After being heavily criticized for the sluggish rollout of One UI 7, Samsung is making a quick turnaround with One UI 8. It started One UI 8 beta testing in May, becoming the first brand to launch the Android 16-based beta program with a new version of their custom skin — and then expanded the beta program to more Galaxy devices later on. Samsung is now just inches closer to the stable One UI 8 rollout, based on Android 16.
Whether you have a high-end Galaxy S or Z model, a mid-range A series phone, a budget-friendly phone, or a Galaxy tablet, you’re likely looking forward to the next major upgrade. So, here’s everything you need to know about it, including the rollout timeline, eligible devices, and the latest changes.
Samsung One UI 8 eligible devices
Samsung hasn’t officially announced which Galaxy phones and tablets will be upgraded to Android 16 and One UI 8. However, its transparent update policy was sufficient to help us prepare the following list:
Galaxy S series
- S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge
- S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE
- S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE
- S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
- S21 FE
Galaxy Z series
- Z Fold SE
- Z Fold 6, Flip 6
- Z Fold 5, Flip 5
- Z Fold 4, Flip 4
Galaxy Tab series
- Tab S10 Lite, Tab S10+, S10 Ultra, S10 FE, S10 FE+
- Tab S9, S9+, S9 Ultra, S9 FE, S9 FE+
- Tab S8, S8+, S8 Ultra
- Tab S6 Lite (2024)
- Tab A9, A9+
- Tab Active 5, Active 5 Pro
Galaxy A series
- A73
- A56, A55, A54, A53
- A36, A35, A34, A33
- A26, A25, A24, A23
- A17, A16 (LTE/5G), A15 (LTE/5G), A14 (LTE/5G)
- A07 (LTE), A06 (LTE/5G)
Galaxy M series
- M56, M55, M55s, M54, M53
- M36, M35, M34, M33
- M16, M15
- M06, M05
Galaxy F series
- F56, F55, F54
- F36, F34
- F16, F15, F14 (LTE)
- F06, F05
Galaxy C series
- Galaxy C55
Galaxy XCover series
- XCover 7, 7 Pro
If your Samsung Galaxy is on the list, you’re in for the One UI 8 treat. Read the next section to learn about the rollout plan.
Samsung One UI 8 rollout timeline
Samsung has officially confirmed that the stable rollout of One UI 8 will begin in September 2025, starting with the Galaxy S25 series. It could also reach a few other Galaxy devices, such as the Galaxy S24, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6, in the same month.
The stable One UI 8 rollout will then gradually cover the remaining Galaxy S-series models and Galaxy Tablets over the coming weeks. Some Galaxy A-series models, especially those part of the One UI 8 beta program, may receive the stable release sooner than many premium models.
Although the detailed update roadmap is under wraps, Samsung promises to bring the One UI 8 update to all eligible Galaxy devices before the end of this year. Unlike last year, the brand is sticking to all its promises, and hopefully, things will only continue to improve over time.
Samsung’s also making major changes to its One UI rollout strategy, according to which major Android and One UI versions will be released in the middle of the year alongside foldable phones. In fact, this change is already in action, as the One UI 8 debuted with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 in July. The newer Galaxy S-series phones, meanwhile, launching early in the year will ship with an incremental software, likely One UI x.5. (Read more about it here)
What’s new in One UI 8?
Enhanced productivity and multitasking
One UI 8 adds a dedicated full-screen layout for Quick Share. Tapping the Quick Settings icon triggers “Ready to receive,” while a new Send tab lets you share files without opening another app.
Split screen is more flexible now — you can stretch one app as wide as you like (previously ~70%). Tapping the minimized app swaps it to the larger pane.
Samsung DeX also receives useful tweaks that allow users to change screen resolution and adjust rotation, which is particularly beneficial for vertical monitors.
Personalization and automation
The latest upgrade brings new dynamic live wallpapers that shift colors with the time of day — bright by day, darker by evening — for a subtle quality-of-life boost.
And, building on last year’s big Modes and Routines update, One UI 8 introduces new routines like Cold weather alert, Morning briefing, and Umbrella reminder to make it more useful.
Samsung has made Profile Card editing clearer, showing the full layout as you make changes.
Redesigned and smarter apps
Many apps have been upgraded with cleaner looks and smarter behaviors. Take the Gallery app, for example; it now auto-sorts screenshots into categories like Boarding Passes, Coupons, Shopping, and Locations for easier and quicker finding.
My Files now lets you filter downloads by the app they came from, and its compact categories put more content on screen. The Weather app now has smoother animations and hyper-realistic backgrounds.
The Reminder app also gets updated with a fresh design with top-placed category chips, suggests templates or past reminders as you type, and adds a new toolbar to insert checkmarks, media, date, location, and categories right from the input field.
The Calendar app now has a modern look with deeper blacks for eye comfort and integrates Reminders so you can create them directly. Additionally, it allows you to reschedule reminders by simply dragging and dropping them to new dates.
Privacy and accessibility
Secure Folder in One UI 8 gets more secure, as you can now assign a separate fingerprint for access. Additionally, you can hide other apps inside it, and even hide the Secure Folder entirely so it won’t show notifications or appear in suggestions.
Accessibility has received new options, including zooming the screen with buttons, controlling mouse actions via the keyboard, magnifying the on-screen keyboard, and pairing Bluetooth hearing aids directly from the Accessibility settings.
Other notable improvements
In the Camera app, you can remap the swipe down/up gesture to open controls (it previously only switched cameras).
Audio sharing is simpler — others can scan a QR code to join your Bluetooth audio.
One UI 8 makes managing Alarms a lot easier with a Home screen widget that controls an entire group, plus the ability to add existing alarms to groups.
The Samsung Health app now lets you challenge friends to fitness goals and can send health reminders if you’ve set it up already.
Which Galaxy device do you have and what are your thoughts on One UI 8? Let us know in the comments below.
