Samsung Announces One UI 8 Beta Program Based on Android 16

Samsung has officially launched the One UI 8 Beta Program based on Android 16. The update is first available for the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. This early rollout is Samsung’s way of making up for delays that happened with One UI 7.

The beta program is currently live in the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Poland, and India. If you live in one of these countries and have a compatible device, you can try out the new software before it launches for everyone. To join the beta:

1. Download the Samsung Members app from the Galaxy Store.

2. Sign in using the Samsung account linked to your phone.

3. Look for the One UI 8 Beta Program banner and enroll your device.

4. Head to Settings > Software update > Download and install.

If the beta is already available for your phone, it will start downloading right away. Samsung plans to release 4 to 6 beta versions before rolling out the stable update.

The official launch of One UI 8 will happen with Samsung’s upcoming foldable phones—the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7—which are expected to arrive in July 2025. After that, the update will come to more Galaxy devices, starting with the S25 series. Thanks to Samsung’s close work with Google, One UI 8 will be one of the first custom interfaces to run Android 16.

Features You Can Expect

One UI 8 builds on the AI capabilities introduced with the Galaxy S25 series. The new Galaxy AI is smarter—it not only understands text but also recognizes visuals and what you’re doing on your phone. You can even choose to keep all AI processing on your device if you’re worried about privacy.

Personalized features are getting better too. Tools like the Now Bar and Audio Brief will offer quick updates tailored to your activity. Audio Brief can read out important information, while Now Bar adapts based on how you use your phone.

Samsung has also improved tools to help with productivity. The Reminder app is now built with travelers in mind. It supports shared checklists and lets you add items using voice commands. On devices with large screens, multitasking has been enhanced—now you can keep one app slightly off-screen while you work on another.

Sharing files is easier too. Just tap the Quick Share icon in the Quick Settings, and you’re ready to send or receive files with people nearby.

Another cool feature is Auracast, which turns your phone into a Bluetooth audio broadcaster. Friends with compatible headphones can tune in to the same stream without needing to pair each device.

Samsung is also making it easier to get help with your device. With One UI 8, you can walk into a service center, scan a QR code or use NFC to sign in, and skip the paperwork. All your info is saved in your Samsung Account.

Some Devices Won’t Get Major Updates After One UI 8

One UI 8 will be the final major update for some older Samsung phones and tablets. These include:

• Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra

• Galaxy S21 FE

• Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4

• Galaxy A73 5G, A53, and A33

• Galaxy M05, F14, and F05

• Galaxy XCover 6 Pro

• Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, S8 Ultra

• Galaxy Tab A9 and A9+

These devices will still get minor updates like One UI 8.1 and future security patches but won’t move to Android 17. If you own one of them, you might consider upgrading next year—especially if you want long-term software support. Samsung now offers up to 7 years of OS updates on some models.

When to Expect the Stable Version

Samsung is expected to release the stable version of One UI 8 sometime between June and September 2025. This is earlier than usual since Android 16 is also launching ahead of schedule, likely in June. The beta program is already live and will continue to expand in the coming weeks.