Samsung unveiledOne UI 8earlier this year, and since then, it has been gradually rolling it out to an increasing number of users through itsbeta program. If you’re unfamiliar with One UI 8, it’s Samsung’sAndroid 16update for its Galaxy smartphones. WhileOne UI 7(Samsung’s Android 15 update) had a lengthy rollout periodmarred by issues, so far it appears that One UI 8 won’t share the same fate (hopefully), with September already announced as the launch date.
One UI 8 has been in beta for the past couple of months, and an official stable version was launched on Samsung’s newest foldable devices, theGalaxy Z Fold 7andGalaxy Z Flip 7, which came out in July. If you’re excited about One UI 8 and want to get it faster, here are three ways to be one of the first.
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 7 is its thinnest and lightest foldable yet.
1Join the One UI 8 beta program
The cheapest and simplest option if your device qualifies
If you have a Galaxy S25 or S24 series device, the beta is undoubtedly the easiest way to try out One UI 8 now, before its official launch. Samsung started the beta program for One UI 8 on the Galaxy S25 series in May and recently began rolling it out to the Galaxy S24 series, with the beta now available for download in the US, UK, Korea, and India.
Also, if you have a Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Z Flip 6, you can download and try the beta as well. Unfortunately, if you own a Galaxy S23 series device, Fold 5, or Flip 5, Samsung won’t roll out the One UI 8 beta for them until September, so you’ll need to wait a bit longer.
Open the Samsung Members app (you’re able to get it from the Galaxy Store if you uninstalled it).
Log in to the app with your Samsung account if you haven’t already done so.
Tap the One UI Beta Program banner at the top of the screen to enroll in the beta.
Once you’ve enrolled, head toSettings > Software update > Download and installto check for updates and download the One UI 8 beta.
It’s recommended you back up your device before installing the beta.
2Give Samsung’s latest foldable models a try
It’s not the cheapest route, but it’s still a way to get One UI 8
If you don’t want the One UI 8 beta or your device isn’t eligible, and you’re eager to try an official release of One UI 8, the only option currently is to get one of Samsung’s latest foldable devices. When Samsung announced theGalaxy Z Fold 7andGalaxy Z Flip 7, one of the key benefits it highlighted was that these new foldable phones come with a stable version of One UI 8 pre-installed out of the box.
So, if you’ve been waiting to upgrade your device or just have $2,000 to spend on a Galaxy Z Fold 7, this is currently the only way to experience an official, non-beta version of One UI 8 until Samsung begins rolling out the official update in September. While it’s certainly not the easiest or cheapest option available, it’s still a way to experience One UI 8 before anyone else and get the update faster. On the bright side, if you do choose to go down this route and get one of Samsung’s new foldables, both the Fold 7 and Flip 7 have some pretty big upgrades, which make them worth the cost if you’re coming from a much older device.
Additionally, theGalaxy Z Flip 7 FEalso comes with One UI 8, making it one of the cheapest ways to officially get the update now, as the phone costs $900, which is more affordable than the Flip 7’s $1,100 price tag.
3Get the Galaxy S25 FE
Leaks suggest it will launch in September
An alternative way to get One UI 8 sooner is by waiting for theGalaxy S25 FE. Although Samsung hasn’t officially announced it yet, leaks indicate it will launch in late September with One UI 8 pre-installed, like the Fold 7 and Flip 7.
For those unfamiliar, Samsung’s FE series offers more affordable versions of its flagship phones released earlier in the year. For example, last year’sGalaxy S24 FEwas a simplified version of the S24, featuring a slower chipset (Exynos S2400E instead of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), slightly inferior cameras, and slower charging. The S25 FE is expected to follow the same pattern, being a more budget-friendly variant of the S25.
If you own an older Samsung Galaxy phone and prefer not to pay for the S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, or the new foldables, waiting for the S25 FE could be a good option. It’s likely you’ll receive One UI 8 earlier if it launches in September, as the S24 and S23 series may not be updated until after its release.FNN News, a South Korean news outlet, reported that the S25 FE could be launched on September 19 in Korea, which means the US launch could be the same day or follow soon after. For reference, the Galaxy S24 FE launched last year for $650, so the S25 FE could be around the same price range.
4Play the waiting game
This isn’t exactly a faster way to get it
Lastly, this isn’t exactly a faster way to get One UI 8, but it’s really the only other option to try it out eventually: playing the waiting game.
Samsung hasalready saidthat One UI 8 will officially launch in September, first rolling out to the Galaxy S25 series. It didn’t share an exact date of when to expect it for the Galaxy S24 series or the Galaxy S23 series, but it did say it “will be rolled out sequentially to other eligible devices.” Therefore, it’s possible that other Galaxy devices could receive the update in late September or October.
Here’s a list of the Samsung Galaxy smartphones expected to support One UI 8:
Galaxy S Series
Galaxy Z Series
A bunch of Samsung’s mid-range devices are also expected to get the One UI 8 update, including the Galaxy A33, A53, A73, A24, A34, A54, A15, A25, A35, and A55. Samsung has not officially confirmed all the devices getting One UI 8 yet, but these devices are the most likely to get it at the present time.
