The Android 17-based One UI 9 beta has been out for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series for quite a while now. While the update brings several new features and functionalities, the latest beta adds new additions from the Galaxy Z Fold8 series to the Galaxy S26.
Samsung Galaxy S26 series new features in One UI 9 beta
Per SamMobile, the seventh One UI 9 beta for the Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra has been released, and it adds the following features:
Custom cards in Now Brief
Building on the feature introduced in One UI 7, Custom cards in Now Brief lets users create Now Brief sections by extracting data points from apps such as Samsung Health, Weather, and YouTube. This feature utilises Google’s Create My Widget function, allowing users to create widgets tailored to specific use cases and preferences.
My FanCam
One of the most highlighted features of the Galaxy Z Fold8’s cameras was My FanCam, which also recently debuted on the Galaxy S26 FE. It allows you to open any video and choose a person for the phone to track. Using on-device AI, it automatically follows that individual and crops the frame to keep them in focus. You can find the feature in the stock Gallery app by opening a video and tapping the Galaxy AI icon.
This feature can benefit creators who record videos on the go and want ready-made results without putting in much effort.
Fixed Google search bar on homescreen
With the latest One UI 9 beta update, the Galaxy S26 series finally gains support to add a Google search bar above the dock. While users can disable the search bar, both the search bar and the Finder pill can be displayed side by side in case someone wishes to utilise the functionalities of both options simultaneously.
The update arrives with the firmware version S948BXXU4ZZHK / S948BOXM4ZZHK /
S948BXXU4BZHK, and it weighs 1277.99 MB. The update also bumps the security patch to August 2026. While there are no details on when Samsung plans to push out the stable One UI 9 update for the Galaxy S26 series, it shouldn’t be long now, since the beta programme has been running for a couple of months.
Also, the One UI 9 beta could soon expand to the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy Z Fold7, and Galaxy Z Flip7, giving users of Samsung’s previous flagships a taste of Android 17.
