A few days ago, I shared my long-term experience with Samsung’s OLED TV, the S90C, and highlighted some software issues that affected the overall user experience (UX). Recently, Samsung released a major software update, and surprisingly, it solved some of the major problems I mentioned earlier.
The One UI update for Tizen 9 fixes key user experience issues
The Tizen 9.0 based One UI Tizen update for the S90C OLED TV introduces a refreshed UI that feels close to the One UI on Galaxy smartphones and tablets. More importantly, it fixes the sluggishness that came with the Tizen 8 update.
It made the TV faster and more responsive
Samsung
One UI Tizen (Tizen 9) TV home screen UI design – Source: Samsung
Although the update is more than a year late than expected, it greatly improves the experience. The TV now feels much faster than when I first bought it two years ago. The Settings quick menu now opens much faster, and switching between the Number Pad, Settings, and SmartThings tabs is much easier. You can now cycle through them using the Settings button on the remote control.
Samsung TV Plus no longer bothers to introduce itself automatically
Besides performance improvements, the update also addresses my biggest frustration. Samsung TV Plus no longer starts automatically when opening the Settings menu or pressing the buttons used to browse channels. Those buttons only work if you’re using the Samsung TV app.
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Start Screen Options in Settings menu in One UI Tizen (Tizen 9.0) – Source: Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
Now there is an option to disable it Autorun Samsung TV Plus from the Settings > Advanced features > Startup Options screen the menu. You can also close the Autorun Last App option if you prefer to stay on the home screen when you turn on the TV.
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Quick Settings menu tabs in One UI Tizen (Tizen 9.0) – Source: Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
Another big improvement is the redesigned settings menu. It no longer appears as a large overlay in the center of the screen. Instead, it appears as a small panel in the lower left corner, which makes it less distracting. The design is now very similar to the Settings interface on Galaxy phones, making it feel familiar and easy to navigate.
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Settings menu size and transparency settings in One UI Tizen (Tizen 9.0) – Source: Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
Samsung has also added customization options. You can adjust the menu size and transparency below Settings > General & Privacy > Menu Style. I personally put both on top, and it looks very clean.
The volume bar is no longer hideously large
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Volume bar design in One UI Tizen (Tizen 9.0) – Source: Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
The update also fixes the large volume bar. In previous versions of Tizen, the volume overlay took up about a quarter of the screen and displayed unnecessary information such as audio device information and connection type. Although it still displays the name of the audio device, it is now much smaller and less distracting.
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Volume bar design in One UI Tizen (Tizen 9.0) – Source: Asif Iqbal Shaik / SamMobile
It didn’t fix the whole problem, though
However, not everything is fixed. The problem with the Q-Symphony wireless connection on mesh Wi-Fi networks persists.
Samsung
Samsung TV running One UI Tizen 10 – Source: Samsung
Looking ahead, I hope Samsung does not delay the Tizen 10 update. It started earlier this year with the company’s latest TVs and introduced another major UI redesign. The sidebar moves up, freeing up more space for content on the home screen.
It also brings Google Cast support, which is a valuable addition for Android users who want seamless streaming options from their phones and tablets; it has been rolled out to some 2025 TVs on Tizen 9 already. It also brings integration of Google Photos and Now Brief, which can be useful for many users, just as Now Brief was useful on my phone with One UI 8.5.