A hidden Android 16 change is reportedly keeping One UI 8.5 update away from plenty of popular Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S22 series. The company’s roadmap excluded many expected devices, and a new theory is now being spread online, revealing the possible reason behind the ineligibility.

One UI 8.0 is built on Android 16 QPR1, while One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16 QPR2. Google runs the QPR Beta Program to develop and test the quarterly Feature Drop updates for Pixel devices, and that’s where the exclusion happened.

One UI 8.5 may be out of reach for many

The jump from Android 16 QPR1 to Android 16 QPR2 sounds little, but the difference is relatively major. The shift from QPR1 to QPR2 was significant, which could have led Samsung to exclude many popular, deserving models.

Our friends over at GalaxyClub report that One UI 8.5 backed by Android 16 QPR2 version is the reason Galaxy S22 series, S21 FE, Fold 4 and Flip 4, Tab S8 series, and A53 and A33, do not stand eligible for the upgrade.

Samsung is continuously expanding the update to various models. The company’s cheapest Galaxy A06, M06, and F06 are also getting One UI 8.5. Meanwhile, flagship phones and select midrangers are no longer eligible for it.

Flagships released in 2022 still have better hardware specs than today’s mid-range and affordable phones. However, the end-of-life has turned out to be the biggest letdown, stopping a free upgrade for the deserving devices.

Samsung has reportedly tried to optimize One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S22 series in April 2026. The internal development has hit a roadblock due to the determination of the policy, reiterated in the official roadmap earlier.

One UI 8.5 is rolling out to devices that are eligible for One UI 9. The rollout has already started for dozens of Galaxy models, and is still expanding. It should be wrapped up shortly as One UI 9 testing is speeding up the pace.

Samsung is actively rolling out the Android 16-based One UI 8.5 update to Galaxy M17, M16, A06/M06/F06, A16, F54 and M35. The update brings new features and improvements to provide a better Galaxy experience.

One UI 8.5 update for these devices arrives with One UI build versions given below.

• Galaxy M16 5G  – M166PXXU5DZE2 (Korea)
• Galaxy A16 4G – A165NKSU7DZE7 (Korea)
• Galaxy A06 6G – A066BXXU6CZE6 (India)
• Galaxy M06 5G – M066BXXU6CZE6
• Galaxy F06 5G – E066BXXU6CZE6
• Galaxy M35 5G  – M356BXXU8DZE3 (India)
• Galaxy F54 – E546BXXUCFZE5

Update: June 2

Samsung has also pushed the One UI 8.5 update for Galaxy M17 5G smartphone. The update is currently live in India and could expand soon. Users can verify the update via version M176BXXU5CZE9.

The update is being released in phases, so it may take some time before it reaches all users. Currently, in limited countries, users can download the update. The installation package size of this update is around 300MB.

One UI 8.5 is Samsung’s software interface that runs on top of Android 16. It is designed to make the phone easy to use with a simple layout, smooth animations, and better control settings. This focuses on improving speed, stability, and user comfort without changing the overall design too much.

Users can install the update by going to Settings >> Software update >> Download and install. It is recommended to use a Wi-Fi connection and keep the battery charged before starting the installation. The phone will restart during the update process.

Samsung has laid the internal foundation of Android 17-based One UI 9 update for the Galaxy S25 series. The company has reportedly started testing the next major OS on last year’s Galaxy S smartphone lineup.

Galaxy S25 series was the first to join the One UI 8 Beta Program, based on Android 16. However, Samsung prioritized the Galaxy S26 series for Android 17-based One UI 9 testing, and it wasn’t a downgrade for the S25 series.

Samsung may bring One UI 9 early

A report suggests that the Galaxy S25 series has entered Samsung’s internal Android 17-based One UI 9 testing, via TarunVats. The tipster hasn’t shared the internal build version as the firmware wasn’t decrypted for now.

Samsung has reportedly sped up the internal development mechanism. The Galaxy S25 series is joining the preparation window earlier than last year. The S24 was about two weeks late for the same thing just happened to the S25.

Last month, Samsung started the One UI 9 Beta Program for the Galaxy S26 series. With internal testing beginning for the Galaxy S25 series, the Beta Program would be expanded to older flagship models around the July Unpacked.

One UI 9 comes with minor interface refinements across the OS. It elevates the Quick Panel experience with a massive redesign. Sliders, cards, toggles, and icons have been refined to offer a more seamless user experience.

In its press release, Samsung focused on security, privacy, and accessibility upgrades. Meanwhile, the Beta Program is bringing us even more expansive insights. Stay tuned with the SammyFans for the latest One UI coverage.

