing its next-generation software on select devices, including the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7.

While digging into an internal One UI 9 build, tech tipster Tarun Vats spotted a redesigned floating navigation bar within the Quick Share feature. Compared to its One UI 8.5 counterpart, the new bar is noticeably more compact, leaving wider margins on the sides and bottom of the display. The rounded corners are also more pronounced, a design cue that extends to the pill-shaped tabs when active.

Though a minor tweak, this adjustment could yield a more balanced and airy overall interface. Quick Share currently uses only two tabs—Receive and Send—so the layout feels naturally spacious. However, for apps heavily reliant on multiple tabs, such as the Gallery, Samsung may need to implement further adjustments to maintain a cohesive aesthetic.

It is worth noting that these are very early test builds, meaning the design could undergo further alterations in upcoming internal versions. Following its traditional timeline, Samsung is expected to kick off the One UI 9 beta program around mid-2026, ahead of an official stable release alongside its next generation of foldable smartphones slated for July 2026.