TL; DR
- One UI 8 stable release is now expected in late September despite development wrapping up in June.
- Galaxy S25 and even S24 series users are frustrated as foldables get priority.
- Users allege delay is intentional to boost Z Flip7 and Fold7 sales.
Samsung’s decision to delay the stable One UI 8 (Android 16) update until late September has triggered a wave of disappointment across its user base. Although development of the update was reportedly completed in June 2025, most users, especially those on the Galaxy S25 and S24 series, are still waiting, while the spotlight remains firmly on the new Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, which launched in July with One UI 8 out of the box.
This delay has led to growing speculation that Samsung is intentionally holding back the update to give its latest foldables a competitive edge, frustrating early adopters of the S25 lineup. As Tarun Vats affirms, the current One UI 8 builds are stable enough for a release but Samsung doesn’t want to make it happen.
Many Users Still in Beta Queue
What’s made matters worse is the S25 Edge hasn’t even received the One UI 8 beta yet. According to Samsung’s official roadmap, the beta is expanding this month to select Galaxy S and Z series models. This means a nearly two-month wait from the time of the foldables’ launch to the stable One UI 8 rollout, and that’s if Samsung sticks to the September timeline.
Minor Update, Major Delay
Adding to the frustration is the modest nature of the update itself. One UI 8 doesn’t bring a huge UI overhaul like its predecessor, One UI 7. The new version mainly includes improved Quick Share UI, enhanced multitasking with DeX upgrades, additional conditions in Modes and Routines, and some minor camera and Contacts app tweaks. Users argue that for such a minor update, a three-month delay from the beta’s announcement in May is unjustified.
Many on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) are calling out Samsung’s lack of transparency, especially considering the trunk-based development model it now shares with Google, meant to speed up update timelines, not delay them.
Accusations of Marketing-Driven Strategy
The timing has led to strong criticism from the community. The theory gaining the most traction is that Samsung wants to tie major software releases with its foldables, creating a unique selling point for new buyers and pushing more units before giving the rest of the Galaxy lineup access to the same features.
This aligns with Samsung’s new software cadence, where major UI refreshes arrive with foldables mid-year, while S-series devices get feature-rich minor updates earlier in the year. Still, that strategy hasn’t gone down well with loyal Galaxy S users who feel left out.
When Can You Expect One UI 8 On Your Samsung Phone?
According to Samsung’s update roadmap, the stable One UI 8 rollout will begin with the Galaxy S25 series, followed by other A and Z series devices. All eligible phones are expected to receive the update by the end of 2025, but for many, the damage to user trust is already done.
Unless Samsung changes its approach or improves transparency, delays like this could make new buyers (or even existing ones) think twice next time.
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