• There’s evidence that the One UI 8 beta is expanding
• Support could go back to the Galaxy S22 phones
• A full software launch is expected in July

Samsung‘s One UI 7 (based on Android 15) has only been widely available for a couple of months, but the beta test program for One UI 8 (based on Android 16) is already up and running – and could soon expand to more Galaxy phones too.

Right now, you need a Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, or Galaxy S25 Ultra to enrol in the One UI 8 beta, but users have spotted preparations being made to allow the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S22 access as well.

Samsung hasn’t said anything officially about this yet, but it’s a strong hint that the One UI 8 beta won’t be exclusive to the Galaxy S25 handsets for too much longer. Presumably, the Samsung Galaxy S24 handsets are going to be included in the expansion too.

The One UI 8 beta opened up last week, and you can sign up through the Members app on your Samsung phone. It might be an idea to keep checking the front page of that app if your phone has been tipped to join the beta program soon.

Location locked

There is a caveat here, which is that the One UI 8 beta program is currently only available to users in the US, the UK, Germany, and South Korea (where Samsung is based). It’s not clear if the program will expand beyond those countries.

There might also be problems with capacity, too: as SamMobile reports, the beta program in the US filled up over the weekend, so new users couldn’t enrol. However, at the time of writing, new users are now being accepted again.

Samsung has confirmed that One UI 8 is going to be preinstalled on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Given that those foldables are expected to be unveiled sometime in July, it looks as though this will be quite a short-lived beta.

There’s plenty to look forward to in One UI 8. The software update is going to bring with it better multitasking support, improvements to phone security, enhanced file sharing features, tweaks to Samsung Internet and Samsung Reminders, and plenty more.

You might also like

• Samsung reveals One UI 8 rollout timeline
• These are the best Samsung phones right now
• Samsung TVs will get new One UI software

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.