This means all biometric authentication, including fingerprint scanning and face unlock, is immediately disabled. The device returns to the lock screen, and only a PIN, password, or pattern can unlock it . The change extends to the power-off process itself. When you tap “Power Off” or “Restart,” you must verify your identity with your PIN or password before the device will comply—a feature that adds a layer of theft protection by preventing a thief from simply turning off the phone .

The automatic lockdown persists even if the phone was already unlocked when you opened the power menu. Once you dismiss the menu, the phone locks and biometrics remain unavailable . Reports confirm that the "Medical info" shortcut now occupies the spot where the manual Lockdown button used to live .

Bixby Gesture Wake-up: The Lift-to-Talk Future

Samsung is developing a new way to activate Bixby that requires no wake word, no button press, and no screen tap. The Gesture Wake-up feature—or "lift-to-talk"—uses the phone's sensors to detect when you pick it up and bring it toward your face, at which point Bixby begins listening for a command .

This feature is not yet live in the current One UI 9 beta builds. It was discovered in Samsung's development code, indicating the company is still refining it for a future beta release or the stable launch . The underlying ambition, however, is clear: to make Bixby feel more like a natural conversation partner that you can address the moment you lift your phone .

Evidence for this direction first surfaced in March 2026, when early leaked builds showed text strings related to raise-to-talk gestures . By June, reports confirmed Samsung had built a working Gesture Wake-up feature, though it remains unreleased .

Other Notable Features in the Beta

Beyond the headlining security and assistant changes, One UI 9 brings a collection of quality-of-life improvements:

• Quick Settings customization lets users rearrange the layout of the quick panel to their liking .
• New Galaxy AI tools include Photo Assist prompts and an Audio Eraser for media apps .
• Samsung Notes gains decorative tapes and a wider variety of pen styles, adding creative flexibility .
• Bixby home screen widgets have been spotted in leaked builds, offering quick-access keyboard and voice input for the assistant .
• Accessibility upgrades such as adjustable Mouse Key speed and a combined TalkBack package bring together previously separate Google and Samsung features .
• Parental Controls have been moved to a dedicated section in Settings, no longer buried inside Digital Wellbeing .

Stable Release Timeline: What to Expect

Samsung's beta program for One UI 9 launched on May 13, 2026, for the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra in six countries: South Korea, Germany, India, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States .

The path to a stable release depends on two timelines converging. Google is expected to launch the stable version of Android 17 in June 2026, based on the cadence of previous releases . Samsung has only officially stated that the "full experience" will debut on "upcoming Galaxy flagship devices later this year" .

However, multiple outlets report that Samsung's second Unpacked event of 2026, rumored for July 22 in London, will serve as the launchpad. At that event, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 are expected to ship with One UI 9 out of the box, marking the stable debut .

Following the foldables, the stable update is anticipated to reach the Galaxy S25 and S24 series around the same time in July, with older flagships like the S23 series, mid-range A-series devices, and Galaxy tablets receiving the update between September and December 2026 .

It is worth noting that none of these dates beyond the beta launch have been officially confirmed by Samsung. The July timeline represents a strong consensus across industry reporting but remains subject to change.

This means all biometric authentication, including fingerprint scanning and face unlock, is immediately disabled. The device returns to the lock screen, and only a PIN, password, or pattern can unlock it . The change extends to the power-off process itself. When you tap “Power Off” or “Restart,” you must verify your identity with your PIN or password before the device will comply—a feature that adds a layer of theft protection by preventing a thief from simply turning off the phone .

The automatic lockdown persists even if the phone was already unlocked when you opened the power menu. Once you dismiss the menu, the phone locks and biometrics remain unavailable . Reports confirm that the "Medical info" shortcut now occupies the spot where the manual Lockdown button used to live .

Bixby Gesture Wake-up: The Lift-to-Talk Future

Samsung is developing a new way to activate Bixby that requires no wake word, no button press, and no screen tap. The Gesture Wake-up feature—or "lift-to-talk"—uses the phone's sensors to detect when you pick it up and bring it toward your face, at which point Bixby begins listening for a command .

This feature is not yet live in the current One UI 9 beta builds. It was discovered in Samsung's development code, indicating the company is still refining it for a future beta release or the stable launch . The underlying ambition, however, is clear: to make Bixby feel more like a natural conversation partner that you can address the moment you lift your phone .

Evidence for this direction first surfaced in March 2026, when early leaked builds showed text strings related to raise-to-talk gestures . By June, reports confirmed Samsung had built a working Gesture Wake-up feature, though it remains unreleased .

Other Notable Features in the Beta

Beyond the headlining security and assistant changes, One UI 9 brings a collection of quality-of-life improvements:

• Quick Settings customization lets users rearrange the layout of the quick panel to their liking .
• New Galaxy AI tools include Photo Assist prompts and an Audio Eraser for media apps .
• Samsung Notes gains decorative tapes and a wider variety of pen styles, adding creative flexibility .
• Bixby home screen widgets have been spotted in leaked builds, offering quick-access keyboard and voice input for the assistant .
• Accessibility upgrades such as adjustable Mouse Key speed and a combined TalkBack package bring together previously separate Google and Samsung features .
• Parental Controls have been moved to a dedicated section in Settings, no longer buried inside Digital Wellbeing .

Stable Release Timeline: What to Expect

Samsung's beta program for One UI 9 launched on May 13, 2026, for the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra in six countries: South Korea, Germany, India, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States .

The path to a stable release depends on two timelines converging. Google is expected to launch the stable version of Android 17 in June 2026, based on the cadence of previous releases . Samsung has only officially stated that the "full experience" will debut on "upcoming Galaxy flagship devices later this year" .

However, multiple outlets report that Samsung's second Unpacked event of 2026, rumored for July 22 in London, will serve as the launchpad. At that event, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 are expected to ship with One UI 9 out of the box, marking the stable debut .

Following the foldables, the stable update is anticipated to reach the Galaxy S25 and S24 series around the same time in July, with older flagships like the S23 series, mid-range A-series devices, and Galaxy tablets receiving the update between September and December 2026 .

It is worth noting that none of these dates beyond the beta launch have been officially confirmed by Samsung. The July timeline represents a strong consensus across industry reporting but remains subject to change.