Phone and OS

Samsung is running one of its busiest software roadmaps in recent years. Shortly after starting the stable rollout of One UI 8.5, the company opened the One UI 9 Beta Program. However, unlike its predecessor, this beta cycle should ideally remain short. Galaxy S26 users are the first to access the One UI 9 Beta, which is based on Android 17, ahead of its official release. Samsung has already indicated that the full One UI 9 experience will be showcased at its upcoming Unpacked event, which is still nearly two months away. One UI 9 Beta 1 has already reached users. The second beta build is expected around May 26, a date that also aligns with the likely expansion of the beta programme to the remaining two markets — India and Poland. The case for a shorter beta cycle becomes clear when compared with One UI 8.5. That programme ran for over five months, from early December 2025 to early May 2026, during which Samsung released ten beta builds. While prolonged, the One UI 8.5 testing phase wa...

Samsung’s Galaxy S series may be heading for one of its most interesting changes in years. A fresh leak suggests that the upcoming Galaxy S27 Pro could bring some of the most important camera features from the Galaxy S27 Ultra, while offering a more compact design and leaving out the S Pen. The Galaxy S27 Pro is expected to sit between the regular Galaxy S27 and the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Instead of being just another bigger-screen variant, the phone could become a new premium option for users who want high-end specifications without moving all the way to the Ultra model. The biggest talking point is the rear camera setup. The Galaxy S27 Pro may use the same primary and ultra-wide camera sensors as the Galaxy S27 Ultra. If this turns out to be accurate, Samsung could give the Pro model a major photography upgrade compared with the standard and Plus variants. These sensors are also expected to be new, which means the phone may not simply rely on older camera hardware. However, the Pro model ...

Samsung has initiated the global rollout of its stable One UI 8.5 update, based on Android 16, for the complete 2023 Galaxy S23 smartphone lineup, including the Galaxy S23 Fan Edition (FE). Following an initial release in South Korea earlier this week, the comprehensive software upgrade is now reaching users in India. The phased deployment covers the flagship Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra models, alongside the Galaxy S23 FE. Samsung expects to expand availability to additional markets, including Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, in the coming days. The deployment strategy varies slightly across the device tiers. For the premium S23 series, Samsung is providing priority access to users who participated in the One UI 8.5 beta program via an incremental update. Conversely, non-beta users upgrading directly from the stable One UI 8.0 release will encounter a substantially larger file size. Concurrently, the Galaxy S23 FE is receiving the update under firmware version GZDP. One UI...

Wired earphones continue to remain relevant despite the popularity of wireless models. They avoid pairing issues, remove battery anxiety and offer a simple plug-and-play experience. For gaming and calls, they also provide low-latency audio and generally clearer microphone performance at a lower cost. In the budget segment, especially under Rs 500, several wired earphones offer a useful mix of durability, sound quality and warranty support. Here are some of the best options across price brackets and use cases. Best wired earphones under Rs 500 JBL C100SI The JBL C100SI is a compact and lightweight wired earphone with a standard 3.5mm jack. It is suited to daily use and comes with a simple in-line remote for music and call controls. The model is listed on Amazon India with a one-button remote, mic and JBL Pure Bass branding.  The ear tips are small and sit snugly, making them suitable for users with smaller ears. Vocals sound clear, while the bass has enough depth without overpowerin...

Samsung has quietly begun internal development of One UI 9 , its next major software upgrade based on Android 17 , according to early firmware indicators and backend references spotted by trackers. Test strings, framework-level changes and internal build markers suggest the company is already laying the groundwork for the update. While Samsung has not made any official announcement, the early signals indicate that development is progressing on schedule. Expected launch timeline Samsung typically follows a predictable rollout cycle for major One UI releases, and One UI 9 appears to be no exception. If the company sticks to its usual timeline, the update is expected to debut around mid-2026 , likely alongside its next-generation foldables — the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 . Following the initial launch, Samsung is expected to roll out: Early beta builds for the Galaxy S26 series Stable updates for older flagship models A phased rollout to mid-range devices As with previous Andro...

