• Source:JND
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It seems that Samsung is once again reorganising its policies on One UI updates, placing a higher priority on the Galaxy S series over foldable phones. Based on a tweet from a reliable leaker, PhoneArt, Samsung will be releasing One UI 8.5 based on Android 16 during the Galaxy S26 series launch event, which is expected around late January to early February 2026.

Why Samsung Changed Its One UI Release Plan

In the past, Samsung’s One UI versions matching release windows for the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series were the norm. Samsung's timeline shifted with the release of Android 16.

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Samsung seems to be scaling back on feature updates, planning to use the time leading to One UI X.5 iterations to save feature updates. This will begin with One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S26.

What to Expect from One UI 8.5

PhoneArt claims that One UI 8.5 will introduce:

  • AI-powered features to match competitors like Google’s Pixel and Apple’s iOS.
  • Software performance boosts and improved stability.
  • Refined UI/UX elements with new design tweaks.

With this approach, Samsung would gain an additional 5-6 months of refinement work on the features from the time of the Flip/Fold launch to the release of Galaxy S.

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The Future: One UI 9 and Android 17

Future Phones Will Come Featuring One UI 9 and Android 17. Samsung plans on unveiling its next-generation foldable phones - Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 - sometime during 2026 with One UI 9 built on Android 17.

Why It Matters for Galaxy Fans

The change may be puzzling for some Samsung users who have gotten used to receiving significant One UI updates alongside the release of the Fold and Flip series. Now, the Galaxy S series will be prioritised as the flagship of Samsung and will receive the most substantial updates first.

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