Samsung hasn’t even launched the Galaxy S26 series yet, but the company is already looking ahead. New leaks suggest development of One UI 9 is underway, specifically for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 expected later this year.
Tipster Tarun Vats spotted test firmware builds on X, revealing version numbers for both devices. The Fold 8 (model SM-F976U) is running F976USQU0AZB1, while the Flip 8 (SM-F776U) shows F776USQU0AZB1. This early testing isn’t unusual for Samsung, but it does confirm the company is pushing forward with its next foldable lineup.
What’s interesting is how little we actually know about these phones. The Fold 8 might finally get a serious camera upgrade, with rumors pointing to a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto with 3x zoom. That would be a notable jump from previous generations, where cameras have often felt like an afterthought.
The Flip 8, meanwhile, could stick with the same camera setup as the Flip 7, which feels like a missed opportunity. But there’s talk of weight reduction and possibly the first Samsung-made Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, though that last claim seems ambitious given typical chip manufacturing timelines.
Samsung’s software development cycle moves fast, and starting One UI 9 testing now suggests the company wants everything polished before the foldables drop in the second half of 2026. Whether that translates to meaningful improvements for users remains to be seen, but at least the groundwork is happening early.
