Samsung appears to be preparing to launch a beta version of One UI 8, based on Android 16, later this month. Reports suggest that the beta program may begin in the third week of May 2025, specifically targeting Galaxy S25 users in select regions before expanding further in June. This initiative is seen as a swift response following the somewhat chaotic rollout of One UI 7. According to information from SamMobile, this new beta program is in accordance with Samsung’s internal testing, which had seen a version of the Android 16-based upgrade appear on test servers as recently as May 8.
The specific update is identified by the build version S938BXXU3ZYEA/S938BOXM3ZYEA/S938BXXU3BYEA and was uncovered on test servers by a tipster. This marks the first time a One UI 8 beta has emerged, indicating that a public beta launch could be imminent. The anticipated beta program is noteworthy because it follows the complex challenges faced during One UI 7’s launch. Previous iterations have generally taken longer to arrive.
However, this time around, One UI 8 is expected to be a more streamlined and user-focused update, coinciding with Google’s revised schedule for Android releases. Moreover, speculations suggest that Samsung’s upcoming foldable devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, may debut with One UI 8 pre-installed, marking a new chapter in the user experience for Samsung’s products. As the tech community awaits these developments, it seems Samsung is on track to rectify past rollout issues with a more efficient upgrade process.