Samsung's latest software update, One UI 8.5, has officially arrived after an extended beta period. While new Galaxy devices are receiving the update, many popular smartphones from 2022, including the Galaxy S22 series, may miss out. This development has left users frustrated and questioning Samsung's update strategy, particularly given the absence of mid-cycle updates historically associated with the brand.
Will Your Galaxy Phone Get the One UI 8.5 Update?
Samsung has a history of providing mid-cycle point updates to devices that are nearing the end of their major OS upgrade cycle. For example, smartphones promised an Android 14 update would typically receive both One UI 6.0 and 6.1 updates as a bonus. However, reports suggest a shift with One UI 8.5, which is built on Android 16 QPR2. This latest version includes significant code modifications, which may hinder compatibility with existing devices that are only promised updates up to Android 16.
Enabling existing phones to accommodate One UI 8.5 could present optimization challenges for Samsung, making the tech giant hesitant to pursue this innovation for certain models.
Devices Potentially Excluded from One UI 8.5 Update
Despite previous indications that devices like the Galaxy S22 would receive the update, recent developments suggest otherwise. Update signs found on Samsung’s server have gone dark since April, possibly indicating a halt in development. Below is a list of popular Samsung devices anticipated to miss the One UI 8.5 update:
- Galaxy S22
- Galaxy S22 Plus
- Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 FE
- Galaxy A73
- Galaxy A53
- Galaxy A33
- Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Galaxy Tab S8
- Galaxy Tab S8 Plus
- Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
The brand appears to be following a strict rule: devices incompatible with Android 17 will not receive the One UI 8.5 update.
Samsung's Commitment to Update Promises
Despite these omissions, Samsung has not broken its promises. Devices like the Galaxy S22 and A73 were promised four years of major Android updates, and they have received their due. As mentioned earlier, mid-cycle updates were considered bonuses and not guarantees. The challenges of aligning new software with existing Android versions likely played a key role in this decision.
Moving forward, it’s plausible that newer models like the Galaxy S23 will be eligible for One UI 9, based on Android 17, but could miss out on the subsequent One UI 9.5 update.
What Users Stand to Lose
One UI 8.5 is packed with several exciting features that users may miss out on, such as a customizable quick panel, upgraded Bixby, improved lock screen customizations, a built-in time zone converter, and advanced wireless sharing capabilities. Among the most anticipated are features like wireless sharing with Apple devices and a new audio eraser function, which could enhance user experience across the board.
