Insider reports indicate that Samsung has begun internal testing of the first beta build of One UI 9, which will be powered by Android 17. This was first reported by X user Kailash, and later corroborated by well-known tipster Tarun Vats. Currently, the beta is being tested on the latest S-series devices, with firmware build numbers ZZE7 for the Galaxy S26 Plus and BZE7 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

While the discovery of One UI 9 on Samsung's servers is promising, it may still be some time before we see the first public beta release. Historically, Samsung has taken weeks between internal testing and public beta launches: the One UI 8.5 testing began in November, but the beta version wasn’t available until a few weeks later. With One UI 8.5 just rolling out to the Galaxy S25 series, the timeline for One UI 9 could push the public beta release to possibly late May or early June.

Reports suggest One UI 9 will bring significant visual changes, especially to the Samsung Internet browser and the Now Bar. Users can also look forward to redesigned widgets on their devices, along with an upgraded Gallery app that aims to simplify the image management process. Furthermore, codes suggest that Samsung is preparing for upcoming devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and a new model called Wide Fold.

With the stable build of One UI 8.5 now available for the Galaxy S25 series, excitement is building for its successor. As One UI 9 is set to launch on Android 17—which is currently in beta—anticipation is high among Samsung users. Google is expected to unveil more about Android 17 during the I/O event on May 12, paving the way for One UI 9’s features to shine.

The beta program is projected to start in the coming weeks and will likely roll out across multiple regions, including South Korea, Germany, India, the US, the UK, and Poland.