Samsung has finally made its popular apps, including Samsung Notes, Samsung Gallery, and Samsung Account, available for all Windows computers. Before, these apps only worked on Samsung laptops, like the Galaxy Book. This was frustrating for people who had a Samsung phone but used a different brand of computer. Now, Samsung has resolved this issue.

Samsung Notes is a useful app for writing down ideas, making to-do lists, and saving important information. Many people use it on their Samsung phones and tablets. But until now, they couldn’t use it on their Windows computers unless they owned a Samsung laptop. Now, that has changed with the new update.

To use Samsung Notes on your Windows 10 or 11 computer, just download it from the Microsoft Store. You will also need to install the Samsung Account app to sign in and sync your notes.

When you open the app, you might see a message saying it’s made for Galaxy Book laptops, but it still works fine on other PCs too. You just need to install it and use it.

In addition to Samsung Notes, other apps like Samsung Gallery and Samsung Account also now work on non-Samsung computers. However, the Samsung Find app is still only for Samsung laptops.

Now, many users are hoping Samsung will also make a web version of Samsung Notes. That would let people with iPhones, iPads, or Mac computers use it too.

Many users are excited about this update. Some even said they started using Samsung Notes again because it now works on their computer. It is expected that Samsung might soon bring Windows support for more stock apps.

Samsung fans, get ready—the excitement for One UI 8 is heating up, and the beta program might be just around the corner! If you are eager to test the latest software on your Galaxy device, here’s why the One UI 8 beta could start any day now.

Samsung’s dropping big hints

The biggest indicator that Samsung is preparing for the One UI 8 beta launch is the creation of dedicated beta program pages for the Galaxy S25 series on its community forums. These pages have appeared in major markets including:

• United States
• Germany
• United Kingdom

This development is significant because historically, when these subforums appear, it’s a clear signal that a beta program is about to launch. According to industry sources, the beta could kick off as early as next week.

Samsung’s track record shows it consistently sets up these pages right before opening registrations through its Members app. If you are in the US, Germany, or the UK with a Galaxy S25, S25+, or S25 Ultra, you might soon get the opportunity to sign up and test One UI 8 before its official release.

Why the rush?

Samsung appears to be moving rapidly because Google has confirmed Android 16 will arrive this summer—much earlier than the typical release schedule. Since One UI 8 is built on Android 16, Samsung wants to stay ahead and avoid the delays they experienced with One UI 7.

Last year’s One UI 7 rollout faced significant delays:

• Started late in December 2024.
• Didn’t reach older devices until April 2025.

This time, Samsung appears focused on streamlining the process, and an early beta program could help them identify and resolve issues before the official launch.

Which Galaxy devices will test first?

Primary Beta Candidates

All signs point to the Galaxy S25 series leading the beta program:

• Galaxy S25
• Galaxy S25+
• Galaxy S25 Ultra
• Galaxy S25 Edge

Secondary Wave Devices

Foldable devices may join later in the beta cycle:

• Galaxy Z Fold6
• Galaxy Z Flip6

Current Testing Status

Samsung has already been spotted testing One UI 8 beta firmware on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, indicating deep preparation phases. This early internal testing suggests the public beta could launch by late May, though some hints point to a possible start in Early June in select regions like South Korea, with the US, Germany, and UK following shortly after.

While Samsung hasn’t revealed comprehensive details, leaks suggest One UI 8 will refine the experience from One UI 7 rather than completely overhaul it.

How to Join the Beta

Prerequisites

• Own a Galaxy S25 series device.
• Located in a beta-eligible country.
• Have the Samsung Members app installed.

Registration Process

1. Monitor the Samsung Members app for beta announcements.
2. Register through the app when sign-ups open.
3. Download the beta firmware.
4. Start testing the new features.

Important Considerations

Beta software can contain bugs and instability issues. Be prepared for potential glitches and ensure you have backup solutions before participating.

Importance of the One UI 8 beta program:

Samsung’s accelerated push to launch the One UI 8 beta demonstrates the company is responding to user feedback about the slow One UI 7 rollout. By establishing forum pages in key markets and conducting early firmware testing, Samsung is signaling its commitment to delivering a superior update experience.

Strategic Advantages:

• Faster deployment aligned with Android 16’s early release
• Improved user satisfaction through better testing phases
• Competitive positioning against other Android manufacturers

With Android 16 arriving ahead of schedule, Samsung has an opportunity to prove it can keep pace with Google and deliver exceptional software to Galaxy users.

Is the One UI 8 beta coming soon? Absolutely.

With forum pages live in the US, Germany, and the UK, plus beta firmware already in testing, Galaxy S25 owners could be exploring Android 16 within weeks. Keep checking Samsung’s official channels and prepare to dive into the future of Galaxy software.

Stay ready—the One UI 8 beta adventure is about to begin! Have any questions? Connect me on X handle @SamsungSWUpdate.

Get ready, Samsung Galaxy fans! Android 16 is set to arrive as early as June 2025, bringing exciting changes to your smartphones and tablets. Google has confirmed that this new operating system will roll out to Samsung devices this summer, with some devices possibly getting it sooner than expected.

The big question: Will your Galaxy phone or tablet be eligible for this major update? Let’s explore which Galaxy devices will support Android 16.

Which Samsung devices will get Android 16?

Samsung maintains a clear software update policy that makes determining device eligibility straightforward. Here’s the breakdown:

Flagship Phones (Guaranteed Support)

• Galaxy S Series: S22, S23, S24, and S25 series
• Galaxy Z Foldables: Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6, and upcoming Z Fold7
• Galaxy Z Flip Series: Z Flip4, Z Flip5, Z Flip6, and upcoming Z Flip7

All flagship phones launched in 2022 or later are guaranteed to receive the Android 16-based One UI 8 update. The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, expected to launch in July 2025, will likely come with Android 16 pre-installed.

