Samsung has opened the One UI 9 beta program this week. It is for people who use the Galaxy S26 series. The update runs on Android 17.
It gives users new tools for creativity, more ways to change how their phone looks, easier use for everyone, and better safety from risky apps.
The full One UI 9 update will come out later this year with new Galaxy flagship phones. Samsung says those phones will have smart AI features to help people use their devices more easily.
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In the One UI 9 beta, there are quite a few changes. Samsung Notes gets new things like decorative tapes and more types of pen lines. In the Contacts app, you can now use Creative Studio right away to make your own profile cards. You don’t have to open another app.
The Quick Panel is also different. Brightness, sound, and the music player can now be adjusted separately. You can also change the size of the panel to fit what you like.
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One UI 9 makes the phone easier to use for more people. You can now change the Mouse Key speed so the cursor moves more smoothly. The TalkBack features from Google and Samsung are now combined into one. There’s also a new feature called Text Spotlight. It shows the text you choose in a bigger pop-up window so it’s easier to read.
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Security is stronger in One UI 9 too. If the phone finds an app that might be unsafe, it will warn you. It will stop the app from opening or installing. It will also suggest you delete it.
Right now, the beta is only for Galaxy S26 users in a few countries. It starts in the U.K. this week. If you have a Galaxy S26, you can join the beta through the Samsung Members app.