Samsung's New Software Strategy: Galaxy Z Fold7 & Flip7 Get One UI 8 with Android 16 First

After receiving criticism for how it handled the One UI 7 rollout, Samsung appears to be turning the page with a bold new software update strategy. The launch of the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 with One UI 8 — based on the yet-to-be-released Android 16 — isn't just a redemption story. According to renowned tipster Ice Universe, it marks the beginning of a new direction for Samsung's software rollout priorities.

Going forward, Samsung plans to prioritize its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones when it comes to major software updates. These foldables will launch with the latest Android version right out of the box, while the Galaxy S series will instead receive incremental One UI updates.

However, that doesn’t mean the Galaxy S lineup is being left behind. Samsung may be using the foldables to test and refine new UI designs, AI-powered features, and other software enhancements first. Then, once optimized, these improvements will be rolled out in a more stable and polished form to the Galaxy S family — offering a more refined user experience.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 – Price & Variants:

256GB / 12GB RAM – $1,999.99

512GB / 12GB RAM – $2,119.99

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 – Price & Variants:

256GB / 12GB RAM – $1,099.99

512GB / 12GB RAM – $1,201.16

With this new update policy, Samsung’s foldables are not just cutting-edge in design but also now at the forefront of software innovation.