Samsung One UI 9.0 Update: Eligible Phones and the Best Upgrades

Top pick: Galaxy S26 – the safest bet for One UI 9.0 and beyond

Samsung’s One UI 9.0 update is a major software release that brings new AI features, refined design, and long-term Android update guarantees, making it a crucial factor when deciding whether to keep your current Galaxy phone or upgrade to a newer model that will stay secure and feature-packed for years. If you want the most straightforward, future-proof choice, go for the Galaxy S26. It is the best option for most people because it combines top-tier hardware with seven guaranteed major OS upgrades, stretching from Android 16 today all the way up to Android 23. The standard S26 offers a 6.3‑inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 1080 x 2340 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and up to 2600 nits peak brightness. You also get Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the US and Exynos 2600 elsewhere, a 50MP wide camera plus telephoto and ultrawide lenses, a 4300mAh battery, and wired, wireless, and reverse wireless charging. This mix of performance, camera quality, and long software support makes the S26 the clear all-round recommendation.

Choose the basic S26 if you care mostly about long support, great screen, and strong cameras; step up to the S26 Ultra if you want the best telephoto zoom and larger battery. The main drawback of the S26 line is that it is overkill if you mostly browse, chat, and stream video, and the Ultra’s size will feel bulky to many users. Still, for anyone whose current Samsung won’t get One UI 9.0 and who wants a flagship that stays current for nearly a decade, the S26 family is the most confident recommendation.

If your phone won’t get One UI 9.0: when to upgrade and what to expect

Many existing Samsung phones are not eligible for the One UI 9.0 update, and those models are heading toward software obsolescence as newer apps and AI features target modern Android versions. Eligible devices will soon start getting One UI 9.0, unlocking new AI tools and interface changes that older phones will never receive. If your current Galaxy is on the ineligible list, that is a strong signal to upgrade rather than wait, especially if you care about long-term security patches and modern features. "Plenty of Samsung phones will miss out on One UI 9.0," and buyers need to factor this into upgrade timing. Understanding Samsung phone eligibility helps you decide whether to jump now to a device with a clear Android update guarantee or wait for an upcoming model that ships with One UI 9 preinstalled. The rest of this guide focuses on the best options with multi-year support: flagships, foldables, and mid-range phones.

Flagship and foldable upgrades with the longest Android update guarantee

If you are upgrading from an ineligible phone and want maximum longevity, choose a Samsung device with seven guaranteed OS updates. Besides the Galaxy S26, that includes the S26+, S26 Ultra, S25 FE, and the latest and upcoming foldables such as Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, Flip 8, Fold 7, Flip 7, and Flip 7 FE. The S26+ increases display size to 6.7 inches with 1440 x 3120 resolution and a 4900mAh battery plus 45W wired and 20W wireless charging, while the S26 Ultra jumps to a 6.9‑inch panel, 5000mAh battery, and a 200MP camera system with advanced telephoto options. The S25 FE is ideal if you want a flagship feel at a lower cost of ownership: it offers a 6.7‑inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, Exynos 2400 processor, 4900mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging, and a capable 50MP + 8MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide rear camera array, all backed by seven major Android upgrades up to Android 23.

Foldable fans should focus on the Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8, which will debut with Android 17 plus One UI 9 and include seven OS updates up to Android 24. The Fold 8 uses a wider passport-style design with a 7.6‑inch inner and 5.5‑inch cover display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 4800mAh battery, and 45W wired, 20W wireless charging. The Fold 8 Ultra stretches the inner display to 8.0 inches, keeps high-end cameras including a 200MP main and 50MP ultrawide, and packs a 5000mAh battery. Flip buyers can pick between Flip 8 with a 6.9‑inch LTPO inner screen and Flip 7 or Flip 7 FE, all promising seven major OS upgrades. The clear downside of these foldables is their complexity and higher repair risk compared with slab phones, and clamshell designs have smaller batteries; still, no other brand currently matches this level of software support and foldable variety.

Best mid-range alternatives: Galaxy A57, A37, A27, M47, and A07 5G

If you do not need a flagship but want reliable One UI updates for years, Samsung’s mid-range line is the smart place to look. The Galaxy A57, A37, and A27 are recommended mid-range upgrades that ship with Android 16 and are guaranteed six major OS upgrades, up to Android 22. The A57 offers a 6.7‑inch sAMOLED+ display at 1080 x 2340 with 120Hz refresh, HDR10+, and 1900 nits peak brightness, powered by the Exynos 1680 chip, plus a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro camera, 5000mAh battery, and 45W wired charging. The A37 keeps the same 6.7‑inch size and 120Hz refresh on an sAMOLED panel with 1900 nits peak brightness, runs the Exynos 1480, and includes a 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro camera, with 5000mAh battery and 45W charging. The A27 slightly scales back to an sAMOLED 6.7‑inch 1080 x 2340 screen, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, 50MP main plus 5MP ultrawide and 2MP macro cameras, 5000mAh battery, and 25W wired charging.

For buyers who value endurance over display quality, the Galaxy M47 and Galaxy A07 5G extend Samsung’s Android update guarantee to more affordable phones: both start on Android 16 with six major upgrades promised, up to Android 22. The M47 uses a 6.7‑inch sAMOLED display with 1080 x 2340 resolution, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, triple rear cameras (50MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro), a 12MP front camera, huge 6000mAh battery, and 45W wired charging, plus Wi‑Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, USB‑C 2.0, and NFC. The A07 5G takes a more basic approach with a 6.7‑inch PLS LCD at 720 x 1600, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, single 50MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, 6000mAh battery, and 25W wired charging alongside Wi‑Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.3. According to the source, the Galaxy A07 “smoothly handles everyday tasks and captures good photos and videos when there’s enough light. However, it lacks an ultrawide camera and an AMOLED panel,” while "the Galaxy M47 offers better hardware than the A07, and that also means a slightly higher price."

Buy if / Skip if

• Buy the Galaxy S26 if you want the best balance of performance, camera quality, and a seven‑update Android guarantee reaching Android 23, with full One UI 9.0 support.
• Skip the Galaxy S26 if you prefer a lighter, smaller phone and do not need flagship cameras or the longest possible software support.
• Buy the Galaxy S25 FE if you want near‑flagship features, strong cameras, and seven OS upgrades without paying for the most premium hardware.
• Skip the Galaxy S25 FE if you demand the brightest display, largest battery, and most advanced telephoto zoom; the S26 Ultra is better suited to that.
• Buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Fold 8 Ultra if you want a foldable with One UI 9 out of the box, seven Android upgrades up to Android 24, and large inner screens for multitasking.
• Skip the Galaxy Z Fold 8 family if you worry about foldable durability or prefer a simpler slab phone with fewer moving parts and potentially lower repair risk.
• Buy the Galaxy A57 or A37 if you want a mid‑range phone with 6 OS updates up to Android 22, fast 120Hz displays, and solid multi‑camera setups.
• Skip the Galaxy A27 if you need top-tier connectivity and charging speeds; its Wi‑Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and 25W charging lag behind the A57 and A37.
• Buy the Galaxy M47 if you care most about battery life, decent cameras, and a six‑update guarantee, accepting a mid‑range display and design.
• Skip the Galaxy A07 5G if you want an AMOLED screen or an ultrawide camera; its PLS LCD and single rear sensor are basic even for budget buyers.