After months of exclusive testing on the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has finally expanded the public beta program for One UI 9 to the Galaxy S25 family. This long-awaited announcement marks a significant step for owners of the 2025 flagships, who can now get an early look at the new operating system based on Android 17.
The One UI 9 beta for Galaxy S25 is available only in select countries
As is customary for Samsung, the One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S25 is not open to all global users. Currently, the program is active exclusively in the UK, South Korea, and India. However, Samsung is likely to extend availability to other countries, such as Poland and the US, with future beta builds. Interested users should monitor the Samsung Members app for official announcements.
The 3.8GB ZZHL firmware includes the August security patch and many new features
The beta build, identified by the code ZZHL, weighs about 3.8GB and includes the August 2026 security patch. The package brings all the main One UI 9 features to the Galaxy S25 series, including a more customizable Quick Settings panel, DeX enhancements, and new accessibility options. This version represents a significant update for those who want to be among the first to test Android 17 innovations.
Sponsored Protocol
Not all One UI 9 features will reach Galaxy S25 due to hardware limitations
Although Samsung has integrated most of One UI 9's features, some exclusives seen on the Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 will not be available on the S25 series. This is due to hardware limitations, as explained by the company. Nevertheless, the most important system improvements, such as the new notification design and optimized performance, will be present on the S25 models as well.
Sponsored Protocol
How to join the beta and which devices are eligible
The beta is open not only to the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra but also to the Galaxy S25 FE. To participate, users must enroll in the beta program from the Notices section in the Samsung Members app. After enrollment, the firmware will be delivered over the air via an OTA update. It is recommended to perform a backup before installation, as beta versions may contain bugs.
Timeline for stable One UI 9 release on Galaxy S26 and S25
Samsung has already tested One UI 9 on the Galaxy S26 for several months, so the stable release for this series is expected within the next couple of weeks. The S25 series, on the other hand, will receive the stable version a few weeks later. The Fold 7 and Flip 7 should also get a taste of One UI 9 before its final release. S25 series users can therefore expect a short beta period, likely a few weeks, before the stable rollout.
Sponsored Protocol
In parallel, Samsung has pushed the eighth One UI 9 beta build for the Galaxy S26, but this is limited to the Ultra variant and only includes stability improvements related to terminal operation. This suggests that Samsung is fine-tuning the experience ahead of the official launch.
For Galaxy S25 owners who wish to try the One UI 9 innovations, the current beta window represents a unique opportunity. However, it is important to remember that beta versions may present battery or performance issues. In any case, Samsung is working to ensure a smooth transition to Android 17, as demonstrated by the attention to detail in this testing phase.
Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/samsungs-one-ui-9-beta-finally-coming-to-galaxy-s25
