Samsung Starts Internal Testing of One UI 9.0 on Galaxy S25 with New Look and Enhanced AI

Samsung has taken another step toward the future of its proprietary interface: the company has started internal testing of One UI 9.0, its next major software update based on Android 17. The first tests have been detected on devices within the Galaxy S25 line, signaling that development is advancing at an accelerated pace — even earlier than many analysts expected.

The discovery was made by informant Tarun Vats, known for tracking software builds on the South Korean manufacturer's servers. He identified the first test version of One UI 9.0 and shared details in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). For now, the update remains restricted to Samsung's internal environment and is not yet available to the general public.

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Advanced Development Compared to Previous Versions

One of the most notable aspects of this news is the accelerated development timeline. For comparison, the first test build of One UI 8 for the Galaxy S24 line was only detected on June 19, 2025. Now, testing for One UI 9.0 on the Galaxy S25 has already been identified ahead of that date, indicating that Samsung is investing more time and resources to deliver a more polished and robust update.

This anticipation may reflect the growing competitive pressure in the Android smartphone market, where manufacturers like Google — with its Pixel line and pure Android — and Chinese company Xiaomi are heavily betting on more refined interfaces and cutting-edge AI features.

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Visual Updates: What Changes in the Interface

One UI 9.0 arrives with a series of aesthetic changes that modernize the overall appearance of the system. Among the confirmed visual highlights so far are:

• Thicker brightness and volume controls, featuring a more tactile and visible appearance;
• Revamped media player on the lock screen, with colorful wave animations that react to the music being played;
• Circular buttons in various parts of the interface, introducing a more rounded and modern design;
• New Parental Control section directly within the Settings app, making access and management easier for parents and guardians.

These changes follow a clear trend from Samsung to make One UI visually more dynamic and expressive, while maintaining the organization and accessibility that have characterized the interface since its early versions.

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Galaxy AI: Smarter Artificial Intelligence Than Ever

No major software update in 2026 would be complete without advancements in artificial intelligence, and One UI 9.0 does not disappoint in this regard. Samsung promises significant enhancements to Galaxy AI, its ecosystem of AI-based functionalities that debuted prominently in the Galaxy S24 models and has been expanded throughout subsequent versions.

Specific details about the new AI features are still scarce at this early testing phase, but community expectations are high. Features like smart photo editing, automatic text summarization, real-time translation, and contextual assistance are anticipated to receive new capabilities and increased accuracy with deeper integration into Android 17.

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Features Inherited from Android 17

In addition to Samsung's innovations, One UI 9.0 inherits a series of native functionalities from Android 17, the base operating system upon which the interface is built. Confirmed new features include:

• More specific permissions for access to contacts: users will have more granular control over which apps can access their contact list and at what level;
• Enhanced satellite connectivity: more stable satellite communication with greater coverage, useful in emergency situations or in areas without terrestrial signal;
• Improved precision of UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology: short-range location technology receives refinements that enhance the ability to locate nearby devices and measure distances more accurately.

These additions reinforce both Google and Samsung's commitment to a safer, connected, and more accurate experience for users.

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Focus on Security and Productivity

One UI 9.0 also brings important advancements in security and productivity:

• Advanced Protection Mode: an additional layer of security for users who require higher protection against digital threats, such as journalists, activists, and executives;
• Floating windows for any app: any app can be opened in a resizable floating window, expanding the multitasking concept already present in One UI;
• Better adaptation to different screen sizes: especially relevant for Samsung's foldable phones, such as the Galaxy Z Fold and the Galaxy Z Flip, which feature unique aspect ratios.

This improvement in app adaptation to varied screens is an important step towards making the experience on foldables more fluid and consistent, addressing one of the main criticisms of these devices in recent years.

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When Will One UI 9.0 Be Available to Users?

The stable version of One UI 9.0 is expected to be launched in 2026. Following Samsung's historical strategy, the first devices to ship with the new interface pre-installed are likely to be the upcoming foldables in the lineup, including the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which are expected to be unveiled in the second half of the year.

Before that, Samsung is expected to expand its beta program to include more eligible devices. Currently, the program is already available for the Galaxy S26 series in selected markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, South Korea, and India, allowing enthusiastic users to test out new features in advance and provide feedback to the company.

The expectation is that as testing progresses and the software stabilizes, more countries and devices will be added to the beta program over the coming months.

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What to Expect Moving Forward?

The early start of testing for One UI 9.0 is a positive sign for Samsung users eagerly awaiting the next major update. The combination of visual refinements, more capable artificial intelligence, robust security features, and enhancements inherited from Android 17 forms a promising package.

In the coming months, more details about the interface are expected to emerge as the beta program expands. Keep an eye out for updates and get ready: the next generation of the Samsung experience is on the way.