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.

If you are a Samsung Galaxy user, you are probably excited about the latest features and improvements that come with every new One UI version. With One UI 8 on the horizon and possibly One UI 8.5 or beyond, you might be wondering if your Galaxy device will get these updates. Let’s break it down in simple terms to help you figure out if your Galaxy phone or tablet will stay in the loop for future One UI versions and dive into Samsung’s software update policy to clear things up.

What is the One UI update, and why should you care?

One UI is Samsung’s custom software that runs on its Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and other devices. It’s built on top of Google’s Android operating system but adds Samsung’s unique style, features, and optimizations. Each new version of One UI comes with exciting features like better performance, new customization options, improved security, and sometimes even a fresh look for your device’s interface. Getting the latest One UI version means your device stays up to date, secure, and fun to use.

Will your device get One UI 8 or later versions?

The Android 16-based One UI 8 is expected to launch in summer 2025 and will bring new features to compatible Galaxy devices. The minor One UI 8.5 version might follow later in early 2026. But whether your Galaxy device will get these updates depends on a few key factors, mainly tied to Samsung’s software update policy and your device’s age and model.

Here’s what you need to know about Samsung’s Software Update Policy:

Samsung has stepped up its game when it comes to software support, offering one of the best software update policies in the world. Here’s a quick look at how it works.

• Flagship and Premium Devices: Since 2024, Samsung has promised seven years of Android OS updates and security updates for its high-end devices. This includes the Galaxy S series (like the Galaxy S24 and newer), the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series, and some Galaxy Tab series.
• S-series models. For example, if you own a Galaxy S24 or S25 model, you are eligible for updates up to One UI8, One UI 9, One UI 10, or beyond, as these devices are guaranteed support until 2030 or 2031.
• Mid-Range and Budget Devices: For Galaxy A series, M series, and other mid-range or budget devices, Samsung typically offers four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates. For instance, a Galaxy A54 purchased in 2023 should receive updates until 2027, which could include One UI 8 and possibly One UI 8.5.
• Older Devices: If you are using a device launched before 2022, like the Galaxy S20 or Note 20, the update policy is less generous. These devices were promised three years of OS updates, so most of them stopped receiving major updates after One UI 5 (based on Android 13). If you’re still rocking one of these, you are unlikely to see One UI 8 unless Samsung makes an exception (which is rare).
• Security Updates: Even if your device stops getting new One UI versions, Samsung often provides security updates for an extra year or two. These keep your device safe from vulnerabilities but don’t include new features.

How to check if your device is eligible for One UI updates?

To figure out if your Galaxy device will get One UI 8 or later, consider these steps:

• Check your device’s model and launch year: Find out when your device was released. You can check this in your device’s settings under About Phone or About Tablet. Look for the model number and research its launch date online.
• Compare with Samsung’s Update Policy: If your device is a flagship from 2022 or later (e.g., Galaxy S22, Z Fold4), you are almost certainly getting One UI 8. Mid-range devices like the Galaxy A34 or A54 from 2023 are also likely candidates. Older models, like the Galaxy S21 or Fold3, are probably out of luck for major updates.
• Look for official announcements: Samsung usually shares a list of eligible devices when a new One UI version is announced. Keep an eye on Samsung’s official website or trusted tech news sites (Sammyfans.com) for updates, when One UI 8 is expected to roll out.
• Check your current software: Go to Settings > Software Update on your device. If you are still receiving regular updates in 2025, there’s a good chance your device is still supported for future One UI versions.

Samsung Galaxy devices likely to get One UI 8?

While Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed the One UI 8 eligibility list yet, we can make guesses based on its software update policy. Here’s a general idea:

• Galaxy S Series: Galaxy S22, S23, S24, S25, and S25 Edge should get One UI 8.
• Galaxy Z Series: Fold and Flip models from 2022 (Z Fold4, Z Flip4) and newer are likely eligible.
• Galaxy A Series: Recent models like the Galaxy A53, A54, A55, A34, and A35 should receive One UI 8.
• Galaxy Tab Series: Premium tablets like the Galaxy Tab S8, S9, and S10 series are expected to be supported.
• Other Devices: Some newer Galaxy M and F series devices might get One UI 8, depending on their launch date and update promises.

