The Galaxy S26 series has begun receiving the One UI 9 update in the United States, following an initial release in South Korea last week. Owners of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra had waited months for the Android 17-powered software, which had remained elusive despite the public beta having launched some time earlier.
One UI 9 reaches some Galaxy S26 phones in the US
After delaying the launch in certain markets by a week, Samsung appears to have started deploying the software across the US. Several Galaxy S26 Ultra owners have reported receiving the update, though the rollout remains limited in scope.
Devices on T-Mobile are among the first to get it, although some users say it is not yet available on their unlocked T-Mobile handsets. Reports from AT&T customers remain conflicting, while Verizon users say they have not received the update at all. The arrival of One UI 9 on some US devices suggests a wider rollout is likely to follow in the coming days, even though Samsung has not published an official schedule for the country.
When One UI 9 arrives in other markets
Samsung announced the beginning of the global rollout of One UI 9 on 16 September, but has offered few further specifics. The company published a more detailed schedule for Thailand, initially indicating that Galaxy S26 devices there would receive the update on 21 September. That date was later quietly changed to 28 September.
The situation reflects Samsung’s history of slow software updates and limited communication about its plans. The One UI 7 rollout was delayed by months, though the South Korean release and the start of the US rollout make a repeat of that scenario less likely this year. Users across various regions have reported that they still do not have access to the new software.
How rivals handle updates
By comparison, Apple makes new software available on release day across supported devices, from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, all of which could install iOS 27 immediately. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8 shipped with One UI 9 months ago. Google follows a more gradual but predictable approach, with supported Pixel devices, from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10 Pro XL, receiving Android 17 on the day of its official launch.
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Image: phonearena.com
