Samsung is broadening the reach of its One UI 8.5 beta program beyond the Galaxy S25 and S26 series, signaling imminent updates for more 2024 flagships. The beta software has surfaced on Samsung’s servers for the Galaxy S24 lineup, as well as the Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 foldables, hinting at an upcoming public beta rollout in markets including India, South Korea, and parts of Europe.
Samsung initiated One UI 8.5 public beta testing in December for the Galaxy S25, following its March introduction on the Galaxy S26 series and expansion to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7. The pattern suggests that older flagship devices receive beta updates shortly after the newest models. This time, the Galaxy S24 phones and last year’s foldables appear next in line.
Surprisingly, Samsung’s internal servers also indicate that the Galaxy S25 FE and S24 FE could join the One UI 8.5 beta program-a first for the Fan Edition series, which historically has been excluded from such testing. The stable version of One UI 8.5 has already been released for the S26 family, so broader distribution to earlier flagships should happen soon.
Elsewhere, Samsung is reportedly trialing Android 17-based One UI 9 builds for the Galaxy S26, aligning with Google’s Android 17 launch planned for mid-2026. This suggests Samsung will likely start One UI 9 beta testing within months, offering enthusiasts an early look at next-gen features while preparing for a faster stable update cadence following shorter 8.5 betas.
Samsung’s steady expansion of its One UI beta tests illustrates a more inclusive approach, especially with additions such as the Fan Editions. This could accelerate the overall update cycle, alleviating previous delays common in Samsung’s software deployments. Fans of the Galaxy S24 series and 2024 foldables can expect to join the beta queues shortly, while eager early adopters might anticipate One UI 9 previews by summer.