Galaxy S23 Series Update Suspended: One UI 8.5 Already in Testing
Galaxy S23 update halted. Samsung begins early testing of One UI 8.5. Learn what this means for S23 users and the upcoming Galaxy S26 series.
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Samsung seems to hastily transition to the next phase of software updates for its 2023 flagship smartphones. The company didn't specify any reason but just days after the One UI 8.0 was offered to the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra, the update was unexpectedly stopped. The company is still waiting for the update in some areas to be available again, but the initial signs are that One UI 8.5 is already in the works.
According to industry insiders such as the tipster TarunVats, it is reported that Samsung is working on the Galaxy S23 Ultra with the firmware version S918BXXU9FYJ3. The build is still in its nascent phase and has not been deployed to Samsung's public testing servers. The trend set by the emergence of new firmware in Samsung's server is that the company is working on an upcoming update, even if it is months away from being released to a wide audience.
The public release of One UI 8.5 for the current Galaxy S23 series will be timed with the launch of the Galaxy S26 lineup in the next year. Samsung usually gives the newest software to its latest devices first, after that, the update is rolled out to older models. Recent rumors regarding delays in the S26 release suggest that the rollout of One UI 8.5 for existing phones could be postponed even more.
Samsung has also been actively increasing One UI 8 for a variety of devices. Recent additions include the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Fold 4 as well as the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, which is now on One UI 8 based on Android 16. However, the S23 series is in limbo due to the suspension of the 8.0 release.
Customers wanting to follow One UI 8.5 can keep an eye on device compatibility and test previews which may also show up on the forthcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra.
