Samsung Browser gets major upgrade with One UI 9: Multitasking, AI features, and cross-device sync

Samsung is preparing to give its browser a substantial upgrade with the upcoming One UI 9 update, adding features that could make it a much more compelling alternative to Chrome for Android users.

According to reports, the Samsung Browser (formerly known as Samsung Internet Browser) will gain a multi-window, split-screen browsing experience that's already available in Chrome for Android. This feature allows users to open multiple browser windows simultaneously and monitor two or even three active websites at once, eliminating the need to constantly switch between tabs. On larger devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, users can reportedly have up to three concurrently active browser windows.

The timing is interesting, as this feature won't be exclusive to Samsung devices despite arriving with One UI 9. Chrome already offers similar functionality, suggesting Samsung is playing catch-up rather than leading with innovation here.

AI Integration Takes Center Stage

Perhaps more intriguing is the Ask AI feature, which appears to be powered by Perplexity and may be more deeply integrated into the operating system than a typical browser extension. Based on leaked videos from SammyGutu, this AI feature reads what you're browsing and digests the content to offer contextual answers and suggestions.

What makes this particularly noteworthy is that the AI isn't just performing visual analysis of on-screen text. Instead, it's integrated directly with the browser and can pull data straight from your browsing session, including potentially your browsing history and personal information. Samsung appears to be aware of the privacy implications, as the leaked version shows a toggle for controlling how long activity data is retained.

This level of integration suggests Samsung is positioning its browser as more than just a web viewing tool, but as an intelligent assistant that can understand and interact with your online activities in real-time.

Cross-Device Features Remain Mysterious

A more cryptic addition is the "Enable Cross Device Resume" toggle discovered in leaked browser versions. Currently non-functional, this feature hints at Samsung's ambitions for seamless browsing across its ecosystem of devices.

The concept raises questions about how it would differ from the existing "Continue on other device" feature. Would it instantly transfer entire browsing sessions? Allow you to pick up exactly where you left off on a different device? The implementation details remain unclear, but the mere presence of this toggle suggests Samsung is working on more sophisticated cross-device browsing capabilities.

Context and Competition

With Chrome commanding 68-69% of mobile browser share and 89% on Android devices, Samsung faces an uphill battle in making its browser more appealing. The company's strategy appears to be doubling down on features that leverage its hardware ecosystem and AI capabilities rather than competing purely on speed or compatibility.

One UI 9 is expected to launch in beta in May, starting with the Galaxy S26 generation before rolling out to the S25 line. The update should be ready in time for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 launch this summer, giving Samsung a chance to showcase these new browser capabilities on its flagship foldable devices.

For users who already have Samsung devices, these updates could make the pre-installed browser more useful and reduce the need to install third-party alternatives. However, for users deeply invested in Google's ecosystem, the question remains whether these Samsung-specific features provide enough value to switch from the familiar Chrome experience.

The browser improvements are part of a broader strategy to make Samsung's software more compelling and create additional differentiation from stock Android experiences. Whether features like AI-powered browsing and enhanced multitasking will be enough to sway users remains to be seen, but they represent a clear effort to make Samsung's browser more than just a basic web viewing tool.