"Issue arises:" Samsung halts software updates for its mobile devices
Samsung's global rollout of One UI 7 is nearing completion, with only a few devices yet to receive updates by the end of July 2025[1][5]. Meanwhile, the tech giant has shifted its focus to One UI 8, built on Android 16, which is currently in beta testing.
One UI 8 is being tested on flagship and foldable devices, including the Galaxy S25 series, S24 series, and the latest foldables (Fold 7, Flip 7, Flip 7 FE) that come with One UI 8 pre-installed[1][2][3][4]. The One UI 8 beta has expanded regionally and in device coverage, with further expansions planned for September 2025 to include the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Tab S10 series, and select A-series models[2].
The stable rollout of One UI 8 is scheduled to begin in September 2025, starting with the Galaxy S25 series, followed by a wider release to eligible devices in the fourth quarter of 2025[3][4]. This accelerated release schedule indicates Samsung's fastest and most coordinated One UI rollout to date, synchronised with Android 16's launch.
However, the rollout of One UI 7 has faced a setback. Critical bugs were discovered, causing Samsung to halt the global rollout of the update just a week after its launch[6]. The issues, particularly severe in South Korea, included locked devices and security vulnerabilities, such as private photos stored in the "Secure Folder" being visible outside the protected area[7].
Samsung has not announced a new release date for One UI 7 yet, but the company is reviewing the rollout schedule to ensure the best user experience. The Galaxy S24, in particular, has been affected by these issues[8]. Some users reported that their smartphones couldn't be unlocked after the update.
One UI 7 was intended to include user interface enhancements, a more modern design, improved AI features, and automatic text formatting[9]. It was also meant to offer call transcriptions in up to 20 languages. Despite these promising features, the unresolved issues have cast uncertainty about the return of One UI 7.
[1] https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-galaxy-devices-to-get-one-ui-7-based-on-android-15-by-the-end-of-2025 [2] https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-devices/one-ui-8-beta-program/ [3] https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-devices/one-ui-8-beta-program/ [4] https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-devices/one-ui-8-beta-program/ [5] https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-galaxy-devices-to-get-one-ui-7-based-on-android-15-by-the-end-of-2025 [6] https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/14/23591242/samsung-pausing-one-ui-7-rollout-over-security-issues [7] https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/14/23591242/samsung-pausing-one-ui-7-rollout-over-security-issues [8] https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/14/23591242/samsung-pausing-one-ui-7-rollout-over-security-issues [9] https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-s23-ultra/specs/ [10] https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-s23/specs/
- In contrast to Samsung's swift progress on One UI 8, the global rollout of One UI 7 has been delayed due to critical bugs and security issues, as originally planned for completion by the end of July 2025.
- With Samsung focusing on One UI 8 and considering the setbacks in One UI 7, it remains uncertain if smartphone users can expect to see gadgets like smartphones running on the latest version of their operating system anytime soon.
