The best thing about One UI 9 isn’t Android 17

Samsung is unlikely to drop One UI 9 to match iOS’ numbering strategy. Galaxy’s Android 17 upgrade will launch as part of One UI 9, not One UI 26 or so. It’s literally a rare win for common sense in the smartphone industry.

Over the past few days, we’ve heard a lot about the One UI 8.5. Power users have got their hands again on leaked test builds. Installing them on existing Galaxy devices unlocks a broad streak of fresh content from the future.

One UI 9

Folks over at SamMobile discovered a mention of One UI 9 in leaked One UI 8.5 firmware. It confirms the next big Samsung One UI upgrade will be called One UI 9, built on the Android 16 operating system.

The official One UI 8 rollout has just begun, and we’re about a year away from One UI 9. Before this, Samsung is preparing One UI 8.5, which will launch with the Galaxy S26 series early next year and expand to existing models.

• Don’t miss: Leaked One UI 8.5 video exposes new design and features

There were assumptions that the South Korean tech giant may follow Apple’s way to match the software numbering. However, the Galaxy maker is keeping things simple and clean, without weird tricks to present it a leap.

Image – SammyFans

iOS 26

Apple jumped straight to iOS 26, from the iOS 18 version. On September 15, the iPhone maker started the general release of the new software. Samsung beat Apple with the One UI 8 rollout by a few hours on the same day.

iOS 26 introduces the Liquid Glass user interface. It’s a major overhaul over the previous generations of iOS. Apple was on target at Beta launch, but feedback was reflected in the Stable version, with more changes likely.

One UI 9 launch

Samsung will most likely launch One UI 9 with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 next year. The tentative timeline is the third quarter of the next year. A Beta Program is expected in the month of May, just like the One UI 8.

The post The best thing about One UI 9 isn’t Android 17 appeared first on Sammy Fans.