Samsung is expanding its beta testing of One UI 8.5 to a wider range of devices, even as the timeline for the stable release potentially shifts. The move comes as early traces of One UI 9 have already appeared on servers for the Galaxy S26 line, indicating a more aggressive, yet packed, software update schedule for the company.
The expansion of the One UI 8.5 beta program began with the discovery of the first beta build for the Galaxy S24 series, a strong indicator that a public beta program for that line is imminent. This wider rollout isn’t limited to flagship models; the Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S25 FE are similarly expected to be included, with test builds and beta forums already active in several regions. This is significant as Fan Edition devices typically receive updates later than premium models and earlier access to beta programs suggests a more equitable support structure.
Samsung is also testing One UI 8.5 on its latest generation of foldable devices. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 have been detected running early beta builds, while the Galaxy Z TriFold has also appeared, though a full beta rollout for that device remains uncertain. The company’s commitment to providing a consistent software experience across its diverse product portfolio is becoming increasingly apparent.
The beta program is also extending to tablets, with builds of One UI 8.5 beta appearing on servers in Korea for the Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. The Galaxy Tab S10+ and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra may also join the testing phase in the near future.
Despite the expansion of testing, Galaxy S25 users have not yet received a new beta build this week. While a new One UI 8.5 build for the Galaxy S25 series has been spotted on testing servers, its distribution has not yet begun. If Samsung maintains its schedule, this build could arrive as One UI 8.5 Beta 8 next week, potentially labeled as Beta 8 in regions like Korea, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and as Beta 7 in India and Poland.
This slight delay suggests Samsung is refining the firmware before wider distribution, prioritizing stability for its users.
Adding to the flurry of software activity, early builds of One UI 9 have surfaced for the next-generation Galaxy S26 family. This indicates Samsung is proactively preparing the software foundation for its upcoming devices. According to reports, the update is expected to debut alongside new foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and Galaxy Z Wide Fold around July or August, with a beta program for the Galaxy S26 series potentially starting one or two months before the stable release.
This early appearance of One UI 9 could signal Samsung’s attempt to accelerate the transition between software generations. However, it also raises the possibility of overlap between the One UI 8.5 and One UI 9 beta programs if the rollout of the former is slowed.
The expanded beta testing, while positive for device coverage, may also push back the release of the stable One UI 8.5 version. SammyGuru now estimates a stable release for the Galaxy S25 series around early May, or potentially later. This is a key consideration for users awaiting the final version of the update.
For Samsung, this strategy presents a trade-off: broader beta coverage can help identify bugs more quickly, but also increases the complexity of validation across various models and regions.
Alongside the interface updates, Samsung has begun rolling out the March security patch, albeit slightly later than expected. The patch is currently available for some devices in South Korea, including the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z TriFold. The March patch addresses 67 security vulnerabilities identified by Samsung, Google, and related partners, highlighting the importance of these monthly updates for system security.
Key Galaxy Devices in Focus This Week
- Galaxy S24 series
- Galaxy S24 FE
- Galaxy S25 series
- Galaxy S25 FE
- Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Galaxy Z TriFold
- Galaxy Tab S11
- Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S10+
- Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
- Galaxy S26 series
Users can check for updates through the Settings menu, then Software update, and finally Download and install. Rollouts are typically phased by region, so availability may vary over the coming weeks.
Source: sammyguru.com
