Millions of Samsung Galaxy Phones Set to Receive Free One UI 9 Upgrade

Samsung is accelerating the rollout of its next major software update, with millions of Galaxy users expected to receive One UI 9 free of charge in the coming months. The update, based on Android 17, is currently being tested across a wider range of devices than in previous years, signalling an unusually fast development cycle ahead of Samsung’s next flagship launch event.

Samsung Expands One UI 9 Testing Across Galaxy Line-up

Following the rapid deployment of One UI 8.5 and June’s security update, which addressed a vulnerability that could be exploited by a local attacker, Samsung has shifted its focus to One UI 9.

Recent firmware tracking reports indicate that internal testing is now underway for the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy S24 FE. A first internal build has also been identified for the Galaxy A56, one of Samsung’s key mid-range handsets.

These devices join the Galaxy S26 range, which has already reached Beta 3 testing, while the Galaxy S25 series is expected to be next in line for a public beta release.

The scale of testing is notable. Samsung is simultaneously developing One UI 9 across four generations of flagship smartphones alongside a mid-range model, suggesting the company is aiming for a quicker rollout than in previous years.

Android 17 Launch Expected at Samsung Unpacked Event

The full version of One UI 9 is expected to debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra at Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event in London on 22 July.

For UK consumers, the choice of London as the launch venue highlights the growing importance of the European market for premium smartphones and foldable devices.

While Samsung has yet to reveal the complete feature set, the current beta releases provide an indication of what users can expect when the stable version arrives.

Beta 3 Focuses on Stability and Performance

The latest beta build for the Galaxy S26 concentrates largely on bug fixes and performance improvements.

Among the issues addressed are:

• Camera preview cropping problems
• Lock screen widget errors
• S Pen home screen swipe issues
• Random device reboots during video streaming

Samsung has also introduced smoother animations throughout the interface, aiming to improve the overall user experience.

New AI Features Begin to Appear

One of the more visible additions in the latest beta is a Quick Panel shortcut for the new “Summarise Notifications” feature.

The tool uses artificial intelligence to condense multiple alerts into shorter summaries, helping users manage large volumes of notifications more efficiently. Samsung also clearly labels these summaries as AI-generated.

However, the most significant AI feature planned for One UI 9 has not yet appeared in the beta programme.

Gemini Intelligence Set to Arrive in July

Samsung’s headline AI upgrade, known as Gemini Intelligence, is expected to launch with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The technology is designed to function as an “agentic” AI assistant, capable of completing multi-step tasks with limited user input.

Examples of its intended capabilities include:

• Booking event tickets with minimal supervision
• Retrieving information from Samsung Notes and using it in other apps
• Adding products to online shopping baskets
• Reviewing emails and drafting responses automatically

The goal is to move beyond simple voice commands and create a more proactive digital assistant that can manage tasks across multiple applications.

Which Samsung Phones Are Expected to Get One UI 9?

Based on current testing activity, the following devices are among those expected to receive the update:

Flagship Devices

• Galaxy S26 series
• Galaxy S25 series
• Galaxy S24 series
• Galaxy S24 FE
• Galaxy S23 series

Mid-Range Devices

• Galaxy A56

Samsung is expected to confirm a broader compatibility list closer to the official release.

Faster Rollout Signals Samsung’s Software Ambitions

Samsung’s expanded testing programme suggests the company is placing greater emphasis on delivering major Android updates more quickly and reliably. With One UI 9 development already active across multiple generations of Galaxy devices, the manufacturer appears determined to have a stable release ready shortly after its July Unpacked event.

For Galaxy users in the UK and beyond, the update promises a combination of improved stability, refined performance and a new generation of AI-powered tools that could significantly change how Samsung smartphones are used day to day.

Graham Greene

“Entrepreneur. Freelance introvert. Creator. Passionate reader. Certified beer ninja. Food nerd.”