As we head into yet another weekend, Samsung is making sure Galaxy users have something exciting to look forward to. Just last weekend, we shared the initial list of Galaxy devices that had started receiving the stable One UI 8.5 update. That first wave was understandably heavy on the premium side, including the Galaxy S25 series, the latest Z Fold and Flip 7, and a few upper-tier A-series models. But now, the One UI 8.5 bandwagon just got significantly bigger, and there is plenty of good news for the rest of the Galaxy family.

I have to say, I’m genuinely impressed by the direction Samsung is taking with this phase of the rollout. Historically, tech giants can be frustratingly slow at trickling down new software to cheaper devices, but Samsung is aggressively proving its commitment to the budget segment. Seeing devices like the Galaxy A07 5G and the Galaxy A17 getting this major update so soon after the flagships is a massive win for everyday consumers.

But keep your expectations in check

Now, let’s keep it real for a second. If you are holding a Galaxy A17 or A07 5G, I want to manage your expectations. Not all the new One UI 8.5 features we saw in the top-tier Galaxy S26 and S25 are going to make it to these budget entries.

Hardware limitations dictate what makes the cut. While you will absolutely get the smooth visual overhaul, fluid animations, and core performance tweaks, some of the heavy-lifting advanced AI features and complex customization suites will likely remain exclusive to the flagships. If you are curious about how these software tiers compare and what the broader software roadmap looks like, I highly recommend checking out our breakdown on the One UI 8.5 vs One UI 9 difference.

And for those of you rocking older premium models and wondering when your turn is, don’t worry; we haven’t forgotten about you. You can read up on the latest regarding the Galaxy S22 One UI 8.5 update date to see where you stand.

It is also important to understand how these updates are currently rolling out. For some of the newly added devices, Samsung is kicking things off strictly in South Korea, its home turf. Usually, it is only after a successful rollout there that the firmwares expand to other markets, including here in Kenya.

However, this week’s rollout is a bit of a mixture. While some models are regionally locked for now, others are receiving the update globally as of this writing. If you own an imported unit, which is very common in the Kenyan market via unofficial retailers, your update timeline could be radically different from a friend who bought their exact same phone officially through Samsung Kenya.

The new One UI 8.5 additions

Here is the updated list of smartphones and tablets that have just joined the One UI 8.5 party:

Galaxy A26
Galaxy XCover 7 Pro
Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55
Galaxy Tab S10 series (Tab S10+, Tab S10 Ultra, and Tab S10 Lite)
Galaxy Tab S9 series (Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9+, Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, and Galaxy Tab S9 FE)
Galaxy Tab Active 5 and Active 5 Pro
Galaxy A17 4G
Galaxy M56
Galaxy Tab A11 and A11+
Galaxy A07 5G

How to check for the update

If you own any of the devices listed above, keep a close eye on your notification bar this weekend. You can also force a manual check by heading over to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Make sure you have a steady Wi-Fi connection and enough battery juice before hitting download, as these major OS updates tend to be quite heavy. Patience remains the name of the game, but it is great to see the update net cast this wide, this early.

Have you received the One UI 8.5 update on your Galaxy device yet? Let us know your experience in the comments below!