One UI 8.5: Samsung’s One UI 8.5 firmware leak confirms One UI 9.0 as the next major upgrade, expected to launch with Android 17 on next year’s Galaxy Z Fold, Z Flip, and possibly the new tri-fold device.
Samsung has just started releasing the stable One UI 8 update with Android 16, but it looks like the company is already working on what comes next. A leaked build of One UI 8.5 has appeared online, and inside the code there are clear mentions of One UI 9.0. This confirms that Samsung’s next big update is already in the works.
One UI 8.5 Getting Ready for Galaxy S26
Samsung has been working on One UI 8.5 for months, with the update expected to debut on the Galaxy S26 series. The same firmware has also been spotted on servers for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, showing that testing is underway across multiple flagship devices.
Unlike a full version jump, One UI 8.5 will act as a refinement layer on top of Android 16, delivering polish, stability, and smaller feature tweaks while setting the stage for the bigger leap to 9.0.
One UI 9.0 Confirmed
The leaked firmware makes it clear: the next major release will be One UI 9.0, likely built on Android 17. This update should bring more substantial improvements than both One UI 8.0 and 8.5, possibly including deeper system changes and new design touches.
If Samsung maintains its faster release cycle, One UI 9.0 could arrive sooner than One UI 8.0, which launched globally on September 15.
What Comes Next
According to early reports, the Galaxy S26 series will launch with One UI 8.5 and later transition to 9.0. Meanwhile, the next Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip devices are expected to ship with One UI 9.0 out of the box. There are also rumors that Samsung’s first tri-fold foldable could debut worldwide next year with the same software.
For now, Galaxy users can look forward to the wider rollout of One UI 8.0, which is expanding to more devices this month. One thing is clear: One UI 8.5 is the bridge, and One UI 9.0 is the destination.