Mid-Range Devices (Select Models)

Some mid-range devices will also receive the update, including:

• Galaxy A55
• Galaxy A35
• Galaxy A16 5G (with six years of updates guaranteed)

Samsung’s promise of four years of OS upgrades for select models extends Android 16 compatibility to these devices.

Devices that won’t get Android 16

Unfortunately, older flagships like the Galaxy S21 series won’t receive Android 16. Launched in 2021, these devices have already received the final major update with Android 15 (One UI 7).

What to expect from One UI 8

Samsung’s Android 16-based One UI 8 promises to be both smooth and exciting. Here’s some important information:

Key Improvements

• Slicker animations and smoother performance
• Subtle design refinements
• Enhanced user experience optimizations

New Features

• Android 16 Live Updates: Real-time notifications on your lock screen
• Samsung Now Bar Integration: Seamless experience with live updates
• Improved system responsiveness

Beta Program Timeline

Samsung is already testing One UI 8 internally. A beta program for devices like the Galaxy S25 series could start as early as late May or early June 2025. This update aims to avoid the delays experienced with One UI 7, ensuring a quicker and smoother rollout.

How to check your device’s eligibility

1. Navigate to Settings > Software Update on your Galaxy device
2. Check if your device is still receiving regular software updates in 2025
3. Review your device’s launch year and model

Update guarantee by Series

• 7 Years of Updates: Galaxy S24 series and newer foldables (2024+)
• 4-5 Years of Updates: Galaxy S22, S23 series, and their FE models
• 6 Years of Updates: Galaxy A16 5G

Stay informed:

You should regularly check Samsung’s official website or trusted sources like Sammy Fans for the final list of eligible devices when One UI 8 is officially announced.

Timeline and rollout expectations:

• Android 16 Release: June 2025 (Google)
• One UI 8 Beta: Late May to early June 2025
• Samsung Rollout: Shortly after Google’s release, starting with the flagship devices
• Priority rollout sequence:
  • Galaxy S25 series and new foldables
  • Recent flagship devices (S24, S23, S22 series)
  • Eligible mid-range devices

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

If you own a Galaxy S25, S24, S23, S22, or any Z Fold/Z Flip models from 2022 onward, Android 16 is headed your way. The update should begin rolling out to Samsung devices shortly after Google’s June release, with flagship models leading the deployment.

For users with older devices like the S21 or Z Fold 3, you’ll continue receiving security updates, but Android 16 may be beyond reach. Stay tuned for Samsung’s One UI 8 beta program to preview the upcoming features and ensure your device is ready for the next evolution in Galaxy software.

Intentionally or unintentionally, Samsung could have teased a massive camera upgrade for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, powered by Virtual Aperture. Recently, the company published a press release of an interview with its camera developers.

At first glance, the interview has nothing to do with Samsung’s next flagship smartphone. However, if you go into the details deeper, you can also sense what Samsung is cooking for the future of the Galaxy lineup.

Galaxy S26 Ultra could debut Virtual Aperture for Portrait Mode camera

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature Virtual Aperture in Portrait Mode. This upgrade could potentially offer a DSLR-like photography experience, in line with Samsung’s approach to offering stunning camera experiences.

Pyojae Kim, one of the Samsung developers from the MX Visual Solution Team, stated that “We plan to analyze the market’s response to Virtual Aperture and incorporate it into Portrait mode. By continuing to expand the features, we’ll ensure that the photo quality of the best DSLR cameras out there can be fully experienced on mobile devices.”

While there’s no specific mention of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the camera upgrades refer to a future Galaxy model. Since the S25 Ultra debuted Virtual Aperture in camera, expansion to Portrait Mode is highly likely in its successor.

Is it possible to get DSLR-quality results with a smartphone camera?

Galaxy S25 Ultra supports the Virtual Aperture feature in the Expert RAW app. It’s capable of creating depths of field and aperture effects similar to those of a DSLR camera, delivering high-quality results.

Image – Samsung

Samsung heavily invests in software-derived advancements along with hardware upgrades in its mobile devices. As a result, Galaxy S phones are the best at debuting intelligent and smart photography and videography features.

The developers are ambitious to ensure DSLR-level photo quality with the Galaxy camera by continuing to expand the features. The expansion of Virtual Aperture to Portrait Mode would surely result in outputs more like DSLR.

Samsung’s latest flagship has hit the market, the Galaxy S25 Edge, and it’s turning heads with its ultra-slim design and premium features. The device was unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event in January 2025 and officially launched on May 13. The S25 Edge is the thinnest Galaxy S Series phone yet, measuring just 5.8mm and weighing a featherlight 163 grams. But with a 3,900mAh battery and no telephoto lens, it’s not without trade-offs. So, have you ordered yours yet, or are you still on the fence?

The S25 Edge has a 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Its 200MP main camera promises stunning shots, even in low light, though some folks are bummed about the missing zoom lens. Samsung’s leaned hard into AI, with features like Audio Eraser and Photo Assist making video and photo editing a breeze. Plus, it has a titanium frame with Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 for durability. At $1,100 for the 256GB model, it’s pricier than the S25+ but cheaper than the Ultra, with pre-order benefits like a free storage upgrade to 512GB until May 30.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge?
Have you ordered it? #TeamGalaxy #Samsung

— Robin – Ask about Samsung & One UI 8 #OneUI8 (@SamsungSWUpdate) May 20, 2025

So, what’s your take? Have you already ordered a Galaxy S25 Edge, or are you holding out? Jump into my X poll to share your order status—did you pre-order, or are you skipping this one? Hit me up on X at @SamsungSWUpdate.