Samsung is widening its internal development of One UI 9 well beyond the Galaxy S26 series, with firmware builds now surfacing for the Z Fold7, Galaxy A56, S23 series, and the entire Galaxy S24 lineup — a clear signal that public beta access is set to broaden in the coming weeks.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Device Lines Newly in Testing | Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy A56, Galaxy S23 Series, Galaxy S24 Series |
| Current Public Beta Stage | One UI 9 Beta 3 (available only for the Galaxy S26 series) |
| Testing Status | Internal testing has begun for the newly added devices |
| Public Beta Availability | Not available yet for the Galaxy Z Fold7, A56, S23, or S24 series |
| Expected Stable Release | July 2026 |
| Release Timeline | Expected to launch alongside Samsung’s new foldable smartphones |
Samsung’s rollout of One UI 9 — the Android 17-based software update succeeding the recently released One UI 8.5 — is gathering pace behind the scenes. While the public beta programme currently remains limited to the brand-new Galaxy S26 series, evidence has now surfaced that Samsung has begun internal testing of One UI 9 on a noticeably wider set of devices: the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold7, the mid-range Galaxy A56, the two-year-old Galaxy S23 series, and the entire Galaxy S24 lineup, including the S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, and S24 FE.
The discovery, first reported by GSMArena and corroborated by Devices-Arena and PKRevenue, is based on the appearance of specific firmware build numbers tied to each of the newly added devices — the kind of digital paper trail that consistently precedes a wider public beta rollout in Samsung’s software development cycle. None of this is yet available to ordinary users; this is internal testing, conducted by Samsung’s own engineering teams ahead of any public-facing beta expansion.
“Samsung is accelerating its development of One UI 9, expanding beta testing beyond the Galaxy S26 series to a wider range of its popular smartphone lineup.”
The Firmware Evidence: What’s Actually Been Found
The clearest signal of Samsung’s expanded testing comes from specific internal firmware build numbers that have surfaced for each newly added device — version strings that engineers use to track test builds before they’re packaged for public release.
| Device | Firmware Build Version | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold7 | F966USQUACZF3 | Internal testing |
| Galaxy A56 | A566BXXUBDZFB | Internal testing |
| Galaxy S23 | S911BXXUAGZF9 | Internal testing |
| Galaxy S24 | S921BXXUFEZF7 | Internal testing |
| Galaxy S24+ | S926BXXUFEZF7 | Internal testing |
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | S928BXXUFEZF7 | Internal testing |
| Galaxy S24 FE | S721BXXUCEZF7 | Internal testing |
The fact that the full S24 family — not just the standard model — already has dedicated build numbers indicates Samsung’s testing has moved beyond a token gesture and into genuine multi-variant validation, the kind of work that typically precedes a broader rollout by weeks rather than months.
What This Means: Internal Testing vs Public Beta
It’s important to understand exactly what stage this represents. The Galaxy S26 series remains the only device family with an active, publicly enrollable One UI 9 beta — users can sign up through the Samsung Members app in the US, UK, Germany, South Korea, with India and Poland following shortly after. Samsung has already pushed three beta builds to S26 users, with a fourth expected imminently.
The devices named in this report — Z Fold7, A56, S23, and the S24 series — are at an earlier stage: internal-only testing conducted by Samsung’s own teams, not yet opened to outside beta testers. This is a standard and necessary step in Samsung’s software development pipeline, but it is also historically a reliable leading indicator. The appearance of dedicated firmware builds for additional devices, while development is running in parallel to the public Open Beta Programme, consistently signals that a wider beta opening is approaching — though Samsung has not yet officially confirmed a timeline.
One UI 9 Rollout Stages — Where Each Device Stands
Stage 1 — Public Beta (Live now): Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra
Stage 2 — Internal Testing (Confirmed, this report): Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy A56, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S24 series (incl. S24 FE)
Stage 3 — Confirmed in Development, Testing Status Unclear: Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy A16 5G, Galaxy A17 5G, Galaxy A34, Galaxy A57, unannounced Galaxy S26 FE
Stage 4 — Expected Eventually (Based on Samsung’s 4–7 Year Update Policy): Most Galaxy devices from S23 generation onward, select Tab S-series tablets
Why the Z Fold7 Is Notable
The inclusion of the Galaxy Z Fold7 in this wave is particularly significant. Foldables usually get early access to new One UI versions because these are premium devices where Samsung wants direct feedback on how the new interface and feature set behaves on a flexible screen — multitasking layouts, app continuity across the fold, and the “Now Nudge” style features all need foldable-specific validation that a standard slab phone cannot provide.
With the next generation of foldables — the Z Fold8 and Z Flip8, alongside a rumoured “Wide Fold” model — expected to launch around July 2026 with One UI 9 pre-installed out of the box, testing on the current Z Fold7 serves a dual purpose: it validates the software for existing Fold7 owners awaiting their own update, and it doubles as a dry run for the software that will ship on the next foldable generation.
Why the Galaxy S23 Series Inclusion Matters
For Galaxy S23 owners, this report carries a specific reassurance. Samsung previously excluded the Galaxy S22 series from the One UI 8.5 update — leaving S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra owners stuck on the older One UI 8.0, both technically based on Android 16 but differing in underlying QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) version, a decision that disappointed millions of users. Confirmation that the Galaxy S23 series is now in active internal testing for One UI 9, built on Android 17, indicates Samsung intends to continue supporting the 2023 flagship generation rather than repeating the S22’s early cutoff.
