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The “unique add-on” built into many Samsung Galaxy phones is Edge Panel, a swipe-out shortcut interface on the side of the screen. It is software, not a case or accessory: when your model supports it, you can open favorite apps, contacts and task tools without returning to the home screen. Availability is model- and software-dependent, so the quickest test is Settings > Display; if Edge panels appears, your phone can use the feature.
What Edge Panel does
Edge Panel is a configurable launcher attached to the edge of a Galaxy display. A narrow handle sits on the left or right side. Swiping inward from that handle opens a panel containing shortcuts or small utility views, then another swipe dismisses it. Samsung’s Singapore support description calls it “a shortcut tab” for opening favorite apps quickly; the practical distinction is that it stays available above whatever app is currently on screen.
You choose which panels are installed and which one appears first. Depending on the Galaxy model, One UI version and installed panels, the interface can hold app shortcuts, contacts, reminders, tools or copied text. It does not add storage, improve camera hardware or provide a separate subscription service. It is simply an optional way to reach functions that would otherwise require the app drawer, home-screen folders or notification shade.
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- It is not a physical attachment, stylus, charging accessory or replacement screen.
- It is not guaranteed on every Galaxy phone or every software release.
- It is not a performance benchmark: the cited Samsung and WIRED material provides no measured speed, battery or usage statistics.
Check whether your Galaxy supports it
Support language differs by source and by feature depth. A Samsung Singapore help page updated August 10, 2022 describes Edge panels as available on “any Galaxy device.” A newer Samsung Gulf compatibility guide, updated July 2, 2026, lists the updated Edge Panel and Smart Select information for Galaxy S24, S25 and S26 series phones, Z Fold and Z Flip series devices, and selected A-series models. Those statements are not an exhaustive list for every Galaxy generation; they describe different support pages and levels of functionality.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Use the phone itself as the authoritative check:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display.
- Look for Edge panels (the wording may use a lowercase “p” on some versions).
- If the option is present, open it and turn on the switch. If it is missing, your model or current software may not offer Edge Panel.
Do not infer support for every panel from support for the basic handle. A phone can expose Edge Panel while lacking a particular panel, Smart Select integration or a panel offered on a newer One UI build.
Turn Edge Panel on and open it
Enable the feature
- Go to Settings > Display > Edge panels.
- Switch Edge panels on.
- Return to any app or the home screen and locate the slim handle on the display edge.
- Swipe inward across the handle. The selected panel should slide into view.
Samsung’s menu labels and their location can vary by model and software version. If you do not see the exact wording, use Settings search for “Edge panels” or “Edge panel.” A software update can also move controls or add and remove panel choices.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Choose the panels you want
- Open Settings > Display > Edge panels.
- Tap Panels.
- Tap the check box or selector for each panel you want available.
- Use the edit control shown for a selected panel to change its shortcuts, app list or contents.
- Swipe across the open Edge Panel to move between the panels you enabled.
Only selected panels appear in the swipe interface, so removing unused panels reduces the number of swipes needed. The exact edit controls depend on the panel and your device.
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WIRED’s September 7, 2026 guide reports seven panel types in its setup: Apps, People, Tasks, Weather, Tools, Clipboard and Reminder. Treat that as a reported configuration, not a universal menu. Samsung can change the available list by model, region, One UI release and installed software.
Rank #3
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
| Panel | What it is useful for | Availability note |
|---|---|---|
| Apps | Launch frequently used apps from any screen; useful for messaging, maps or two apps you switch between often. | Common shortcut use, but the exact app editor varies. |
| People | Keep selected contacts one swipe away for calls or messages. | Requires a supported contacts and communication setup. |
| Tasks | Expose task shortcuts or actions without opening a full app first. | Task choices depend on the phone’s software. |
| Weather | Check current conditions without opening a weather app. | May require location permission or a configured location. |
| Tools | Reach small utilities supplied by the phone’s software. | Utilities can differ by Galaxy model. |
| Clipboard | Review copied text or images and paste an earlier item. | Availability and lock-screen behavior are device-dependent; copied content may be sensitive. |
| Reminder | View or create reminders from the edge shortcut. | Requires the relevant reminder service on the device. |
For privacy, review what appears when the phone is locked. WIRED notes that its Clipboard panel setup includes an option to hide the panel on the lock screen. If your phone offers that setting, enable it when copied passwords, addresses or private messages should not be visible to someone holding the locked device.
