Best phones to buy if your Samsung won’t get One UI 9.0

Plenty of Samsung phones will miss out on One UI 9.0 (check the list here), which is set to release later this month. Those eligible will soon start receiving the update, which will bring several major upgrades and new AI features that you wouldn’t want to miss out.

If your Samsung Galaxy isn’t eligible for One UI 9, it might be the time to upgrade. However, choosing from so many options can be overwhelming. To help you decide, we’ve curated a list of the best Samsung phones that still have years of guaranteed OS updates ahead.

Not eligible for One UI 9? Here are the best upgrades for you

Let’s look at them in detail.

Galaxy flagships with the best software support

Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 series, launched earlier this year, is an excellent high-end choice with great software support. The phones come preinstalled with Android 16 OS, and are promised to receive seven major OS upgrades, all the way up to Android 23.

The Galaxy S26 trio features high-quality AMOLED screens with peak brightness of 2600 nits and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. The S26 and S26+ offer an excellent rear camera setup, and the Ultra variant takes it a step further with an additional telephoto sensor. The phones also bring powerful octa-core chipsets and robust connectivity features.

Galaxy S25 FE

The Galaxy S25 FE offers a flagship-level experience at a much lower price point. Still, it gets seven years of software support, with the OS upgrades extending until Android 23, matching the S26 series.

The phone offers a large LTPO AMOLED screen, Exynos 2400 processor, and a 4900mAh battery with 45W fast charging support. It also offers 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. The rear camera setup takes excellent shots with great details, natural colors, and well-controlled exposure. The selfie camera also does a nice job when there’s enough light.

Galaxy foldables with the best software support

Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8

If your next upgrade will be a foldable phone, it might be worth waiting for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. They will bring noticable improvements over the current Galaxy foldable, along with the best software support.

The upcoming Galaxy foldables are launching on July 22. They will debut with the One UI 9 software, so you won’t have to wait for a public release. Plus, they will receive seven OS updates, all the way to Android 24.

Unlike previous foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will feature a “wide” passport-style design, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will serve as a true successor to the Fold 7 with a taller form factor and superior camera hardware.

Here’s a spec sheet based on the leaked details so far:

Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, and Flip 7 FE

The Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip 7 are among the best foldable phones you can get right now. There’s also a more affordable Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE in the lineup for value buyers. The foldables boot Android 16 OS and are guaranteed to receive major OS upgrades until Android 23.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has powerful hardware, including a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a bright AMOLED screen, and a high-end triple camera setup, led by a 200MP sensor.

The flip phones, on the other hand, offer dual rear cameras, a 10MP selfie camera, and modern connectivity features, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and faster USB transfer speed. The Flip 7 brings a slightly bigger battery and larger displays.

Mid-range Galaxy phones with the best software support

Galaxy A57, A37, and A27

If you’re looking for a mid-range upgrade, the Galaxy A57, A37, and A27 are worth considering. All three were released this year with Android 16 and promise a whopping six major OS upgrades. No other brand matches Samsung’s level of software support for mid-range devices.

While the Galaxy A57, A37, and A27 look similar, there are key differences on the hardware level. Of these three devices, the Galaxy A57 offers the best hardware, including a faster chipset, a higher-resolution ultrawide camera, and more robust connectivity features. The Galaxy A37 sits above the A27 by bringing better capabilities.

Galaxy M47 and A07 5G

The best thing about Samsung is that its best software update policy isn’t reserved for pricier phones. The lower mid-range Galaxy A07 5G is also guaranteed the same treatment: 6 OS updates. The Galaxy M47 is also covered under the same update policy.

The Galaxy M47 offers better hardware than the A07, and that also means a slightly higher price. The Galaxy A07 smoothly handles everyday tasks and captures good photos and videos when there’s enough light. However, it lacks an ultrawide camera and an AMOLED panel.