These Samsung Galaxy phones will miss One UI 8
Some Samsung phones won’t be getting the new One UI 8 update. If your device is a few years old it might be left behind. Samsung follows strict update rules meaning even popular models eventually lose support.
Phones like the Galaxy S21 have already received all their promised updates. Budget phones and tablets often get even fewer updates. Once a device reaches its limit Samsung stops sending new software versions.
Your phone will still work fine without the update. You might keep getting security fixes for a while. But if you want the newest features you may need to buy a newer model. Below is the full list of phones that won’t get One UI 8.
READ MORE: Download & Install One UI 7 Firmware on Samsung Devices [GUIDE]
Based on Samsung’s software support policies and leaks, these models are likely staying behind:
List Of Samsung Galaxy Phones that wont be getting One UI 8 / Android 16 update
Samsung Phones Missing One UI 8 (Android 16)
| Device Series | Models Affected | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S Series | S21, S21+, S21 Ultra | Reached 4-year update limit (Android 11 → 15) |
| Galaxy Z Foldables | Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3 | 3-year update policy ended |
| Budget A-Series | A14 (4G/5G), A05, A05s | Entry-level models get shorter support |
| M/F-Series | F14, M14 (4G/5G) | Budget phones often lag in updates |
| Galaxy Tablets | Tab S6 Lite (2022), Tab A7 (2022), Tab Active4 Pro | Older tablets miss major upgrades |
Why? Samsung’s update policy usually guarantees 3-4 years of major OS upgrades. Devices like the Galaxy S21 series launched with Android 11 and wrapped up with Android 15. Foldables like the Galaxy Z Flip 3 also hit their three-year mark. Budget phones and tablets often get even shorter support windows.
What’s next for these devices ?
Some excluded devices might still receive security patches for a while. But if you’re craving Android 16 features, upgrading to a newer model (like the Galaxy S24 or Z Fold 7) or exploring custom ROMs (if available) could be your move.
Note: Samsung hasn’t finalized the official list yet, so stay tuned for summer 2025 announcements!
The Droid Guru Staff
Thedroidguru is an Android Blog which provides how-to guides, rooting guides, latest news, firmware updates.