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Samsung has unveiled its blockbuster new version of Android, dubbed One UI 8.
It comes just six months after the South Korean firm offered the first glimpse of One UI 7, which was based on Android 15. That free upgrade is still rolling out to Galaxy smartphones and tablets at the moment.
And now, Samsung has offered a first look at the next feature-packed version of its mobile operating system, which will arrive much faster than its predecessor, thanks to "open communication" between itself and Google. Both technology companies "shared their respective design systems" and "real-time feedback with one another, accelerating software development that made One UI 8 one of the first UI platforms to adopt Android 16."
To download the One UI 8 first beta today, you'll need one of the following Galaxy devices:
- Samsung Galaxy S25
- Samsung Galaxy S25+
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Notably, the newly-launched Galaxy S25 Edge has been excluded from the current One UI 8 beta programme, though Samsung hasn't explained why this newest model isn't included in the initial testing phase. More Galaxy smartphones will be added in time, as Samsung expands its tests.
With Samsung promising a minimum of seven years of software updates with its flagship Galaxy S smartphones, it's good to see this increased pace of development. If you bought a Galaxy S24 at launch last year, you can expect to install Android 22 on that device in the future.
Android 16 will introduce a stylish new design, dubbed Material 3 Expressive, that adds playful new animations and deeper customisation across the mobile operating system GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE One UI 8 promises to be a big deal. Android 16, which is the basis for this newest upgrade, has been heralded as the "biggest updates in years" by Google.
Available in beta now and tipped to launch on Google's own lineup of Pixel smartphones in the coming months, Android 16 introduces Material 3 Expressive — a top-to-bottom redesign that adds lively new animations, weather effects to wallpapers, and enhanced personalisation that extends colour themes deep within Google-made apps, like Gmail and Google Photos.
Google has also added Live Updates widgets that surface real-time progress from apps like Uber Eats directly to your home screen. The redesign includes improved haptic feedback and customisable Quick Settings menus.
Upgrade to Galaxy S25, and claim FREE Galaxy Tab A9+ worth £259
Upgrade to the Galaxy S25, S25+, or Galaxy S25 Ultra before June 26, and Samsung will send you a Galaxy Tab A9+ tablet worth £259. You'll need to submit a claim within 30 days of buying your new smartphone. Elsewhere, Samsung will cut £200 off the cost of these new Android handsets when you trade-in any Android phone in any condition (yes, even a broken handset will qualify... )
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Galaxy S25
$259
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It's exciting stuff ...but it's unlikely to make much of a splash when it launches this summer.
That's because Android adoption remains fragmented across different smartphone and tablet manufacturers. According to data from Statcounter, just 10% of Android devices worldwide currently run Android 15 — despite the imminent arrival of its successor. Android 14, released on October 4, 2023, remains the most popular version of the mobile operating system with a respectable 33% marketshare.
The first beta version of One UI 8 arrives just six months after Samsung offered a first glimpse at its predecessor, One UI 7. This accelerated software development is the result of closer collaboration between Samsung and Google, the technology companies have announced
SAMSUNG PRESS OFFICE
With any luck, the accelerated development of One UI 8 will enable more device owners worldwide to get their hands on Android 16 features in the near future.
While One UI 8 is based on Android 16, this isn't a clone of the software you'll find on the latest Google Pixel.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) remains at the forefront of the next version of One UI. Samsung has heavily promoted its Galaxy AI features since the arrival of the Galaxy S24, S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra in early 2024.
And that isn't slowing down with the launch of One UI 8. Samsung is promising this free software update will make make daily interactions more intuitive and personalised.
The update introduces improved multimodal functionality, allowing the AI to "understand what's on the screen" and provide contextual assistance through voice, text and visual cues.
Now Bar lets you cycle through a range of background processes on your Galaxy handset, with a preview of countdown timers, ongoing workouts, and playback controls for music all available directly from the lockscreen or in the new pill-shaped bubble at the top of the handset during normal use
SAMSUNG PRESS OFFICEThis will be most obvious in the improved Now Bar and Now Brief features, first introduced with the Galaxy S25 lineup that attempt to anticipate what you want to know ahead of time. With One UI 8, these features will deliver "more customised insights and suggestions" that adapts based on your usage.
Samsung AI Select, which was introduced with the One UI 7 update — replacing Smart Select, will also enjoy some improvements with One UI 8. For those who don't know, AI Select uses Artificial Intelligence to understand the context of what you've highlighted on-screen, offering relevant actions and options based on whether you're selected a block of text, an images or video, or other types of content.
With the next update, Samsung has eliminated the start-up delay for AI Select, making the feature "immediate to use" when you need to select areas of your screen. The company emphasises that AI Select now allows you to "select an area of the screen immediately" without waiting.
Quick Share, which lets you wirelessly beam photographs, videos, text, and links between Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and laptops, has been redesigned from the ground-up in One UI 8
SAMSUNG PRESS OFFICE
Elsewhere, Quick Share has been completely redesigned with dedicated "Send" and "Receive" tabs accessible directly from the Quick Settings panel. You can now "send or review files instantly" with a single tap, providing an alternative to the traditional sharing menu for faster file transfers.
The Reminder app receives a comprehensive overhaul with categories displayed at the top of the screen, making it easier to see how many reminders exist in each section "with a quick glance."
When you update your Galaxy smartphone to One UI 8, you'll benefit from the redesigned Reminders app
SAMSUNG PRESS OFFICE
You'll be able to add reminders using voice input by tapping the microphone icon, and the app now includes sample reminder templates to help you discover new ways to manage tasks.
When can you start testing One UI 8? Well, that depends on your current location and device model.
The programme is currently limited to Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra owners in just four regions: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and South Korea.
To download the beta, you'll need the Samsung Members app installed on your device.
Open the app and look for the "One UI 8 Beta Program banner at the top of the home screen" — if you don't spot it immediately, you might need to login to a Samsung account to see it.
After enrolling in the programme, navigate to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install to begin the installation process. Samsung is expected to expand the beta to additional regions and devices, including the Galaxy S24 series, in the coming months. So keep checking your handset.
Samsung has confirmed that One UI 8 will officially launch this summer alongside its "newest foldables," likely the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 expected in July. This timeline represents a dramatically accelerated software development cycle compared to previous releases.
The company states that One UI 8's launch "initiates a new rhythm for Samsung's software evolution". This marks a significant improvement from the protracted One UI 7 rollout, which launched its beta in December 2024 but didn't reach users in the UK and United States until April 2025.
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