The Galaxy S26 series has just received the One UI 9 Beta program, and the question on everyone's mind is: who's next? Samsung's rapid development of One UI 9, fueled by Google's Android 17 Beta, means we're likely to see a swift rollout to other devices. Based on recent patterns and leaks, here's a breakdown of what we can expect.
Public Beta Release Timeline
- May 2026: Public release of the One UI 9 Beta.
- Mid-2026, likely July: Stable One UI 9 rollout alongside the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and rumored Z Fold Wide.
- August/September 2026: Rollout to other flagships (S25/S24 series).
- Later 2026: Mid-range and tablet devices.
This accelerated schedule is a welcome change for Samsung, who has been stepping up its update game.
Eligibility and Registration
The One UI Beta Program is accessible through the Samsung Members app in the following countries: US, UK, Germany, South Korea, Poland, and India (May 26). Eligibility is based on device age, with devices that received One UI 8/8.5 almost certain to get One UI 9.
Eligible Devices (Tentative List)
- Galaxy S Series: S26/S26+, S25 series, S24 series, S23 series.
- Galaxy Z Series: Z Fold 8/Z Flip 8, Z Fold 7/Z Flip 7, Z Fold 6/Z Flip 6, Z Fold 5/Z Flip 5.
- Galaxy A Series (Select Mid-Range): A57, A56, A55, A37, A36, A35, A26, A25, A17, A16, A15, A07 (LTE/5G variants).
- Tablets: Tab S11/S11 Ultra, Tab S10 series, Tab S9 series, Tab Active 5/Active 5 Pro.
- Others: Galaxy XCover 7, region-specific M/F models.
Devices likely stopping at One UI 8.5 include the S22 series, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, and older A-series models.
What's New in One UI 9
One UI 9 builds on the visual refresh of One UI 8.5, focusing on polishing, refinements, and deeper Android 17 integration.
UI and Design Improvements
- Thicker, customizable brightness and volume sliders in the Quick Panel.
- Enhanced lock-screen media player with colorful waveform animations and refined expanded view.
- Refined Quick Panel with increased blur/translucency and modernized tiles.
- Subtle system-wide refinements, smoother animations, and Material You Expressive influences.
- Gallery app improvements, including cleaner multi-image selection.
- Minor redesigns in the About Phone/Settings sections for better readability.
New Samsung Features and App Updates
- Samsung Notes: New Tape feature for decorative note covering and a wider variety of pen line styles.
- Contacts App: Direct integration with Creative Studio AI for personalized profile cards.
- Game Booster: More in-panel settings without leaving the game.
- Tap to Share: NFC-based quick sharing with glow animation.
- Bixby Widgets: Limited rollout on the home screen.
- Warranty & Care Hub: Centralized warranty info, diagnostics, and repair options.
Android 17 and Galaxy AI Enhancements
- Location Access Transparency: Blue indicator in the status bar/Quick Panel when apps access location.
- Improved Galaxy AI: Proactive suggestions, enhanced Photo Assist, and early Agentic AI capabilities.
Accessibility Upgrades
- Text Spotlight: Tap text to enlarge/highlight in a floating window.
- Select to Speak: Quick audio readout for selected items.
- Enhanced TalkBack (unified with Google).
- Improved Mouse Keys and physical keyboard shortcuts.
Conclusion
The One UI 9 Beta 1 feels smoother due to Android 17 improvements, but it's not a revolutionary update. Expect bigger additions in later betas. For now, test it on a secondary device, as bugs can occur. With Samsung's accelerated schedule, we'll likely see a swift rollout to other devices, bringing the latest features to a wider audience.
