Samsung One UI 9 Update: Eligible Devices, Features, And Release Date

Samsung’s One UI has long been the undisputed GOAT of Android skins, packing more customization than most users know what to do with. But Samsung is not done yet. One UI is about to get better with the upcoming One UI 9.0 update. From improved Now Nudge to the new Tap to Share feature, here’s everything coming with the One UI 9 update.

One UI 9 Update Features

1. Floating Bubbles

One of the biggest changes in Android 17 is the ability to open in floating bubbles. While Samsung users already had multi-window for a while now, bubbles seem like a much cooler way to multitask. You can now not only open multiple bubbles but also swipe them aside, just like those floating windows.

2. Now Nudge

Samsung introduced Now Nudge with the Galaxy S26 series. It works just like Google’s Magic Cue feature and provides suggestions based on what’s happening on your screen. For instance, if a friend asks you to share photos from last night’s party, it can suggest those photos from the gallery. With One UI 9, Now Nudge is getting better. It now supports flights, government services, medical info, rental info, phone services, movies, and more. Samsung could also bring the feature to older phones with the update.

3. Improved Now Bar and Now Brief

Samsung added the Now Bar and Now Brief features in One UI 7. With the One UI 9 update, the Now Bar is getting a new animation and a dark theme. As for the Now Brief, it is more colorful than before, and you can now choose which sections should appear in it. Now Brief is also getting a weekly weather widget showing the weather for the upcoming week.

4. Tap to Share

Samsung’s much-awaited Airdrop rival will debut with the One UI 9 update. Called Tap To Share, you need to tap your phone close to another device, and the files will be transferred. This feature will let you use NFC to transfer files between devices. And it’s not just limited to files, as you can also share contacts with integration into Quick Share.

5. New Bixby Widgets

One UI 9 Update will introduce two new widgets for Bixby. Although these widgets are rather simple, with mic and keyboard icons offering quick access to the virtual assistant with mic and keyboard icons. You also get a larger 4 x 2 widget for text input and a microphone for voice queries.

6. Enhanced Security

Samsung is all set to introduce Memory Tagging Extension (MTE) in the One UI 9 update. This feature will enhance your security by identifying and fixing memory safety bugs. It’s already available on the Pixel devices. Although it isn’t always on, since it can reduce your phone’s performance. But don’t worry, MTE will be off by default in One UI 9, and you will need to toggle it on.

7. Visual Changes

One UI 9 isn’t going to shake up Samsung’s UI drastically since One UI 8 and 8.5 already did that. Here are all the visual changes coming with the One UI 9 update:

• Brightness and volume slider: Thicker and wider in the quick settings compared to One UI 8.5
• Lockscreen Media Player: More colorful waveform bars. Option to cast audio directly from the lockscreen and control volume for connected devices.
• New Glass effect: Translucent glass effect similar to Liquid Glass sprinkled across the UI
• Samsung Internet: New compact search bar in floating layout. You can also open multiple browsers simultaneously, just like you do on a PC.
• Simplified Settings: The UI for switching between light and dark mode is now simplified. Also, the Galaxy AI section is now way cleaner as Samsung has removed the description for each feature.
• Redesigned About Phone: The About Phone now shows a render of the phone in the top left corner. The section is now more compact and shows the important details, such as IMEI, module number, etc, first.
• Rounded corners in Widgets: Widgets on the homescreen have now slightly rounded corners. This is visible in Now Brief, Weather, and the Samsung Browser widget.
• Improved Image Selection in Gallery: With the One UI 9 update, selecting multiple images in the gallery shows a rectangular box at the top. All images get added into the box with a preview of these images

8. New AI Features

With Samsung dubbing the S26 as the “Agentic AI” phone, it’s no surprise that the One UI 9 update is filled to the brim with AI features. Here are all the AI features coming with the update:

• Photo Assist: A new Create feature in Photo Assist can suggest creative ways to transform your photos after analyzing them.
• Audio Eraser: Audio Eraser is now available across all media apps that can play a video.
• Ask AI: With Ask AI in Samsung Internet, you can ask questions about a webpage that is open in your browser. It can analyze your browsing history and the contents of the page to provide answers. It can store data up to 6 months or only for the current session.

