Before One UI 8: Samsung facilitates access to the beta program

The next beta version for Samsung Galaxy smartphones is coming soon. This is suggested by an update to the beta program in the Members app, which is already preparing for One UI 8 based on Android 16. The company has set up a special “beta area” to simplify registration.

Samsung's Members app ready for One UI 8 beta

“Discover One UI 8 with Android 16 and be among the first to enjoy the new Galaxy experience,” reads a new post in the company's members app. With the announcement, Samsung is introducing changes to the way you can try out the soon-to-be-released One UI 8 betas.

According to the manufacturer, a banner will now be displayed in the Members app to indicate when a beta test is running. In addition, the registration process has been reduced to 2 steps: Users only need to sign up for the beta program and then carry out the beta test. Users can also leave the beta test at any time and participate again.

However, it is currently unclear whether Samsung will limit the beta program to a certain number of users or offer it to all interested parties, as Apple and Google do. Until now, Samsung's betas have been limited to an unknown number of users, meaning that not all interested parties have been able to try out the pre-release versions.

One UI 8: Android 16 is apparently also coming earlier for Samsung

Samsung appears to be taking less time with the update to One UI 8, which is based on Android 16, than it did with One UI 7. The version of Samsung's OS add-on based on Android 15 was released almost six months after Google published it for models such as the Galaxy S24 series. Meanwhile, the company has updated many of its devices to the latest version. The One UI 7 update process should be completed by July.

While Samsung is still updating the last Galaxy devices with One UI 7, the beta phase for One UI 8 should begin shortly. Insiders expect a launch for the Galaxy S25 series at the end of May.

It is also said that One UI 8 will be a slightly smaller update than the update to One UI 7. If you believe the Leaker Tarun Vats, the upcoming One UI version will be a bit more polished, smoother and more responsive compared to One UI 7. Samsung has not yet revealed what specific new features the update will have on board. According to Google, the live update function, which is part of Android 16, will also land on Samsung devices.

Google plans to release the stable version of Android 16 in June. In the course of Google I/O, the company said that other manufacturers – including Samsung – will be providing their first devices with the new Android version over the course of the summer.

(afl)