Last updated: October 18, 2026
One UI 9.5 isn’t available to anyone yet, and Samsung hasn’t announced it. Here is everything we know so far about Samsung’s next update, from the first design leaks to the latest test builds, with the release timing, new features and phones that could get it. We keep this page updated as new details appear.
TL;DR
- One UI 9.5 is an Android 17-based refinement release, expected to debut with the Galaxy S27 series in early 2027.
- The leaks point to a frosted, layered look, smoother animations, a native App Lock, AI-powered search in the Phone app, App Mirroring for laptops, a satellite hub and a 24MP option on the base Galaxy S26.
- A beta is expected between late 2026 and early 2027, with no confirmed date.
What’s confirmed and what isn’t
| Question | Answer |
| Has Samsung announced One UI 9.5? | No. |
| Is there a beta? | No. No beta date or sign-up has been announced. |
| Is it based on Android 17? | Reportedly. One outlet speculates Android 17 QPR2, which is unconfirmed. |
| Is there an official device list? | No. Only test sightings and expected lists. |
| Where does the information come from? | Internal builds on Galaxy S26 devices and Samsung’s test servers. |
| How reliable is it? | Most feature leaks come from one tipster, and he describes the builds as early internal ones. Features can change or be dropped before release. |
When will One UI 9.5 be released?
Samsung hasn’t given a date, so this is based on how the previous cycle went with One UI 8.5.
| Milestone | One UI 8.5 (last cycle) | One UI 9.5 (expected) |
| Public beta | December 8, 2025 (Galaxy S25) | Late 2026, with reports ranging from October to December |
| Debut on new phones | February 25, 2026 (Galaxy S26) | Early 2027 (Galaxy S27 series) |
| Older devices | Stable from May 6, 2026 | Q1 to Q2 2027 |
The 9.5 column is expectation only, based on how the 8.5 cycle went. Our own reports say a Galaxy S26 beta could start around November, which Samsung hasn’t confirmed. One UI 9.5 also keeps the same Android base as One UI 9, which is still reaching phones through its global rollout.
Every One UI 9.5 feature spotted so far
Most of these come from X user Fahad Ali Javed, who flashed a One UI 9.5-based internal firmware on a Galaxy S26 and shared screenshots in August. Where a feature appeared in screenshots or video, we say it was seen. Where it was only described, we say it was reported.
A frosted, layered interface
The first design leak, on August 14, showed a subtle glass-inspired look on selected parts of the interface. Floating tab bars, home screen widgets, the volume slider and the top header buttons all appear to get shinier borders, soft backdrop shading and drop shadows. The goal seems to be a clearer separation between tappable controls and the content behind them, not a full redesign. It was seen in screenshots, so it is one of the more concrete leaks, but the final look may still change.
AI search in the Phone app
In the same leak, the Phone app’s Search button moves from the top corner into the bottom bar, next to Keypad, Recents and Contacts. That also makes it easier to reach with one hand. It reportedly works with Samsung AI, much like the system-wide Finder, so you could look up contacts and recent interactions without leaving the dialer. The new layout was seen, but the AI behavior is only described, so what it can actually search remains unconfirmed.
Native App Lock
The App Lock leak, also on August 14, shows a simple flow: long-press an app or game on the home screen or in the app drawer, then tap a lock icon in the menu. The locked app uses your phone’s existing unlock method, so there is no extra PIN to remember. It was seen in screenshots. This is not the same as Secure Folder, which keeps data in a separate space, and Samsung had reportedly planned an app lock for earlier One UI versions that never shipped, so it isn’t guaranteed. We covered it separately in One UI 9.5 could finally bring App Lock.
Smoother animations
A second internal build, described by the leaker as only the second one, was shared on August 16 and 17. His main point was animation: app open and close transitions and movement across the interface were called “ridiculously smooth (by Samsung’s standards),” and he said this worked out of the box without Good Lock’s Home Up module. It was seen in video and screenshots, but how it will feel on slower phones is unknown.
Camera app changes
The same build shows camera refinements. Menu containers get new curvature and padding, pop-ups use a subtler background blur, icons are scaled differently, and sub-menus and tooltips use spring-style animations. The more interesting detail is a native 24MP toggle on the base Galaxy S26, shown directly in the camera controls. It was seen, but only on that phone, so it shouldn’t be assumed for other Galaxy models.
Redesigned fingerprint enrollment
The fingerprint setup screen gets a new look, with a larger fingerprint icon inside a purple-and-blue glowing ring, a step counter such as 1/10, and an animation that fills in as each scan is captured. It was seen in screenshots. It appears to be a visual change only, and nothing suggests faster or more accurate recognition.