Customize the handle so it is reachable
In Settings > Display > Edge panels, open Handle (or the similarly named handle customization menu). Samsung’s current support guide documents controls for:
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
- Position: choose the left or right edge. Right-handed users often prefer the right edge, while the left edge can be easier to reach with the opposite hand.
- Color and style: change the handle’s visual treatment so it is easier to spot or less distracting.
- Transparency: make the tab subtler over photos and video, or more visible against busy backgrounds.
- Size: increase the touch target if swipes are unreliable.
- Width: adjust how much of the handle protrudes from the edge.
These controls change the handle, not the content of the panels. If the handle is hard to find, temporarily increase its size and lower transparency while testing; you can then reduce both once the gesture becomes familiar.
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Download additional panels
Samsung’s support instructions allow users to browse additional panels through Galaxy Store settings. In the Edge panels screen, look for the store or download option, review the panel’s description and permissions, and install only what you need. Samsung says some optional panels may cost extra. That is a charge for downloadable software, not a requirement to use the built-in Edge Panel or its standard panels.
Best Value
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Availability of a downloadable panel can be restricted by country, account, model or One UI version. If a panel does not appear in the store, do not assume the installation failed; it may simply not be offered for that device or region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Edge Panel versus other shortcuts
Edge Panel is most useful when you need the same shortcuts while moving between apps. The alternatives remain better in some situations:
| Access method | Setup effort | Shortcut types | Device dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edge Panel | Enable one setting, then choose panels and handle placement. | Apps, contacts, tasks and utility panels, depending on software. | Requires a supported Galaxy model and software build. |
| Home-screen shortcuts | Drag apps or widgets onto a chosen home page. | App icons, widgets and app-specific shortcuts. | Available on most Android phones, but consumes home-screen space. |
| App drawer | Usually ready without configuration. | Installed apps, normally organized by pages or search. | Broadly available, but does not provide contacts or utility panels in the same overlay. |
There is no cited performance test showing that one method launches apps faster. Choose Edge Panel for persistent, one-swipe access; use the home screen when you want visible widgets; use the app drawer when you rarely need an app and do not want another overlay.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Troubleshoot a missing or unresponsive panel
The setting is missing
- Search Settings for both “Edge panels” and “Edge panel.”
- Check the phone’s model and One UI version; support is not identical across Galaxy families.
- Install available system updates, then search again.
- If the option remains absent, treat the model as unsupported rather than installing an unrelated launcher and calling it Edge Panel.
The handle does not appear
- Confirm the main Edge panels switch is on.
- Open the Handle settings and move it to the opposite side.
- Increase handle size and width and reduce transparency temporarily.
- Remove a thick case or screen protector that may cover the edge touch area, then test again.
A panel or shortcut is unavailable
- Open Panels and verify that the panel is selected.
- Use its edit control to add the desired app or contact.
- Check permissions for contacts, location or reminders when a panel depends on them.
- Look in the Galaxy Store option for an updated or compatible version; some panels are not offered for every device.
The gesture conflicts with another edge feature
Move the handle vertically or to the opposite side and make it narrower. Test the new position in the apps where the conflict occurs. If a third-party app draws controls over the same edge, temporarily disable that app’s overlay to identify the conflict.
What the 2026 Smart Select update means
Samsung’s July 2, 2026 Gulf support article discusses updated Edge Panel and Smart Select access in connection with One UI 6.1.1 and selected Galaxy families. That wording should not be read as a promise that every Galaxy phone has the same Smart Select behavior, panel catalog or editing controls. If Smart Select is the reason you want Edge Panel, verify the exact model and software version in Samsung’s support information and on the phone’s own settings screen.
Quick Recap
Before you rely on it
- Confirm the Edge panels switch remains enabled after a system update.
- Keep sensitive Clipboard content off the lock screen when that control is available.
- Trim the panel list to shortcuts you actually use; a crowded carousel defeats the one-swipe advantage.
- Check paid-panel notices before downloading optional additions.
- Remember that the feature is software-dependent, so moving to another Galaxy model may change the available panels.
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