Update: Samsung’s One UI 8.5 beta for the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 is no longer in preparation. The beta launched on March 12, 2026, and Samsung began rolling out stable One UI 8.5 in South Korea on May 6. As of August 18, 2026, check for the stable update rather than looking for the old beta.
What Samsung prepared—and what happened next
On March 9, SamMobile reported that Samsung had created One UI 8.5 beta sections for the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 in Samsung Community and had prepared matching firmware files. Those signs pointed to a beta in the works; they did not mean owners could already download it. The beta opened three days later. SamMobile’s March 9 report
One UI 8.5 is based on Android 16 QPR2, according to coverage of the foldable beta. The Fold7 and Flip7 shipped with Android 16 and One UI 8.0, so this was a One UI feature update, not a move to Android 17. SamMobile’s beta-build report
One UI 8.5 beta and stable-release timeline
- March 9, 2026: Samsung Community beta sections and firmware preparations for the Fold7 and Flip7 were reported; the beta was not yet open. SamMobile
- March 12: Samsung released the beta, initially reported in South Korea and the UK. Availability depended on market and device variant. Android Authority
- April: A third beta build, ending in ZZD3, was reported with six fixes. SamMobile
- May 6: The stable rollout began in South Korea, first for beta participants. The reports described a phased rollout, not a same-day release worldwide. SamMobile · Android Authority
What the reported beta builds contained
| Build or detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| First beta | Firmware ending ZZC5; about 4.2–4.5GB depending on market and reporting method, with the February 2026 security patch. Android Authority |
| Third beta | Firmware ending ZZD3; reported fixes addressed six issues, including camera launch failures, missing cover-screen images, a black Weather AI lock-screen background, call UI alignment, a persistent top bar in full-screen apps, and a missing send button when sharing links by text message. SamMobile |
| Stable update for beta users | Build ending BZDP; about 481.66MB in SamMobile’s report. That figure was for beta users and should not be assumed to match a device updating from One UI 8.0. SamMobile |
The smaller stable package reported for beta participants is not comparable to the first beta download: the starting software state differed. Samsung’s cited rollout reports do not establish one package size for every Fold7 and Flip7 variant.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- BIGGER, YET SLIMMER THAN EVER: Who would’ve guessed that wider could also be lighter? The design of Galaxy Z Fold7 is refined to feel like a traditional smartphone with its expanded cover display.
- BEST CAMERA ON A FOLD YET: You asked for more – now you can have the most. Galaxy Z Fold7 now boasts an ultra-premium 200MP camera with Pro-Visual Engine so you can effortlessly take incredibly detailed pics.
- SCREENSHARE FOR STREAMLINED ASSISTANCE: Intrigued by something you see? Go Live with Google Gemini, then screenshare or point your camera at it for additional info or assistance on the fly.¹
- DO AND VIEW MORE, ALL AT ONCE: With an 8” screen that allows you to view up to three windows at once, Galaxy Z Fold7 is the ultimate device for seeing and doing more.²
- ALL THE POWER AND SPEED YOU NEED Smoothly run your day with the power and speed of Galaxy Z Fold7. With its customized Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for Galaxy, you can stream your favorite shows, edit photos, scroll social feeds and more with ease.³
What One UI 8.5 adds
Coverage of the stable release highlighted interface customization, Galaxy AI features such as continuous image generation through Photo Assist, Now Nudge contextual prompts, and more natural-language interaction with Bixby. Samsung also announced support for sharing with Apple devices through Quick Share on selected Galaxy devices, including the Fold7 and Flip7. Samsung qualified availability by device and market, so this should not be read as a guarantee that every feature is enabled on every unit. Android Authority · Samsung Newsroom
Can you still join the Fold7 or Flip7 beta?
The beta enrollment route while the program was open was through Samsung Members: users signed in with the Samsung account associated with the phone, looked for a One UI 8.5 Beta Program banner, and registered if their model and market were eligible. After registration, the update path was Settings → Software update → Download and install. Enrollment was never universal; country, firmware variant, account, and program timing could affect eligibility. Android Authority
As of August 18, 2026, the cited announcements do not establish that enrollment remains open. If you still see an old beta-registration instruction, do not assume the program is accepting new members. Samsung later expanded One UI 8.5 beta activity to other Galaxy models, but those expansions had their own eligibility and timing; they do not make the Fold7 or Flip7 beta universally available. Samsung Newsroom US
Rank #2
- A premium foldable smartphone featuring an 8.0" Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, 6.5" cover display, 200MP main camera, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, 4,400mAh battery, and a slim 215g design.
Should you install beta software?
A beta is for testing unfinished software, not the safest choice for a phone that must work reliably every day. Beta software can bring crashes, battery drain, connectivity or camera problems, broken animations, and app incompatibility; these are general beta risks, not a claim that every issue occurred on Samsung’s Fold7 or Flip7 beta.
- Consider a beta only if your exact model and regional variant are eligible, you want to test early software, and you can tolerate bugs.
- Back up important data before installing. Banking, authentication, work-management, and DRM-dependent apps can behave unpredictably on beta software.
- Keep a primary work or travel phone on stable software if camera, network, battery, or app reliability is essential.
- Do not sideload unofficial firmware to bypass a missing regional enrollment option.
A Samsung Members enrollment does not guarantee immediate access: a banner can be absent because of regional eligibility, carrier or unlocked firmware differences, rollout timing, or a closed program.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check for stable One UI 8.5 now
- On the Fold7 or Flip7, open Settings → Software update → Download and install.
- If One UI 8.5 is offered, review the update details and install the stable build when convenient.
- If no update appears, check again later. The May 6 reports documented the South Korean rollout starting with beta participants, not a complete country-by-country schedule or a simultaneous global release.
- If the update remains unavailable, confirm your exact model and regional or carrier variant. Do not use unofficial firmware as a workaround.
Samsung’s later beta expansions covered other models, including earlier Fold and Flip generations, but those are separate programs and schedules. The Fold7 and Flip7’s initial beta launch should not be used to infer eligibility for a Fold6, Flip6, Fold5, or Flip5. Samsung Newsroom
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A premium foldable smartphone featuring an 8.0" Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, 6.5" cover display, 200MP main camera, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, 4,400mAh battery, and a slim 215g design.
Rank #4
- A premium foldable smartphone featuring an 8.0" Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, 6.5" cover display, 200MP main camera, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, 4,400mAh battery, and a slim 215g design.
Rank #3
- A premium foldable smartphone featuring an 8.0" Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, 6.5" cover display, 200MP main camera, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, 4,400mAh battery, and a slim 215g design.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
