Samsung’s latest One UI version is One UI 8.5, which is currently under beta testing. Everyone is excited about One UI 8.5, but leaks have already started coming up for the next big update: One UI 9. The upcoming version of One UI will be based on Android 17 OS.

Almost everyone is still waiting for One UI 8.5. So, how come we are suddenly talking about One UI 9?

These leaks come from test firmware builds found online. So far, most of these leaks show small changes, but still give us a good idea of what might come to your Galaxy smartphone. Keep in mind that these are early leaks from February 2026, so things can change before the official release.

From what we know from past events, Samsung usually introduces major One UI updates with new foldable phones in the summer, so you can expect One UI 9 around July 2026 with the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8.

Now, before going into leak details, I have one important question to ask – when will One UI 9 come out?

Samsung One UI 8.5 is coming with the Galaxy S26 series in Feb 2026, and One UI 9 should follow in the second half of the year. Public beta testing might start around May 2026 for some flagships (highly likely, S26 Ultra will be first to test the One UI 9 beta version), with the stable version hitting new devices first. Thanks to the leaked software build for the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip8, we started hearing about One UI 9 for the first time. Let’s now talk about the leaked information.

Visual Changes:

The software update screen and welcome screen have new designs, per the leak. To be specific, the “One UI 9.0” text appears with a bold background that uses red and blue colors. In the current One UI 8.5, you get the blue and green tones.

You could get Android 17’s glassy effect. In addition, Google is adding background blur and transparent styles to system settings like notifications and quick settings. We could see these features coming in One UI 9.

Some floating pill-shaped bars (like in Quick Share) look more compact and rounded in the leaks, giving more space on the screen edges.

In One UI 9 leaks, Samsung has made a small but visible change to the Quick Share screen. Right now, in One UI 8.5, there’s a floating bar at the bottom that looks like a rounded pill. It has tabs like “Send” and “Receive,” and it floats over the content.

As per leak info, the pill-shaped bar is now smaller and more squeezed together (more compact). The corners are also more rounded, look smoother and softer. There’s now extra space on the sides and at the bottom of the screen.

All these looks simple redesign work. I think Samsung is making everything look cleaner and more polished.

Samsung Internet Browser:

Samsung Internet Browser leak is a major one. We could see a real upgrade in One UI 9. You might choose from new layout options:

• Standard – the usual classic view.
• Bottom – better for using the phone with one hand.
• Compact – a new immersive mode that hides more of the interface for a cleaner look.

Let’s talk about layouts in detail. In Compact mode, the bottom bar groups things like search, tabs, and menu buttons. You will also get a nice fade animation; it disappears when you scroll down and comes back when you scroll up. Just to add, there’s a blur effect too.

An important point to discuss here is the new “Ask AI” button. This feature is powered by Perplexity AI, great for smart, context-based answers. It makes browsing smarter and faster. Here’s what you can do with Ask AI:

• Get a quick summary of the page
• Translate any part of the text
• Have important parts read aloud to you
• Get personal suggestions using your past browsing history

Galaxy AI with Now Nudge:

Samsung has been pushing Galaxy AI strongly in recent years. It has become a key part of every major Samsung update, and One UI 9 might take it further.

The Now Nudge is one interesting feature that we found out in these leaks. This smart AI tool watches what’s on your screen while you are using it. Then it quickly suggests helpful actions to finish tasks faster.

From the code in test builds, Now Nudge can assist with things like:

• Booking rides or rentals
• Checking flights
• Handling government services
• Getting location info
• Looking up medical details
• Managing phone services
• Finding movie times
• And more everyday stuff

The interesting point is that Samsung processes these suggestions on your phone (using its built-in AI chip) for better privacy; it won’t send your screen data to the cloud.

Right now, Now Nudge isn’t in the public One UI 8.5 beta (for Galaxy S25 series). But it looks like the full version might launch with One UI 9.

Other rumors and improvements:

• Smoother performance
  • Android 17 has under-the-hood changes for better UI speed and responsiveness. One UI 9 should feel smoother overall.
• Cross-device features
  • There are hints of better sync, like Do Not Disturb across phones and tablets, or a universal clipboard to copy-paste between devices.
• App Lock
  • We might finally see a native app lock using Android 17’s built-in tools, so you can protect apps with a password or biometrics.
• New hardware hints
  • Code mentions a “Wide” foldable, it looks like Samsung is planning a fresh device.

Not everything is leaked yet. We have not seen major overhauls to the home screen, lock screen, or camera apps.

Are you eligible for the One UI 9?

If you have a device like the Galaxy S24, S25, and S26 series, recent foldables, and some A-series models, you are eligible for the Android 17-based One UI 9 update. Older models (from around 2024 onward) should be eligible, but the exact list will come from Samsung later.

Here’s some basic information for you. The One UI 9 is still in early development, but the leaks give an exciting picture. Features like Ask AI and Now Nudge could make daily phone use quicker and more fun. Samsung often adds or removes things before the official launch. We will probably hear more as beta testing gets closer. If you are a Samsung fan, One UI 9 looks worth waiting for.

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