Samsung one ui 9 beta is a disappointingly small update

At a glance:

• The One UI 9 beta, based on Android 17, brings only modest UI refinements rather than the major overhaul many hoped for.
• Changes include a redesigned media player, resizable quick settings media player (2x2 square without Good Lock), updated buttons/sliders, and contact-aware phone call info.
• Author advises against joining the beta: risks of bugs, broken Google Wallet, and broken Good Lock modules outweigh the minimal new features.

First impressions: a modest update

The start of a new beta program usually sparks excitement, whether it’s a fresh Android version from Google or a new One UI release. That was the expectation for One UI 9, which is built on Android 17. After spending time with the beta on my Galaxy S26 Ultra, however, I can say this is a much smaller update than we’re used to — and there’s no compelling reason to rush into the beta program.

Samsung has traditionally packed One UI updates with substantial visual and functional changes. One UI 9 breaks that pattern. The adjustments are subtle, and many users may not notice them without actively looking. If you are expecting a transformative experience, you will likely be disappointed.

What's new in One UI 9 beta

The media player has been completely redesigned. The track title now sits centered, and the playback buttons and scrub bar are larger and easier to tap. One change I am less fond of is the removal of the artist name, but overall the new interface feels cleaner and more usable.

In the quick settings panel, the media player received additional tweaks. In One UI 8.5, the player had to fill an entire row — a limitation that a Good Lock module could bypass. In One UI 9, you can resize the media player to a 2x2 square without needing Good Lock. I love Good Lock, but I am always happy to see its features baked directly into One UI, since most users do not know about Good Lock and prefer out-of-the-box functionality.

The buttons and sliders in the quick settings have also been updated. Icons no longer sit in a circle within a circle; the color indicating an active tile now fills the entire button. The border around the volume and brightness sliders is gone, and the sound profile and dark mode buttons are no longer integrated into the sliders — they can be moved or removed entirely.

The call experience and other tweaks

Phone calls now show recent messages or important dates for the contact you are speaking with. This appears to be an expansion of the Now Nudge feature, which surfaces similar information in messaging apps. In my testing, this proved more useful than Google’s Magic Cue, which often misinterprets context (e.g., linking a McDonald’s email receipt to a car service booking).

Other minor UI changes include the ability to hide multitasking handles in split-screen mode, a separation of the digital wellbeing and parental controls menus (previously combined), and a new settings menu that collects all sideloaded apps into one list. That last addition is handy for those who frequently use APK Mirror.

Should you join the beta?

As far as major One UI updates go, One UI 9 is light. If you are considering joining the beta, I would say wait. There is nothing here worth the risk of bugs or data loss. While the beta appears stable during daily use, Google Wallet often fails during Samsung’s betas, forcing you to sacrifice core functionality just to test minor changes. Several Good Lock modules are also broken.

If you do decide to try One UI 9, you will need a Galaxy S26. Other models should gain access to the beta soon, but there is no timeline yet.

What's next for One UI 9

One UI 9 will likely include more exciting features when the stable update rolls out. Samsung typically debuts new OS versions with its mid-year foldable phones and saves major announcements for those launches. Until then, One UI 9 remains a small update that is difficult to get excited about.

How do you feel about the changes Samsung has made to One UI 9 so far? Are you a fan of the tweaked quick settings, or do you prefer One UI 8.5? Let us know below.