One UI 7 is one of the most significant software upgrades for Samsung phones, but the rollout has been the worst. The update was expected to hit Galaxy phones after the S25 launch, but it has only been a guessing game so far. Samsung hasn’t even announced a One UI 7 release timeline.
While Samsung is delaying the One UI 7 release for older Galaxy devices, it has introduced some cheaper phones like Galaxy F06, A26, A36, and A56 that boot One UI 7 out of the box. This is disappointing as premium models like Galaxy S24, Flip 6, and Fold 6 are still waiting for their turn to explore One UI 7, but Samsung is busy shipping the latest software to cheaper models.
While Samsung’s One UI 7 release plan is still unclear, it seems the brand is already preparing to deliver One UI 8 sooner than we think. According to reliable Samsung tipster Ice Universe, there won’t be One UI 7.1 and One UI 7.1.1. Instead, Samsung will directly release One UI 8, based on Android 16.
The tipster didn’t share what led Samsung to cancel these two major releases, but it seems the massive delay to the One UI 7 release is what pushed Samsung to this decision, which seems like a good move. This will allow the brand to push the One UI 8 update quicker to its Galaxy users — serving as a silver lining for the delayed One UI 7 release.
This year, Google will announce the new Android OS earlier than past launches. According to the release timeline (see below), the stable version of Android 16 will drop sometime around June. This leaves little time for Samsung to prepare and release One UI 7.1 and 7.1.1 updates. Hence, it make sense to skip these builds and focus on One UI 8 instead, because another delay like One UI 7 would negatively impact its sales.
One Ui 7