Why Did Samsung Revert Back to OpenGL? Vulkan Was Clearly Better.

[divykhanna]

Hi Samsung Team,

I’m writing this as a long-time user and someone who closely follows performance improvements in Android.

When One UI Beta 1 introduced Vulkan for graphics rendering, I immediately noticed the difference — smoother animations, better gaming performance, and lower device temperatures during extended use. Vulkan is clearly a more modern and efficient API compared to OpenGL, and it finally felt like Samsung was using the full potential of its hardware.

But now, after the latest update, we're suddenly back to OpenGL — which is outdated, less efficient, and puts more load on the CPU. Why take such a big step backward?

Here’s why Vulkan was such an important step forward:

1. Lower CPU Overhead: Vulkan reduces CPU overhead by allowing better control over system resources, resulting in improved performance, especially on multi-core processors.

2. Better Multi-threading: Vulkan supports true multi-threading, enabling better task distribution across CPU cores. OpenGL, being single-threaded, creates performance bottlenecks on modern processors.

3. Improved GPU Utilization: Vulkan offers direct communication between the CPU and GPU, optimizing the use of hardware resources, which leads to better performance in demanding applications.

4. Optimized for Modern Hardware: Vulkan is built for high-end devices, fully utilizing modern GPUs and processors. OpenGL doesn’t leverage the full potential of today’s hardware.

5. Lower Latency: Vulkan’s reduced driver overhead results in lower latency, improving responsiveness, particularly in gaming and real-time applications.

6. Cross-platform Support: Vulkan works across multiple platforms (Android, Linux, Windows, consoles), which is a huge benefit for developers who want to ensure compatibility across devices.

7. Better Power Efficiency: Vulkan is more power-efficient, utilizing system resources better, which leads to longer battery life during heavy use.

8. Enhanced Visuals: Vulkan supports advanced rendering techniques, such as real-time ray tracing and compute shaders, providing richer graphics than OpenGL.

9. More Predictable Performance: Vulkan gives developers better control over hardware, leading to more consistent performance. OpenGL can vary from device to device.

10. Long-term Developer Support: Vulkan is supported by the Khronos Group, ensuring that it remains up-to-date with the latest hardware and software advancements, while OpenGL is gradually being phased out.

This change makes no sense from a user experience perspective. Vulkan was stable and provided a clear upgrade in performance. Reverting to OpenGL almost feels like you're intentionally limiting the performance of existing devices — maybe to push people toward buying newer phones. That may not be the intent, but it definitely feels like forced obsolescence.

If there’s a technical reason for this switch — like compatibility issues or bugs — please be transparent and explain it to us. Otherwise, this move just feels wrong.

Samsung makes some of the best hardware out there. Please don’t hold it back with outdated software decisions.

Looking forward to a proper explanation.

Thanks,
divy

[geogodzhongli]

It is simply greed on Samsung's part, trying to upsell the new devices. There is no excuse as to why the hardware should be limited when it is more than capable. I am tired of my 4 hours sot when I paid over 1k for this phone

[nikosxri]

Give vulcan back.The way Samsung acts is  ridiculous 

[Rumoysev]

Samsung, Vulkan would be a much better ux for us. Please bring it back.

[paoooo134]

It's outrageous. S23 Series should have Vulkan enabled by default. It's a crime to ship new One UI with only OpenGL 🥲

[SuryaPavan]

Hey, I've checked after receiving stable one ui 7 update on S23 ultra , Samsung still uses Open GL instead of Vulkan.

Its sad to see 

[19arek93]

We need information if vulkan is going back with update, or clear explanation if not, with numbers!

[matteomarongiuu]

It's clearly something temporary, it would be crazy to imagine that the S line got downgraded with an update. It's clearly a bug. I mean, also by a legal point of view, they marketized 3 years of updates, not downgrades. So, I am sure they will fix it. Let's give Samsung a couple of weeks

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[bmscmoreira]

This is not acceptable. I bought S23 ultra for its flagship performance, including vulkan. Please add it on a later update. Otherwise its goodbye Samsung for me.

[Members_vctOO81]

Agreed. If this a snide way to make the S23u obsolete and push people towards the newer models, it's a really pathetic way to do it. If Samsung can't innovate on their newer devices and have to resort to such means to make them attractive, they do not deserve buyers money.

[Nektar98]

We dont even have features like smooth zoom, audio eraser, Log video recording, Natural language searching in gallery/settings, Super HDR, NowBrief and adaptive color tone. And NOW OneUI 7 is not using Vulcan to s23 ultra, just a two year flagship 1.450€ phone ???? 

They promise us 4 years MAJOR updates, we pay that with the features included SAMSUNG.

Interface and some of animations, we also can get that, just only with A26, a 200€ budget phone. 

Please don't force us to switch in the future, because except from all that. We are also lates to latest updates and hardware features, like on the S25 Ultra, we didnt get the NEW M14 panel, a Samsung Panel which Apple Iphone 16 P/M uses. SOME of us we know, ENOUGH.

Dont disrespect the people that spend a good amount of money to their products.. 

I Hope OneUI 8 or an update at least , we will get Smooth Zoom and VULCAN at this point...