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9. New Warranty And Care App

The One UI 9 update adds a new Warranty and Care menu in the Settings. Here you can check everything for your device. Furthermore, this includes details for warranty, repair info, diagnostic tools, and remote assistance. You can also use Bixby for troubleshooting issues.

10. Ability To Lock Apps

A feature that Samsung fans have been requesting for ages could finally arrive in One UI 9. Rumoured to be released since One UI 7, the app lock feature will allow users to secure their apps. With Google implementing a simple app lock in Android 17 and iOS users already having one, Samsung could adopt the same for its users.

11. New Accessibility Features

One UI 9 update adds six new accessibility features:

• Select to Speak: It lets you tap on any text, and it reads it out loud. Similarly, the Text Spotlight increases the size of the text so you can read it clearly.
• Text Spotlight: You can expand and highlight any text with a single tap. It even lets you tweak the colors, size, and more based on your requirements.
• Shortcut for Physical Keyboard: You can toggle accessibility features from your physical keyboard without interacting with your phone.
• Control mouse with keyboard: It lets you control your mouse cursor with your keyboard. You can choose the cursor speed and the numeric keypad.
• Replace Swipe with single tap: This feature is now present at the top of the interaction and dexterity menu.
• Talkback: While not explicitly mentioned, Samsung is bringing changes to Talkback that could help in better navigation.

12. Other Changes

Here are all the minor yet noticeable changes coming with the One UI 9 update:

• Parental Control Section: One UI 9 update adds a new section for parental control. It was previously found in the Digital Wellbeing section in previous OneUI iterations.
• Contacts Picker: Just like the Photo and File picker, the One UI 9 update will let you share only select contacts with the app.
• Satellite Connectivity Support: One UI 9 will offer support for direct satellite connectivity in case networks are unavailable, thanks to native Android 17 support.
• Improved Ultrawide Band: You can now measure distance between devices more accurately with Ultrawide Band (UWB) support.
• Native Gamepad Support: One UI 9 will have native gamepad support, letting you customize the functionality of your controller.
• Support for wider screens: Samsung’s next update will add support for wider displays with a 4:3 aspect ratio. This should particularly help with the launch of the Galaxy Z Wide Fold spotted in the One UI 9 beta.
• Auto Hide Status Bar and Task Bar in DeX: You can now hide the status bar and task bar while using Samsung DeX. Also, the UI for adding new Desktops in DeX has been overhauled.

One UI 9 Update Eligible Devices

One UI 9 update based on Android 17 is set to roll out later this year. With Samsung offering 7 years of updates to its flagships and 6 years to its mid-rangers, most users should get it. Sadly, One UI 9 will be the last update for the S23 lineup since it has 4 years of support. Although Samsung has yet to officially reveal the eligible device, we can anticipate it based on the company’s update policy:

One UI 9 Update Beta: When Is It Coming?

Currently, Samsung is rolling out the One UI 8.5 beta for its devices. Once the company is done with the update, it will move on to One UI 9 beta based on Android 17. However, as always, the newest flagships like the S26 series will receive it first. Rumours suggest the first public beta of One UI 9 will arrive in May, 2026.

With flagships like the S26, S25, and S24 series getting the first dibs, mid-range users will have to wait a while. Also, Samsung’s foldables, like the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, are being tested internally with One UI 9. The rollout timeline for the One UI 9 beta will more or less depend on the hierarchy of your device.

One UI 9 Update Release Date

The stable version of the One UI 9 update is expected to go live in July 2026. With Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event likely to take place on July 2, we can expect the update to go around the same time. Moreover, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold Wide will debut at the event, making it the perfect time to showcase innovations in software. While these will be the first devices to launch with One UI 9 out of the box, the rest of the Galaxy family will need to wait till August for the rollout to begin.

FAQs

1. When is One UI 9 Update Coming Out?

The One UI 9 update will roll out in July 2026, and Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and Z Fold Wide will be the first to launch with it.

2. Is My Samsung Phone Eligible for the One UI 9 Update?

If you have been rocking a S23 or newer Samsung phone, you are likely to receive the update. Check the list above for the complete list.

3. When is the One UI 9 Beta Update Coming?

The testing for One UI 9 is set to begin in May 2026 for the S26, S25, and S24 series of devices.

4. Which is the biggest feature of the One UI 9 update?

The One UI 9 update is coming with features like Tap To Share, Now Nudge, improved visuals, better Now Brief, and more.