One UI 9 Beta 5 is here, but rumors about what's next are living in our heads rent-free
- One UI 9 Beta 5 is rolling out for enrolled Galaxy S26 testers in a few overseas regions with a 1.1GB download.
- The patch carries a handful of fixes, alongside the August security update.
- However, rumors on social media claim Samsung has started developing One UI 9.5 for the Galaxy S26, despite the main upgrade still in the Beta Program.
There's a lot happening today (Aug 12), but that's not stopping Samsung's beta program. Enrolled users, beware: Beta 5 is here.
This morning, the folks at SamMobile spotted the arrival of One UI 9 Beta 5 for the Galaxy S26 series. Currently, the beta has only been spotted in overseas countries: the U.K., South Korea, and India. This isn't unusual, as Samsung usually begins spreading its availability out little by little. Users in the U.S. should prepare for it to arrive later this week, if not the next. One UI 9 Beta 5 reportedly carries a 1.1GB download and the August 2026 security patch.
The publication highlights Samsung's patch notes, which highlight a few important fixes. It's fixing a "white screen" and "app freeze," which would occur for users when viewing "some menus" in Settings. What's more, Samsung is fixing a camera app issue when opened from the lock screen. Some users encountered lag or a black screen when attempting to open it.
Another fix is rolling out for the bottom floating bar when using the Phone app. Samsung received reports of it not appearing properly, which was reportedly patched. The remainder of the fixes are as follows:
- Improved issue where a blank screen is temporarily visible when entering the recent files list in the My Files app
- Improved issue where 1*1 size shortcuts are not added to the bottom bar of the home screen
- Improved issue where the preview screen position is misaligned or flickers in the Video Editor and Photo Editor
- Improved issue where the screen intermittently flickers in certain situations
- Fixed Wi-Fi connection errors and improved connection stability
If you're enrolled in the One UI 9 Beta Program, keep your eyes out for the update in your respective region.
While this is interesting and gets us closer to launch for the Galaxy S26, rumors are already looking ahead to One UI 9.5. On X, tipster Tarun Vats reports that Samsung has started developing One UI 9.5 for the Galaxy S26 (via GSMArena). Vats says the early build sports version ending CZH1. Samsung has started development on its next major software update even earlier this time. Vats and users on X were quick to highlight Samsung's earlier schedule.
Vats reminds us that One UI 8.5's development began around September, before the Beta Program started for the Galaxy S25 in December. It's hard to forget that One UI 8.5 was heavily delayed throughout its Beta Program. Here's hoping that Samsung can avoid that this time around. Vats adds that Samsung likely won't roll out One UI 9.5 any time soon, meaning we may see it arrive around April or May 2027.
The beta rolls on
It's been nearly a month since the last One UI 9 beta. In mid-July, Samsung rolled out One UI 9 Beta 4, which included a host of fixes for early Android 17 problems. Much like what we're receiving in August, the July patch was ~1.25GB. One fix aimed to solve an issue with the S26 Ultra's Privacy Display routine. The feature would occasionally "not operate normally" while a routine was running. Other fixes involved an unstable UI for Live Notifications and other performance problems for the Quick Settings.