NEWS
While we wait for One UI 7 beta, Google unveils the first Android 16 Developer Preview
While we patiently wait for Samsung to release the Android 15-based One UI 7 beta update, Google has released the first Android 16 Developer Preview (DP1). This DP1 is focused on giving developers an early look at the new features and APIs that will be available in the final release in Q2 of 2025.
Andoird 16 Developer Preview 1 is available for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator. The preview is not for daily or consumer use, and can only be installed manually. The public Android beta program will begin in January 2025.
When is Android 16 coming out?
Google plans to release two developer previews of Android 16 and four beta versions before the new major Android version is ready for public use. The stable Android 16 will be available sometime after April 2025 for Pixel devices unless some unforeseen issue causes delays.
- Android 16 Developer Preview: November
- Android 16 Developer Preview 2: December
- Android 16 Beta 1: January,2025
- Android 16 Beta 2: February,2025
- Android 16 Beta 3: March,2025
- Android 16 Beta 4: April,2025
Android 16 DP features
The Android 16 DP comes with new features and improvements for app developers. It brings an Embedded photo picker, Health records, and the latest version of Privacy Sandbox for privacy protection.
- System Photo Picker: it will allow users a smoother, more integrated way to pick photos on the app without needing extra permissions.
- Health Connect: This allows apps to access and manage medical records in FHIR format, but only with the user’s permission.
- Privacy Sandbox: Android 16 DP brings the latest version of Privacy Sandbox to protect people’s privacy online.
One UI 8 could be released in Q3 of 2025
Google is scheduled to release the final version of Android 15 in Q2 of 2025, One UI 8 could also be released earlier. Samsung usually launches the stable version of One UI three months after Google launches a stable version of Android. So, is it possible that Samsung could release One UI 8 in Q3 of 2025?
As far as eligibility is concerned, almost every smartphone or tablet Samsung launched with Android 14 will get Android 16. Some devices that launched with Android 13 or earlier are eligible for three or four generations of major Android updates, and they will also get it.
However, Galaxy users are still waiting for the One UI 7 beta update, now it seems that Samsung soon release the beta update for the Galaxy S24 series in the coming days.
Samsung has begun rolling out the One UI 8 Watch update for the Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, and Galaxy Watch 5 LTE. The One UI 8 Watch update is based on the Wear OS 6.
Note that the stable One UI 8 Watch update is currently available only to Galaxy Watch 4 users in South Korea. The company has not yet provided a timeline for when this update will be available in the global market.
However, the Galaxy Watch 5 LTE is already receiving the One UI 8 Watch update in India. Given the pace of the One UI 8 update rollout, it shouldn’t be long before it becomes widely available.
Galaxy Watch 4, Watch 4 Classic, and Galaxy Watch 5 LTE users can identify the latest software via the PDA build version ending with JYK4 and DYK4, respectively. The firmware also carries the October 2025 security patch. The stable update unlocks even better performance, power efficiency, and stability.
One UI 8 Watch brings a completely new tile system that improves accessibility. This update also optimizes overall performance and battery efficiency with app updates. You can look forward to a whole new world of smartwatch ventures.
To download the update, check for software updates. Your watch may already have an OTA update pending for your approval. Press the download and install button.
Samsung recently rolled out the latest One UI 8.5 beta build for the latest Galaxy flagship smartphones. The new One UI 8.5 beta version brings some changes and improvements, giving users an early taste of the new software. Additionally, One UI 8.5 includes a redesigned YouTube card for the Now Brief.
With One UI 8, the “YouTube card” in the “Now Brief” recommendation for watching show videos vertically as a list can only show two videos.
Now, with One UI 8.5, the YouTube card in “Now Brief,” which shows recommendations horizontally in a carousel that you can swipe through, now shows up to ten videos, along with larger feature images for each video.
If YouTube videos aren’t showing on your Now Brief feed, you can navigate to and open Settings, then tap Galaxy AI, and then tap Now Brief. Then, tap Content to include and enable the YouTube switch. When you’re finished, tap Back.
Earlier this week, Samsung launched the One UI 8.5 beta program for the Galaxy S25 series. Soon, the company may expand the beta program to phones in the Galaxy Z lineup and older Galaxy S series devices.
The One UI 8.5 beta update makes Galaxy AI image creation easier, improves device connectivity, improves Smart Quick Share, lock screen, and weather tools, enhances Samsung Health insights, strengthens security, enhances battery management, improves accessibility, adds upgrade reminders, and more.
NEWS
Galaxy Z Flip 7, Fold 7 models receive December 2025 security update, next could be One UI 8.5 Beta
Samsung has released a new update for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 smartphones, which installs the December 2025 security patch update to improve system security and stability. According to reports, the update is already live for users in Korea, and the company will soon release it in other countries as well.
The December 2025 security update for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 smartphones has arrived with One UI build versions F966NKSS6AYKE and F766NKSS6AYKE. This is an initial rollout, so it may take a few hours or days to reach all models.
The December 2025 security patch fixes 57 security vulnerabilities present in the previous version of the OS.
Notably, this update is based on Android 16 and One UI 8. And the device is eligible for One UI 8.5 beta based on Android 16. On December 08, Samsung opened the beta program for the next version of One UI 8.5 only to the Galaxy S25 series. Plus, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will be the next devices in line.
Although the exact release date hasn’t been revealed yet, it’s expected to be released sometime in December 2025. The company plans to begin the stable rollout of One UI 8.5 with the Galaxy S26 series next year. More users will receive the update shortly afterward.
So, if you are using the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 smartphone, install the latest security update now to make your device ready for future updates. The next update could be One UI 8.5 Beta.
To manually check for security updates, go to your phone’s settings. At the bottom, you’ll find the Software Update section; simply open it. In the submenu, if your device receives a new OTA update, you’ll need to tap the Download and Install button.
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