Samsung Launches One UI 9 Beta for Galaxy S26 Series

Samsung has launched the beta program for One UI 9, its upcoming software update based on Android 17, starting this week for owners of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra in select countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India, South Korea and Poland.

The company announced the program on May 12, allowing eligible users to test early versions of the software ahead of its stable release. Additional regions are expected to join over the coming weeks, following Samsung's typical rollout pattern. The beta is accessible through the Samsung Members app, where users can register after signing in with a Samsung account. Once enrolled, beta updates appear in Settings under Software update by selecting Download and install. Officials emphasized standard beta caveats, noting potential bugs, performance issues or data loss, and advised against installing on primary devices.

One UI 9 introduces several enhancements. Samsung Notes gains new creative tools such as additional pen styles and decorative tapes. The Contacts app integrates with Creative Studio for simpler creation of AI-generated personalized profile cards. The Quick Panel offers greater...