One UI 9 Could be the Last Major Update for Galaxy S23 Series

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Samsung is gearing up to update millions of Galaxy smartphones and tablets to One UI 9 (Android 17) before the end of this year. All Galaxy S23 models, including the S23 FE, are eligible for this update. Sadly, it could be the last major feature release for these devices. They may not receive One UI 9.5 unless Samsung or Google change their current software strategy.

The Galaxy S23 is about to complete Samsung’s software promise

Samsung launched the Galaxy S23 flagships in February 2023, and followed up with the S23 FE in October that year. All four models debuted with Android 13 onboard, with One UI 5.1 on top. More importantly, Samsung promised four generations of Android OS upgrades alongside five years of security updates for the devices (the company introduced its extended support policy with seven years of updates alongside the Galaxy S24 lineup).

Since their launch, the Galaxy S23 phones have received updates to Android 14 (One UI 6), Android 15 (One UI 7), and Android 16 (One UI 8), including point releases. Earlier this year, they picked up One UI 8.5 based on Android 16. The lineup will end its life on Android 17, with One UI 9 set to arrive later this year. While Samsung is likely to introduce One UI 9.5 next year, the Galaxy S23 series may miss out on it.

Now, some of you might argue that Samsung delivered all previous mid-cycle releases to the S23 lineup, so why not update them to One UI 9.5? The answer lies in the company’s new software strategy. Earlier, these point updates were based on the exact same Android build the original One UI release was based on. For example, Samsung built One UI 6 and One UI 6.1 on the same Android 14 base.

However, things changed this year with the launch of One UI 8.5. While One UI 8 was built on the original Android 16 release, Samsung switched to Android 16 QPR2 (Quarterly Platform Release 2) for One UI 8.5. For the uninitiated, QPRs are quarterly feature drops from Google. Alongside new features, they often bring updated platform components, new APIs, framework changes, and newer development tools.

In practice, it’s a much larger jump than previous mid-cycle releases. It’s almost like a major Android OS update. Samsung needs to work harder to optimize the software for Galaxy devices. This is precisely why the company didn’t bring One UI 8.5 to the Galaxy S22 lineup. Since the devices have already received their promised four major OS upgrades, Samsung isn’t obligated to deliver One UI 8.5 to them.

The same situation is likely to repeat next year

Looking ahead, One UI 9.5 is likely to follow the same formula. Rather than building it on the initial Android 17 release, Samsung may base it on Android 17 QPR2. Unless Google drops a smaller release with fewer platform-level changes, One UI 9.5 may not arrive on Galaxy S23 phones. Of course, there’s nothing technically preventing Samsung from delivering the update to its 2023 flagships. It remains to be seen what the company decides.

The good news is that One UI 9 is on the way with additional Galaxy AI capabilities, interface refinements, new productivity features, and Android 17 enhancements. The Galaxy S23 series should also inherit several features that debuted on newer Galaxy flagships. After that, the devices will transition into the security maintenance phase of their lifecycle, with support officially ending in early 2028.

Written by

Sumit Adhikari

Sumit is a lifelong Samsung enthusiast and technology journalist who has been covering the consumer technology industry since 2017. A mathematics graduate by education, he specializes in smartphones, software, and emerging technologies, with a keen interest in artificial intelligence and the future of connected experiences. Sumit believes AI will play a transformative role in building a more open, intelligent, and seamlessly connected world.

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