Samsung hasn’t started rolling out the One UI 7.0 for the Galaxy S24 series yet, but that hasn’t stopped anyone from trying it on the Galaxy S8. Yep, you read that right. The Galaxy S8. I had the same reaction when I came across a Reddit post from someone who managed to get One UI 7.0 — complete with cool Galaxy AI features — running.
Step aside, Galaxy S24, someone’s already running One UI 7.0 on an S8
Reddit user u/SaidBl1 posted a video showing the Galaxy S8 running One UI 7.0. Not a typo or clickbait; it’s really working. How? They flashed a custom ROM, of course.
Custom ROMs let you access the updates and features that the manufacturer hasn’t officially rolled out. Flashing a custom ROM is how many Android users give an aging device a second life, and that’s exactly what u/SaidBl1 did with the S8.
Even though the Galaxy S8 isn’t eligible for One UI 7.0, the modding community managed to install it by flashing a ROM that mimics the look and features of Samsung’s latest software. The video shows the interface running pretty smoothly, with Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search and Sketch to Image in action.
Of course, flashing a custom ROM isn’t without its risks. It can cause bugs and stability issues. But for those who know the risks and want to try something out, it’s a great way to get a taste of the future of Samsung software on an older device. Personally, I’d only recommend flashing a ROM on a phone that’s already on its last legs.
It’s impressive to see how well the Galaxy S8, which came out in 2017, holds up with a new skin. The hardware might be outclassed by newer flagships, but this experiment shows that older phones still have some life left in them when it comes to software. Most users should probably wait for the official One UI 7.0 release on eligible devices, but mad props to the modders for pushing the boundaries.
