Samsung has already introduced the Android 16-based One UI 8.5 with the new Galaxy S26 series, but now all eyes are on the One UI 9. The upcoming update will be based on Android 17 and may debut later this year, possibly along with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8. While the company has not confirmed the features yet, the initial leaks suggest some big visual and functional changes all over the interface, including the Now Bar, widgets, and the Gallery app.
Check out the One UI 9 release timeline, supported devices and more details below.
One UI 9 features
The One UI 9 is said to bring new features, including a refreshed Now Bar and smoother animations. The interface is said to have a darker theme with a black background. Users may get to see a small circular thumbnail showing the media on the left side, while the track name may be seen on the top. The users may also get long-press support, offering quick access to quick controls, including settings or removal options, much like the iPhone.
Samsung is also offering a change to widget aesthetics. Early builds have reportedly confirmed more square shapes with subtly rounded corners. Widgets such as weather, browser, and system summaries appear to follow a more consistent visual style. There might be an option for the users to customise the corner styles as well.
On the other hand, the Gallery app is said to get some minor changes. When selecting multiple images, a soft, blurred rectangular overlay appears to group selected files. This means you can expect a cleaner preview and improved visibility.
One UI 9 release timeline and availability (expected)
Samsung has reportedly started the internal testing of the update and the stable update is expected to roll out with Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 around July 2026. However, this is not confirmed at the moment.
One UI 9 supported devices
As per the reports, below are the possible supported devices.
Galaxy S Series: S23, S24, S25, and S26 series.
Galaxy Z Series: Z Fold 5/6/7/8 and Z Flip 5/6/7/8.
Galaxy Tab Series: Tab S9 and S10 series.
Galaxy A Series: Recent mid-range models like the A55, A56, and upcoming A57.