Google is wrapping up Android 17 development. The stable release is expected in June 2026, and Samsung's One UI 9 beta is already running on the Galaxy S26 series. The official One UI 9 launch will li...
Google is wrapping up Android 17 development. The stable release is expected in June 2026, and Samsung's One UI 9 beta is already running on the Galaxy S26 series. The official One UI 9 launch will likely happen on July 22 in London, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.
That's the good news. The not-so-good news: millions of Samsung users won't see any of it.
If your phone launched in 2022 or earlier, Android 16 was the finish line. One UI 8.5 may still arrive as a mid-cycle feature update on some of those devices – but Android 17 and One UI 9? Off the table.
Here's the full breakdown of what's confirmed, what's not, and what it actually means for your phone.
Why Samsung Cuts Phones Off
Before the Galaxy S24, Samsung's flagship and upper mid-range policy offered four major Android OS upgrades. Phones that launched on Android 12 in 2022 have now used all four – Android 13, 14, 15, and 16. Samsung fulfilled its commitment. The cycle is closed.
Starting with the S24 series, Samsung bumped this to a seven-year update promise. Newer phones will be supported far longer. But that change doesn't help anyone sitting on a 2022 device today.
Samsung Phones Confirmed NOT Getting Android 17 (One UI 9)
Galaxy S Series
Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra — Android 16 (One UI 8) is their final major OS update, confirmed by Samsung in late 2025. One UI 8.5 is still rolling out to these phones as a mid-cycle update on the same Android 16 base, but that's it. As of early 2026, Samsung moved the S22 lineup to quarterly security patches. Security support runs through early 2027.
Galaxy S21 FE — Same situation as the S22. Android 16 is the end of the road for major updates.
Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra — These phones ended at Android 15. Not getting Android 16 either, let alone 17.
Galaxy Note Series
Galaxy Note 20 / Note 20 Ultra — Samsung ended all software and security support for the Note 20 series in September 2025. These phones launched in August 2020 on Android 10. They maxed out at Android 13. Nothing further is coming.
Galaxy Z Foldables
Galaxy Z Fold 4 / Z Flip 4 — Both launched in 2022 with Android 12. Four updates used up. As of February 2026, Samsung officially moved the Z Fold 4 to a quarterly security schedule, confirming it won't get Android 17.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 / Z Flip 3 — Already out of support. No more updates of any kind.
Galaxy A Series (Mid-Range)
Galaxy A53 5G — This was one of Samsung's best-selling phones in Pakistan. It launched in March 2022 with Android 12 and received Android 16 in October 2025 as its fourth and final major update. One UI 8.5 may follow as a minor refresh, but Android 17 is not coming.
Galaxy A73 5G — Same four-update cycle, same result. Android 16 is the end.
Galaxy A33 5G — Got Android 16 in late 2025. That's its final major OS bump.
Galaxy A24 — Launched in 2023 but received fewer promised updates. Android 16 is its last.
Galaxy A23, A14, A13 — These budget models either ended at Android 15 or earlier. Android 17 is not in their future.
Galaxy Tablets
Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8+, Tab S8 Ultra — Confirmed by multiple sources in October 2025. Android 16 (One UI 8) is the last major software update for the Tab S8 lineup. Tab S9 and S10 series will get Android 17. Tab S8 will not.
A Note on One UI 8.5
One thing the original Gemini article got slightly wrong: Android 16 being the "final update" for S22 and A53 doesn't mean those phones stop getting anything at all right now. One UI 8.5 – which runs on the same Android 16 base – is still being rolled out to these devices. Think of it as Samsung squeezing one last feature drop from Android 16. It's not Android 17. It doesn't make you eligible for One UI 9. But it does mean your S22 or A53 will pick up a few more improvements before fully retiring.
What Happens to Your Phone Now?
Your phone doesn't stop working on June 30, 2026. Let's be clear about that.
Security patches continue for some time after the OS cycle ends. The S22 series, for example, is on a quarterly patch schedule through early 2027. The Note 20 is fully done. The A53 will likely continue receiving patches for a while longer.
Apps will keep working. Banking apps, WhatsApp, YouTube – none of these will suddenly stop. What you lose over time is compatibility with apps that specifically require newer Android versions. That process is slow and doesn't happen overnight.
The real cost of staying on an older OS is privacy exposure. Unpatched security vulnerabilities stack up quietly. That's the actual risk for phones like the Note 20 that have completely exited support.
Should You Upgrade?
Honestly, it depends on what you're doing with the phone. If your A53 5G is running fine, apps work, and the battery holds, there's no urgent need to rush out and buy something new. Use it until the hardware gives up.
But if you're security-conscious, or if you've noticed slowdowns, or if you want features like Samsung's newer Galaxy AI tools, the S24 or S25 series are the current upgrade targets worth looking at. Both fall under Samsung's seven-year update promise, which means Android 17, 18, 19, and beyond are all on the table.
Devices Getting Android 17 (One UI 9) — For Reference
These are confirmed or strongly expected to receive One UI 9:
- Galaxy S26, S25, S24 series
- Galaxy S23 series (as its fourth and final update)
- Galaxy Z Fold 6, Z Flip 6 and newer
- Galaxy A56, A55, A36, A35 and newer A-series
- Galaxy Tab S9, S10, S11 series
The Galaxy S23 deserves a mention – it's the oldest flagship on the One UI 9 list. If you own one, Android 17 will be its last major update, but at least it's getting it.
Summary
Android 17 and One UI 9 arrive in mid-2026. If your phone is from 2022 or earlier, Samsung has already delivered what it promised – and that promise has now run out. The phones most affected in Pakistan and South Asia include the Galaxy S22 series, A53 5G, A73 5G, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, and the Tab S8 lineup.
One UI 8.5 will be the last meaningful update many of these phones receive. After that, it's security patches only – until those stop too.
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