Samsung is so delayed that it may leap from One UI 7 directly to One UI 8.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Even with multiple delays and extensive development time, One UI 7.0 may be the only version we see. Typically, Samsung would have launched at least a 7.1 version to fix any unexpected issues from the initial release, but a trusted leaker suggests a shift in this generation's approach. According to @UniverseIce on X, “The next version of One UI 7.0 is One UI 8.0. There is no One UI 7.1 and 7.1.1.” This information is unexpected, but it does seem reasonable. Numerous beta versions have been rolled out, yet Samsung has not released the complete, stable version of One UI 7, nor has it provided a definitive launch timeline.

      Samsung is falling behind its usual release schedule. When the first One UI 7 beta was introduced in December 2024, the company intended to have the full version available by the end of this month. However, recent rumors indicate a potential release closer to late April for flagship devices.

      Samsung may skip the typical mid-generation updates to focus on completing the next version. This could further delay the One UI 7 timeline into the later part of the year. By bypassing mid-generation updates, Samsung could concentrate most of its R&D efforts on finalizing One UI 8.0 ahead of the next device iterations, rather than experiencing additional delays.

      If this plays out as expected, One UI 8.0 might be available on your device sooner than initially planned. According to earlier reports by SamMobile, Samsung was already considering canceling the One UI 7.1 update due to delays, but this new leak suggests the situation might be more serious than anticipated. Depending on the release timing of the new handsets, some may come equipped with One UI 8 instead of 7. However, it's unclear how long support for previous generations will last. Should One UI 8 be feature-rich and require more powerful processors, it may not function on older phone models.

      Patrick Hearn reports on smart home technology including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more.

      It’s confirmed: Samsung announces the Galaxy A56, A36, and A26.

      There has been much speculation regarding Samsung's unreleased Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 models, but the company has now officially acknowledged their existence. This was evident today when the three devices were listed on the Samsung service website for Chile, which caters to customers seeking repairs for out-of-warranty products, displaying prices for various models. Since these phones haven't been released, the prices are marked as "not available," but their model numbers are given.

      Samsung begins introducing Galaxy S25 camera features to Galaxy S24 devices.

      Samsung’s previous flagship phones have yet to receive a taste of Android 15, but for those adventurous enough to participate in beta testing, there is some long-awaited news. Samsung has begun the rollout of the fourth beta update of One UI 7 for the Galaxy S24 series smartphones. Users on X, Samsung’s Community Forum, and YouTube have reported the update reaching their Galaxy S24 devices in India and Korea. This update includes the February Android security patch, with the most notable addition being a key camera feature that Samsung initially introduced with the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year.

      One UI 7’s advanced AI features may not be available on Galaxy S24 and earlier flagships, according to Samsung's hints.

      During the extensive Galaxy Unpacked event last month, Samsung made it clear that AI would take precedence over upgrading hardware. Representatives on stage emphasized new features, including one they claimed surpasses prior advancements in the field. One of the main highlights in the new One UI 7 interface is Samsung’s Now Brief, which is promoted as a personal assistant for owners of Galaxy S25 series phones. However, users of older Samsung flagships may find themselves excluded.

      The potential incompatibility of new AI features, such as Now Brief, with older devices is due to their incorporation into a package referred to as "Personal data engine." This "engine" manages the secure processing of sensitive data on the device itself and within an encrypted vault. Without such protections, data could be traced back to an individual's identity in the case of a breach.