Samsung Electronics has officially pulled back the curtain on its One UI 9 beta program, scheduled to roll out this week. Built upon the foundation of the new Android 17, the update aims to deliver a more intuitive, personalized, and secure mobile experience.
The beta phase begins with the Galaxy S26 series, offering early adopters a first look at a suite of creative, accessibility, and security enhancements.
Enhanced Creativity and Customization
One UI 9 focuses heavily on personal expression and streamlined workflows:
- Samsung Notes: Creators will find new decorative tapes and an expanded library of pen line styles to customize their digital notebooks.
- Integrated Creative Studio: The Contacts app now features direct access to Creative Studio, allowing users to design personalized profile cards without exiting the application.
- Redesigned Quick Panel: Users gain granular control over their interface layout. Essential controls like brightness, sound, and the media player are now independently adjustable with various size options to fit individual needs.
A More Accessible Experience
Samsung has introduced several quality-of-life updates to ensure the Galaxy experience is inclusive for all users:
- Improved Navigation: Cursor control is now smoother thanks to an adjustable Mouse Key speed.
- Unified TalkBack: Samsung and Google have combined their respective TalkBack features into a single, cohesive package.
- Text Spotlight: A new floating window feature called “Text Spotlight” has been added to display selected text more clearly and at a larger scale, making reading significantly easier.
Robust Security Measures
Security remains a pillar of the update. One UI 9 introduces a proactive defense system against suspicious software. When the system detects a high-risk application, it will now automatically block installation and execution, warn the user, and recommend immediate deletion through updated security policies.
How to Join and Availability
The One UI 9 beta program is launching this week for Galaxy S26 series users in the following markets:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- South Korea
- India
- Germany
- Poland
Eligible users interested in testing the new features can apply to join the program via the Samsung Members app.
While the beta provides a preview of these core updates, Samsung noted that the final version of One UI 9—expected to launch with upcoming flagship devices later this year—will include additional advanced AI features designed to make mobile interaction even more effortless.