While Galaxy users are still waiting for Android 15-based One UI 7, Google is moving quickly with its next-generation OS, Android 16. The Mountain View-based tech giant today released Android 16 Beta 4, the final beta build of the next big update. The company could announce the stable version in June 2025, allowing other OEMs like Samsung to push Android 16 (One UI 8) to their users early.
Google lets OEMs push Android 16 beta, Samsung’s One UI 8 may follow soon
Android 16 Beta 4 is now available for eligible Pixel users who enrolled in the beta program. This build arrives as the last scheduled update in the company’s Android 16 beta program. Beyond Pixel devices, Google now allows its partner OEMs to push Android 16 beta. This includes several brands such as Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, vivo, and Xiaomi.
Unfortunately, Samsung is not part of the Android 16 beta program at the moment, which is not surprising. Samsung usually lets its users participate in the beta program after a few months, compared to other OEMs.
While Samsung is not publicly allowing its users to try out its Android 16-based One UI 8, it recently released internal One UI 8 builds through the Remote Test Lab. This allows developers or enthusiasts to try the early build unofficially by sideloading it into some Galaxy devices.
As of now, we don’t know when Samsung will start its One UI 8 beta program, but the good news is that One UI 8 is coming much earlier than its usual schedule. This is due to the early release of Android 16 and subtle changes within One UI 8.
There is speculation that Samsung will ship One UI 8 with the upcoming foldable lineup, which typically releases in July or August. If true, eventually, we may see the announcement of the One UI 8 beta program, though only the Galaxy S25 series might be part of it initially.
