Leaked Galaxy S26 FE firmware shows wallpapers, hints at One UI 9.5

One UI 9 is still limited to the Galaxy S26 series and Samsung’s Galaxy Z8 foldables, so we weren’t expecting to see anything related to One UI 9.5 for a while, apart from the usual signs that it is in active development.

However, Galaxy S26 FE firmware accessed by SamMobile contains an asset seemingly intended for One UI 9.5. It is a banner used in the software update menu, where Galaxy users check for and install new updates.

This does not mean the Galaxy S26 FE firmware itself is based on One UI 9.5. Samsung often adds assets for future software versions to existing firmware well before actually using them.

Unless Samsung makes massive changes to how it releases One UI updates, the Galaxy S26 FE will launch with One UI 9 out of the box. Version 9.5 will most likely debut with the Galaxy S27 lineup in 2027. However, a beta program for existing devices may launch toward the end of the year.

Samsung introduced large images that occupy roughly half the screen in the software update menu with One UI 8.5. It used large circular shapes for the One UI 8.5 banner, while the One UI 9 version arranged them to resemble the number 9. The One UI 9.5 banner drops that style and uses three large curved pink lines instead.

The Galaxy S26 FE firmware does not reveal anything else about One UI 9.5. However, we were able to extract the phone’s default wallpapers. They are the same as those available on the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, which is not surprising since the FE is part of the same lineup.

Samsung could unveil the Galaxy S26 FE in late August or early September. The Galaxy S25 FE went on sale on September 4 last year.