Samsung is rolling out One UI 9, its new software update built on Android 17. If you own a Galaxy phone or tablet, this update brings new tools for your camera, your lock screen, your security settings, and more. 

Here is what you need to know about the release date, the new features, and when your device will get the update.

When is the One UI 9 release date?

Samsung has already started testing One UI 9. The beta launched on May 12, 2026, for the Galaxy S26 series, and it is currently available in Germany, India, South Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US.

The full version of One UI 9 debuts on July 22, 2026, at Samsung’s Unpacked event in London. Samsung will preinstall it on the new Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8.

If you own an older Galaxy phone, you will wait a bit longer. Reports point to a stable rollout for the Galaxy S26 and other eligible devices around September 2026. Samsung has not confirmed this date yet, so treat it as an estimate rather than a fixed schedule.

If you live in South Africa or elsewhere in Africa, expect the update to arrive several weeks after it arrives in Korea, Europe, and the US. Samsung rolls out updates in waves, and African markets are usually not first in line.

One UI 9 features you need to know

One UI 9 does not change how your phone looks. It improves the tools you already use every day. Here are the features Samsung has confirmed so far, plus a few that leaked ahead of the official launch.

1. A Quick Panel you can customise: Your Quick Panel now gives you more control. You can adjust brightness, sound, and your media player on your own instead of all together. You can also resize your media player into a small square without needing extra apps.
2. A New Tape Tool in Samsung Notes: Samsung Notes now has a tape tool. You can…