Samsung has announced the launch timeline for its One UI 9 beta programme, with testing for the Galaxy S26 lineup set to begin on May 26.
The company said the initial beta rollout will cover the Samsung Galaxy S26, Samsung Galaxy S26+ and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
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Samsung first revealed details of the One UI 9 beta programme on May 12, confirming that the software preview would be introduced in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, India and Poland. However, the first wave of access will initially be limited to users in the US, UK, Germany and South Korea.
BREAKING: First Galaxy S26 One UI 9 beta update is now available for download in select markets! Read more about it in our article linked in the thread below. ⏬ pic.twitter.com/Vkn8J9076I
— SamMobile – Samsung news! (@SamMobiles) May 13, 2026
Galaxy S26 users in India and Poland will gain access later in the rollout, with Samsung indicating they will be able to join the beta programme by the end of May.
The company’s phased rollout strategy is consistent with its previous software testing approach, where beta versions are first introduced in selected markets before expanding gradually.
Samsung has followed this method since launching its first public beta programme in 2018, often prioritising a limited number of countries and flagship devices to gather user feedback and address system issues.
Industry observers note that Samsung’s beta strategy differs from competitors such as Apple and Google, which typically offer wider initial access across more markets.
By restricting early testing to select users, Samsung aims to improve software stability before broader deployment.
The company recently released the stable version of One UI 8.5, and the upcoming One UI 9 beta is expected to introduce refinements and new features for its latest flagship smartphones.
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Although details about specific software upgrades have not yet been fully disclosed, users are expected to gain early access to interface changes, performance enhancements and ecosystem improvements.
Samsung’s latest announcement signals the next phase in software development for its flagship mobile devices ahead of a wider public rollout later this year.