Samsung Confirms Which Galaxy Phones Miss Out on One UI 8.5 Features

June 18, 2026 — Nina Petrov 4 min read

Samsung has confirmed the list of Galaxy smartphones that will not receive key features in its upcoming One UI 8.5 update, a decision that could reshape customer loyalty in the competitive smartphone market. The South Korean electronics giant revealed which legacy devices will be excluded from the software upgrade during a developer briefing in Seoul on Wednesday. Industry analysts say the move signals Samsung's push to concentrate resources on newer hardware while managing the rising costs of extended software support.

The Upgrade Decision Explained

Samsung's One UI 8.5, based on Android 16, will deliver enhanced AI capabilities, improved multitasking functions, and a redesigned notification system. However, dozens of older Galaxy devices will not access these features. The exclusion list spans multiple generations of Galaxy S, Galaxy A, and Galaxy Note series phones. Samsung told attendees at its Seoul campus that the decision reflects hardware limitations in older chipsets that cannot support the new AI processing demands.

Devices Left Out of the Upgrade

Among the notable omissions, the Galaxy S21 series will not receive the full One UI 8.5 experience. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 also appear on the limited upgrade path. Samsung confirmed that budget-conscious Galaxy A series phones released before 2023 will remain on One UI 6.1. The company did not specify whether a stripped-down version of One UI 8.5 might reach some of these devices later this year.

Flagship Models Still Receiving Full Support

Samsung indicated that Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra will receive the complete One UI 8.5 rollout. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are also guaranteed the full upgrade. This two-tier approach mirrors strategies employed by Apple, which has historically limited advanced iOS features to newer iPhone models. Samsung's decision to follow a similar path suggests the company is prioritising premium device profitability over broad ecosystem consistency.

Why Samsung Made This Choice

Extended software support has become a significant cost centre for smartphone manufacturers. Samsung currently supports over 50 distinct Galaxy models across various market segments. Each device requires individual testing, optimisation, and security patching. Industry data shows that software development costs for Android devices have risen approximately 30 percent over the past three years due to stricter security requirements and more complex AI integrations. Samsung's move allows the company to redirect engineering resources toward its Galaxy S25 launch expected in early 2025.

Market Implications for Samsung

The decision carries investor implications beyond consumer sentiment. Samsung Electronics competes directly with Apple in the premium smartphone segment while facing relentless pressure from Chinese manufacturers Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo in mid-range markets. By limiting advanced features to newer devices, Samsung risks alienating price-sensitive customers who expect software longevity from their purchases. However, the company may also use this distinction to drive new device sales among existing Galaxy owners considering an upgrade.

Competitor Landscape

Google has taken a different approach with its Pixel devices, promising seven years of OS updates for the Pixel 8 series. This contrast could influence purchasing decisions for tech-savvy consumers who prioritise software longevity. Samsung remains the global smartphone leader by volume, shipping approximately 53 million units in the second quarter of 2024 according to IDC figures. Yet profit margins in the device business have narrowed as component costs rise and consumers extend replacement cycles beyond three years.

What Galaxy Owners Should Know

Users with excluded devices will still receive security patches through their originally promised support timelines. Samsung confirmed that Galaxy S21 devices will continue receiving monthly security updates until 2026. However, these devices will not access new Galaxy AI features rolling out this year. Samsung's Galaxy AI suite, which includes real-time translation, photo editing tools, and summarisation functions, requires significant processing power that older Exynos and Snapdragon chips cannot reliably provide.

Looking Ahead

Samsung is expected to detail its full One UI 8.5 rollout schedule at the Samsung Developer Conference scheduled for October in San Jose. The company will likely announce which Galaxy devices receive the update first, with Galaxy S24 models probably getting priority access. Investors will watch whether the strategic exclusion of older devices impacts Samsung's smartphone market share in the fourth quarter, traditionally the strongest sales period due to holiday demand. Consumer electronics retailers in North America and Europe have already begun promoting trade-in programmes targeting Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 owners looking to access new AI features.