Full Breakdown
Samsung Expands One UI 9 Beta While Adjusting Long-Term Update Support
9/9/2026, 10:13:34 AM
Core Event: One UI 9 beta reaches flagship phones, foldables and mid-range models
Samsung has rolled out the second beta build of One UI 9, based on Android 17, to the 2025 S25 series, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 and mid-range A55. The update adds AI tools—My Fan Cam, Call Brief and Now Brief—plus fixes for Bixby Vision, Wi-Fi stability and Contacts crashes. Rollout begins in South Korea, India and Europe, with the United States next.
Background & Context
Samsung’s One UI skin has been praised for timely updates. The company now promises seven years of OS upgrades and security patches for premium devices, with monthly patches shifting to quarterly in the final year. The One UI 9 beta follows earlier betas for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch 8 series, extending the Android 17 ecosystem across phones, tablets, wearables and select apps.
Timeline of Recent Update Milestones
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 8 2025 | Retired the Galaxy S20 series. |
| Feb 3 2026 | Moved the Galaxy S22 series to quarterly updates for their final year. |
| Sept 8 2026 (scheduled) | Published installation instructions for One UI 9 on phones, foldables and watches. |
| Sept 8 2026 (scheduled) | Released One UI 9 Beta 2 for the S25 series, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 and announced A55’s entry. |
Data & Statistics
- Device coverage: S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 FE; Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7; Galaxy A55.
- Build size: S25 beta ? 650 MB, Fold/Flip build ? 700 MB, A55 beta > 2.1 GB.
- Update cadence: High-end phones and foldables get monthly security patches for six years, then quarterly in year seven; tablets start with quarterly support.
- AI feature rollout: Now Nudge, My Fan Cam, Call Brief and customizable Now Brief cards debut on the S25 series and are back-ported to Fold 7/Flip 7.
Official Statements & Responses
Samsung notes the beta builds are for testing and may contain bugs, advising users to back up data before installation. The beta is part of a staged rollout that will lead to a stable Android 17 update for the Galaxy S26 series and newer devices.
Why It Matters
The expanded beta shows Samsung’s push to unify its software across flagship and mid-range devices ahead of the stable One UI 9 release. Delivering AI features broadly helps differentiate Samsung’s ecosystem and supports its seven-year support commitment.
What’s Next
- Stable One UI 9 rollout: Samsung expects the stable Android 17-based update to reach eligible models later this month, starting with the S26 series.
- Watch updates: The One UI 9 Watch beta, already on Galaxy Watch 8, 7 and Ultra, will arrive on Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic in the home region, with U.S. expansion soon.
- App ecosystem preparation: Updates to the Gaming Hub (v 8.0.05.8) and Samsung Blockchain Keystore (targeting API 36/37) show readiness for One UI 9 across Samsung’s app portfolio.
