In summary
- Samsung could debut major new software versions on its foldables
- Galaxy S phones will now get ‘One UI X.5’ versions
- This may not mean major changes, however
Samsung Galaxy S phones will no longer debut the latest version of Google’s Android OS, according to a rumour, but everything is not quite as it seems.
Google caused a few logistical headaches for its third party hardware partners when it debuted Android 16 significantly earlier than usual in mid-June.
Samsung managed to adapt quicker than most, as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 are shipping with Android 16 right out of the box.
This is the model we should expect to see from now on, according to one industry tipster. However, the practical difference should be negligible.
Samsung Flips the script
In a relatively lengthy X post, the leaker claimed that Samsung would look to align its own major One UI updates with those Android platform updates going forward.
Just as One UI 8 debuted with Android 16 on the Fold 7 and Flip 7, so One UI 9 will arrived along with Android 17.
That sounds rather obvious when stated in isolation, but it represents a fundamental (if enforced) shift in the status of Samsung’s flagship smartphone series.
It means that the Galaxy S series will no longer be accompanied by an exciting new software version. Rather, it’ll be Samsung’s foldable launch later in the year that will showcase the company’s latest full-numbered UI.
Luke Baker
What’s in a name?
According to the tipster, the Samsung Galaxy S series will instead received a “One Ul X.5 version”.
While that sounds like a downgrade of sorts, it’s stated that this 0.5 upgrade will actually represent a much more substantial content drop than the full-numbered release for Samsung’s foldable series.
In other words, the new UI designs, AI features, and software enhancements will arrive in bulk with One UI 8.5 on the Samsung Galaxy S26, not One UI 9 with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
As if to confirm this, Sammobile claims to have gone hands-on with an early version of the Samsung Galaxy S26 firmware, and it is indeed listed as One UI 8.5 layered on top of Android 16.
Even without this evidence, Samsung’s alleged new approach is being borne out when you consider that One UI 8 (with Android 16) on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is much the same as the One UI 7 (with Android 15) that shipped with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The UI numbering might indicate otherwise, but Samsung’s priority is going to remain with its Galaxy S series.
