Samsung’s 2026 Update Cycle: One UI 9 Expands While Older Flagships Face Support End

Key points

• The stable One UI 9 update for the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra is live in South Korea, with global rollout expected in the coming days.
• One UI 9 introduces 'My FanCam,' which uses AI to reframe videos to keep a specific person centered, and a 'Warranty and Care' menu for checking repair history and subscription status.
• The Galaxy S23 series will receive Android updates until February 2027, while the Galaxy S22 lineup lost support earlier in 2026.
• Samsung’s support policy offers up to seven years of updates for flagships, five to six years for mid-range devices, and up to four years for budget models.
• The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 lost Android updates in August 2026, whereas the Fold 5 and Flip 5 continue to receive them.

Background

Samsung’s extended support strategy is a relatively recent development in the smartphone industry. Previous coverage noted that Android devices do not notify users when security support ends, requiring manual checks in settings or external databases. The EU has mandated a minimum of five years of updates for new devices, aligning with Samsung’s current flagship support windows. Earlier this month, Samsung confirmed development of One UI 9.5, suggesting a continued cycle of incremental updates for supported devices.

How outlets are covering it

Engadget focuses on the longevity of Samsung’s support policies, detailing specific end-of-life dates for various device tiers, including the discontinuation of support for the Galaxy S22 and Z Fold 4. SamMobile highlights the technical specifics of the One UI 9 rollout, noting that the update is currently limited to South Korea for the S24 series and detailing firmware sizes. BGR emphasizes the new user-facing features in One UI 9, such as the 'My FanCam' AI tool and the 'Warranty and Care' dashboard, while noting that the update is reaching S25 and Z Fold 7 owners in the US. The outlets agree on the rollout timeline but differ in emphasis, with Engadget prioritizing support durations, SamMobile focusing on regional availability, and BGR highlighting new functionalities.

Why it matters

Understanding Samsung’s support timelines is crucial for consumers deciding when to upgrade, as losing security updates leaves devices vulnerable to threats and incompatible with new apps. The rollout of One UI 9 also signals Samsung’s push toward AI-integrated features, which may influence future purchasing decisions. For users of older devices, knowing the exact end-of-life date helps in planning for replacements or assessing the risks of continuing to use unsupported hardware.

What to watch

The stable One UI 9 update is expected to reach more countries for the Galaxy S24 series in the coming days. Samsung is also developing One UI 9.5, which may introduce further enhancements. Users should monitor their device settings for update availability, as the rollout is staggered by region and carrier. For those with devices nearing their end-of-life, such as the Galaxy S23 series, it may be time to consider upgrading to a newer model with a longer support window.