Galaxy S26 Gets Seventh One UI 9 Beta with AI Features Ported from Galaxy Z Fold 8

Samsung Pushes Seventh One UI 9 Beta to Galaxy S26 Series

Samsung has released One UI 9 Beta 7 for the Galaxy S26 series, introducing AI features previously exclusive to the Galaxy Z Fold 82

2

. The Android 17-based update carries firmware version ending in ZZHK and includes the August 5, 2026 security patch1

1

. The One UI Beta update weighs 1,234MB and is currently available in South Korea, India, the UK, Poland, and Germany, with US availability expected soon1

1

.

AI-Powered Features Arrive on Galaxy S26 Ultra and Siblings

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series now gains three major AI features from the Galaxy Z Fold 8. My FanCam uses AI to track, center, and zoom in on a specific person within group shots or wider frames, giving users control over their focal subject2

2

. Call Brief surfaces contextually relevant information during phone conversations, including calendar events, emails, and reminders2

2

. Custom Now Brief cards deliver personalized updates and recommendations based on daily routines, interests, and custom text prompts2

2

. These AI-powered features represent a significant enhancement to the Galaxy S26 series capabilities.

Additional Improvements and Bug Fixes Address User Concerns

Beyond the headline AI features, this One UI 9 beta includes practical improvements. A new home screen search bar has been added, though users can remove it if preferred2

2

. Samsung Browser and Samsung Gallery have received AI upgrades, though specific details remain undisclosed2

2

. Critically, the update resolves a rebooting issue that affected some users and improves Do Not Disturb mode functionality2

2

.

Extended Samsung Beta Testing Process Raises Questions

The seventh beta release for the Galaxy S26 series marks an unusually prolonged testing cycle. Samsung typically spaces beta releases by several weeks, making this rapid succession noteworthy1

1

. The situation becomes more complex given that the Galaxy S26 FE launched yesterday with stable One UI 9, while flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra users remain on beta software1

1

. This has sparked speculation about whether Samsung is deliberately withholding the stable update to drive sales of newer devices, though the company's thorough approach could simply reflect a commitment to polish.

Limited Availability Points to Gradual Rollout Strategy

Currently, the One UI 9 beta remains limited to select devices. Beyond the recently released Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8, only the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 +, and Galaxy S26 Ultra have access2

2

. Users enrolled in the Galaxy S26 series One UI 9 beta program should receive notifications to download the update starting August 282

2

. Samsung plans eventual expansion to Galaxy S series devices back to the S23 and Galaxy Z series back to the Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 52

2

, suggesting a measured approach to wider distribution as the company continues refining the Android 17 experience.