Samsung is expected to bring One UI 8.5 to its older devices after the Galaxy S26 series goes on sale in early March. The focus then shifts onto the next major software release, One UI 9, which should debut with Samsung’s upcoming range of foldables in the summer.
It looks like development on this software has already begun, with test builds popping up on Samsung’s servers. Prominent leaker Tarun Vats has spilled the beans on what appears to be the first One UI 9 test firmware seemingly running on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (SM-F976U) and the Galaxy Z Flip 8 (SM-F776U).
One UI 9 is expected to be based on Android 17, which is on track to roll out to Pixel devices by the middle of the year. This gives Samsung ample time to outfit its foldables with the new software, with betas kicking off several weeks in advance. Leaks should provide a decent look at One UI 9 even before the betas are released, as with One UI 8.5 several months ago.
More evidence of the ‘wide’ Galaxy Z Fold model
We already have some info on Android 17, courtesy of leaks over the past several weeks and months. Although the first Android 17 beta was supposed to go live yesterday, Google has decided to delay its release for unspecified reasons, and now says it’s “coming soon.” This shouldn’t impact the release timeline set by Google for Android 17, and the software should be on course to reach platform stability by March, followed by a wider release potentially in June.
In addition to Vats’ discovery, the folks at SamMobile have uncovered a One UI 9 test firmware for a mystery Galaxy foldable (SM-F971U). This is supposedly the “wide” Galaxy Z Fold model rumored to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Z Flip 8 this year.
While full details on its hardware are scarce right now, a recent leak suggested it may be more widely available than initially expected. This wide-body Z Fold model will likely replace the Z Flip FE model that debuted last year to a seemingly lukewarm response. Samsung is reportedly positioning this wider Z Fold model as a rival to Apple’s upcoming foldable, which is rumored to feature a similar form factor.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 may finally address the biggest flaws with its foldables
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