A Cautionary Precedent Worth Remembering
The Galaxy S22 series being left off One UI 8.5 — despite running the same Android 16 base as devices that did receive it — shows that internal testing for one device family does not guarantee an identical update experience or timeline for every model. Samsung’s stated promise of 4 to 7 years of update support for recent flagships is the broader policy floor, but specific QPR version alignment and feature compatibility can still create gaps between generations.
The Expected Rollout Timeline
Mid-May 2026 — S26 Beta Begins
Samsung launches the One UI 9 Beta Program exclusively for the Galaxy S26 series in the US, UK, Germany, and South Korea, with India and Poland joining shortly afterward. These are the first devices to test the Android 17-based software.
June 2026 — Beta Builds Progress
Throughout June, Samsung releases three beta builds for the Galaxy S26 series, each bringing performance improvements and bug fixes. Beta 3 introduces nine major user experience enhancements, while a fourth beta build is expected by the end of the month.
June 19–20, 2026 — Testing Expands
Firmware build numbers confirm that Samsung has started internal One UI 9 testing for the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy A56, Galaxy S23 series, and the entire Galaxy S24 lineup, marking the next phase of the rollout.
Late June – Early July 2026 (Expected) — Public Beta Expansion
Based on Samsung’s previous update schedule, the Galaxy S25 series is expected to become the next lineup to join the public One UI 9 beta program, while internal testing continues for additional Galaxy devices.
July 2026 (Expected) — Stable One UI 9 Release
Samsung is expected to release the stable version of One UI 9 alongside its next-generation foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8, which are likely to ship with the new software pre-installed.
Following Weeks and Months — Wider Device Rollout
After the initial launch, Samsung is expected to expand the stable One UI 9 update to older flagship models, including the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S23 series. FE editions, selected Galaxy Tab S tablets, and premium Galaxy A-series smartphones are expected to receive the update in subsequent phases.
Full Expected Eligible Device List for One UI 9
| Device Family | Confirmation Status | Expected Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 series | Public Beta (Live) | Now — Beta 4 expected end of June |
| Galaxy Z Fold7 / Flip7 | Internal Testing (Confirmed) | Stable: following S26/S25 rollout |
| Galaxy S24 series (+ FE) | Internal Testing (Confirmed) | Weeks after stable launch (July 2026) |
| Galaxy S23 series | Internal Testing (Confirmed) | Weeks/months after stable launch |
| Galaxy A56 | Internal Testing (Confirmed) | Later 2026 (A-series typically delayed) |
| Galaxy S25 series | In Development (Unconfirmed Beta) | Likely next public beta wave |
| Galaxy A16 5G, A17 5G, A34, A57 | In Development | Stable rollout end of 2026 |
| Galaxy S26 FE (Unannounced) | In Development | Tied to device’s own future launch |
| Galaxy A36 | Expected to Qualify | End of 2026 (per current roadmap signals) |
| Tab S10 / Tab S11 series | High-Priority Track | Aligned with S-series timing |
What This Means If You Own One of These Devices
Galaxy S26 owners: You can already join the beta today via Samsung Members app (US, UK, Germany, Korea; India and Poland rolling out).
Z Fold7, A56, S23, S24 owners: Your device is now confirmed to be in active internal development. No public beta yet — but this is a strong signal one is coming, likely after the S25 series joins.
All other recent Galaxy owners: Samsung’s standard 4–7 year flagship update commitment means your device will very likely receive One UI 9 eventually — the open question is only the exact timing of beta versus stable rollout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install One UI 9 on my Galaxy S24 or S23 right now?
Not yet. The firmware builds discovered for these devices are part of Samsung’s internal testing process and are not available as a public beta. At present, only Galaxy S26 series users can enroll in the One UI 9 Beta Program through the Samsung Members app.
When will the One UI 9 stable update arrive for the Galaxy S24?
Samsung has not announced an official release date. However, based on the company’s previous rollout schedule and the current testing phase, the stable One UI 9 update is expected to launch around July 2026 alongside Samsung’s new foldable smartphones. The Galaxy S24 series is likely to receive the update in the weeks that follow.
Will the Galaxy S23 series definitely get One UI 9?
Current indications suggest yes. The Galaxy S23 lineup is expected to receive the Android 17-based One UI 9 update, and internal testing has reportedly already begun. However, Samsung typically confirms the final list of eligible devices only after publishing its official rollout roadmap.
Is it safe to join the One UI 9 Beta Program?
Beta software is designed for testing and may include bugs, battery drain, app compatibility issues, or unexpected crashes. If you decide to join the beta, it is recommended to use a secondary device and back up your important data, as reverting to a stable version may require a full device reset.
What is the difference between One UI 8.5 and One UI 9?
One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16 and primarily focuses on refinements, performance improvements, and selected Galaxy AI features introduced with the Galaxy S26 series. One UI 9, based on Android 17, is a major platform upgrade that brings broader system-level enhancements, new features, and interface improvements. As a result, Samsung is following its usual phased rollout process, beginning with beta testing before the stable release.
