Samsung’s One UI 8 Android 16 Update Schedule Coming Sooner Than Expected
Samsung has announced the beta program for One UI 8, meaning the release with Android 16 on board. This is a surprise to many because One UI 7 only landed in January for the S25 series, and for most other phones in the last few weeks. Here’s what we know.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra can now access the beta program for One UI 8 and Android 16.
In a news announcement, Samsung said that early access was now available through its beta program. “Thanks to the mutual partnership between Samsung and Google, One UI 8 will debut on Samsung’s newest foldables this summer and will gradually expand to more Galaxy devices so users can now enjoy an enriched, more personalized mobile experience with the latest version of Android,” Samsung said.
The company says that by working with Google, One UI 8 will be one of the first UI platforms to adopt Android 16. The beta program is available in the U.S., Germany, Korea and the U.K. for users of the Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra.
As you can see above, it also revealed that the first phones to launch with One UI 8 installed will be the folding phones expected soon, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7. It coyly referred to these as “Samsung’s newest foldables,” though it’s pretty clear what’s meant.
And it even confirms the release, if not the date just yet, when it says “this summer,” is the time to see the debut.
There have already been reports of the new phones being unveiled in an event in “early July,” with one report claiming it will be held in New York. Last year, the unveiling of the Z Fold6 and Z Fold7 took place on July 10, in Paris just before the Olympics were held there. It looks like a similar timing might apply this year. Another report at Tech Radar was more specific, saying, “Our best guess for when the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be announced is either July 2 or July 9,” though this has yet to be confirmed.