Samsung hasn’t yet finished rolling out the One UI 8.5 update to all devices, but leaks of the next version of the shell have already appeared online. The release of One UI 8.5 brought a massive visual redesign — and that’s exactly why One UI 9 promises to be more restrained: targeted improvements instead of a revolution. Nevertheless, three changes that surfaced in leaks have already sparked interest among fans of the brand. Let’s break down what’s new in One UI 9 and what to expect from Samsung’s next major update.
Overview of key One UI 9 features. Image: Tech Torch-Russian
Now Bar Update in One UI 9
Now Bar is one of the highlights of the Samsung update, first introduced in One UI 6.1.1 and gradually evolving ever since. In One UI 9, it received a noticeable visual upgrade. The Now Bar background has become dark, almost black — this isn’t just a design choice but a solution to a real problem: on light wallpapers, the previous light pill was hard to read. Now text and controls stand out more clearly regardless of the background.
This is what the updated Now Bar looks like. Image: sammyguru.com
The second change concerns music playback. When a track is playing, the song title is displayed at the top of Now Bar, while a wave-like animation runs along the bottom in sync with playback. It looks lively and unobtrusive. Additionally, leaks have revealed the ability to long-press Now Bar for quick access to settings or removal — without unnecessary navigation through menus. It’s a small but convenient usability improvement.
Square Widgets on Samsung
This is arguably the most controversial of the three changes. All One UI 9 features in terms of widgets are moving toward a more strict, straightforward design: rounded corners are giving way to more square shapes. This is noticeable on Samsung Browser, Weather, and Now Bar widgets — these are the ones that appeared in leaks. The change fits into the broader market trend where interfaces are becoming more structured and geometric.
Widgets have become more square. Image: sammyguru.com
Critics have already called this a step backward compared to One UI’s soft, signature style. However, there’s a caveat: leaks mention the option to choose corner styles through several presets. If Samsung implements this option in the final version, the controversy will resolve itself — users will simply choose the widget look that suits them. How flexible the customization will be should become clear closer to beta testing.
New Gallery in One UI 9
This is arguably the most practical of the three changes — and the one that generated the most excitement in the professional community. The difference between One UI 9 and One UI 8.5 is particularly evident when selecting multiple photos in the Gallery: instead of the usual checkmarks on thumbnails, a separate block with a blurred background appears at the bottom of the screen. Selected shots are collected there, giving a clear visual representation of exactly what has been selected.
New Samsung Gallery design
The block holds up to 15 items, and this solves a real problem: when selecting a large number of photos in One UI 8.5, it’s easy to get confused about what’s already been checked and what hasn’t. Now the entire list is visible in one place. Competitors haven’t come up with a similar solution — and it’s quite possible they’ll adopt it in future versions of their shells.
When Will One UI 9 Be Released
The One UI 9 release date hasn’t been officially announced yet, but based on Samsung’s established practices, the picture looks predictable. The new shell traditionally debuts alongside the summer foldable smartphones — in 2026, these are the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8, with the announcement expected in July. In parallel with the final release or slightly earlier, Samsung will open beta testing for the Galaxy S26 flagship series — approximately in May-June 2026.
After the release on foldable devices, the One UI 9 update will begin rolling out to other flagships: first the Galaxy S25 and S24, then tablets and more affordable models. Exact timelines for each lineup will be announced later — Samsung traditionally reveals the schedule in stages.
One UI 9 Device List: Who Will Get the Update
Samsung hasn’t officially published the One UI 9 device list yet, but the support policy serves as a guide: flagships starting with the Galaxy S24 receive 7 major Android updates, while older and budget models get fewer. Based on this, who will get One UI 9 can be predicted with high accuracy. The update will include:
- Galaxy S23, S24, S25, S26 — all models, including FE and Edge;
- Galaxy Z Fold 5, 6, 7, 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, 6, 7, 8;
- Galaxy A55, A35, A25 and newer;
- Galaxy A16, A17, A07.
Devices that have exhausted their support limit will not receive the major One UI 9 update: Galaxy S21, S22, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, as well as most A-series models from 2021-2022. They will continue to work but without new features.
