Samsung Rolls Out 3.4GB One UI 9 Beta to Galaxy S23 and S24 Series

Q: Why did Samsung unexpectedly drop the One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S23, and what crucial AI features are missing?

Samsung appears to have widened the One UI 9 beta unexpectedly rather than formally preannouncing every eligible device. The Galaxy S23 series had been omitted from Samsung’s 1 September beta list, which only named newer models, but reports show Samsung had been developing One UI 9 for the S23 since at least June. That suggests the India rollout was a late expansion of the test program, likely to gather feedback on one of the S23 lineup’s final major Android upgrades before the stable release. Samsung has not given an official reason. What is clear is that the S23 is nearing the end of its major OS support window. The phones launched with a four-generation Android upgrade promise, so Android 17-based One UI 9 should be their last major platform update. That makes a beta useful for stability testing even if Samsung had initially seemed ready to skip it. The key features missing are the newer Galaxy AI tools available on later flagship phones. Early S23 testers say the beta does not add new AI functions such as Audio Eraser and other recent Galaxy AI capabilities seen on the S24 and newer models. More advanced One UI 9 AI additions tied to newer hardware and Samsung’s latest Galaxy AI stack also do not appear to be included. So, the surprise was not driven by a confirmed new strategy announcement, but by Samsung quietly expanding beta access to the S23 at the last minute, while keeping the rollout relatively conservative on AI features.

3 articles · Updated · tech-ish.com · Sep 5

India got Samsung’s first One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra on Sept. 3 via Samsung Members, extending the Android 17-based test program to the S23 and S24 lines.
Firmware version S91xBXXUAZZHL carries the August 2026 security patch, but Samsung has not posted an S23-specific changelog; the matching S24 beta adds resizable quick-panel controls, a new Samsung Notes Tape tool and easier DeX window moves.
Forum posts from S23 testers say the beta does not include new Galaxy AI features such as Audio Eraser, even though those tools shipped on newer models.
The release surprised users because Samsung’s Sept. 1 beta list covered the S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 FE, Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7—not the S23, which had been expected to skip public beta testing.
For the S23 series, launched in 2023 with four OS upgrades, One UI 9 is likely the last major Android update before security support continues into early 2028.