While many Samsung smartphones are still in the process of receiving Android 15, the company is already setting its sights on the future. Samsung has officially announced plans to roll out Android 16, along with its custom One UI 8 interface, starting this summer.
The news was revealed during the latest Android Show, where a Samsung executive shared the company’s upcoming plans. According to Android Authority, the announcement was made in a YouTube video featuring Minseok Kang, Head of Mobile Development at Samsung. Kang stated that “this summer, the brand-new Android 16 will arrive on Samsung devices” — a simple phrase that carries significant weight considering Samsung’s recent update delays.
Faster Updates After Previous Setbacks
Android 15 and its corresponding Samsung skin, One UI 7, have experienced a sluggish rollout. Despite the OS’s official release last October, the Galaxy S24 series only began receiving the update a month ago. Some other newer models are still waiting. These delays were reportedly due to technical challenges and repeated setbacks.
Given this background, Kang’s statement suggests a more streamlined update process for Android 16. Although Samsung hasn’t provided an exact date, the promise of a summer rollout implies a much shorter gap between Google’s release of Android 16 and the deployment of Samsung’s version — potentially just three months.
No Confirmed Device List Yet
So far, Samsung has not specified which devices will be eligible for the Android 16 update. However, it’s expected that flagship models like the Galaxy S series and select devices from the Galaxy A lineup will be among the first to receive it in the months following the launch.
While users eagerly await more details, this early communication signals a shift in how Samsung handles major updates, potentially aiming for faster adoption and fewer delays.
Beta Program Could Begin in June
This announcement also supports rumors that have been circulating in recent weeks. Reports on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), suggest that a beta version of Android 16 might become available as early as June. This aligns with sightings of early test builds on Samsung servers back in March, indicating that the company has already been preparing for the next rollout behind the scenes.
For users, this is an encouraging sign that Samsung is working to improve its update timeline — a frequent point of criticism in the past. With both Android 16 and One UI 8 on the horizon, Galaxy users can look forward to a more timely and refined mobile experience later this year.
