New leaks suggest the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra could be a game-changer for power users and developers, with the device tipped to run a full Linux environment directly out of the box.

Last year, Google debuted the "Linux Terminal" on its Pixel lineup, allowing users to operate a complete Linux environment right on their mobile devices. This feature became an instant hit for coding, software testing, and system administration. However, Samsung users were left waiting, as Galaxy devices lacked support due to underlying software limitations.

Specifically, the previous stable release for Galaxy devices—One UI 8.0, based on Android 16—did not integrate the necessary technology to run the Linux Terminal at the system level.

But the tide is turning with Android 16 QPR2, which introduces the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF). This foundation technology is the key to running a Linux environment directly on-device. Samsung’s new One UI 8.5 is built upon this very platform, paving the way to finally bring the Linux Terminal to its smartphones.

According to a report by Android Authority, system logs retrieved from the Galaxy S26 Ultra contain references to the Android Virtualization Framework. This strongly indicates that the device will be eligible to run a Linux environment, similar to Google’s implementation on the Pixel.

The big question remains: will Samsung extend Linux Terminal support to older flagships once they update to One UI 8.5? While there is no official confirmation yet, recent high-end devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Z Fold 7, and Z TriFold possess powerful enough hardware to handle the feature, should Samsung decide to roll it out.

Samsung is expected to unveil the stable version of One UI 8.5 alongside the Galaxy S26 series at an event scheduled for February 25. Following the launch, the update—along with various interface and experience improvements—will gradually be released to eligible devices.