Samsung is widening the reach of its next big Android update, with One UI 8.5 beta now rolling out to a wave of older Galaxy devices. This is not just rolling out to its latest flagships.
After spending months in testing on the Galaxy S25 series, the beta programme is expanding to include last year’s premium phones, foldables and even tablets. Newly supported devices include the Galaxy S24 lineup, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6.
In addition, the Galaxy Tab S11 range is supported as well. This is a clear sign Samsung is speeding up its software rollout strategy.
The update is currently available in select regions including the UK, US, Korea and India. Users are able to sign up through the Samsung Members app. Once enrolled, a banner guides you through the process. Notably, Samsung tweaked this process slightly with the One UI 8 release.
This wider rollout lands alongside continued testing on newer hardware. The Galaxy S25 range is already on its eighth beta. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are on their second, suggesting Samsung is getting closer to a stable release.
While Samsung hasn’t detailed every new feature in this phase, One UI 8.5 is expected to refine the experience introduced with One UI 8. Likely, it will focus on performance tweaks, UI polish and AI-driven features rather than a complete overhaul. Furthermore, it also ships pre-installed on the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. Therefore, this gives us a good idea of where Samsung’s software is heading next.
For owners of slightly older Galaxy devices, this is a notable shift. Samsung has been steadily improving its update commitment. Also, bringing beta access to a broader range of devices earlier in the cycle is part of that push.
There’s no exact date for the full release just yet, but Samsung says more devices will join the beta programme in April. So, if your phone isn’t on the list yet, it might not be waiting long.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
