Samsung starts One UI 8 rollout for Galaxy S21 FE, final OS update

Samsung has begun rolling out its One UI 8 update, based on Android 16, to Galaxy S21 FE devices in Thailand and Vietnam, marking the handset’s final major operating system upgrade. The firmware, listed as G990EXXUIHYJ2, started reaching phones on Oct. 23 and is roughly 2 gigabytes in size; it also includes the September 2025 Android security patch.

The update delivers a series of incremental improvements rather than a full visual overhaul. Changes include refinements to multitasking and split-screen support, additional customization options in Modes and Routines with new preset routines and data-linked actions, tweaks to the lock screen and camera interface, and enhancements to Secure Folder functionality. The release continues Samsung’s emphasis on Galaxy AI features introduced in recent One UI versions.

Samsung originally launched the Galaxy S21 FE in January 2022 with Android 12 and committed to four major Android updates for the model. The phone subsequently received Android 13, 14 and 15. With One UI 8, the device has reached that four-update commitment and is not expected to receive Android 17. Samsung has said it will continue to provide security patches for the phone...