Samsung has reportedly commenced Android 17-based One UI 9 testing for the Galaxy S26 series. The first-ever Android 17 build has surfaced on Samsung’s firmware server, suggesting an early debut of the next One UI version.

An alleged Android 17 firmware has been listed on CheckFirm (via TarunVats) for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. That said, Samsung kicked off its work on the One UI 9 system for the latest flagship nearly two months earlier than usual.

Based on available information, Samsung is currently testing the BZC5 build on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung will take its time to refine this new operating system for Galaxy devices and will not rush the release of the firmware.

Although testing for One UI 9 has commenced early, this does not imply that it will become available to customers any sooner. Samsung will take the necessary time to optimize this new operating system for Galaxy devices and will not rush the firmware release.

On February 25, Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series, and these phones will be available starting March 11. A day later, the company began rolling out Beta 6 for the Galaxy S25 series, but it seems this may not be the last beta before the stable version is released. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 series is still receiving updates through the One UI 8.5 beta program.

Samsung One UI 8.5 beta 7

A reliable tipster, @TarunVats, spotted a new One UI 8.5 beta build for the Galaxy S25 series on testing systems. The build ending in ZZC3 indicates that Samsung is preparing the seventh beta update for the S25 phones. It’s worth noting that this build began rolling out in March, but the patch level is still February 2026.

The new build suggests that the beta program is still active even after the Galaxy S26 series launched with One UI 8.5 features and improvements. Galaxy S25 Users may have to wait a little longer for the final stable update.

The latest One UI 8.5 Beta 6 update fixed many problems and improved the phone’s performance, including Bixby, Gallery, Now Bar, Now Brief, Display settings, Modes, and Routines.

At this time, Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed how many more beta updates will arrive or when the stable One UI 8.5 version will be released for the Galaxy S25 series and older phones. However, the new beta build is a strong indication that at least one more beta update is on the way. Galaxy S25 users who are part of the beta program should keep an eye out for new updates.

At the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event on February 25, 2026, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S26 series. The series includes the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26. These new smartphones come with smarter AI features that help simplify everyday tasks. Now, we are talking about four hidden Galaxy S26 Ultra camera improvements, helping improve image and video quality.

Notably, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features Samsung’s most advanced camera system to date. Samsung has integrated its 200MP primary camera and 50MP telephoto camera into the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a wide aperture to allow more light to reach the sensor.

Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, allowing Samsung to improve camera performance, even though the phone uses the same sensor as the previous Galaxy S series Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra gets four camera improvements

1. Improved 200MP images

The Galaxy S26 Ultra feature a mutltiframe HDR processing, so that it may now capture the better 200MP images. The company says these 200MP photos deliver clearer, more detailed, and greater dynamic range than 200MP shots taken on earlier Galaxy S series models.

2. New 24MP mode in the stock camera app

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a new 24MP resolution option in the stock camera app. This new mode combines a 12MP multi-frame processed image with a 50MP high-resolution image using a system called AI Fusion. The resulting 24MP photo offers more detail than a 12MP image to reach the sensors, resulting in brighter, cleaner, and sharper images. 

3. Virtual Aperture in Portrait Mode

The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with a virtual aperture feature, but it was limited to the Expert RAW app. Now, Samsung adds a virtual aperture feature to the Portrait mode of the stock camera app on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, allowing users to digitally adjust the aperture.

4. Auto option for Motion Photo

As the name suggests, a motion photo is a short video clip captured alongside a still image. It includes a few seconds before and after the shutter button is pressed.. Now, on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, when the Auto option is on, Motion Photos are only recorded when significant movement is detected in the scene. If you capture a static scene, such as a…. landscape, with no visible motion, the Motion Photo will not be saved.