Samsung has officially confirmed several of its older flagship smartphones and foldables will begin receiving the Android 17-based One UI 9 update. Following its initial beta phase—which launched on May 12, 2026, for the Galaxy S26 series across the UK, US, South Korea, Germany, Poland, and India—and its stable debut on the newest foldables, the release is now expanding globally in phases.
One UI 9 Rollout Timeline and Regional Schedule
Availability varies depending on the device model and region:
- 28th September 2026 (Thailand): Rollout begins for the Galaxy S25 series, along with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7.
- October 2026: Update scheduled to arrive on the Galaxy S23 FE.
- Already Updated / Pre-installed: One UI 9 is currently rolling out to the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra in Thailand. It also debuted out-of-the-box on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Flip 8.
- Staggered Global Release: Samsung confirmed One UI 9 will gradually reach other eligible Galaxy smartphones and tablets, with regional dates released in phases.
What’s New in One UI 9? Key Features & Upgrades
The Android 17-based update focuses on refined usability, expanded Galaxy AI, and stronger system-level privacy.
Design & User Interface Refinements
Unlike the overhaul in One UI 8.5, One UI 9 introduces subtle design tweaks:
- Thicker Controls: Display brightness and volume sliders are visibly chunkier.
- Lock Screen Media Widget: Features colourful waveform animations and circular control buttons.
- Audio Routing: The lock screen media player now lists a direct “This Phone” option instead of the generic “Media Output” label.
AI & Smart Utility
- My FanCam: Keeps the video camera focused on a chosen person automatically.
- Document Scan: Handles curved or folded paper pages smoothly.
- Voice Recorder Summaries: Automatically structures audio recordings into clear text summaries.
- Now Brief: Customises daily summary content to user preferences.
- Now Nudge: Offers context-aware, on-screen suggestions (e.g., retrieving booking details or saving locations).
- Interpreter Enhancements: Shows past conversation logs, speeds up live speech translation, and streams translated audio to compatible Galaxy Buds.
Privacy, Security, and System Tools
- Dedicated Parental Controls: Moved out of Digital Wellbeing and into its own top-level menu in Settings.
- Settings Warranty Hub: Check device warranty details, run diagnostics, review repair estimates, manage Samsung Care+, and schedule service centre appointments directly from Settings.
- On-Device AI Security & Scam Detection: Provides real-time alerts for malware, unverified app downloads, and suspicious background access. Scam Detection is expanding to Japan, Canada, and India.
- Android 17 Platform Features: Adds system-level floating app bubbles, flexible app aspect ratios for foldables/tablets, a granular contacts picker (granting access to selected contacts rather than the full list), direct satellite connectivity support, and Advanced Protection Mode.
Compatible Galaxy Devices
Samsung supports high-end devices for up to seven major Android upgrades, with mid-range models receiving up to six. Eligible device families include:
- Galaxy S Series: S26, S26+, S26 Ultra, S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge, S25 FE, S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE.
- Galaxy Z Series: Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Fold 7, Z Fold 6, Z Fold 5, Z Fold Special Edition, Z TriFold, Z Flip 8, Z Flip 7, Z Flip 7 FE, Z Flip 6, Z Flip 5.
- Galaxy A Series: A57, A56, A55, A54, A37, A36, A35, A34, A26, A25, A24, A17, A16, A15, A07.
- Galaxy Tab Series: Tab S11/S11 Ultra, Tab S10+/S10 Ultra/S10 FE/S10 FE+, Tab S9 series (including FE models), and Tab Active 5 / Active 5 Pro.
- Galaxy F & M Series: F06, F15, F16, F34, F36, F55, F56, M06, M15, M16, M34, M54 5G, M55, M56.
