This week marks the start of the One UI 9 beta rollout for Galaxy S26 users, with the interface running on Android 17. Key additions encompass a revamped Quick Panel and enhanced customization tools in Samsung Notes.
Improvements in accessibility stand out prominently in the One UI 9 beta. Users depending on external keyboards will benefit from customizable mouse key speed settings. Additionally, the Text Spotlight tool allows magnification and enhancement of chosen text within a pop-up overlay. Samsung's TalkBack screen reader, featuring text-to-speech capabilities, now syncs with Google's equivalent functionality.
A fresh security tool in One UI 9 aids in preventing the installation of harmful applications. It identifies potentially dangerous apps, issues alerts, and stops them from being set up.
Other updates in One UI 9 include a refreshed Quick Panel design, where controls for brightness, audio, and media playback can be tweaked separately, along with expanded resizing capabilities. Samsung Notes now offers decorative virtual stickers and additional stylus stroke varieties. The Contacts application connects seamlessly with Creative Studio, enabling the creation of custom profile images without app switching.
Samsung has withheld certain advanced AI capabilities for the stable edition, which explains the more modest set of beta features. Officials indicate that the complete One UI 9 will launch on forthcoming Galaxy flagship models later in the year, likely pointing to the anticipated July debut of the company's premium foldable phones.
Galaxy S26 owners can enroll in the One UI 9 beta through the Samsung Members application. Access is limited to certain regions such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India, Poland, and South Korea, with distribution scheduled to commence this week.