Samsung’s One UI 8 release: A weak attempt to upstage Apple

Samsung has a habit of trying to steal Apple’s limelight, and September 15 was another clear example. On the very day Apple rolled out iOS 26 worldwide, Samsung finally began the official rollout of the One UI 8 update. At first glance, this looked like a smart move, but in reality, it fell flat.

That’s because Samsung’s rollout barely got started. One UI 8 is only going out to the Galaxy S25 series in September. Every other eligible Galaxy device won’t see it until October or later. Even worse, Samsung didn’t release the update to Galaxy S25 models worldwide on day one, only in Korea. Compare that to Apple, which did what it always does: release the latest iOS to every eligible iPhone and iPad, everywhere, at the exact same time.

The updates themselves don’t help Samsung’s case either. One UI 8 isn’t exactly going to be the stuff of legends. In fact, it’s one of the smallest major One UI upgrades in years. Meanwhile, iOS 26 is a big release for Apple, introducing its new Liquid Glass design language. It’s controversial, sure, but it’s still a huge change that has and will continue to dominate the headlines.

At the end of the day, Samsung’s strategy here looks weak. Instead of stealing Apple’s thunder, it highlighted the gap between the two companies. Apple rolls out massive updates to millions of devices on day one, while Samsung still drags its feet and frustrates loyal fans with delays. Yes, Samsung has made big strides in improving its software update policy, but One UI 8 is a clear reminder that there's plenty of room for further improvement.

If this has you feeling down, checking whether your Galaxy smartphone or tablet is eligible for One UI 8 or not may help cheer you up a bit. Find the full list of eligible devices here.