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Samsung’s next software chapter has quietly begun. Even as the new S26 series ships with One UI 8.5, the question of when updates to older models begin remains unclear for existing Galaxy users.
Current beta activity suggests the wait may be short, at least for those using Samsung’s latest flagships.
The Galaxy S25 lineup is set to lead the upgrade wave. The devices are already running the One UI 8.5 beta, which typically signals an imminent stable release. Industry watchers expect the rollout to begin in early March 2026, making the S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra the first older phones to move to Android 16.
Samsung’s newest foldables, Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, are likely to follow within weeks. Galaxy S24 series is among the earliest to receive the previous One UI update and is tipped to get the new software by late March or early April 2026.
The sequence reflects Samsung’s familiar strategy: newer premium devices first, followed by older flagships, and then the mid-range products.
Galaxy S23 series and older foldables will receive the update by May 2026. Mid-range Galaxy A, M, and F devices are expected between May and June 2026, with timing varying by region and rollout schedule.
In India, where Samsung has one of its largest user bases, updates usually arrive in phases. Premium devices often receive them within weeks of the global rollout, while mid-range phones follow gradually.
The company has not released an official device-wise calendar yet, but the current order is based on Samsung’s beta activity and rollout pattern that the company has been following.
One UI 8.5 is not being positioned as a dramatic visual overhaul. Instead, it signals Samsung’s shift to a faster, more iterative software cycle aligned closely with Google’s Android releases.
The update is expected to focus on deeper integration of Galaxy AI, smoother animations, better battery and memory management, refinements to the lock screen, and Always-On Display. Foldables, in particular, are likely to see improvements in multitasking and taskbar behavior, along with small changes that make everyday use smoother.
Users are looking forward to the durability and endurance these new changes offer, along with the advanced features. Faster updates extend the relevance of premium devices and narrow the experience gap between new and older models.
If the current timeline holds, most eligible Galaxy phones should be running One UI 8.5 by June 2026. In Samsung’s ecosystem, recency has always been given priority, but the gap between generations is shrinking.
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