Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series alongside One UI 8.5 a few weeks ago. Since then, Galaxy S25 devices have received multiple beta firmware updates, with more models joining the program recently. Some reliable sources suggest that the stable version will reach S25 phones by the end of this month in Korea and in May in other countries. Meanwhile, a recent discovery on the Geekbench database has revealed a Galaxy S26 Ultra running an early version of the Android 17-based One UI 9.
Android 17 appears on Galaxy S26 Ultra benchmarks
The listing, submitted on April 17, shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra (model SM-S948B) sporting an alpha build of the next major OS update. While early benchmarks always get the headlines, the numbers themselves show that there is still plenty of work to do.
In this specific test, the device scored 3,608 in single-core and 10,829 in multi-core performance (via Alfatürk). In comparison, the current stable version of Android 16 (One UI 8.5) typically reaches scores around 3,695 and 11,183. So, there is a slight performance dip of about 2% to 3%.
However, context is key here. Alpha software is usually far from being well optimized. At this point, kernel teams and developers focus on stability and new features instead. As the company is not yet squeezing the maximum power out of the hardware, it is perfectly normal to see lower scores in these early “half-baked” builds.
The road ahead
For those eager to get their hands on the latest features, the wait might not be as long as you think. Samsung traditionally follows a strict schedule for its major software refreshes. If the current timeline holds, Galaxy S26 owners can expect a One UI 9 Beta Program to open up around the end of May.
The official public release of Android 17/One UI 9 will likely coincide with Samsung’s next big hardware event in July 2026. There, the company is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 series.
The post Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Running Android 17 Pops Up on Geekbench: Here Are the Results appeared first on Android Headlines.
