Samsung One UI 8.5: Check If Your Galaxy Phone Is on the Unsupported List
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| One UI 8.5 update |
Despite Samsung's continued expansion of the One UI 8.5 update since its official launch in May 2026, new reports indicate that several popular Galaxy phones and devices may not receive the anticipated update, even if they are already running Android 16.
According to a report published by Gizmochina, Samsung is currently focusing on devices released in 2023 and later, meaning that many devices launched in 2022 or earlier may be excluded from the list of devices eligible for One UI 8.5.
Devices that may not receive One UI 8.5
The initial list of devices excluded from the update includes several prominent phones and tablets, most notably:
- Samsung Galaxy S22
- Samsung Galaxy S22+
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- Samsung Galaxy A73
- Samsung Galaxy A53
- Samsung Galaxy A33
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
It is also expected that the exclusion will include a number of other Galaxy devices released during 2022.
Read also : Samsung Rolls Out One UI 8.5 Stable Update to Galaxy M55, A16 5G, and A17 5G
Why are users surprised?
Many Samsung users assumed that all devices that received One UI 8.0 would automatically receive One UI 8.5, especially since both versions are based on Android 16.
However, it seems Samsung is pursuing a different strategy this year. The One UI 8.5 update is not solely dependent on the Android version, but also on other factors related to device support and software age.
What happened to the Galaxy S22?
Interestingly, previous indications suggested that Samsung was already developing beta versions of One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S22.
Test versions were spotted on the company's servers in recent months, but development subsequently stalled, and no new versions have appeared since the beginning of April, according to reports.
The same is said to have happened with several other Galaxy devices released in 2022.
Read also : Honor X80 Launch Date and Key Specifications Revealed in New Leak
Samsung kept its promise
Technically, the decision isn't entirely surprising. The Galaxy S22, for example, launched with Android 12 and a promise of four generations of Android updates.
Therefore, Android 16 represents the last guaranteed major update for these devices, and Samsung isn't committed to providing further updates even if they remain within the same Android version.
What is the likely reason for exclusion?
Samsung hasn't officially revealed why One UI 8.5 isn't available for these devices, but there's a logical technical explanation. Unlike previous versions, One UI 8.5 isn't entirely based on the same software architecture as One UI 8.0.
The new version is based on Android 16 QPR2, a modified version of Android 16 that includes significant internal changes to the source code, development interfaces, and programming tools.
These changes mean that rolling out the update to older devices may require additional testing and optimization efforts to ensure stability and performance, which could be one of the main reasons behind Samsung's decision to limit the update to newer devices.
Read also : One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S24 series is now available globally
Disappointment for some users
Although the aforementioned devices have already received all the promised major system updates, their exclusion from One UI 8.5 may disappoint some users, especially since the update brings a host of new features and improvements that many were expecting.
Pending a more detailed official announcement from Samsung, the chances of One UI 8.5 reaching most Galaxy devices released in 2022 appear very slim.
