Samsung’s next-generation interface is already generating excitement in the tech community. According to fresh leaks, the company is preparing to roll out One UI 9.0, which will be based on Google’s upcoming Android 17. Evidence for this surfaced in the latest leaked build of One UI 8.5, where clear references to One UI 9.0 were discovered
. While the upgrade itself isn’t entirely unexpected, its confirmation this early adds momentum to speculation about what Samsung has in store for its users.
The shift from One UI 8.5 to One UI 9.0 will likely be significant. One UI 8.5, while more than a minor patch, is still seen as an incremental release. By contrast, One UI 9.0 is expected to bring broader design updates, refined performance optimizations, and potentially groundbreaking features. Samsung’s pace of software development has noticeably increased in recent years, meaning the company may aim to release this new version earlier than many predict. For context, One UI 8.0 launched on September 15, and the accelerated rollout strategy could put One UI 9.0 ahead of schedule.
As with tradition, Samsung’s biggest flagship devices will act as the launch vehicles for the update. Insiders suggest that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 will be among the first devices to debut with One UI 9.0 pre-installed. Adding to the anticipation is Samsung’s highly rumored tri-fold foldable smartphone, which is expected to make its worldwide debut next year and may ship directly with One UI 9.0. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 series is scheduled to launch with One UI 8.5 but is likely to be the first to receive the new software via update.
It’s still too early to pinpoint the precise features One UI 9.0 will offer. Samsung has been leaning heavily into AI-powered enhancements across its software ecosystem, from smarter photography features to predictive productivity tools. Some of these might expand dramatically in One UI 9.0, alongside fresh non-AI improvements like interface tweaks, streamlined multitasking, and deeper customization options. Observers are carefully analyzing the leaked One UI 8.5 firmware, hoping to uncover hidden hints of what’s next.
For now, Samsung device owners can expect One UI 8.0 to continue rolling out to more Galaxy devices later this month after its initial release for the Galaxy S25 lineup. But the buzz surrounding One UI 9.0 highlights Samsung’s growing ambition to align its Android skin with user expectations for speed, features, and design. The future looks packed with innovation, and One UI 9.0 might represent one of Samsung’s boldest updates yet.