Samsung rolls out One UI 9 to Galaxy S26 series with new features

Samsung started worldwide deployment of One UI 9 for the Galaxy S26 series after a period of beta testing. The interface, which first appeared on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 earlier this summer, is built on Android 17 and introduces a range of new functions.

One of the highlighted additions is My FanCam, a video-reframing tool that uses Galaxy AI to keep a selected subject centered when the footage is cropped to a different aspect ratio. Users can activate it from the Gallery app by tapping the AI button, choosing a subject and the desired output format.

The Quick Settings panel is now more customizable; sliders for volume and brightness can be resized or oriented vertically, and controls such as Dark mode or Mute can be repositioned or added via an edit mode accessed through a pencil-shaped button.

Privacy indicators for location access have been refined. When an app uses location data, a blue indicator appears; tapping it in Quick Settings reveals the responsible app and provides a "See recent access" option that lists recent location requests.

Samsung’s Finder search tool can be placed on the home screen alongside Google Search, allowing users to locate settings, contacts, files and apps directly on the device. Enabling it involves a pinch-in gesture on the home screen and toggling the Finder option in settings.

The update also adds native PDF handling to the My Files app, eliminating the need for third-party viewers. PDFs open in a built-in viewer and can be annotated in Samsung Notes, with an "Open with" choice for alternative apps.

Other minor enhancements include updates to Brief and Now Nudge dashboard cards and a stricter security measure that permanently locks the device after 13 consecutive incorrect credential entries, requiring a reset to regain access.