Samsung One UI 8 Beta Now Available for Select Devices
One UI 8 may not look radically different, but it’s laying important groundwork for a smoother, smarter Samsung experience.
After a painfully slow rollout for One UI 7, which took months to reach many Galaxy devices, Samsung seems to be rethinking its update strategy. With One UI 8, the company is promising a “new rhythm” to its software releases, hinting at faster, more consistent updates across its ecosystem.
That shift might already be underway. Samsung has now kicked off the One UI 8 beta, its next major Android skin based on Android 16, and the early rollout feels surprisingly focused. The beta is currently live for the Galaxy S25 series, giving us a first look at where Samsung’s software is headed next.
Strangely, though, the Galaxy S25 Edge, part of the same flagship lineup, isn’t included just yet, possibly due to Samsung’s usual staggered beta schedule. Still, the early signs suggest One UI 8 is less about flashy redesigns and more about fine-tuning the core experience.
Kelechi Edeh
As expected, AI is once again the star of the show. Samsung is talking up "improved multimodal capabilities" and deeper personalisation, though details are still vague. What we do know is that performance has been a major focus. One example: the previously sluggish AI Select feature now loads instantly, removing the noticeable startup delay from earlier versions. While the company hasn't shared much else about specific AI tools, it’s clear that speed and seamlessness are being prioritised across the board.
Another major update is how One UI 8 adapts to different device form factors. That’s in line with Google’s broader Android 16 push to improve tablet and foldable performance, and Samsung is taking full advantage. One clever addition is a new multitasking feature that lets you push one app off to the edge of the screen while focusing on another. It’s not entirely unlike the OnePlus Open’s multitasking tools, and it could be a great fit for Samsung's larger screens, like the Galaxy Z Fold series.
While this beta isn’t a complete visual overhaul like One UI 7, plenty of quality-of-life improvements are tucked in. The Reminder app is getting a cleaner layout to help users organise and share to-do lists more easily. Quick Share also has a more streamlined interface, which should make it less confusing when sending files across devices. Plus, Samsung is integrating Android 16’s new Auracast support, which lets compatible hearing aids and earbuds — including the Galaxy Buds 3 — connect to public audio streams at events or announcements.
Supported Devices: Who’s In and Who’s Waiting?
Samsung starts with its latest flagships — in this case, the Galaxy S25 lineup — and plans to slowly expand the beta to older models. Although the Galaxy S25 Edge wasn't included, at least not yet. Based on Samsung’s usual rollout pattern, it might join later after some extra testing.
Last time around with One UI 7, the Galaxy S24 series got the beta first in late 2024, and it took until March 2025 for the update to reach foldables, tablets, and some midrange A-series devices. So while there’s hope for Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6, or S24 owners, it may take a few months.
How to Get It: Enrolling in the One UI 8 Beta
The update file is around 3–3.3GB in size, depending on your device, and comes with the May 2025 security patch. Other frequent beta markets like India and Poland are expected to join soon. Interestingly, Samsung has added a new “Beta Program Home” inside the Members app, making it easier to join, leave, or manage different beta programs — including One UI Watch and App Beta initiatives.
To try One UI 8 now, though, you’ll need to sign up via the Samsung Members app. Once the program is live in your region (right now that includes South Korea, the US, the UK, and Germany), just follow these steps:
- Open the Samsung Members app.
- Tap the One UI 8 Beta Program banner on the home page.
- After enrolling, go to Settings > Software update > Download and install.
- Tap Install now once the download is complete.
Conclusion
One UI 8 may not look radically different, but it’s laying important groundwork for a smoother, smarter Samsung experience. With faster AI tools, better multitasking, and a more refined update process, Samsung seems focused on function over flash this time around.
The promise of a “new rhythm” hints at quicker rollouts, a welcome change for users tired of long waits. And with the full launch likely to arrive alongside the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 later this summer, One UI 8 is shaping up to be less about visual overhauls and more about getting things done faster, cleaner, and smarter.
Kelechi Edeh
