Last year, Google released Android 16 with Material 3 Expressive Design, new UI optimizations that looked interesting with a blur effect, but Android 17 could make the overall experience more immersive.

On May 12, Google hosted The Android Show: I/O Edition 2026, sharing a glimpse of what Google is preparing for Android 17 at the full I/O 2026 event planned for later. At the event, the top leadership talked about evolving AI features and upcoming capabilities for devices. It also revealed a new Googlebook with deep Gemini integration.

However, many of us have been expecting to see the new UI design, which has been teased in teasers. Specifically, the new pinkish Android logo had become a topic of discussion.

Yet, the show ended without anything specific about the new look. Fortunately, unofficial sources have brought us the first look at the new blur that put Android 17 back on the discussion table.

Before the Android show, it was rumored that Google would copy Apple’s Liquid Glass design for Android 17, but early screenshots confirmed that it isn’t happening. Instead, Android 17 has expanded the blur across different parts of the UI.

For example, the pop-up menus have this translucent background, creating a dynamic effect on the foreground, while adapting the colors of the wallpaper. This change is now applied across the entire software.

It suggests that developers have paid more attention to refining the design in 2026 rather than only focusing on the features and security.

This is only a preview of what’s heading our way with the final release, and you can definitely expect some changes in the official Android 17. Meanwhile, Samsung hasn’t released such changes in its latest One UI 9 beta.

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The Galaxy S25 users across the globe finally received the stable One UI 8.5 software update, yet it seems like the stable update wasn’t worth the wait.

Samsung released the first One UI 8.5 beta for Galaxy S25 in early December. The update revealed some system optimizations, improvements to the UI, and a few tidbits like polished app icons.

After the first update, the program became sloppy. The 2nd and the 3rd had fixes. Beta 4 brought new direct voicemail, and Beta 5 applied new generative AI Bixby. Beta 6, 7, and 8 continue with bug fixes.

Beta 9 added AirDrop support for Quickshare and 3 new camera filters. The 10th and final beta added some of Galaxy’s call screening and AI features, such as expanded Audio eraser in real-time background voice cleaning, creative studio, and new photo assist tools.

Now you have a clear picture of the past five months of the testing phase and what it brings to your Galaxy S25 series. Don’t forget the part where users had to protest on the Samsung community to get the call screening feature.

Furthermore, Samsung kept AI features like Now Nudge and Notifications highlights limited to the Galaxy S26 series. These two have also been anticipated to descend to previous flagships, but that didn’t happen.

In the meantime, the UI lags randomly, even with the final beta, an issue that we’ve highlighted during the test program but hasn’t been addressed with the stable release.

The other thing that you should know is that the software’s performance remained consistent, no downgrade, no improvement, since beta 4 or 5. So, basically, the time the company took was related to fixing unknown bugs, which we haven’t seen so far, and adding a few new features.

Ultimately, a few additions and AI capabilities were added to the software development pipeline. Given the rollout pace, it appears that the rollout delay was intentional rather than anything else. Because Samsung could’ve released these features much earlier in the test phase, instead of waiting till the very end.

Ultimately, the new One UI software is worth checking, but the wait wasn’t.

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Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that would beat the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold Wide in repairability. Apple has had this device in the making for a long time, but leaks and rumors continue to increase its hype as it prepares to release it later this year with the iPhone 18 series.

The foldable iPhone is expected to look like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide but with some aesthetic changes. However, one part of the design Apple is reportedly focusing on is the repairability.

According to Macrumors, the iPhone fold is undergoing rigorous design tests, and Apple is focusing specifically on its reparability without complicated cable pulling thanks to its highly modular design. It is mentioned that the device is the easiest folding screen phone in the industry for teardown and repairs.

Galaxy Z Fold 7

Last year, Samsung introduced the Z Fold 7. It has the thinnest frame and larger screens compared to previous generations, featuring high-resolution cameras and a faster processor. Despite these upgrades, the Z Fold 7 has a highly complicated disassembly. The Fixit has scored the Z Fold 7 three out of ten in its repairability score.

Its battery pull tabs aren’t sturdy, and if applied with extra pressure, could tear apart. Since pull tabs won’t work that great, the removal could damage the battery due to its sheer slim composition. On the other hand, the cover screen is also heavily glued.

The main display is surrounded by glued bezels with less margin. These bezels protect the screen from the edges. Furthermore, the screen is glued with a small assembly component, which could get damaged with even the slightest pressure.

So, it comes to design, Samsung may have a plan to improve this with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Wide Fold devices, which we will compare with the Foldable iPhone.

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Launched last year, the Galaxy S25 series is a remarkable Android flagship, featuring a titanium body, powerful performance, top-of-the-line camera specs, and S-Pen. So, if the device has only been on the market for a year and it’s working like new, how could you call it old? Well, we have something that might answer your question.

Earlier this week, Samsung released One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S26 series and left out the Galaxy S25 series. The new beta is available for Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra users in the US, UK, Germany, and Korea in the first phase, and expansion to India and Poland is coming later this month.

The one thing that’s not confirmed is the test device expansion, which matters the most for S25 and S24 series owners.

A year ago, Samsung opened the One UI 8 beta program for the Galaxy S25 series, giving users a front seat to test Android 16 before the official launch. On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 series has to wait until August to tag along.

In December, the One UI 8.5 beta first entered the Galaxy S25 series. And after three months, the program expanded to the S24 series. In both scenarios, the S24 models received the update later than the S25.

Since the Galaxy S26 series is the new release, it is receiving priority in test programs. And, the Galaxy S25 has now slipped into the secondary position, alternatively, the old device club. Yes, it could enter the beta program, but it may take a few months, just like the Galaxy S24 series during One UI 8.0 beta.

Same Pattern

We’ve been raising our voice on this matter for quite some time now. However, this limited model test program has become a part of Samsung’s routine practice.

With the latest beta, Samsung may want to make sense of the Galaxy S26 users’ purchases by rewarding them with the latest Android update. But there’s a catch: the update will cook for months before it releases for all Galaxy S26 owners.

Moreover, the phone maker has now entered the launch prep mode for the next Unpacked event. For starters, the One UI 9 will ship first with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 foldables.

The resources are now primarily targeting either the beta program or the software development for these new foldables. And some leftovers are working on the One UI 9 beta firmware for Galaxy S25 and other test devices.

Of course, the first One UI 9 beta expansion will include the Galaxy S25 series, followed by the S24 lineup. But the transition from first to second bench is now in effect.

Basically, Galaxy S25 users are now in the same league as the Galaxy S24 series, which shouldn’t have happened. What are your thoughts on this matter? Share with me via our X account or reach out to me directly on X Profile.

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