Samsung Drops Several Popular Flagships From One UI 8.5 Roadmap
Samsung appears to have quietly confirmed disappointing news for millions of Galaxy users. The company has effectively excluded several once-premium devices, including the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Galaxy Tab S8 lineup, from receiving the upcoming One UI 8.5 update.
The confirmation came through an unexpected source: Samsung’s Camera Assistant app changelog. The changelog previously hinted at One UI 8.5 support for certain devices, but Samsung later removed references that suggested the Galaxy Tab S8 series would receive the update.
The move was first spotted by Samsung watcher Alfaturk, and it has fueled concerns that Samsung has finalized its One UI 8.5 eligibility list without including some of its most popular flagship devices from 2022.
Devices Reportedly Missing Out on One UI 8.5
According to the latest information, the following devices are not expected to receive One UI 8.5:
- Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Galaxy S22
- Galaxy S22+
- Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S8
- Galaxy Tab S8+
- Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
For many users, the biggest surprise is the exclusion of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy S22 Ultra, both of which were among Samsung’s most expensive and advanced devices when they launched.
A Tough Pill to Swallow for Foldable Owners
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 debuted in 2022 with a starting price of $1,799, positioning it as one of Samsung’s most premium smartphones.
Four years later, owners are learning that the device will likely be capped at One UI 8.0, with no path to the newer One UI 8.5 release. The same situation appears to apply to the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Galaxy S22 family.
While Samsung has not made a formal announcement specifically targeting these devices, the removal of support references from official materials strongly suggests the company’s plans have been finalized.
Why These Devices Are Being Left Behind
The answer comes down to Samsung’s software update policy.
When the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Galaxy Tab S8 lineup launched, Samsung offered four years of major Android and One UI updates along with five years of security updates.
That policy was considered industry-leading at the time, but it differs significantly from Samsung’s newer commitment.
Beginning with the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung expanded support to seven years of Android OS and security updates, matching and in some cases exceeding competitors in the Android ecosystem.
Unfortunately for owners of 2022-era flagships, the newer seven-year promise does not apply retroactively.
Samsung’s New Update Strategy Creates a Clear Divide
Samsung now has two distinct generations of software support:
Older Flagships (Galaxy S22, Fold 4, Flip 4 Era)
- Four years of major OS updates
- Five years of security updates
Newer Flagships (Galaxy S24 and Later)
- Seven years of major OS updates
- Seven years of security updates
This distinction means that even premium devices that originally cost well over $1,000 may reach the end of their feature-update journey much sooner than newer Galaxy models.
What This Means for Galaxy Users
For users still holding onto a Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 4, or Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, the news is undoubtedly disappointing. These devices remain powerful enough to handle modern workloads, and many owners expected them to receive Samsung’s latest software experiences for longer.
However, the situation highlights an increasingly important lesson for smartphone buyers: software support policies matter almost as much as hardware specifications.
Before purchasing a smartphone, especially a premium flagship, it’s worth checking exactly how many years of operating system updates and security patches the manufacturer guarantees.
In Samsung’s case, the difference between buying a flagship in 2022 versus 2024 could translate into several additional years of new features and platform updates.
Final Thoughts
Samsung’s quiet removal of One UI 8.5 references from official materials appears to confirm what many users feared: the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Galaxy Tab S8 lineup have likely reached the end of their major feature-update road.
While these devices will continue receiving security support for some time, One UI 8.5 looks set to remain exclusive to newer Galaxy hardware, drawing a clear line between Samsung’s older four-year update era and its current seven-year software support strategy.
Useful Samsung One UI 8.5 Coverage Links
- Samsung One UI 8.5 Global Update Tracker
- One UI 8.5 Coverage Hub
- Galaxy S24 & S23 Stable Rollout Details
- Galaxy A55 & A35 Stable Update Details
- Official One UI 8.5 Rollout Roadmap
- Next Rollout Expansion Details
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