Samsung is preparing a huge upgrade for SmartThings, bringing a design revolution and smart widgets. We at TechNoid analyzed exactly what's changing and how it will affect your everyday life in the smart home.
- New bottom navigation bar with pill-shaped design and 5 main tabs.
- Dynamic wallpapers that change colors depending on the time of day.
- Three new widgets and a “SmartThings Now” card for automation suggestions.
New design and One UI 9 philosophy
The Korean company is preparing a radical overhaul of its SmartThings app, according to an exclusive report from SamMobile . The new interface adopts the minimalist design language of the upcoming One UI 9, abandoning the bulky menus of the past. The most immediate change is at the bottom of your screen, where a new pill-shaped navigation bar organizes everything into five distinct tabs: Home, Devices, Life, Routines, and Menu.
This change isn't just cosmetic, but aims to reduce unnecessary touches when trying to turn off the lights or adjust your air conditioner. Samsung is fully aligning its smart home ecosystem with its overall Android interface.
Dynamic wallpapers and new widgets
Until now, the SmartThings background was static and uninteresting. Samsung is introducing dynamic wallpapers that automatically adjust to the lighting conditions of the day, changing color tones depending on whether it's morning, afternoon or deep night. You'll have nine pre-installed live options at your disposal, while you can even set your own photos from your gallery.
Meanwhile, the new Device Control, Screen Device Control, and Routines widgets bring control directly to your phone's home screen. You no longer need to even open the app to execute basic automation scenarios.
What's changing in tabs and features
At the top of the Home screen, the new “SmartThings Now” smart card analyzes your usage and suggests features and routines you may not have tried yet. If you find it unnecessary customization, you can easily disable it with a tap.
While the Devices tab remains true to its functional structure, the Life section continues to incorporate advanced services like Energy management, Clothing Care, and Food sync. All of this suggests that Samsung wants to make its hub more intuitive for everyday use.
Our opinion at TechNoid
Manufacturers' obsession with adding dynamic backgrounds to IoT apps often seems unnecessary, but the SmartThings refresh comes with real speed and usability improvements. Samsung understands that a smart home fails if its app is clunky. With the One UI 9 update, the ecosystem is closing the gap with the competition from Apple and Google.
Frequently Asked Questions about the new SmartThings app
When will the new SmartThings update be released?
Samsung has not announced an official date, but it is expected to be available after the launch of One UI 9.0.
What are the main changes to the interface?
A new pill-shaped navigation bar is introduced at the bottom with five tabs and a refreshed home screen.
Can I use my own photos as wallpaper?
Yes, in addition to the nine built-in live wallpapers, you can choose photos from your gallery.
What is the SmartThings Now card?
It's a new smart card at the top of the screen that suggests features and automations based on your usage.
Will the Devices tab change?
The Devices tab remains mostly the same, with no drastic changes to how devices are managed.
What new widgets are being added?
Three new widgets are added: Device Control, Screen Device Control and Routines for quick access.
Can I disable SmartThings Now suggestions?
Yes, if you don't want the suggestions, the card can be easily disabled from the settings.
Also read: If you want to learn more about automation capabilities, check out our article on the best smart home devices for 2026.