A dependable home workstation is now essential for professionals, students and entry-level gamers. Whether you are working from home, attending online classes or building a budget gaming setup, a good monitor can make a major difference to comfort and productivity. Until recently, budget monitors often came with clear compromises in colour quality, refresh rates and viewing angles. In 2026, that has changed. Buyers in India can now find Full HD monitors with IPS panels, high refresh rates, eye-care features and slim designs in the ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 range. Here is a curated buying guide to some of the best budget monitors currently available, grouped by their strongest use cases. Ultra-Budget Picks: Acer Monitors For buyers on a tight budget, Acer continues to offer strong value in the entry-level monitor segment without compromising on everyday usability. Acer 22 Inch Full HD IPS Monitor (EK220Q) : Priced around ₹5,300 to ₹5,800, this is one of the most affordable Full HD monitors for ...

Samsung has officially opened the One UI 9 Beta Program for its latest flagship devices, offering users the opportunity to experience the company's next major Android evolution before its public release. The beta program represents Samsung's commitment to collaborative software development, allowing early adopters to test new features and provide valuable feedback to enhance the final version. One UI 9 is built on the foundation of Android 17 and introduces a significantly refreshed user interface alongside numerous features and improvements designed to enhance daily smartphone usage. The beta version gives selected users access to UI changes, advanced customisation tools, productivity upgrades, gaming enhancements and improved accessibility features. As with any beta software still in development stages, participants should expect that they may occasionally encounter minor glitches, potential battery drain or temporary app compatibility issues during their testing experience....

Samsung has launched the One UI 9 Beta Program for its Galaxy S26 lineup, giving users an early preview of its Android 17-based software that focuses on smarter customisation, improved accessibility, and enhanced security, while laying the foundation for the company’s next generation of AI-driven mobile features. The beta rollout began this week in select markets, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, and Poland, as part of Samsung’s annual software development cycle. Users of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra can enrol through the Samsung Members app, following the company’s established beta testing methodology used in previous One UI releases. Samsung said the stable version of One UI 9 will debut later this year alongside its upcoming foldable device lineup. The Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series are expected to receive the final build first, before the update expands to other devices in the Galaxy ecosystem. Refinement...

Samsung's One UI operating system continues its development cycle, with One UI 9 Beta approaching public release. The latest developments indicate Samsung has made significant progress toward opening the beta programme to a wider audience, with users expected to receive invitations by month's end. One UI 9 will bring a fresh approach to Samsung's interface and user experience. However, notably absent from this iteration is the Liquid Glass UI that was anticipated by technology enthusiasts. This distinctive design element, which would have provided comprehensive visual changes, will not be included in the current version, marking a deliberate shift in Samsung's interface strategy. The company's momentum appears to have accelerated recently. Samsung has taken concrete steps that push One UI 9 Beta closer to becoming publicly available. This acceleration suggests internal testing phases have reached satisfactory levels, allowing the company to expand access beyond inte...

Samsung is already preparing its next major software update, One UI 9, based on Android 17. Google seeded the first Android 17 beta on February 13, 2026, and early One UI 9 test builds reportedly appeared soon after on Samsung’s internal servers. The company is still preparing One UI 8.5 for wider public release, but work on the Android 17-based upgrade appears to be moving quickly. For Galaxy users, the main question is simple: which phones and tablets are likely to receive One UI 9? Samsung has not announced an official One UI 9 rollout schedule or eligibility list yet. However, the company’s current software update policy, early test builds and previous rollout patterns give a fairly clear idea of which Galaxy devices are likely to make the cut. When could One UI 9 launch? Samsung is expected to open the first One UI 9 public beta for its latest flagship phones. The Galaxy S26 series is likely to be first in line, followed by the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S24 lineups. A beta release cou...

Samsung has said it never formally announced April 30 as the rollout date for One UI 8.5, after widespread rumors led users to expect the stable update to arrive that day. The clarification came from a moderator on Samsung’s US community forum. The moderator said the April 30 timeline was based on community speculation and past rollout patterns, not an official announcement from the company. Samsung said the One UI 8.5 rollout is still being finalized and no release date has been confirmed. The company said it prioritizes testing results before committing to an update schedule, with final approval resting with its lab engineers. The extended beta testing period has made the software nearly stable, according to the company, but Samsung said engineers must complete their evaluations before clearing the update for public release. Regional factors also appear to have influenced the rollout. South Korea observed Labor Day on May 1, and a rollout on April 30 could have left Samsung with limi...