It feels like just yesterday when everyone was talking about the One UI 7 update. People were excited to test the new features and see what Samsung has in store for them. But, some of us had to wait for the update as it came later than expected.
Now, Samsung is working on something new. It’s the One UI 8 update. But this time, things are moving fast and we can expect a release soon! One UI 8 is based on Android 16, and it’s supposed to be better and smoother to use. There are going to completely new features coming in related to AI and UI.
So, what can we expect from One UI 8? Let’s take a look at some important things:
Also Read: How To Take Screenshots On Samsung Galaxy S23 Series?
One UI 8 Update Release Date And Timeline
Samsung is bringing out its new software, One UI 8, earlier than usual! Samsung releases the new update around October or November. But this time, it’s coming sooner because Google is also expected to release the Android 16 sooner. Google plans to release Android 16 in June 2025. Hence, Samsung is also planning for an early release.
Reports say that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will come out in July 2025. They will already have One UI 8 on them based on Android 16.
Before that, Samsung might let some users test One UI 8 early through a beta program. This could start in late May or early June 2025, starting with the Galaxy S25 phones.
| Date | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| May/June 2025 | Samsung may start testing One UI 8 on Galaxy S25. Later, it will come to Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, and S24. |
| July 2025 | New phones (Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7) will come with One UI 8 already installed. |
| August/September 2025 | The final version of One UI 8 will come to S25, S24, and other top phones. Mid-range phones will get it later. |
Also Read: Circle To Search Now On iPhone: Here’s How To Use It!
One UI 8 Update: Confirmed Eligible Devices
When it comes to update policy for OS updates, Samsung is one of the best out there. We all know that Samsung shocked everyone with up to seven years of OS updates for the S24 series. This means that if you buy one of their flagship devices, you’ll keep getting new features for a long time.
Even the mid-range phones get around four years of updates + five years of security updates. Because of this pattern, it’s not that difficult to figure out the One UI 8 Eligible Devices list. Let’s check it out:
| Category | Devices |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S Series | S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge, S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE, S22, S22+, S22 Ultra, S21 FE |
| Galaxy Z Series | Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, Z Fold Special Edition, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4 |
| Galaxy Tab Series | Tab S10, Tab S10+, Tab S10 Ultra, Tab S10 FE, Tab S10 FE+, Tab S9, Tab S9+, Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S9 FE, Tab S9 FE+, Tab S8, Tab S8+, Tab S8 Ultra, Tab S6 Lite (2024), Tab A9, Tab A9+, Tab Active5 Pro |
| Galaxy A Series | A73, A56, A55, A54, A53, A36, A35, A34, A33, A26, A25, A16 (LTE/5G), A06 (LTE/5G) |
| Galaxy M Series | M56, M55, M55s, M54, M53, M36, M35, M34, M16 (LTE/5G), M06 (LTE/5G) |
| Galaxy F Series | F56, F55, F54, F36, F16 (LTE/5G), F06 (LTE/5G) |
| Galaxy XCover | XCover7 Pro |
The Samsung Galaxy S25, S24, S23, and Z Fold/Flip series are guaranteed to get the One UI 8 update, as these are recent launches and Samsung promises a seven-year OS update.
Some of the older models, like the S21 series and Z Fold 3/Flip 3, are receiving for the same reason. They fall within the four-year OS upgrade window.
Mid-range phones in the A-series, like the Samsung Galaxy A55 and Samsung Galaxy A35, launched with Android 13 or 14. So, we can confirm that they will get Android 16.
Also Read: iPhone 15 Vs Samsung Galaxy S23- Phone With Higher Resale Value?
Samsung One UI 8 Beta
With One UI 8 beta update, you can try new features before everyone else. You test updates and share feedback directly to Samsung.
Here’s what we know about the One UI 8 Beta program:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| When It Starts | The beta will likely start in late May or early June 2025. |
| First Phones | The Galaxy S25 series (S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge) will be the first to get the beta. |
| How to Join | Sign up through the Samsung Members app. Just look for the One UI 8 Beta banner. |
| Available Countries | The beta will be in places like the US, South Korea, India, Germany. |
| What to Test | AI Zoom, Quick Share, and new animations. |
| Risks | The beta might have bugs, so back up data before installing it. |
| When It Expands | It will start in major countries, then expand to others. |
You can join by signing up in the Samsung Members app. Once the beta starts, you need to open the app, look for the One UI 8 Beta banner, and sign up. The beta will be available in some countries like the US, South Korea, India, and Germany.
Note: Since this is beta software, there might be bugs or problems.
One UI 8 Update: Top Features To Look For!
The One UI 8 focuses on polishing the Galaxy interface, improving AI capabilities, and expanding access to professional-grade tools.
Let’s start with the new features we are going to see in this update:
1. AI Zoom in Gallery Labs
Samsung Galaxy S series users can never complain about not having enough zoom capability. What’s more amazing is that the image quality does not distort terribly if you zoom in and click.
