Samsung Flips the Script, Becomes First to Launch Android 16 Phones

Just a few months ago, Samsung was under fire for its painfully delayed Android 15 (One UI 7) rollout. The update arrived several months behind schedule, trailing well behind rival OEMs. This left Galaxy users frustrated as other brands moved ahead with timely updates. But fast forward to now, and that sluggish chapter feels like a distant memory. In a dramatic turnaround, Samsung has just become the first OEM to launch new phones with Android 16 out of the box.

Samsung launches the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 with Android 16 (One UI 8)

While Android 16 has rolled out to supported Pixel devices, the latest version is only available in beta for non-Google smartphones. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, and the budget-friendly Flip 7 FE are the first to ship with the new Android version, with One UI 8 on top. This marks the earliest Android OS launch in Samsung’s history, a sharp contrast to a glacial rollout of Android 15.

The early debut of Android 16 on Samsung devices is a massive credibility win for the brand. It signals a renewed focus on software agility — a critical factor in today’s competitive smartphone market. It also gives Samsung the bragging rights as the first company to offer Android 16 out of the box. For users, this means quicker access to Android 16’s under-the-hood improvements and One UI 8’s polished interface. This update brings smoother animations, better performance, and refined features.

Samsung has already rolled out multiple One UI 8 beta builds for the Galaxy S25 series. With the new foldables now official, the company is expected to push the stable version to the S25 lineup later this month or in August. Other eligible devices should also receive the update starting next month. Samsung may complete its One UI 8 rollout before the end of this year. That’s a dramatic turnaround compared to One UI 7, which didn’t hit the stable channel until April this year.