Exclusive: First Look at One UI 9 Welcome Screen, Samsung Internet Upgrades

SammyGuru is reader-supported. We have affiliate and sponsored partnerships, so we may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Samsung is preparing to debut One UI 8.5 stable at the Galaxy Unpacked next week. At the same time, One UI 9 leaks have already started surfacing, even though the official launch is still some time away. Last week, the first One UI 9 test build appeared. Shortly after that, several app APKs leaked online, giving us an early look at the upcoming software.

If you are interested in buying any of the Galaxy S26 models, don’t forget to take advantage of our Mystery Box program (US only). It includes a free 65W GaN charger, phone case, phone stand, cleaning kit, and more.

First look at One UI 9’s welcome and update screens

Samsung’s One UI 9 “Check for updates” page has appeared. The page clearly shows the “One UI 9.0” text along with a fresh new background. The logo seems to use red and blue color themes, giving it a bold and modern look. One UI 8.5 also had a similar logo design. However, its theme used blue and green colors.

The One UI 9 software installation screen has also surfaced. There are no major design changes compared to One UI 8.5, but Samsung has added a new One UI 9 themed image at the top. It looks clean and would look even cooler as a wallpaper.

The welcome screen also remains mostly unchanged. Like previous versions, it simply greets users after installation. The main difference is the updated One UI 9.0 branding.

Samsung Internet gets a compact search bar and Ask AI in One UI 9

Samsung Internet shows more noticeable changes. The browser now includes a new compact search bar option. This small floating bar appears near the bottom of the screen. Users can enable it through debug settings.

The compact bar includes search, AI, recent tabs, and the three-dot menu. Users can access more options by tapping the three-dot button. The bar automatically hides when you scroll down and reappears when you scroll up, offering a more immersive browsing experience.

A major new addition is “Ask AI.” This feature lets users ask questions about the webpage they are currently viewing. It presents answers in a clean and organized layout and even allows revisiting past conversations. However, Ask AI will likely be limited to devices that support Galaxy AI, mainly flagship models. We may have missed some feature or change hidden deep inside the app.

Samsung is still far from the stable release. The company will likely unveil Android 17-based One UI 9 with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8. The features and changes seen right now may not make it to the final version, as Samsung could remove or modify them before the stable rollout. We’ll continue tracking new changes and share updates as they appear.

Special thanks to Dennaty!