This new OS update brings more perfection to using AI Zooming. It uses artificial intelligence to enhance image clarity when zooming into small or low-resolution photos, making them appear sharper and more detailed. Now, cropping or enlarging images won’t take away the quality. Samsung phones in other series, like the S or Z, will particularly benefit from it.
How to Access: Once the update arrives in your device, it will be available in the Gallery Labs, a hidden experimental menu in the Samsung Gallery app. To enable:
- Open the Gallery app.
- Go to Menu > Settings > About Gallery.
- Tap the Gallery version number 7–10 times until “[Labs] Gallery labs is enabled” appears.
- Return to Settings to find Gallery Labs and toggle on AI Zoom.
2. Expanded Log Video Support
Many leaks and reports suggest that Log Video will be available to more Galaxy devices via One UI 8. It is a professional-grade video recording mode that captures footage in a flat, desaturated logarithmic colour profile. That’s a professional-level tool that preserves a high dynamic range. Details in highlights and shadows are retained for advanced post-production editing. One can make use of this feature in cinematic or professional videos.
Previously, it was limited to the Galaxy S25 and S24 series. This time, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, which missed out on this feature in One UI 7, will have it.
How to Use:
- Open the Samsung Camera app.
- Go to More > Pro Video mode.
- Tap the LOG button at the top of the screen.
- Enable via Settings > Advanced Video menu for exposure monitoring tools like zebra patterns or false colour.
Also Read: Run a Diagnostic On My Samsung Phone: Step-by-Step Guide Here
3. Now Brief Expansion
Ever since the launch of Now Brief, Samsung devices have been the epitome of productivity. I mean, it’s like pill-shaped thing and works just like Dynamic Island on iPhones. You can see it on the home screen or the lock screen and access your updates quickly.
It’s going to expand to more devices like:
- Samsung Galaxy S24
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Galaxy Z Flip 6
4. Quick Share UI Refresh
Quick Share is Samsung’s very own file-sharing feature. With the One UI 8 update, it is going to get the new UI with Separate Send and Receive Tabs for easier navigation. You will have more control over device visibility with this update.
Also Read: 5 Troubleshooting Tips For Samsung Galaxy Phones
5. Gallery Labs Enhancements
There will be enhancements in the Gallery labs. Let’s check them out:
- Mirror Screen Mode in the Viewer will allow users to change how they see images.
- You will see full address details where the photo was taken. It will help in geotagging the photos.
6. AI Camera Features
AI-powered features of the camera are the most exciting section of the One UI 8 update. That being said, all the Samsung phones that will launch with One UI 8 are supposed to embody the features. Here are a few things you will enjoy in a Samsung phone in 2025:
- Portrait Studio: Uses AI to create artistic portraits (for example, Comic, 3d Cartoon, Sketch) with a 9-megapixel output and watermark.
- Live Effects: Adds depth and perspective to photos for dynamic visuals.
- Audio Eraser: Removes unwanted background noise (example: wind, chatter) from videos. Available on Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 FE, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, and Tab S10 series.
- Custom AI Filters: Based on photo environments, a custom AI-generated filter will be applied to suit the scene.
- Motion Photos: Captures 1.5-second snippets before and after a shot, similar to Apple’s Live Photos. These AI tools integrated inside are meant for photography and videography, making them core to Samsung’s camera experience.
7. Visually Appealing And Refreshing
We are going to see more of rounded icons, vibrant colours, redesigned widgets, and smoother animations. On this new UI, the Notifications and quick settings are separated. That is swipe down from top-right for notifications, and top edge is for quick settings. Up to 24 quick toggles are available.
Other New ONE UI 8 Features
Along with these features mentioned, the ONE UI 8 may come up with these features as well:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Smoother Animations | It makes transitions smoother and more fluid. |
| Quick Settings Panel Tweaks | It will add shading around toggles for better contrast. |
| Customise widgets | Customise to show specific calendars or add countdown widgets for events. |
| Pop-Up Menu | Uses circles around menu options in some apps. |
| One-Finger Zoom | Swipe to zoom via the Assistant menu for accessibility |
| Galaxy AI Upgrades (Rumoured) | Smarter Bixby, better editing, and writing help. |
| Samsung DeX & Multitasking | Improved DeX and multitasking, especially on foldables. |
| Battery sheild Protection | Set max charge limits between 80–95 percent, with a shield icon when active. |
In The End
One UI 8 update is surely going to be exciting with new features like AI zoom or Log video. However, mostly it seems to be a finishing product of One UI 7, as that one was sort of incomplete. If you have a Samsung phone that is no older than at least 4 years, you are probably getting the One UI 8 update without upgrading your phone. Otherwise, you can check the whole list of eligible devices mentioned in this post.
Also Read: Best Apps For Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
What are your thoughts on this new Samsung UI update? Share it in the comments below!
Buying refurbished mobile phones was never this easy. Sell your old phone and get exclusive offers & discounts on refurbished mobiles. Every refurbished phone is put through 32-point quality checks to ensure like-new standards and comes with a six-month warranty and 15-day refund. Buy refurbished phone easily on no-cost EMI today!
