The One UI family continues to take firm steps toward the future. Samsung has begun rolling out the first versions of its new customization layer based on Android 17 , and it's doing so in two ways: first, it's opening the One UI 9 beta to one of its best-selling phones of recent years; second, it's already working on version 9.5 with features that promise to change the way we interact with the home screen.
Everything suggests that the South Korean company wants to maintain the pace of updates that has garnered so much praise, but it also has outstanding issues with some budget models that have suffered annoying bugs after updating to previous versions. Even so, the roadmap is clear: One UI 9 is the present and immediate future of compatible Galaxy devices, and the arrival of new features is just around the corner.
The One UI 9 beta is here: first devices and how to try it
As we announced weeks ago, the Samsung Galaxy A55 can now test One UI 9 in beta . The update, which comes with Android 17, has initially begun rolling out in South Korea, although all indications are that it will soon arrive in other markets like Spain. If you can't wait, the process is simple: just open the Samsung Members app, register for the beta program, and accept the terms and conditions. The update will then appear in Settings > Software update > Check for updates.
However, this first beta version comes with some drawbacks: it may have performance issues or compatibility problems with certain applications , so it's best to make a backup before upgrading. The package weighs around 2,1 GB and is identified by the firmware A556SKSUAZZI1. If you prefer to wait for a stable version, that's fine too: Samsung usually releases the final version a few weeks after the beta.
Galaxy S26 FE: the first phone from the company with One UI 9 out of the box
The company's big news isn't limited to the beta version. The newly unveiled Samsung Galaxy S26 FE arrives on the market with One UI 9 pre-installed , making it the first device in the S26 series to debut this custom interface. The phone promises a smoother user experience, with a redesigned Now Brief that allows users to personalize summary cards with information on weather, wellness, or even create their own cards using simple instructions.
The camera system also gets a boost: the triple rear camera with advanced image processing promises to capture more detail , and the My FanCam feature, inherited from foldable phones, allows you to automatically track a person during recording to achieve dynamic videos with minimal editing. All of this is accompanied by seven years of system and security updates, one of Samsung's biggest advantages over the competition.
One UI 9.5 is preparing a radical change in widgets
But that's not all. The folks at Samsung are already working on One UI 9.5, a version that could arrive with a feature called "My Custom Widget." The idea is to be able to combine different information modules and actions in the same space , so you can have, for example, a calendar card with a scheduled dinner and buttons to check or share that plan without having to open the app.
This concept, reminiscent of Google's "Create My Widget" feature, would allow for much deeper customization of the home screen . Instead of relying on the pre-designed widgets offered by apps, users could build their own widgets using the blocks they use most frequently. While there's no official confirmation yet, the appearance of this feature in a preview version makes it clear where the winds are blowing at Google's South Korean headquarters.
These aren't the only new features expected in One UI 9.5: rumors also suggest a new app lock, app duplication, changes to the camera interface, and a revamped fingerprint setup screen. However, we'll have to wait for Samsung to officially confirm this entire package of improvements.
The list of compatible devices keeps growing
More than 50 Galaxy models will receive One UI 9 in the coming months . In addition to the Galaxy A55, the list includes the entire Galaxy S range (from the S23 to the S26 Ultra), the Z Fold and Z Flip foldables (5, 6, and 7), and a wide selection of Galaxy A models, including the A57, A56, A54, A36, A35, A26, A25, A24, A17, A16, and A15, among others.
Tablets and the Galaxy M series are also getting the update. The Galaxy Tab S11, S10, S9, and their FE and Ultra variants are included, while the Galaxy M56, M55s, M55, M54, M34, M16, M15, and M06 are confirmed for the M series. Even the Galaxy Tab Active 5 and Active 5 Pro will receive the update. In short, Samsung is committed to making the Android 17 update available to everyone with a relatively recent Galaxy device.
As is typical with these rollouts, the update will be delivered in waves, so patience will be key. The flagship devices will be the first to receive it, and it will gradually trickle down to the rest of the lineup. If you have a compatible Galaxy device and want to be among the first, it's best to keep an eye on the Samsung Members app and its software update settings.
In short, Samsung is pulling out all the stops to make One UI 9 one of the most comprehensive updates in its history . With a beta already running on the Galaxy A55, an S26 FE launching it out of the box, and version 9.5 on the way promising to revolutionize widgets, Galaxy users have plenty of reasons to be excited. The company will, however, have to fine-tune the system to avoid the bugs that have plagued some previous updates, especially on the more affordable models. We'll have to keep a close eye on Samsung's next moves.