Samsung One UI 8 Beta Expands to Galaxy S24 Series and Foldables: The AI-Powered Future of Android
Samsung has officially confirmed the expansion of its One UI 8 beta program, bringing the Android 16-powered experience to its Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold 6, and Z Flip 6 devices starting August 11, 2025. This marks a significant milestone in Samsung's software evolution, representing the first major One UI update to debut alongside new foldables while introducing groundbreaking AI capabilities and security enhancements.
Beta Rollout Schedule and Availability
The One UI 8 beta expansion follows a carefully orchestrated timeline designed to maximize testing coverage while ensuring system stability:
August 11, 2025: Galaxy S24 series (S24, S24+, S24 Ultra), Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 in India, Korea, the UK, and the US
September 2025: Galaxy S23 series (S23, S23+, S23 Ultra), Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy A55, Galaxy A54, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A35, and Galaxy Tab S10 series
The stable version of One UI 8 will begin rolling out in September 2025, starting with the Galaxy S25 series before expanding to other eligible devices. Users can register for the beta program through the Samsung Members app once it becomes available in their region.
Revolutionary AI Integration and Multimodal Capabilities
One UI 8 represents Samsung's boldest step toward ambient AI experiences, introducing multimodal intelligence that fundamentally transforms how users interact with their devices. This advanced AI system can simultaneously process text, voice, images, and contextual information to deliver truly natural interactions.
Core AI Features
Now Bar and Now Brief have been significantly enhanced to provide personalized, context-aware insights. Now Bar integrates with Android 16's Live Updates feature, expanding support for third-party applications beyond Samsung's ecosystem. Now Brief delivers intelligent daily summaries, curating reminders, messages, and key updates based on individual routines and preferences.
Voice Captioning introduces real-time translation capabilities, converting spoken words into written text while offering live translation into multiple languages. This feature goes beyond traditional captions by providing automatic summarization of conversations and content.
Enhanced Galaxy AI now offers improved
multimodal experiences, particularly optimized for foldable devices. The Galaxy Z Fold 7's large inner screen enables side-by-side comparisons between original and AI-edited images, while new features like "Suggest Erases" automatically identify unwanted objects in photos. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 benefits from Gemini Live integration on its FlexWindow cover screen.
Advanced Security Architecture: Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP)
One UI 8 introduces Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP), a revolutionary security architecture designed specifically for on-device AI operations. KEEP creates encrypted, app-specific storage environments within the device's secure area, ensuring each application can access only its designated sensitive data
This system-level protection supports Samsung's Personal Data Engine (PDE), which powers AI features like Smart Suggestions, Now Brief, and Smart Gallery search. All personal insights—including user routines, preferences, and behavioral patterns—remain entirely on-device, protected by both KEEP and Samsung's Knox Vault hardware security environment.
Enhanced Knox Matrix and Cross-Device Security
Samsung has updated Knox Matrix to provide proactive threat management across the Galaxy ecosystem. When a device is flagged as compromised due to system manipulation or identity forgery, Knox Matrix automatically signs the user out of their Samsung Account, disconnecting cloud services and preventing lateral attacks.
Users receive immediate notifications across all connected Galaxy devices, with access to a comprehensive security status dashboard for threat assessment and response. The system also provides preventive warnings for devices lacking the latest security updates.
Quantum-Resistant Wi-Fi Protection
One UI 8 introduces quantum-resistant encryption to Samsung's Secure Wi-Fi feature, implementing NIST-certified ML-KEM cryptographic schemes to protect against future quantum computing threats. This "harvest now, decrypt later" protection ensures long-term data security as quantum computing capabilities advance.
Optimized Foldable Experience and Interface Refinements
One UI 8 delivers significant enhancements specifically tailored for Samsung's foldable devices. The interface has been redesigned to maximize the unique advantages of dual-screen form factors:
Drag and Drop AI Content: Users can seamlessly move AI-generated images and text between applications in multi-window setups
AI Results View: Displays AI processing results in Split View or Floating View modes to improve multitasking efficiency
Foldable-Optimized Features: Photo Assist and Generative Edit tools are now fully optimized for the expansive display real estate of foldable devices
Enhanced Privacy Controls and User Choice
One UI 8 places unprecedented emphasis on user privacy and data control. The system provides transparent settings allowing users to choose whether AI features process data on-device or use hybrid cloud approaches. Most AI processing can be handled entirely on-device, giving users complete control over their personal information.
The updated Secure Folder feature offers one-touch visibility control through the Quick Panel, allowing users to instantly hide the secure environment from the Apps screen while shutting down protected applications and blocking notifications.
Streamlined User Experience and Practical Innovations
Beyond AI and security enhancements, One UI 8 introduces several quality-of-life improvements:
Enhanced Quick Share features dedicated Send and Receive tabs for improved file transfer clarity
Bluetooth LE Auracast Support enables effortless audio sharing with multiple devices using QR code pairing
Redesigned Samsung Reminder App allows voice-activated reminder creation and simplified list sharing with family and friends
QR Code and NFC Service Support streamlines after-sales service registration, eliminating lengthy forms at authorized repair centers
Strategic Collaboration with Google and Future Implications
The development of One UI 8 represents unprecedented collaboration between Samsung and Google, resulting in Samsung becoming one of the first manufacturers to adopt Android 16. This partnership has accelerated development timelines and enabled the simultaneous launch of new hardware with the latest software.
For the first time in Samsung's history, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 launched with the most current version of Android and One UI pre-installed, marking a significant departure from the traditional pattern of launching with the previous year's Android version.
Registration Process and Beta Participation
Users interested in joining the One UI 8 beta program can register through the Samsung Members app once the program becomes available in their region. The beta testing phase is crucial for Samsung to gather user feedback and refine the experience before the stable September release.
Samsung's expansion of the One UI 8 beta to include mid-range devices like the Galaxy A series demonstrates the company's commitment to democratizing advanced AI and security features across its device portfolio.
One UI 8 represents more than an incremental software update—it establishes the foundation for Samsung's vision of ambient AI computing, where intelligent assistance seamlessly integrates into daily routines while maintaining uncompromising privacy and security standards. This beta expansion marks the beginning of a new era in mobile computing, where AI becomes the interface itself, anticipating user needs and delivering personalized experiences across Samsung's diverse device ecosystem.