SEOUL — Following confirmation that the Android 17-based One UI 9 beta program will launch for the Galaxy S26 series later this week, Samsung is already teasing its second beta phase. However, the tech giant has yet to announce testing plans for its older devices.

Consistent with previous years, the One UI Beta program remains exclusive to six key markets: South Korea, Germany, the UK, the US, India, and Poland. With no geographical expansion expected this year, users of the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra in these regions will be the first to test-drive the new operating system.

The initial rollout this week is limited to South Korea, Germany, the UK, and the US. Users in India and Poland will have to wait for the second wave, which a Samsung press release indicates is slated to go live on May 26, 2026. This staggered approach allows Samsung to squash early software bugs before a wider release. Once the second phase begins, users in India and Poland can opt in via the Samsung Members app.

Beta programs for older models are expected to be announced in the coming months. Meanwhile, users outside these six markets will have to wait for the stable release.

Looking ahead, Samsung is projected to debut its new foldables—the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8—with One UI 9 out of the box in late July. Existing compatible devices will likely receive the stable update around September or October of this year.