Samsung will not deliver its One UI 8.5 software update to the Galaxy S22, Z Fold 4, or Z Flip 4, cutting off three of its 2022 flagship devices from the latest iteration of its Android skin.
The move confirms that phones now just three years old will miss out on features tied to the upcoming release, according to Android Police.
What One UI 8.5 Means for Older Devices
One UI 8.5 is Samsung’s incremental software release built on top of Android, typically carrying new AI features, interface changes, and security enhancements between major annual updates.
Owners of the S22 series, Z Fold 4, and Z Flip 4 will continue to receive security patches, but they will not gain access to the feature upgrades shipping with One UI 8.5.
That distinction matters for consumers who bought those devices expecting extended software relevance.
A Shifting Standard for Software Support
Samsung and Google now promise seven years of full OS and security updates on their current flagship lines — a commitment that applies to devices like the Galaxy S24 series and the Pixel 9 lineup.
That standard, however, did not exist when Samsung sold the Galaxy S22 in early 2022.
At launch, Samsung pledged four years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches for the S22 family — a policy that was considered strong for its time.
By that original commitment, the S22 series remains within its security support window but sits outside the scope of additional feature updates like One UI 8.5.
Still, the exclusion highlights how quickly the goalposts have shifted.
Buyers who purchased a Galaxy S22 in 2022 based on Samsung’s support promises are receiving what they were sold — yet they now watch newer owners on equivalent hardware enjoy a more feature-rich experience.
The Broader Industry Shift
Google moved first among Android manufacturers to match Apple’s long-term software support model, announcing seven-year guarantees with the Pixel 8 in 2023.
Samsung followed, extending its own commitment to seven years of updates starting with the Galaxy S24 series, launched in January 2024.
That escalation directly benefits consumers buying flagship Android phones today, but it draws a sharper line between current and older generations.
Meanwhile, Apple has historically supported iPhones for five to Six Years with full software updates, a benchmark that pushed Android makers to raise their own standards.
The Galaxy S22 originally launched in February 2022 with Android 12 and One UI 4.1.
Samsung has since delivered Android 13, 14, and 15 to the device — fulfilling its four OS upgrade promise.
The Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 launched later that same year under the same support terms.