Note: If your device is older than four years or isn’t on the list of supported models, it might miss out on One UI 8 but could still get security patches for a while.

Why does Samsung limit updates?

You might wonder why some devices stop getting software updates. It’s not just about Samsung wanting you to buy a new phone (though that’s part of it). Older devices often have hardware limitations, like slower processors (well, not just Exynos but Snapdragon too) or less memory, that can’t handle the demands of newer software. Plus, maintaining updates for every device forever would be a massive task for Samsung, as a profit-making company. Their current policy—seven years for flagships and four to five years for mid-range devices—is already generous compared to many competitors.

What to do if your device won’t get One UI 8:

If your Galaxy device is too old to receive One UI 8, don’t worry—you have got options:

If it is still running smoothly, security updates will keep it safe for a while. You can upgrade to newer models anytime. For experienced users, custom ROMs can bring newer Android versions to older devices, but this comes with risks and voids warranties, so proceed with caution.

Samsung’s commitment to long-term software updates means many Galaxy users can look forward to One UI 8 and possibly One UI 8.5 or beyond. If you own a recent flagship or mid-range device, you are likely eligible for new features and improvements. For older devices, security updates will keep you protected, but you might miss out on the latest One UI goodies. To be sure, check your device’s model, launch year, and Samsung’s official announcements when One UI 8 arrives.

Have any questions about eligibility, you can ask me anything on my X handle (@SamsungSWUpdate).

One UI 7.0 comes with new features and UI upgrades for a smooth user experience, but its rollout has raised many questions while enlightening massive user interest in a fast and efficient OS update release, which is still lacking.

There are a few aspects that we came across during the One UI 7.0 saga. From announcement to stable OTA distribution, this update has created excitement for the new addition and disappointment due to the mysterious delay.

Let’s start with the beta testing in December. This was an unusual timeline to open a One UI beta program, at least compared to the past few years.

Users anticipated this update after the Android 15 release in early Q4 2024, but the wait stretched through December. Once started, the beta remained limited to the Galaxy S24 series for the next four months. This program should have ended in February, but with every beta, the wait for a stable release only expanded.

Through this time, we’ve received plenty of questions about the rollout and roadmap for older devices. The majority of which included harsh criticism of the update policy and lengthy upgrade promises, specifically for flagship phones. From what we’ve observed, these questions are valid on the face of anonymity.

From January to mid-March, eligible Galaxy phone users were unaware of a One UI 7.0 rollout roadmap. On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 completed its inaugural launch year in January 2025, while its users have been waiting for the first major OTA release. The delay also raised concerns about S24’s 7 generations of OS upgrades.

The level of awareness in the Samsung community is pretty commendable, which continues to grow. The phone maker could take these questions as feedback and provide its customers with a fast and efficient rollout for One UI 8.0, something that we missed with One UI 7.0.

Samsung has started pre-orders for the Galaxy S25 Edge in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). This new phone was officially launched last week and is now being made available in more countries than expected.

The Galaxy S25 Edge pre-order has already started in Asia, Europe, and North America. Samsung is now making it available for pre-order in the Middle East.

Retail stores in the UAE, such as MDS Mobile, are now accepting pre-orders and offering amazing deals. The best offer is a free upgrade in storage. If you pre-order the 256GB model, you will get the 512GB version for free.

Along with the storage upgrade, some stores are giving away a free Galaxy Fit 3 smartwatch and a 25W Samsung charger. Since Samsung doesn’t include a charger in the box anymore, this is a useful freebie for buyers.

The Galaxy S25 Edge is a very slim and light smartphone, just 5.8mm thick and 163 grams in weight. Even with its thin design, it is very powerful. It has the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor and 12GB of RAM, which makes it great for speed, gaming, and multitasking.

The phone runs on One UI 7 and includes all the latest Galaxy AI features seen in other S25 models. It features a powerful 200MP wide-angle camera with 2x optical quality zoom and a 12MP ultra-wide AF lens. It offers a 12MP front-facing camera for selfie lovers. It comes in stylish colors like Titanium Silver, Titanium IcyBlue, and Titanium JetBlack.

If you are interested and living in the UAE, you can order the slimmest Galaxy S25 Edge smartphone now. Notably, the phone will be officially released on May 30.

[Unboxing] Meet the sleek and powerful Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge