Category: One UI updates

As expected, Samsung has released the stable One UI 7 update. The rollout is exclusive to Korean units, and only a handful of eligible phones have received the update. We expect an expansion to other regions in the coming days, but some phones might get upgraded in June.

Samsung has released a stable One UI 7 update for the Galaxy 24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and Galaxy Fold SE. The rollout is in batches to contain any issues that might arise, but so far, the build seems smooth. There is no report of a bug that might cause a delay in the rollout, but some devices still would not get the update in the coming weeks. 

It has been over five months since Google released a stable Android 15 update. The company plans to release stable Android 16 in June when most Samsung phones will start getting Android 15. The current release is exclusive to the latest flagship phones, with older models looking at a May/June release time frame

Stable One UI 7 release plan

Samsung has started rolling out the much-anticipated update. The update brings Android 15 but only to a handful of phones. The majority of Samsung phones eligible for the upgrade will receive it in June, which is when Google plans to release Android 16. Meanwhile, if you are using the Galaxy S24, you can check for it, while other device users should check the list below for when the device will start getting a stable Android 15-based One UI 7 update.

April stable One UI 7 release plan

Samsung plans to upgrade its latest flagship phones and tablets this month. The Galaxy S24 series is already getting the update, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. The Galaxy Tab S10+/S10 Ultra will also get it.

• April: Galaxy S24/S24+/S24 Ultra, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold Special Edition, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Tab S10+/S10 Ultra, S23/S23+/S23 Ultra, S24 FE

May stable One UI 7 release plan

Samsung will upgrade the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 3 to Android 15 in May.

• May: Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, Tab S9/S9+/S9 Ultra, S23 FE, Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3, A34, A35, S22/S22+/S22 Ultra, Tab S8/S8+/S8 Ultra, S21/S21+/S21 Ultra, Galaxy A16, Galaxy Quantum 5, Galaxy Quantum 4
• June: Galaxy Tab S9 FE/S9 FE+, Galaxy A73, A53, A33, A25, A24, A15, Quantum 3, Jump 3, Jump 2, Buddy 3, Galaxy Tab A9/A9+, Tab Active 5, Tab Active 4 Pro, Wide 7

Meanwhile, the release plan was posted for the Korean region, but it should be the same time frame for other countries. We expect those in Europe, Asia, America, and the UK to start getting the upgrade in the coming days. Hopefully, there won’t be any setback to the release, as it has been months since users started expecting the big release. 

We expect a swift release, given the time it took to preview these builds before they started rolling out. Also, Google is already working on the next iteration of Android OS, which has been rumored to come pre-installed with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. Samsung will launch these phones in June, meaning they are already working on Android 16. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait like we did with One UI 7. 

source: Sammobile

Samsung has yet to start rolling out the latest Android 15 upgrade to eligible users. The company’s phones with the much-anticipated upgrade are the ones that debuted running the current OS. However, it looks like things will be entirely different with Android 16-based One UI 8, which might launch in Q3 2025.

We are all disappointed that Samsung has not released One UI 7 yet, but that is due to some changes. Nevertheless, the update will start rolling out tomorrow with the Galaxy S24 series. As expected, the late release will not affect the development of One UI 8. It turns out Samsung is already developing the build for its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 devices.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 to run Android 16-based One UI 8 outside of the box

If you have been following Samsung, you will know that the new Galaxy Z series phones debut with One UI x.1.1 build. While that will not happen this year since Samsung has canceled the release of One UI 7.1.1, probably due to the delays in rolling out stable One UI 7, the duo will supposedly debut with One UI 8.

One UI 8 will be based on Android 16, and we already spotted a new build on Samsung servers. It’s not surprising that Samsung is already planning for the release with the upcoming Galaxy Z series. Nevertheless, it will probably be a half-baked build, like they did with the Galaxy S25, which has yet to get all the features of One UI 7.

Android 16-based One UI 8 launch date

Google will release a stable Android 16 build in June or July. That is probably when Pixel users get the update and a possible release to AOSP. With the beta build already available, we believe Samsung is working with that to test their system apps. It will be easy to pre-install the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 with the build.

