Samsung promises to fix lag with Galaxy S8 launcher update

Samsung has rolled out a new update for its TouchWiz Home launcher on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ that promises to address lag. It fixes a specific bug that caused devices to stutter when opening and closing the app drawer with a swipe gesture.

Powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 835 processor, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are some of the snappiest smartphones money can buy today. However, software troubles here and there can cause them to feel a little sluggish at times. One particular issue, which has plagued adopters from the beginning, has now been addressed.

In the release notes for its latest TouchWiz Home update, Samsung says it has “fixed the lag issue when swiping up and down to switch between the home and app screens.” The update also adds an additional “information screen,” and improves the visibility of app names under icons against a white wallpaper.

But has Samsung’s fix for launcher lag worked? SamMobile says the difference is noticeable, and I’m finding the same on my own Galaxy S8 — but PhoneArena reports that the issue hasn’t been completely eliminated.

“The word “fix,” however, is a bit of an overstatement: while the lagging is now far from its previous ridiculously high amounts, it’s still present and quite noticeable in our own S8+ unit,” it says. “However, it only rears its ugly head just after you lift your finger from the screen.”

All users should certainly notice some improvement, even if slight stuttering remains, which is a step in the right direction. You can download the update now from either Google Play or Samsung’s own Galaxy Apps market.