Samsung’s One UI update for TVs is here, but users are crying foul

Samsung’s bold step of bringing its One UI interface to smart TVs has been met with cheers, curiosity — and a fair share of frustration. While the software revamp promises a sleeker look and more intuitive navigation, many users are reporting a cascade of bugs that make their Samsung TVs feel a lot less, well, smart.

During the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) in October, Samsung unveiled plans to roll out One UI for its smart TVs alongside Tizen 8.0. The update introduces a modernized interface designed to mirror the smooth, seamless experience of Samsung’s Galaxy devices. The revamped Smart Hub promises faster access to apps, enhanced personalization, and integration with Samsung TV Plus, the company’s rapidly growing free streaming service packed with live channels and on-demand content.

Samsung even teased Tizen 9.0, a future update set for next year, hinting at continued innovation for their television ecosystem. But while the rollout of One UI was supposed to mark a new chapter for smart TVs, for many users, it has been a rocky ride.

Since the update, user forums and social media have been flooded with complaints. High-end models like the S95C OLED and Neo QLED QN90C seem to be particularly affected. Common issues include frozen home screens, unresponsive app navigation, and streaming services like Hulu and Disney+ refusing to cooperate. Some TVs even default to Samsung TV Plus, overriding other apps without warning — a behavior some users are calling “TV mutiny.”

Others are dealing with degraded picture quality, sluggish gaming performance, and inexplicable Wi-Fi drops. Even factory resets and firmware rollbacks haven’t been able to restore functionality for many frustrated users.

One unfortunate buyer of a $6,000 Neo QLED said their apps now time out or fail to load altogether, while another reported that resetting their TV and router, and even subscribing to new streaming services, yielded no results. For some, Samsung’s troubleshooting steps feel like a wild goose chase, with fixes proving temporary or ineffective.

Samsung forum moderators have been asking users for details like model numbers and software versions to help diagnose the issues. Meanwhile, savvy users have unearthed some workarounds. A popular trick involves using voice control to navigate to settings and resetting the Smart Hub. It’s not elegant, but for some, it’s enough to get their apps running again — at least temporarily.

For others, the problems run deeper. Reports of remotes losing functionality and delayed input responses suggest the issues go beyond app compatibility, potentially pointing to deeper flaws in the update.

Despite the hiccups, Samsung’s TV Plus app remains a hit, continuing to expand its library with premium content from global partners. For those whose TVs are functioning as intended, the updated interface offers a refreshed way to explore Samsung’s rich ecosystem. However, even this flagship feature is mired in controversy, with some users complaining that it hijacks their TVs.

Samsung’s move to modernize its TV experience shows its ambition to stay ahead in a fiercely competitive market. But this rocky rollout underscores the challenges of balancing innovation with reliability. With Tizen 9.0 already on the horizon, the pressure is on for Samsung to address these teething troubles quickly — or risk alienating a loyal customer base during the holiday shopping season.

Featured image: Samsung