Samsung’s One UI 9 Beta saga may be ending for Galaxy S26 owners. While this is particularly good news, I’m starting to look at the bigger picture here: is this software really the best Samsung is capable of, and more importantly, how does it compare to its biggest rival, iOS?
Adventurous Galaxy S flagship owners may have signed up for the Beta Program all the way back in May. But now, those who skipped the Beta will also get to try the new My FanCam, Call Brief, and other goodies this software build comes with.
I won’t go into detail about the new features. Suffice it to say, most of them rely heavily on Galaxy AI to get the job done.
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Galaxy AI: the villain of the story?
One UI 8.5 gave users the massive customization tools we all appreciate. | Image by PhoneArena
And here comes the first issue, at least in my opinion. While undeniably useful, Galaxy AI features aren’t necessarily something everyone wants to have their phone packed with. Even if you only occasionally rely on the Now Nudge or the Call Brief features, there’s still this lingering feeling that Samsung is starting to give us less and less outside of AI.
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Don’t get me wrong: One UI 8.5 came with a major overhaul that gave Galaxy phone owners greater customization than ever. So, while a new overhaul was definitely unnecessary, shouldn’t Samsung have done more?
To answer this, we must look at the competition.
iOS 27 takes a different approach
iOS 27 is out! | Image by Apple
iOS 27 came out on September 14, 2026, bringing its own version of AI (and more). For some, the highlights may be in the similarities: Cupertino is adding so many AI and new Siri features that it makes me feel like it has finally realized that AI is here to stay.
From more realistic photo-generating features in Image Playground to asking what Siri sees on your camera and even changing how Siri’s voice sounds, the similarities between Android and iOS are definitely there.
Siri mode in the Camera app looks a little too... familiar. | Image by Apple
But Apple didn’t just give iPhone owners a bunch of AI fluff to work with. Instead, it focused on providing a few actually useful extras, my favorite being the Create a Pass option.
For those who might have missed it, this feature lets you turn physical tickets, membership cards, and coupons into digital passes, even when they don't have an app equivalent. It’s a small but very welcome change, allowing you to stop hoarding physical tickets and simply carry them around on your phone.
What I’m trying to say is that while Apple has done some borrowing here and there (AI feature-wise), it has also ensured that there’s something for those who don’t care all that much about artificial intelligence on their phones.
The ball is in Samsung’s court
Arguing over who does it better is pointless. I’m simply sharing how I’d like to see One UI evolve because I believe that, while incredibly useful and fun, Galaxy AI features aren’t everything.
Moving on, I’d much rather see a Galaxy phone that doesn’t have artificial intelligence doing all the heavy lifting. Why not give users something that’ll really make their everyday lives easier, such as a simple way to digitize passes or tickets? To me, such small tweaks could really make the next Android 18-based One UI feel more complete.
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Polina Kovalakova, a News and Affiliate Content Writer, has nurtured a passion for mobile technology since the era before smartphones. With a history of exploring a variety of devices, her insights into the mobile world are both broad and nuanced. Polina's non-partisan view extends to appreciating nearly every smartphone brand, a reflection of her open-minded approach to technology. Polina is equally passionate about uncovering the best online deals, tirelessly working to ensure her readers snag top-tier tech at unbeatable prices.
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