Plenty of leaks have already revealed almost everything there is to know about the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung’s next flagship phablet. We already know the device will have an unexpected name, that it might launch only in a dual edge screen version, and that it will feature powerful hardware. But Samsung is also tweaking its software, with a new leak giving us a thorough walkthrough of the upcoming TouchWiz user interface.
And yes… among the new features is a software based copy of Apple’s 3D Touch functionality.
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3D Touch is an iPhone 6s signature feature that lets users perform different functions by simply applying pressure to the screen. The feature requires pressure sensors within the screen and a Taptic Engine that offers more precise vibration feedback to provide better feedback.
Samsung isn’t doing it that way. Italian blog HDBlog got its hands on a new beta version of TouchWiz and installed it on a Galaxy Note 5 for a video review. The site recorded an extensive 15-minute video walkthrough that goes through the main features coming in this TouchWiz update, which will almost certainly be the default UI for the upcoming Galaxy Note 7.
Among the various changes, HDBlog also demoed the new 3D Touch-like feature that doesn’t require new hardware. Simply swiping up on an app icon – using either the finger or stylus – brings up a menu containing various shortcuts for the app in question. Samsung’s 3D Touch alternative will likely be available on current top Galaxy devices as well once they receive the same TouchWiz update.
Samsung also improved the overall design and performance of TouchWiz, adding several useful tweaks along the way. Errors and glitches are also present, but this is a beta version of the software. Even though it’s in Italian, you should watch the following video to see what Samsung has envisioned for its next-gen TouchWiz.
If you’re an advanced user and you want to try the new UI yourself, grab it from xda-developers at this link.
