Samsung’s New Phones Feature One UI 7 and the “Now Bar” – But It Looks Different on Cheaper Models
Samsung’s latest Android phones are rolling out with the new One UI 7 software, including a fresh feature called the Now Bar. This bar sits on your lock screen and lets you quickly jump to sports scores, music controls, or even Google’s Gemini AI. But here’s the catch: where the Now Bar appears depends on how expensive your phone is.
Why Samsung’s Now Bar Isn’t in the Same Spot on Every Galaxy Device
On premium phones like the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25, the Now Bar sits neatly at the bottom of the lock screen. That’s because these models use fancy ultrasonic fingerprint scanners (which work with sound waves) placed a bit higher up the screen, leaving room for the bar below.
But cheaper Samsung phones—like many mid-range or budget models—have the Now Bar stuck higher up, almost in the middle of the screen. Why? These devices use older optical fingerprint scanners (which rely on light) located right at the bottom of the display. Since the scanner’s animation takes up that space, the Now Bar has to shift upward to avoid overlap.
This awkward placement leaves a lot of empty space on the lock screen and makes the design look a little jumbled. But Samsung likely didn’t have a choice—it’s a trade-off to keep both the fingerprint scanner and Now Bar functional, even if it’s not as sleek.
