Samsung has launched the One UI 8 beta program for the Galaxy S25 series, with the ZYER firmware currently available in Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the US. This initiative comes as a response to the delays experienced in rolling out Android 15-based One UI 7.
Users can now experience Android 16 on their Galaxy S25 devices ahead of its official release later this year. In recent weeks, indications pointed to an impending launch of the One UI 8 public beta.
Promotional banners for the program popped up in various countries, showcasing a streamlined enrollment process that allows users to join more easily than before. Currently, the public Android 16 beta program is accessible to users in select regions, including South Korea, the UK, Germany, and unlocked as well as T-Mobile versions in the United States.
Expansion to countries like India is anticipated with the upcoming second beta release. The latest beta firmware, which is over 3GB in size, introduces a variety of features.
These include new preset routines, enhanced camera controls accessed by swiping up or down, support for Auracast, a revamped Weather app, and improved split-screen multitasking. Now, users can adjust the visibility of one app while maximizing space for another by moving it to a corner of the display.
Additionally, a new Quick Share tile in the settings panel allows for easy file transfers. While One UI 8 is expected to focus on refining existing features rather than introducing radical changes, it signifies a proactive approach by Samsung to align with the anticipated release schedule of Android 16.
Google has confirmed that One UI 8 will be available on Galaxy devices this summer, between late June and late September. Moreover, Samsung has simplified the process of joining the beta program.
Now, potential participants only need to follow two straightforward steps via the Samsung Members app, after which they can engage in the program and withdraw whenever they wish. Users also benefit from needing to join the beta only once, as all relevant information is now centralized under a new Beta Program Home.
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