• One UI 9.0: Five new changes in Quick Panel settings
• Samsung One UI 9 Finder has a small change with big impact

Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G has started receiving One UI 8.5 in the US. This update brings seven big unexplored features to the users. The firmware carries the April 2026 patch, which is a bit frustrating in June 2026.

The carrier-locked Galaxy A16 is getting the One UI 8.5 update via PDA build version A166USQU7DZEA. Users of Verizon have confirmed the availability, and remaining carriers will kick off the rollout soon.

One UI 8.5 comes with Ambient Design for Samsung smartphones. This software is also built on Android 16, just like One UI 8.0, and carries Bixby enhancements and improvements to user experience, performance and privacy.

One UI 8.5 brings 7 big features

Audio Broadcast

Broadcast the media you’re listening to or broadcast your voice using your phone’s microphone so people nearby can listen. You can also listen to broadcasts from others with a Bluetooth device that supports Auracast.

Bixby

Bixby is a conversational device agent, providing Galaxy users with intuitive device control, reducing the time and effort required to manage settings. It also features real-time web search for finding information.

Circle to Search

New multi-object image search helps you find more items from one picture at the same time in Circle to Search. Whether you’re curating a mood board, building an entire outfit or satisfying your curiosity, Circle to Search became a whole lot more helpful.

Direct Voicemail

Let callers record a message when you can’t answer and see what they say in real-time on the screen. You can start Direct voicemail manually when you receive a call or set calls to automatically go to voicemail after a certain amount of time.

• How to use: Phone > More (…) > Settings > Direct voicemail

My Files

In-App Viewer: Now you can view PDF and TXT documents directly within the My Files app.

Power Saving

Added Maximum Power Saving option to get the most out of your battery.

• Settings > Battery > Power Saving ON > Maximum

Private Album in Gallery

Gallery’s new Private album lets you secure your sensitive photos and videos so they don’t appear in Gallery or other apps.

On May 6, 2026, Samsung announced the rollout of the One UI 8.5 stable update for Galaxy devices. The software remained in Beta testing phase for over five months. Well, the second wave of rollout was crazy enough, spreading blazingly fast.

The day Samsung began One UI 8.5 stable rollout, plenty of Galaxy devices received the update. The availability in Wave 1 was limited to South Korea. However, the Wave 2 rollout covered millions of Galaxy devices on May 11, 2026.

As part of One UI 8.5, Samsung is bringing select AI features from the Galaxy S26 series across the Galaxy ecosystem. The update focuses on enhancing communication and creative experiences on Galaxy mobile phones and tablets.

These devices have received the Stable update first – Wave 1

• Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra
• Galaxy S25 Edge
• Galaxy S25 FE
• Galaxy Z TriFold
• Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7
• Galaxy Z Flip7 FE

Major expansion on May 11

Samsung devices that have received the update on May 6 in South Korea have received the OTA in the Global markets. The second phase of rollout has also begun in South Korea, before hitting the worldwide market.

The first wave targets flagship models released in 2025, including the Galaxy S25 series, Z7 series foldables, and the TriFold phone. The second wave aimed at the Galaxy S24 series and the Z6 series foldables in South Korea.

In its Global press release, Samsung confirmed that the update is gradually starting to arrive on the Galaxy S25 series, S25 FE, S24 series, S24 FE, Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, Galaxy Tab S11 series, and Tab S10 series.

These devices have received the Stable update – Wave 2

• Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra
• Galaxy S24 FE
• Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6
• Galaxy Z Fold SE

Wave 3 of One UI 8.5 update expansion

• Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra
• Galaxy S23 FE
• Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5
• Galaxy A56 and A36
• Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra

5th wave of One UI 8.5 expansion

Galaxy A Series

• Galaxy A17 and A07
• Galaxy A56, A36, A26, A16, and A06
• Galaxy A55, A35, and A25
• Galaxy A54 and A34

Galaxy M Series

• Galaxy M17 and M17e
• Galaxy M56, M36, M16, and M06
• Galaxy M55, M55s, and M35
• Galaxy M54

Galaxy F Series

• Galaxy F17 and F70e
• Galaxy F56, F16, and F06
• Galaxy F55
• Galaxy F54

Galaxy Tab S/A/XCover/Active Series

• Galaxy Tab S9 series
• Galaxy Tab S9 FE series
• Galaxy Tab S10 series
• Galaxy Tab S10 Lite
• Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
• Galaxy XCover 5 Pro and XCover 7 Pro
• Galaxy Tab A11 and A11+
• Galaxy Tab A9+
• Galaxy Tab Active 5 and P5o

Updated on June 4, 2026.