One UI 8.5, launching with the Galaxy S26, brings significant AI and system tool updates.
New AI features enhance productivity
Revamped system apps improve usability
Better privacy controls for users
Customizable Quick Settings panel
Battery management gets a facelift
Camera app upgraded with new capabilities
Simplified power-saving features
Samsung Cloud returns for photo backup
One UI 8.5 is Samsung’s important mid-cycle update based on Android 16, scheduled to launch early 2026 alongside the Galaxy S26 series. It offers significant visual refinements, expanded AI capabilities, and smarter system tools, designed to provide Galaxy S26 flagships with a competitive edge in software performance and user experience compared to previous releases and competitors.[1][2]
Purpose and Overview
One UI 8.5 acts as a bridge between One UI 8 and the forthcoming One UI 9, introducing under-the-hood optimizations and deeper AI integration beyond typical minor updates. Its goal is to ensure the S26 lineup ships with polished, future-ready software, delivering enhanced speed, system stability, and usability improvements.[2][9]
Enhanced AI Features
Samsung expands AI dramatically in One UI 8.5:
Meeting Assist: Real-time voice and on-screen translation for smoother international collaborations.
Touch Assistant: Summarizes and processes long texts for easier reading.
Smart Clipboard: Contextual suggestions like grammar checks and app launching when copying text.
Social Composer: Auto-generates captions or posts based on photos or shopping history.
AI Agents Integration: Quick toggling between Galaxy AI, Google Gemini, Gauss Cloud, and Perplexity from the launcher.
AI Call Screening: Live transcription handles unknown calls and spam filtering automatically.
Private Display: AI restricts viewing angles for privacy.
Photo Privacy Tool: Automatically blurs sensitive information before sharing photos.
These features enhance productivity, privacy, and social media usage, blending AI more deeply into daily interactions.[2]
System App Redesigns
Key apps get both visual and functional overhauls for better usability and modern aesthetics:
Phone App: Floating pill-shaped nav bar and refreshed icons.
My Files: Circular icons, bottom search bar, and storage indicators.
Gallery: Pill-shaped navigation with stacked album previews.
Quick Share: Slimmer UI, NFC file transfers, and new Family Sharing within Galaxy devices.
Routines: New AI query actions within automation workflows.
Auto Blocker: Temporary 30-minute disabling option.
Device Care: Streamlined health indicators.
Weather App: Pollen tracking returns plus glass-like design.
Call Screen: Squircle buttons and gradient blurs.
Driving Mode: Intuitive card-style UI.
Auracast: Redesigned audio broadcast interface.
Power Saving: Cleaner, context-sensitive menu.[6][1][2]
UI and Functional Enhancements
Customizable Quick Panel: Complete freedom to resize, move, or delete toggles and widgets.
Software Update Screen: Minimalist layout with gradient logo.
App Folders: Stacked icon previews with customizable backgrounds.
Double Back Tap: Native gesture support.
Wi-Fi Monitoring: Real-time signal quality and predictive switching.
Battery Pill Option: Hide battery icon background while showing percentage.
Lockscreen: New blurred notification backgrounds and clock styles.
3D App Icons: Subtle shadows for raised effect, though newer builds tone down 3D depth for balance.[7][1][6]
Additional Features
Samsung Cloud returns as an option for gallery backup, replacing OneDrive.
Camera enhancements: LUT profiles for professional color grading, 3D spatial recording for VR content, and Advanced Professional Video (APV) workflows.
Family Device Sharing: Shared files, payments, location tracking, and health data for family groups.
Photosensitive Epilepsy Protection: Dim screen on detection of strobe effects.
Direct Voicemail: Real-time transcription and AI audio quality enhancements.
Notification Prioritization: Mark important notifications to stay on top, processed locally for privacy.
Partial Screen Recording: Capture specific areas of the display.
Flashlight Control: Integrated into the Now Bar on lock and status screens.[5][2]
Rollout Schedule
One UI 8.5 will debut pre-installed on the Galaxy S26 series expected in January or March 2026. Samsung plans a phased rollout to most devices currently running One UI 8, including flagship phones launched since 2022 and select midrange devices. A beta program for One UI 8.5 might start as early as November 2025 for Galaxy S25 users.[3][1][2]
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. He earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI.
Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.
Sammyguru.com is a media company dedicated to Samsung news, reviews, tutorials, and tips. The website and its associated YouTube channels, podcast, and social media presence cover all things Samsung, from product releases and software updates to leaks and rumors. It also sells mystery boxes for new Samsung products and plans to launch a membership program.
Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting.
She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior.
Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.
