Friends, Samsung has done a great job this time with One UI 8. This update is based on Android 16, which Google plans to release in June 2025. This time Samsung has shown a lot of speed after the delays of One UI 7. In One UI 8 you will get smoother animations, better app designs, and a user interface with a new vibe.
For example, weather animations are now even more realistic and engaging, and new blur effects have been added to apps like gallery and file manager. Apart from this, the Live Updates feature of Android 16 is also quite cool, which will show real-time updates on your lock screen or notifications panel, like ride tracking or delivery status.
But the biggest question is: when and how will this One UI 8 Update come to your phone? And which devices are eligible for this? Let’s see step-by-step.
One UI 8 Update with Android 16
Which Phones Are Eligible?
Samsung has made its software update policy quite strong, and has promised OS updates and security patches for flagship devices like the Galaxy S24 series for 7 years. The list of devices eligible for One UI 8 is quite long, and these are some of the popular models that will get the update:
- Galaxy S25 series (S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge)
- Galaxy S24 series (S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE)
- Galaxy S23 series (S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23 FE)
- Galaxy S22 series (S22, S22+, S22 Ultra)
- Galaxy Z Fold series (Z Fold6, Z Fold5, Z Fold4)
- Galaxy Z Flip series (Z Flip6, Z Flip5, Z Flip4)
- Galaxy Tab series (Tab S10, Tab S9, Tab S8)
- A-Series phones (like Galaxy A55, A35, A16 5G)
If your phone is any of these, then good news – you are going to get the One UI 8 update! But if your phone is a little old, like the Galaxy S21 series, then you may not get this update, because its official support window has ended. To check the update status of your device, you can go to Samsung’s official website or check in Settings > Software Update.
One UI 8 Beta Program: How to Join?
Now let’s talk about the real thing – how to get the beta version of One UI 8? Samsung has launched the One UI 8 Beta Program for the Galaxy S25 series on 28 May 2025, and it is currently available in countries like UK, Germany, US, and South Korea. It will soon expand to devices like the Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold6, and Z Flip6.
Here’s the step-by-step guide:
- Open the Samsung Members App: Open the Samsung Members app on your Samsung phone. If you haven’t used it before, login with your Samsung account.
- View Beta Program Banner: You’ll see a Beta Program banner on the app’s homepage. This banner will give you the option to apply for One UI 8 beta.
- Apply: Tap the banner to apply. If your device and country are eligible, you will get the option to join the beta program.
- Check for OTA update: After applying, go to Settings > Software Update and tap Download and Install. If the beta update is available, your phone will download it.
Note: The beta update for the S24 series has not been released everywhere yet. My Galaxy S24 Ultra is still showing the message “No Beta Programs Available Now”, but according to reports, it could also come for the S24 series, Z Fold6, and Z Flip6 by mid-June 2025.
If you want to join the beta program, keep checking the Samsung Members app regularly, as banners of new updates are shown there.
What’s New in One UI 8?
One UI 8 has a lot of exciting changes that will make your phone experience even better. Some of the highlights are:
- Smoother Animations: New animation engine that now does not interrupt even if you spam apps. It fixes the issues of One UI 7.
- Redesigned UI: New blur effects and a cleaner look in Gallery and File Manager.
- Live Updates Feature: This feature of Android 16 will show you real-time updates on the lock screen or Always-On Display, like cab or delivery tracking.
- Enhanced Galaxy AI: One UI 8 brings enhanced Galaxy AI features to make your daily tasks even smarter.
- New DeX Mode: Android 16’s desktop mode with an upgraded DeX experience that makes your phone feel like a laptop.
Joining the beta program is a great option to try out all these features, but remember, beta versions can sometimes have bugs. If you want a stable experience, wait a little longer until the stable version is released, which could come in July or August 2025, especially with new foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7.
What is the plan for S24 Series Users?
One UI 8 beta has already been released for the Galaxy S25 series, but this update is going to come soon for S24 series users as well. According to reports, if the beta testing of the S25 series goes smoothly, the beta program can also expand for the S24 series, Z Fold6, and Z Flip6 by mid-June 2025. If you are a user of the S24 series, then have some patience and check the Samsung Members app regularly.
Final Thoughts
Samsung has changed the game this time with One UI 8 and Android 16. Launching the beta program so soon and planning updates for so many devices shows that Samsung does not want to disappoint its users.
If you also want to enjoy this new update, then get active in the Samsung Members app now and apply for the beta program. And yes, if you find this post helpful, share it with your friends and visit Freefast.in to get the latest tech updates.
What are your plans? Are you going to try One UI 8 beta or will you wait for the stable version? Let us know in the comments and see you in the next post!
