Samsung’s One UI 8 Update with Android 16 Goes Live in Select Countries

Samsung has officially kicked off the beta testing of its much-anticipated One UI 8, running on Android 16, and early adopters in South Korea, the UK, and Germany are already getting their hands on the 3.7GB update (build ZYER) — complete with the latest May 2025 security patch.

If you’re reading this from Nairobi or Cape Town and wondering, “So, when do we get it?” — well, the beta is still exclusive to a few select countries for now, with India and the US next in line. The wider availability is expected in the coming weeks. For Kenya and the rest of Africa, however, patience will be the name of the game. The update won’t land here until Samsung moves out of the beta phase and rolls out the stable version — something that could still be months away.

For now, Galaxy S25 users all over the continent will have to stick with Android 15 and One UI 7 — which isn’t exactly a consolation prize, but rather a pretty solid experience in its own right. In fact, the One UI 7 rollout is still ongoing across many African countries, especially for Galaxy A series devices. Given how popular these budget-to-midrange devices are across the continent, it’s no surprise Samsung is giving them some much-needed love.

But let’s talk what’s coming. One UI 8, layered over Android 16, is shaping up to be more than just another update — it’s a smart, secure, and expressive leap into the future of mobile life. Google unveiled Android 16 earlier this month at I/O 2025, and boy, it packs a punch: from Gemini AI integration everywhere (yes, even in your car and on your wrist), to a revamped Find Hub that can track everything from pets to your suitcase, and advanced theft protection that makes factory resets by thieves practically useless.

Then there’s the eye candy — Material 3 Expressive — Android’s most personal and emotive design language yet. Imagine notifications that react to your touch and Quick Settings that match your phone’s vibe. When it finally hits, it’ll be a style upgrade users will absolutely love.

But until then, we wait.

So, as you scroll through your timeline on a Galaxy A35 or S23 FE, just know the future is loading. Samsung’s testing waters abroad, but when One UI 8 does make its way to you, it’ll come refined, polished, and tailor-made for a smoother, smarter experience.