If that is the case, Samsung will release One UI 8 in July. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 arrived on July 10, 2024, and we expect the same time frame for the successor. Nevertheless, since beta tests can be complicated, there might be delays, but it seems very likely Samsung will release Android 16 on time this year.

One UI 8 beta program for Samsung users

Usually, there will be a beta program for older phones just like we are witnessing with the One UI 7. However, we cannot say when, as there is a beta program going on. Only developers are testing the One UI 8 beta build, which will arrive for eligible users later in the year.

Samsung will probably open the beta program for One UI 8 after the I/O 2025 event scheduled for May 20 and 21. Google uses the event to talk and showcase all the changes coming to Android. That is usually when beta updates are released, but we have seen them earlier due to recent changes.

source: Sammobile

Samsung has yet to release the stable Android 15-based One UI 7 for eligible devices, but that has not slowed down its development of the next OS. Recent reports suggest an early release due to delays with the current Android version, and new evidence indicates that Samsung is already working on Android 16-based One UI 8.

Google has adopted a new development model for Android 16 and later OS updates. Going forward, a new iteration will arrive around June. The move is to ensure all new Pixel phones debut with the latest OS. That probably affected Samsung’s release schedule, as they had to ditch One UI 7.1.1. Perhaps they will now release only a single major upgrade every year, meaning the Android 16-based One UI 8 update will arrive early.

Samsung Plans for the Android 16-based One UI 8

Google has already released Android 16 beta updates, which is when other smartphones start testing the build. While Samsung has not announced it publicly, we understand the tech company is developing the build internally. They are probably previewing it as a new device has popped up on the Benchmark website with Android 16.

The plan is to release stable Android 16 in June, early enough for the Pixel 10 series to debut with it. That means early release for other OEMs, like Samsung, and given the latest report, there is a chance the update will arrive before the end of 2025.

Given the time it has taken Samsung to preview One UI 7, probably due to the changes the update will bring, One UI 8 will likely be a tad upgrade. Perhaps it will focus on optimization and a few features to enhance users’ experience.

Meanwhile, it’s the Galaxy S25 that has been spotted running Android 16 on the Geekbench benchmark database. It’s an internal build, meaning only developers have access to it. That shows the development has started, but it will still take months before we see the final build. Of course, we expect things to be different with One UI 8, with a Q4 release time frame very likely.

Currently, only the S25 Android 16 build has been spotted, which makes sense since the device debuted with the Android 15-based One UI 7 build. Since Samsung is not rolling out a point upgrade this year, it’s straight to the next major release, which has now commenced for the device.

Samsung phones to receive Android 16 (One UI 8)

Samsung offers seven years of Android OS support, starting from the Galaxy S24. Hence, the device will receive Android 16 as well as Galaxy S25, which arrived a few months ago. You would expect the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 to get the update. Also, a few Galaxy A-series and Tab S-series devices are eligible for Android 16.

Galaxy S Smartphones eligible for Android 16 (One UI 8)

• Galaxy S24 Series
• Galaxy S23 Series
• Galaxy S22 Series
• Galaxy S21 FE
• Galaxy S23 FE
• Galaxy S24 FE

Galaxy Z Fold and Flip Phones eligible for Android 16 (One UI 8)

• Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6
• Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5
• Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4

Galaxy A Phones eligible for Android 16 (One UI 8)

• Galaxy A33, A53 and A73
• Galaxy A15, A25, A35 and A55
• Galaxy A14, A24, A34 and A54
• Galaxy A06, A16

Galaxy Tab Tablets eligible for Android 16 (One UI 8)

• Galaxy Tab S10+ and Tab S10 Ultra
• Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8+ and Tab S8 Ultra
• Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra.

Of course, the list is not comprehensive nor is it official. We expect an official announcement when the build is ready, so we are still a few months away from the release. Nevertheless, if your device was released last year, it will get an upgrade to Android 16 with One UI 8.

source(s): Sammobile| Samfans