# Samsung Eliminates Lock Screen Widgets Carousel in One UI 7: Implications for Users
Samsung has established a reputation for its feature-rich One UI interface, which leverages Android to provide a highly adaptable experience for Galaxy device users. However, with the advent of the Android 15-based **One UI 7 beta**, a significant alteration has piqued the interest of Samsung fans: the elimination of the **lock screen widgets carousel**. This feature, which enabled users to tap the lock screen clock for access to a carousel of full-sized widgets, is notably missing in the latest beta version.
Let’s explore what this alteration involves, how it stands in contrast to Google’s strategy, and what options Samsung users have for customizing their lock screens.
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## **What Is the Lock Screen Widgets Carousel?**
In earlier iterations of One UI, the lock screen widgets carousel served as a practical feature that gave users immediate access to full-sized widgets from the lock screen. By tapping the clock, users could swipe through widgets like **Weather**, **Calendar**, **Digital Wellbeing**, and others. This functionality was especially beneficial for those seeking quick access to vital information without unlocking their device.
The configurations for this feature were usually located under **Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Widgets**, where users could toggle specific widgets for the carousel on or off. However, with the One UI 7 beta, this option has vanished, and the carousel feature is no longer an option.
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## **What’s New in One UI 7?**
Though the elimination of the lock screen widgets carousel may disappoint certain users, One UI 7 does introduce several thrilling enhancements:
1. **Vertical App Drawer:** The horizontal app drawer has shifted to a vertical layout, facilitating smoother and more intuitive navigation.
2. **Now Bar:** A new addition to monitor live activities, such as ongoing timers or media playback directly from the home screen.
3. **Revamped Quick Settings Panel:** The Quick Settings menu has undergone a redesign and has been separated from the notification shade for a tidier, more organized experience.
Despite these improvements, the absence of the widgets carousel has ignited discussions among users, particularly those who depended on the feature for productivity and convenience.
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## **Mini Widgets: The New Lock Screen Standard**
In place of the carousel, One UI 7 now incorporates **mini widgets** that display beneath the clock on the lock screen. These widgets are smaller and less interactive than their full-sized predecessors, providing a more simplistic take on lock screen customization. While this modification brings Samsung’s design closer to Google’s Android, it also restricts the functionality users previously benefitted from.
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## **Why Is Samsung Removing the Carousel?**
Samsung has yet to provide a formal rationale for the removal of the lock screen widgets carousel. However, several potential reasons can be speculated:
1. **Streamlining the User Experience:** Samsung might aim to simplify the lock screen layout, minimizing clutter and enhancing intuitive use for consumers.
2. **Alignment with Google’s Vision:** Google ceased support for native lock screen widgets with the rollout of Android 5.0 Lollipop. By eliminating the carousel, Samsung’s One UI becomes more aligned with Google’s design ideology.
3. **Focus on Third-Party Customization:** Samsung may be encouraging users to delve into third-party customization solutions, such as its **Good Lock** application.
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## **Good Lock’s LockStar: A Customization Alternative**
For users longing for the carousel or seeking more control over their lock screen, Samsung’s **Good Lock** app presents a viable option. The **LockStar** module within Good Lock allows users to incorporate full-sized widgets, rearrange elements, and create a lock screen experience that reflects their personal style. While this necessitates the download of an additional application, it affords a level of customization that exceeds what One UI provides by default.
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## **How Does This Compare to Google’s Approach?**
Interestingly, while Samsung is reducing lock screen widgets, Google seems to be taking the opposite approach. With **Android 15 QPR1** and **QPR2**, Google has reintroduced full-sized lock screen widgets for tablets, indicating a renewed interest in this functionality for larger devices. This contrast underscores the differing priorities of the two technology leaders: Samsung appears focused on refining its smartphone interface, while Google is exploring augmented functionality for tablets.
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## **What Does This Mean for Samsung Users?**
The removal of the lock screen widgets carousel in One UI 7 signifies a transformation in Samsung’s strategy regarding lock screen customization. While some users might value the sleeker, more minimalist aesthetic, others could mourn the absence of a feature that provided quick access to critical information.
For those wishing to maintain a high degree of customization, Good Lock’s LockStar module continues to be an effective resource. Nevertheless, this transition may also encourage some users to seek out alternative Android launchers or customization applications to compensate for the void left by the carousel’s removal.
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## **Conclusion**
The choice to eliminate the lock screen widgets
