Samsung will officially release One UI 9, the Android 17 build for Galaxy S26 devices in beta later this week.
Confirmed in a newsroom postSamsung says the One UI 9 beta program will start “starting this week.”
The Android 17-based update will only be available for the Galaxy S26 series to begin with in supported regions such as Germany, India, Korea, Poland, UK, and the US.
What’s new in One UI 9? Previously, the leaks weren’t very obvious, but Samsung offers “expanded creative tools, customization options, a more accessible mobile experience, and stronger protection against potential security threats.”
Some special highlights include:
Samsung notes gets creative new tools, including decorative ribbons and a wider variety of pencil line styles. Meanwhile, Connections app now offers direct access to Creative Studio to create personalized profile cards without the need to switch between apps.
Updated Quick Panel giving users more control over its layout. Brightness, volume and media player can each be adjusted independently with more size options to suit individual preferences.
Accessibility is significantly improved by regulated Mouse Key speed that allows for smoother cursor control and integrated control TalkBack a package that brings together features previously offered separately by Google and Samsung. New Text Spotlight Added a feature to make the selected text larger or clearer in a floating window to make it easier to read.
One UI 9 also introduces enhanced protection against suspicious apps and potential threats: when new high-risk apps are detected, it now alerts users, blocks execution and installation, and recommends removal through security policy updates.
The first stable One UI 9 release will hit “future Galaxy flagship devices later this year,” Samsung says, pointing to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and other new foldables. It is expected to be launched in July. Google is expected to release the first stable release of Android 17 in the coming weeks.
Samsung adds that the stable release of One UI 9 on the new foldable systems will include “advanced AI features that will make mobile connectivity easier and more convenient.”
Those interested in signing up for the beta program can do so through the Samsung Members program, although registration is not yet live.
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