App Mirroring
App Mirroring lets you open your Galaxy phone’s apps and see its notifications on a laptop. It needs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices and the same Samsung account, and it looks like Samsung’s answer to Apple’s iPhone Mirroring. A screenshot of a simplified phone-to-PC mirroring screen was seen, and one report says it most likely needs a Galaxy Book for the full experience, which is a guess rather than a confirmed requirement.
Finder and Google search bars on the home screen
One UI 9.0 introduced a home screen option that adds Finder and Google search bars beside the favorites dock, first on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8. The August 17 leak suggests the option may reach older phones with One UI 9.5. This was seen in the build, but the wording around older devices is hedged, so treat it as likely rather than confirmed.
Satellite Connectivity Hub
A new settings hub for satellite features was reported on August 16 to 18. It apparently draws on Google’s Satellite SOS framework and reportedly includes a demo mode and an alignment guide to help you hold a stable connection. That would make satellite emergency messaging easier to find and use, but no screenshots were widely shown, and satellite services still depend on the phone’s hardware, your region and Samsung’s partners.
“Debugging only” USB mode
A developer-focused USB option labeled “Debugging only” was also reported, reportedly giving isolated ADB access when you connect to a PC. It is a minor find for most users and may not make it to the public release.
Other small finds
Dark theme icons and an update banner have also been mentioned among the early finds, though we couldn’t confirm them.
Expected, but not leaked
These are expectations from tech outlets and analysts, not features anyone has found in a build:
- Deeper Galaxy AI and Gemini integration in stock apps such as Calendar, Camera, Notes, Wallet and Samsung Health.
- More capable Bixby and Gemini automation, and AI agents that complete multi-step tasks.
- Layouts that adapt better to foldables and tablets.
Nothing leaked so far confirms any of these, and any subscription or hardware requirements for AI features are unknown.
How the leaks unfolded
| Date | What happened | Build |
| Aug 2 | One UI 9.5 appears on Samsung’s US test servers for all four Galaxy S27 models | S958USQU0AZH3 (S27 Ultra) |
| Aug 11 | Reports say testing has begun on the Galaxy S26 series | Ends in CZH1 |
| Aug 13 | The first two screenshots show an early build on a Galaxy phone, with the caption “Much has changed” | Not given |
| Aug 14 | Design leak (frosted UI, Phone app search) and the App Lock leak | Not given |
| Aug 16 to 17 | A second internal build shows smoother animations, camera, fingerprint and App Mirroring changes | CZH9 |
| Aug 16 to 18 | Satellite hub and “Debugging only” USB mode reported | Not given |
| Sept 30 | Korean Galaxy S26 test firmware spotted | S948NKSU4CZIG |
| Oct 10 | Test firmware spotted for the Galaxy A17 5G | A176BXXU8EZJ1 |
Which Galaxy devices could get One UI 9.5?
Samsung hasn’t published a list. These devices have reportedly been spotted running test builds:
| Device | What was spotted | Reported |
| Galaxy S27 series (all four models) | Builds on Samsung’s US test servers | Aug 2 |
| Galaxy S26 series | Early builds, then Korean test firmware | Aug 11 and Sept 30 |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, Z Flip 8 | Testing reported | Sept 14 |
| Galaxy A57 | Testing reported | Oct 7 |
| Galaxy A17 5G | Test firmware on Samsung’s servers | Oct 10 |
Based on Samsung’s usual support pattern, the expected list covers recent Galaxy S, Z, A, F, M, Tab and XCover models, but it may not be final. Phones near the end of their update cycle may be skipped, as some were with One UI 8.5.
One UI 9 vs One UI 9.5
| One UI 9 | One UI 9.5 | |
| Status | Rolling out | Internal testing only |
| Android base | Android 17 | Android 17 (reported) |
| Debut | July 2026 on Galaxy Z foldables | Expected early 2027 on Galaxy S27 |
| Character | The current update, with a customizable Quick Panel | Visual polish and new tools, per leaks |
If your phone is offering an update today, it is One UI 9, not 9.5.
Latest One UI 9.5 news
- Oct 10: Samsung reportedly starts testing One UI 9.5 on the Galaxy A17 5G
- Sept 30: Samsung is already testing One UI 9.5 on the Galaxy S26, even as One UI 9 is still rolling out
- Aug 14: One UI 9.5 could finally bring App Lock
- Aug 11: Samsung begins testing One UI 9.5 on the Galaxy S26 series
- Aug 2: One UI 9.5 now testing on all four Galaxy S27 models
Looking further ahead, a leaker has teased “significant changes, unprecedented in nature” for One UI 10.
M Adnan Akram is the founder and lead writer at Phoonomo, covering mobile technology with a primary focus on Apple and the broader smartphone industry, alongside emerging developments in AI. He follows product launches, spec leaks, and industry trends closely to keep readers informed with timely updates.
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