Samsung Launches One UI 9 Beta

With One UI 8.5 now rolling out broadly, Samsung is pushing forward to the next major release of its mobile platform, One UI 9. Which is now available in beta for those with Galaxy S26 series devices.

“Built on the new Android 17, One UI 9 beta delivers expanded creative tools, customization options, a more accessible mobile experience and stronger protection against potential security threats,” the Samsung announcement notes. “The full experience of One UI 9 will be introduced with upcoming Galaxy flagship devices later this year, which will include advanced AI features that will make mobile interaction easy and effortless.”

Here’s what’s new in the first One UI 9 beta.

Samsung Notes improvements. Samsung’s note-taking apps is getting creative new tools, decorative tapes, and a wider variety of pen line styles.

Contacts app improvements. The Contacts app now offers direct access to Creative Studio so users can create personalized profile cards without having to switch between apps.

Quick Panel improvements. The unique Quick Panel UI is getting layout customization options, independent brightness, sound, and media player controls, and more sizing options.

Accessibility improvements. You can now adjust the speed of Mouse Key, access a new TalkBack feature that combines features from Google and Samsung that were previously separate, and use a new Text Spotlight feature to display text larger in a floating window for easier reading.

Enhanced protection against malicious apps. One UI 9 improves its protections against suspicious apps and potential threats, and it will now warn users, block execution and installation, and recommend deletion when it finds a suspicious app.

The One UI 9 beta is available to those with Galaxy S26 series devices in select markets, including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the U.K. and the U.S. You can apply to join the beta in the Samsung Members app.