Samsung says the stable One UI 8 update, based on Android 16, is now gradually rolling out to compatible models in its range. The Galaxy S25 line is at the forefront, but many high‑end and midrange phones from the past few years equally represent. Here is the order of how you can expect it to roll out — and what determines when your particular phone will get the update.
Rollout order: who is first in line
The first wave will focus around the Galaxy S25 series. (For what it’s worth, Samsung’s most recent foldables to have shipped on One UI 8 out of the box — such as its newest Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip products — were already on that software.)
Samsung’s formal newsroom post says the next wave focuses on the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6 and one other device (which is likely the galaxy S24 FE) before segueing into “additional eligible models.” Community guidance from Samsung moderators details a phased approach: S25 up first, then current‑generation S and Z devices, followed by a wider pass over old-school flagships and mid-range models soon after. The company hopes to bring One UI 8 to most of the supported models before year‑end.
Most models expect a two‑wave window
According to the Samsung Community posting, you should consider the rollout in two large windows: one early phase for recent flagships and upper‑mid devices, then a broader push that includes A‑series, M‑series, and previous-gen flagships.
Exact sequencing can vary by market, but the pattern largely holds — newer and higher‑tier hardware first; broader portfolio next.
That puts you near the front of the line if you have a Galaxy S24, Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6 or S24 FE. In the meantime, those holding more popular mid‑rangers from the last two years should be squatters in the next segment, if their device comes under Samsung’s upgrade policy.
Region and carrier timing: what to know
Samsung usually releases updates for South Korea then spreads them to unlocked devices in key territories such as Europe, India and the US. Carriers typically lag behind unlocked models because of additional certification and testing. Matter of fact, I have two phones right now in n unlocked priority region and can potentially see the update soon after it rolls out only to those whoowere lucky enough to get into the first wave (albeit a second or so). Carrier locked versions from what i’ve noticed are an extra wait.
This cadence mirrors previous cycles. With One UI 6 and One UI 7, the firm sped through its flagships to mid‑range devices while regional tardiness was overwhelmingly due to operator sign‑off. Expect similar pacing here, though with some to market variation.
Eligibility at a glance
Eligibility follows Samsung’s software policy. Recent flagships get up to seven years of OS and security updates, while many mid‑range products released in the last few cycles get up to four Android generations. That would include the S24 series, the Z Fold/Flip 6 generation and a large variety of other Galaxy A models in 2023–2024 range, as well as some budget lines that are still within their term of support.
The notices in Samsung’s newsroom and official community forums are the best indication of where things stand for your model, with regional carrier support pages among the next confirmations to roll in after lab tests conclude.
How to get it faster (and avoid hiccups)
Monitor that your phone is updated to the latest security patch, ensuring at least 8—10GB of free storage and charging it above 50% before downloading the update. Open Settings > Software update > Download and install, and check Samsung Members for release notes specific to your region.
If you have a carrier model, make sure you are connected to your carrier’s network within the time frame of the rollout; some carriers serve up OTAs by IMEI in waves. Don’t use VPNs or workarounds for region swapping — they can make you ineligible. The download will likely be several gigabytes, especially if new modem and camera packages for your device are included.
Sources and what they indicate
Samsung Newsroom has detailed the first tiers of devices, and Samsung Community moderators in South Korea have posted a rough list of when various models get it, with the S25 series going first, then recent flagships and then a large mid‑range wave. Carrier support pages will confirm regional timing as certifications are approved.Device model, as well as factors including carriers, market availability, and product features will determine the range of devices.
The bottom line: If you have a relatively recent Galaxy S or Z device, chances are you’re towards the front of the line for One UI 8. Midrange phone owners should receive the stable build not long after, with most compatible models updated before year end.