Samsung’s One UI 9 could hit in 2026, here’s which Galaxy phones and tablets are likely to make the cut

Samsung’s next big software overhaul is already taking shape behind the scenes, even as One UI 8.5 is still rolling out to parts of the Galaxy lineup.

According to multiple Android watchers tracking Samsung’s update pipeline, One UI 9 is expected to be based on Android 17 and land sometime between summer and fall 2026. The bigger question for most people isn’t the date, it’s whether their phone will even get it.

An unofficial compatibility list now making the rounds suggests roughly 58 Galaxy devices could be eligible, including about 43 phones and 15 tablets. Samsung hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but the list broadly matches the company’s stated support timelines, meaning it’s plausible, not guaranteed.

When One UI 9 could arrive, and why the schedule may slip

Right now, the best guess is a mid-2026 debut, with a wider stable rollout stretching into late 2026 depending on the device. But Samsung’s timing hinges on how quickly it finishes pushing One UI 8.5 to more models.

Even when Samsung labels an update “stable,” real-world rollouts can drag for weeks, especially across different carriers and regions. In the U.S., that carrier layer (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and others) often adds extra testing and delays compared with unlocked models.

One likely milestone: Samsung’s annual developer event, typically held in the fall. That’s often when the company previews major software changes or signals what’s next, before gradually expanding beta access.

As for features, early chatter points to smoother system settings, refreshed home-screen widgets, and an updated “Now Bar” experience. But Samsung can, and often does, change priorities during testing.

Galaxy S series: S26 through S24 should be first in line, with S23 likely getting a final major upgrade

If you own a recent Galaxy S phone, you’re probably in good shape. The rumored eligible list includes the Galaxy S26 family (S26, S26+, S26 Ultra), the Galaxy S25 lineup (including Ultra and other variants referenced by trackers), and the Galaxy S24 series (including the S24 FE).

The most interesting borderline case is the Galaxy S23. It shows up on multiple lists and could represent the last major platform upgrade for that generation, its final big step up before it shifts into a longer tail of security updates.

What that means in practice: S26 owners should expect early access, often among the first to see beta builds. S24 and S25 users are also likely near the front. S23 users may still get One UI 9, but should brace for a slower rollout and the usual early-update headaches, from battery drain complaints to app compatibility issues (banking apps are frequent culprits).

Samsung has made big promises on support length in recent years. But for consumers, the experience often comes down to pace: how quickly the update arrives, how many bugs ship with it, and how fast fixes follow.

Foldables stay a priority, but optimization matters more than ever

Samsung’s foldables are its showcase devices, so they tend to get preferential treatment. The rumored list includes the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, plus Fold 6/Flip 6, and in many versions of the list, Fold 5 and Flip 5 as well.

There’s also speculation that the next generation after that, think a Fold 8 or Flip 8, could ship with One UI 9 preinstalled, which is typical for Samsung: new hardware often doubles as the launch vehicle for new software.

But foldables have a different risk profile. Major updates can affect cover-screen behavior, app continuity, multitasking, and animations. If Samsung gets the tuning wrong, small issues can feel bigger on a device that constantly switches screen modes.

For buyers weighing whether to keep an older Fold or upgrade, One UI 9 could become part of the decision. Just don’t confuse “eligible” with “best experience on day one.” Early waves can be bumpy.

Galaxy A phones: likely eligible for many models, but expect to wait

Samsung’s Galaxy A series is the company’s volume seller, closer to the role Toyota Camry plays in the U.S. car market than a niche flagship. It’s also where update timelines get messy.

The circulating list mentions models like the Galaxy A56 5G, A36 5G, and A26 5G, along with a long tail of A-series devices (including A55, A35, A54, A34, and others depending on market and connectivity).

The catch is timing. Observers expect many A-series phones to get the stable One UI 9 update later in 2026, after flagships and foldables. That’s partly prioritization and partly logistics: there are simply more A-series variants across regions and carriers, which slows validation.

There’s also a performance reality. Midrange hardware may not run every new visual feature as smoothly as an Ultra model, so Samsung sometimes dials back effects or staggers feature availability to protect stability.

Galaxy tablets: premium Tab S models look safe, with rugged and budget tablets also appearing

On the tablet side, the rumored list is encouraging for higher-end models. Devices frequently cited include the Galaxy Tab S11 and S11 Ultra, the Tab S10 family (including Plus and Ultra variants), and the Tab S9 lineup (including FE models).

That matters because Android tablets have historically had spottier long-term support than phones. If Samsung keeps its premium tablets on a flagship-like update track, it strengthens the case for using a Tab as a real work device, keyboard, multitasking, note-taking, the whole setup.

Rugged models like the Galaxy Tab Active 5 and Active 5 Pro also show up on some lists. Those devices are common in field work, warehouses, logistics, maintenance, where stability and security updates can matter more than flashy UI changes.

Some budget tablets (including Tab A-series models) appear in certain roundups too. As with the A phones, eligibility doesn’t mean speed. If Samsung wants to compete with Apple’s long-lived iPads, it’ll need to deliver major updates on tablets without letting them lag too far behind.

What to watch next

For now, treat every device list as an educated guess until Samsung publishes an official chart. The best early signals typically come from beta announcements, developer-event messaging, and leaked test firmware spotted on specific models.

If your Galaxy is already slipping from monthly security patches to quarterly ones, that’s often a sign you’ll be waiting longer, or nearing the end of the line, when the next major UI update arrives.