A beta firmware for the Galaxy S24 series featuring One UI 8.5 has been spotted on Samsung’s server. Firmware detective Tarun Vats spotted the first One UI 8.5 Beta builds for five Galaxy devices. If you own a Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, or S24 Ultra, the Beta Program could open within days.
Beta Builds Have Already Been Found on Samsung’s Servers
The first Beta build for the Galaxy S24 Ultra is S928NKSU5ZZCB. Samsung also has firmware builds F956BXXU3ZZCB and F741BXXU3ZZCB in the pipeline for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, respectively.
The first One UI 8.5 beta build has been spotted on Samsung’s server for the Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold 6, and Flip 6 for several countries. This points to the company getting ready to open the beta program for its 2024 flagship devices soon.
When it goes live, expect the beta build to be available for India, South Korea, and select European countries.
Why Samsung Is Using a Beta Instead of a Direct Stable Release
This is the part that surprised most people. The Galaxy S24 series was expected to skip Beta and go directly to the stable build.
You might wonder why Samsung is still running betas if the stable build is already on the S26. Samsung appears to be cautious. The company faced criticism for problems in past rollouts, and One UI 8.5 brings enough visual changes to need extra testing. Instead of risking bugs on millions of devices, they are letting enthusiasts find any issues first.
That criticism is well deserved. Samsung confirmed the One UI 7 update had been suspended for the Galaxy S24, Z Fold 6, and Flip 6. The company said a new release schedule would be published soon. Samsung does not want a repeat of that fiasco.
Fan Edition Phones Could Join the Beta for the First Time
Here is the part that nobody expected.
Vats also found builds for the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S24 FE. Historically, Samsung’s Fan Edition phones skip the beta process entirely. They wait, they watch, and eventually they receive the stable update alongside everyone else. If these builds go public, it would mark the first time FE owners get early access alongside the flagship models.
What One UI 8.5 Brings to the Galaxy S24
One UI 8.5 introduces striking design changes and improvements. The software applies elegant gradient colors and translucent aesthetics. Performance and usability have also noticed a spike, thanks to OS level optimization.
Being based on the latest build of Android 16, it brings customizable quick settings that allow users to resize and rearrange tiles, along with new AI features like an updated Photo Assist.
The new Power Saving feature offers Standard and Maximum modes. Standard mode provides moderate battery savings while allowing essential apps and activities to run without restriction.
When to Expect the Beta and Stable Rollout
The rollout could take place next Wednesday and that is when the Beta Program expansion may take place for the S24 series, Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. If you prefer to avoid beta bugs, the stable rollout should arrive next month, as long as no major issues appear in these test builds.
If you have an S24, S24 FE, or S25 FE, open the Samsung Members app and look for beta banners. Enrollment slots usually fill quickly.
Written by Ameer Hamza
Tech Analyst and Founder of Global Tech Press. Currently expanding the GTP hardware testing labs and building the next generation of digital tech media.
