Samsung is quietly working to bring One UI 9 to the Galaxy A25. According to SamMobile, tipster Tarun Vats spotted a One UI 9 test build with firmware version A256BXXUCFZF1 for the Galaxy A25 on Samsung’s servers. This is the first time the update has shown up in testing for this device.
This does not mean a public beta is coming. Samsung is running internal tests only, and a stable release will follow once the company is satisfied with performance and stability. If the broader rollout schedule holds, Galaxy A25 owners should expect the update sometime in the third or fourth quarter of 2026.
The Galaxy A25 launched in late 2023 with Android 14. Samsung committed to four major Android OS updates for the phone, which is a strong promise for a mid-range device. The company has already delivered two of those updates: One UI 7 based on Android 15 in May 2025, and One UI 8 based on Android 16 in October 2025. One UI 9, built on Android 17, would be the third.
That update roadmap matters because mid-range phones have historically been the last in line for software support. Samsung has been pushing to change that perception, and seeing the Galaxy A25 enter internal testing relatively early in the One UI 9 cycle is a sign that the company is following through on that commitment.
One UI 9 is set to debut publicly on Samsung’s latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, later this month. The Galaxy S26 series is expected to follow in August. From there, Samsung will work through older flagships before moving to mid-range and entry-level devices like the A25.
The update brings several changes worth noting:
- A more customizable Quick Panel
- A redesigned, more colorful media player widget in notifications and the Quick Panel
- Enhanced app protection and network blocking tools
- New tape and pen styles in Samsung Notes
- General UI refinements built on Android 17 improvements
Samsung also has One UI 9.5 planned for early 2027, which will introduce additional features. Whether the Galaxy A25 qualifies for that release remains to be seen, but given the phone still has two promised major updates remaining after One UI 9, it has a reasonable shot at staying in the update queue for a while longer.