Samsung has quietly started rolling out the One UI 8 beta update for users of the Galaxy S25 series in South Korea, marking the beginning of the Android 16-based software testing phase. As usual, countries like the US, UK, and Germany are expected to follow in the coming days.
Right now, if you own a Galaxy S25, S25+, or S25 Ultra, you can sign up to test out One UI 8 before the final version is released. The update is fairly large, around 3.3GB for the S25 Ultra and also includes the May 2025 security patch. Depending on your model, the download size might differ slightly.
Unlike the previous update, One UI 8 doesn’t bring a dramatic redesign. Instead, it focuses on making everything smoother, faster, and more reliable. Samsung seems to have taken a more thoughtful approach this time improving things behind the scenes rather than changing how everything looks.
To try the beta, all you need is the Samsung Members app. Just open the app, sign in, and look for the One UI 8.0 Beta Program banner. Tap to enroll, and you’ll get the update like any regular software update through your phone’s Settings.
It’s worth noting that this is a beta version, so there might be bugs or small issues. If you’re someone who relies on your phone for important stuff every day, it might be best to wait for the stable release which should arrive sometime in July 2025.
Many fans were frustrated last year when Samsung delayed One UI 7 and Android 15 updates. This time, the company seems to be moving faster, possibly to avoid repeating that messy rollout. The early launch of One UI 8 shows Samsung wants to rebuild trust and get ahead of schedule.
Overall, One UI 8 doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but it promises to make your Galaxy phone feel better in daily use. Whether that’s worth trying out early is up to you.