These Galaxy devices will not receive One UI 8.5.

Why did Samsung stop developing One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S22 and a number of older devices?

Samsung is aggressively rolling out the One UI 8.5 operating system globally, bringing a cutting-edge look to Galaxy devices launched from 2023 onwards. However, this new operating system is not intended for users of older flagship models such as the Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4, or the mid-range Galaxy A53.

The latest leaked data from the South Korean tech giant's server system reveals that the company has quietly stopped developing One UI 8.5 for its 2022 models, marking a major shift in how the company maintains its software.

The mystery surrounding the last-minute 'freezing' of One UI 8.5.

Tech insiders once found test code snippets of One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S22 on Samsung's servers. This proves the company had plans to optimize the new interface for this device line. However, an in-depth review revealed that the entire development process was unexpectedly halted.

One UI 8.5 is not coming to the Galaxy S22 and a number of older devices.

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT FROM SAMMOBILE

Specifically, the final One UI 8.5 beta build for the Galaxy S22 has stopped receiving updates. Since then, Samsung's servers have only been releasing monthly security patches running on the older Android 16. This move is further reinforced by Samsung Germany's official release announcement, which explicitly states that only high-end models from the Galaxy S23 generation onwards and the three newest Galaxy A series devices are eligible for the One UI 8.5 update.

The core reason Samsung had to make this decision didn't stem from a desire to force users to upgrade, but rather from the severe technical limitations of the Android 16 QPR2 platform (Google's Q2 platform update).

Unlike previous generations like One UI 6.1, which shared the same core source code with One UI 6.0, One UI 8.5 is built on a completely new Android 16 QPR2 branch. This software branch features profound changes to the system architecture, updating all application programming interfaces (APIs) and developer tools. In essence, One UI 8.5 operates like a completely independent generation of Android, rather than just a typical feature patch.

Forcing a new, heavy software framework onto the older processor chip architectures of the Galaxy S22 requires a massive amount of manpower and testing resources to ensure the device doesn't lag or drain the battery excessively. Given Samsung's current commitment to providing up to 7 years of warranty service for its newer devices, continuing to allocate resources to devices that have already reached the end of their warranty period is clearly no longer a sound economic solution.

Did Samsung break its promise?

Experts believe Samsung's move is entirely legitimate. According to the software release contract, the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy A53 were only promised a maximum of four major Android updates. The release of Android 16 (One UI 8.0) earlier this year officially ended the company's legal obligations regarding its 2022 models. Additional updates like One UI 8.5 have always been considered voluntary "farewell gifts" from the company, not binding obligations.

Samsung's new software distribution rules will now be clearly redefined: Your device will only have a chance to receive One UI updates (like x.5) if it is still on the list of devices eligible for the next major Android update (Android 17).

For Galaxy S22 series users, even though they missed out on the cutting-edge features of One UI 8.5, a stable, smooth, and optimized Android 16 system in the final stages is still a fitting conclusion to a 'legendary' product lifecycle.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-thiet-bi-galaxy-khong-nhan-duoc-one-ui-85-185260530101337095.htm