Millions Of Samsung Galaxy Phones Are In Line For A Free Upgrade
Samsung is expanding its One UI 9 beta to the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy A57, and Galaxy A17, according to internal firmware spotted by tracker Tarun Vats. The update, which introduces Gemini Intelligence and a redesigned Quick Panel, will officially debut on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 at the July Galaxy Unpacked event.
Which Galaxy devices are getting the One UI 9 update?
The rollout for One UI 9 is moving faster than previous cycles. According to Tarun Vats on X, Samsung is currently testing builds for the Galaxy S25 series, the Galaxy A57, and the Galaxy A17. This indicates Samsung is developing the OS for mid-range and budget hardware simultaneously with its flagships.
The stable version of One UI 9 will launch first on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 in July. Following that, the update will move to the Galaxy S26 series and other compatible devices throughout the second half of 2026.
What new features are included in One UI 9?
Samsung is overhauling several core apps to improve efficiency and customization. In Samsung Notes, users will find decorative tapes and a wider array of pen line styles. The Contacts app now integrates directly with Creative Studio, allowing users to build personalized profile cards without leaving the app.
The Quick Panel has received a significant redesign. Users now have independent control over brightness, sound, and the media player, each with adjustable sizing options. Samsung has also merged Google and Samsung’s previously separate TalkBack tools into a single package to streamline accessibility.
Other verified additions include:
- Text Spotlight: Displays selected text in a floating window for easier reading.
- Mouse Key Speed: Now fully adjustable in accessibility settings.
- Security Blocks: The OS now detects high-risk apps and blocks their installation and execution.
- Network Speed Indicator: According to tipster Ice Universe, a network speed indicator is finally coming to the global status bar, a feature previously limited to the Chinese market.
How does Gemini Intelligence change the Galaxy AI experience?
The centerpiece of One UI 9 is Gemini Intelligence, an “agentic” AI experience demoed by Google at I/O. Unlike standard chatbots, this AI acts autonomously on the user’s behalf to complete tasks. Samsung indicated in its May announcement that this “full experience” will arrive with the July launch.
Recent updates on June 13 show Samsung closing the gap between the S25 and S26 series. Tarun Vats reported that the S25 is receiving two AI notification tools: Prioritise, which surfaces urgent notifications, and Summarise, which condenses long chat threads. These tools bring the S25 closer to the S26’s capabilities, though the S26 retains exclusive hardware features like the privacy display and specific camera tools.
Full List of One UI 9 Eligible Devices
Based on data from Tarun Vats, the following devices are expected to receive the One UI 9 stable update:
Z Series (Foldables)
Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 FE, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Z Tri Fold, and Z Fold Special Edition.
A Series (Mid-range & Budget)
A57, A56, A55, A54 (and non-Pro versions), A25, A24, A17, A16, A15, and A07.
For more details on hardware specifications, visit the official Samsung newsroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
The stable version is expected to launch in July with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, rolling out to other devices in the second half of 2026.
Mostly. According to Tarun Vats, the S25 now has Prioritise and Summarise AI tools, though it lacks certain hardware-specific features like the S26’s privacy display.
The Wide Fold is a new device Samsung is preparing to release next month alongside the Z Fold 8, both of which will run One UI 9.
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