Despite having Android at its core, Samsung’s One UI doesn’t join Google’s Beta Program. This year, no surprise: Samsung has skipped Google’s Android 16 Beta list, which is joined by many rivaling brands like Xiaomi.

Google has recently released Android 16 Beta 4 for Pixel phones. It comes as the second Platform Stability release, which is almost as stable as the official release. Google also announced compatible apps can now be listed on the Play Store.

However, Samsung’s decision to skip Google’s Beta aligns with its history of focusing on One UI. This approach lets the company “personally” refine its software, though it means Galaxy users wait longer for Android 16 previews.

Android 16 Beta is now available on various devices from brands including Google, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, Sharp, Oppo, Realme, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor. The new OS is available on top of the previous version of their respective custom skins.

Source – Android Developers

Samsung will bring Android 16 to Galaxy devices as part of One UI 8. Other Android OEMs also have their custom skins based on Android, but they usually join Google’s Android Beta Program ahead of their own skin’s testing.

While Android 16 is getting ready for official release, Samsung has also shifted gears and has been internally testing the One UI 8. This new iteration will be unveiled with the next-gen foldables this year, and we’ve got plenty of leaks.

One UI 8 could be a minor upgrade in comparison to One UI 7. Key interface aspects will remain similar, but we would see design tweaks across system apps such as Samsung Gallery, My Files, and Quick Share. Here’s more on One UI 8:

• One UI 8 hands-on video shows what’s changing in Samsung’s Android 16 update

Samsung TV Plus is leading the FAST channel market, offering nearly 700 channels in the US. The number of available channels is more than any of the other major FAST platforms nationwide.

Notably, Samsung TV Plus offers over 100 exclusive channels to deliver a differentiated and expansive offering of premium entertainment across all key categories.

Streaming categories range from live sports, music, kids, Spanish language, K-Content, award-winning films, and popular TV shows, as well as comprehensive local news coverage in 114 DMAs.

The company has also revealed that the TV Plus platform’s engagement has surged by 30% in Q1 alone, which followed the 88 million monthly active users mark in 2024.

Samsung TV Plus has amplified its focus on on-demand and has added over 70% more shows and movies to its library, resulting in an impressive 177% year-over-year increase in hours viewed.

“With Samsung TV Plus, we’ve transformed what streaming can be by offering premium, personalized entertainment at a scale no other FAST service can match,” said Salek Brodsky, Senior Vice President and General Manager at  TV Plus. “This year, we’re deepening that commitment by delivering even more high-quality content, richer viewing experiences, and greater variety of programming to ensure audiences always have something exceptional to watch.”

Samsung UK is giving customers a great deal on the Galaxy Ring. The company is giving away two free gifts for buyers who purchase the Galaxy Ring before June 30.

Usually, the Samsung Galaxy Ring costs £399. You can also choose to pay £16.63 per month. If you trade in an old device, you can save up to £120, which means you could pay as little as £279 for the ring.

If you buy the ring before June 30 and use the code GIFT at checkout, you’ll get two free gifts. These two gifts are a luxury gift box and a Duo Super Fast Wireless Charger Pad worth £79. So you’ll be getting some really nice freebies with your purchase.

The Galaxy Ring is not just stylish but packed with amazing design and features. It comes in a sleek titanium design and is available in three colors – Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gold. It’s also water-resistant, meaning you can wear it while swimming.

Moreover, the ring tracks your sleep, offers cycle tracking, gives you wellness tips, and even provides energy scores to help you understand your body’s performance. Also, it has sensors for heart rate, motion, and temperature.

And don’t forget, you’ll also get a free sizing kit to help you find the perfect fit before you buy. So, if you want a smart and stylish fitness tracker with some great freebies, buy the Samsung Galaxy Ring now in the UK. Click here to visit the deal page.

Samsung Galaxy Ring could charge in a whole new way!

Google is set to release Android 16 Beta 4 in the next few hours. Pixel users will receive this update as the first big OTA after the OS reached Platform Stability. Meanwhile, Samsung has yet to resume the Android 15 rollout for Galaxy devices.

• Update – Samsung resumed One UI 7 rollout, Galaxy S24 gets new BYD9 update

With the third Beta, Android 16 hit the Platform Stability milestone. Now, the next Beta updates won’t bring major changes that affect apps and the ecosystem. That said, the operating system is now getting the finishing touches before public release.

Google aims to release Android 16 as soon as June this year. The rollout may begin shortly after the I/O 2025 event, bringing it a quarter ahead from the past years. Samsung is confirmed to be the first beneficiary of this release timeline shift.

Android 15 was officially released on October 15, 2024. It’s been around one and a half years, yet Samsung users are waiting for the upgrade. The rollout was commenced on April 7 but was put on hold due to some serious lock screen issues.

While users are awaiting Android 15, Samsung is already working on Android 16. The next One UI update won’t bring major changes but will focus on refining the user interface with subtle tweaks and functional improvements.

• Also check – One UI 8 hands-on video shows what’s changing in Samsung’s Android 16 update

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 will launch with Android 16-based One UI 8. The new foldables would be the first to come pre-installed with the new OS. Android OEMs like Xiaomi and Oppo/Vivo would also follow the pursuit.

Samsung officially launched the Galaxy M56 mid-range 5G phone in India. The device introduces a sleek design, revamped rear panel appearance, decent hardware, fast charging, and a handful of basic AI features.

The Galaxy M56 5G sports a 6.73-inch sAMOLED+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Thanks to the Vision Booster technology, the smartphone’s screen boosts brightness by 33%.

Samsung has made Galaxy M56 the sleekest smartphone in the segment. It measures just 7.2mm thick, compared to the 7.8mm thickness of its predecessor, which debuted last April.

Source – Samsung

In terms of optics, the Galaxy M56 features a 50-megapixel primary, an 8-megapixel ultrawide, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor, plus it has a 12-megapixel flagship-grade selfie snapper.

Under the hood, the phone packs an Exynos 1480 octa-core processor, pairing 8GB of RAM. The company is offering two storage options, including a 128 GB and a 256 GB.

Source – Samsung

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G should come with Android 15-based One UI 7 out of the box. The new OS has a revamped user interface, smooth animations, enhanced performance, and app functioning.

The smartphone packs a 5000mAh battery, supporting 45W fast charging. Samsung will provide up to six years of OS upgrades and security patch updates so you can enjoy the latest features.

Samsung Galaxy M56 5G will be available in Light Green and Black shades. The base variant starts at INR 24,999 (~ $290), with early buyers can avail up to INR 3000 instant discount.