We know that software update rollouts take time, especially with all the new AI features and changes included in a major One UI version. But right now, things feel a bit off with the One UI 8.5 rollout. Samsung Galaxy users expected the beta to kick off earlier, maybe around November last year. Now we are in April 2026, and the stable One UI 8.5 rollout still hasn’t landed for everyone.

That’s exactly why it’s time to move forward. Samsung, it’s the right moment to start the One UI 9 beta program for the Galaxy S26 Ultra (and the rest of S26 series). Just for information, the One UI 9 will be based on Android 17 OS. Google released the first Android 17 Beta back in February 2026, followed by Beta 2 and Beta 3 by late March. With Beta 3, Android 17 reached platform stability, and the full stable Android 17 is expected around June 2026.

Where’s Samsung in this race? As per leaks, the One UI 9 internal testing is already going on for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. A public beta could start in late May or early June. Waiting longer just slows everything down, especially since Android 17 is already moving fast.

Let’s look back quickly at how Samsung handled the previous beta program. For the One UI 7 beta program on the Galaxy S24 series, it started rolling out in December 2024 in select countries like Germany, India, Korea, UK, US, and Poland. The stable version began arriving in April 2025.

For the One UI 8 beta on the Galaxy S25 series: It kicked off in May 2025 (early compared to past years), with expansion to older devices like the S24 series in August 2025. Samsung started the stable One UI 8 for the S25 phones in September 2025.

What we are discussing here, Samsung often starts the beta program months ahead and plans for a stable rollout around the new flagship launch event. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the perfect candidate to test the One UI 9 features now. It gives early testers a chance to try new features, report bugs, and help polish things before a wider rollout.

Plus, it keeps the excitement alive instead of letting the One UI 8.5 delay disappoint everyone. Android 17’s beta is going well, and Samsung already has internal builds tested. I think there’s no reason to wait any longer to start the public beta program.

What do you think? If you have the S26 Ultra or are planning to buy one, would you join the One UI 9 beta right away? Let me know in the DM on X handle @thesammyfans.

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