SamFw
One UI 7 is Samsung's latest version of the interface, bringing many significant improvements. However, the update rollout is quite slow, with only the Galaxy S25 series equipped and the Galaxy S24 series currently in beta testing. Samsung has not yet revealed a specific roadmap for other devices, leaving many users impatiently waiting. Meanwhile, some tech enthusiasts have decided to install One UI 7 on older devices like the Galaxy S8, which are not on the official update list.
A Reddit user named SaidBl1 shared a video showing the Galaxy S8 running One UI 7 based on Android 15. Interestingly, this custom ROM not only makes the 7-year-old phone work well but also brings many premium features of One UI 7 such as Circle to Search, toggle buttons in Quick Settings, Now Bar on the lock screen, new charging animations, and some Galaxy AI features.
However, this is not an official update from Samsung; it is a custom ROM developed by the community. Samsung is famous for its commitment to long-term software support, up to seven years for new flagships, but the Galaxy S8 is no longer eligible for official updates. The closest devices to receiving the official One UI 7 will probably be the Galaxy S21 series, as the series is committed to receiving four major updates, up to Android 15.
For older devices like the Galaxy S8, updating the operating system via a custom ROM is not uncommon. However, this process comes with many risks such as software bugs, unstable features, and the possibility of complete data loss if installed incorrectly. In this case, the One UI 7 ROM for the Galaxy S8 has a number of issues such as camera, flash, face unlock, Wi-Fi, hotspot, biometrics, and some other features.
While we don’t recommend installing a custom ROM on your primary device, it’s commendable that the tech community is still keeping the Galaxy S8 running with the latest software. For those still using older devices, it’s a testament to the power of the Android community to deliver fresh experiences even on devices that are no longer officially supported.
