Samsung has officially started rolling out its Android 16-based One UI 8 skin for the Galaxy S25 series. The update, sized at 3.8 GB, has first been released in South Korea and will gradually expand worldwide. Samsung is adopting a staggered rollout approach to avoid the problems it faced with the One UI 7 release, which was marred by bugs and delays.
Global Expansion and Eligible Devices
While the rollout begins with the Galaxy S25, Samsung has confirmed that older Galaxy models will receive the update later this year. Eligible devices include:
- Galaxy S series: S25, S24, S23, S22 series, plus FE models
- Galaxy Z series: Z Fold7, Z Flip7, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Z Fold4, Z Flip4
- Galaxy Tabs: Tab S10 (S10, S10 FE, S10 Lite), Tab S9 (S9, S9 FE), Tab S8 series
- Galaxy A series: A73 5G, A56 5G, A55 5G, A54 5G, A53 5G, A36 5G, A35 5G, A34 5G, A33 5G, A26 5G, A25 5G, A17 5G, A17, A16 5G, A16, A15 5G, A07, A06 5G, A06
This wide eligibility reflects Samsung’s continued commitment to long-term support.
AI-Powered Features at the Core
One UI 8 marks a significant leap towards AI-driven experiences. Powered by Google Gemini, the system brings context-aware intelligence, reducing app-switching by anticipating user needs. Features like Generative Edits for photos, Chat Assist, and an enhanced Now Bar/Now Brief are also included. These updates are designed to integrate AI seamlessly into everyday smartphone use, extending beyond Samsung’s latest flagships to older models as well.
Enhanced Multitasking with New Split Screen
In addition to AI, One UI 8 introduces a redesigned Split Screen mode, allowing users more flexibility compared to the traditional 50:50 split. This feature enables better multitasking, catering to both casual users and professionals who rely heavily on productivity tools.
User Precautions and Update Process
Users will receive a notification once the update is available for their device. Alternatively, they can manually check via Settings > Software Update > Download and Install. Given the update’s size, Samsung recommends performing a data backup before installation to ensure safety in case of any issues.
Conclusion
Samsung’s One UI 8 is more than a cosmetic upgrade — it’s a shift towards AI-first experiences across its ecosystem. By combining stability, new multitasking options, and broader AI features, Samsung is aiming to strengthen its edge in the Android market while ensuring users from premium to mid-range devices benefit from the improvement
