Samsung One UI 8.5 Full Changelog, Feature List, Eligible Devices, and Downloads
Update: The One UI 8.5 Beta program has been launched for Galaxy S25 and S24 series devices globally. Here’s how to download!
Original: While Samsung is internally testing the One UI 8.5 firmware update, the full changelog has just leaked, featuring a refined and more polished experience across system performance, design, and overall usability. The firmware enhances device stability, improves animations, and optimizes memory and power management for smoother day-to-day performance. Core system components have been optimized for enhanced responsiveness, resulting in faster app launches and more fluid transitions. Users will also notice improvements in connectivity, including more stable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and seamless ecosystem device interactions.
A major focus of One UI 8.5 is the expansion of Galaxy AI, with upgrades across multiple AI-powered tools. The update enhances language processing speed and accuracy, while features like Chat Assist, Browser Assistant, Interpreter, Note Assist, and Live Translate receive improved performance and reliability. Photo editing, video editing, transcription, and smart suggestions are now more consistent thanks to enhancements in Samsung’s AI algorithms. Overall, Galaxy AI becomes more deeply integrated across the interface, making everyday tasks quicker and more intuitive.
The Camera and Gallery apps also receive significant improvements. Image quality is enhanced with better stabilization, sharper details, and more reliable low-light performance. AI-powered editing tools in the Gallery now offer more accurate suggestions, improved object recognition, and faster loading times. Widgets such as the battery and weather widgets have also been upgraded with more precise data, cleaner layouts, and better animations, contributing to a more informative and visually appealing home screen experience.
Lastly, several native Samsung apps, including Samsung Health, Samsung Internet, Samsung Wallet, and Samsung Keyboard, are updated to align with the One UI 8.5 feature set. Users can expect UI refinements, more reliable performance, and enhanced security across these apps. With improvements to haptic feedback, thermal management, multitasking, and wallpapers, the One UI 8.5 update delivers a comprehensive upgrade that focuses on both functionality and user experience. The update is rolling out gradually, with availability depending on region, device, and carrier.
One UI 8.5 Full Changelog
Galaxy AI
Continuous image generation
Keep creating without stopping. Photo Assist now lets you generate AI images using different Photo assist features without saving each iteration. When you’re done, you can review all your creations in your history and pick your favorites.
Bixby
Smarter device control
Talk to Bixby in your own words. Bixby is now better at finding the setting or feature you need, even if you don’t use exact commands or feature names. Just say what you need and let Bixby do the rest.
Ask anything, anytime
Whether you need a quick answer or detailed information, just ask Bixby for an instant response. There’s no need to spend time on multiple searches or switching between apps.
Conversation history
Looking back at past conversations with Bixby is easier than ever. You can now access your conversation history from the side panel in the Bixby app.
Connectivity
Storage share
Access your files anywhere. Files from your other Samsung phones, tablets, and PCs are available in the My Files app on your phone. You can also access your phone’s files on other Samsung devices, even your TV.
Quickly connect to Smart View devices
Connect to your favorite display faster. You can now add a shortcut on your Home screen to instantly mirror your phone’s screen to a TV or other display device.
Enhanced Auracast features
It’s easier than ever to listen to and broadcast sound with Auracast. Options for both broadcasting and listening are now located in the Audio broadcast menu in Settings.
Voice broadcasts
Broadcast your voice to people around you with Auracast. In addition to media sound, you can now broadcast your voice using your phone’s built-in microphone.
Battery and power
Revamped battery info
See your battery use more clearly. The redesigned Battery settings screen makes it easier to check remaining time, charging status, and daily usage over the past week.
Improved Power saving
Use Power saving to make your battery last longer without charging. Choose Standard for moderate savings and customizable limits, or choose Maximum to turn off all non-essential features and make your battery last as long as possible.
Accessibility
Easily control Bluetooth hearing aids
Access settings for your Bluetooth hearing aids directly from the Accessibility shortcut. A pop-up will appear that lets you change your hearing program, turn Ambient sound on or off, and more.
Control magnification with mouse or keyboard
Keep what you need magnified in view with these new options. You can make the magnified area follow the cursor as you type or move when you change focus using the keyboard. When using a mouse, you can make the magnified area shift as you move the pointer to the edge of the screen.
Dwell action and Corner actions
The Auto action after pointer stops feature has been divided into 2 features. Dwell action lets you set custom actions when your mouse stops moving for a certain amount of time. Corner actions let you set a different action to each corner of the screen.
Even more improvements
More customizable quick panel
Arrange your quick settings just the way you like them. You can now add, remove, reorder, and reorganize controls in the quick panel.
Early alerts for reminders
Get alerts before reminders are due to make sure you don’t forget important tasks. You can choose how far in advance to get an alert for each reminder.
Partial screen recording
Include only what you need in your screen recordings. You can now select only the part of the screen that you want to record.
Calculator nudges
Save time on calculations. Numbers and formulas copied to your clipboard will be suggested when you open Calculator so you can enter them with a quick tap.
Keep window sizes in DeX
DeX now remembers your app window sizes and positions. When you open an app again, it appears just as you left it.
Clock
Weather alarm backgrounds
Wake up to an alarm that gets you ready for the day’s weather. Your alarm screen can now show the current weather conditions as a background when it rings.
Time zone converter
Compare time zones at a glance. The new slider in the Clock app makes it easy to check the time difference between places around the world.
Samsung Health
Enhanced weekly reports
See a fuller picture of your health each week. Weekly reports now include data from your medication tracker and mindfulness sessions.
Upgraded Sharing Experience
Share your workouts your way. Mix and match your exercise stats with photos from your workout to create the perfect social media post.
Start meditations from your watch
Find calm right from your wrist. You can now start favorite or recommended meditations directly on your Galaxy Watch without picking up your phone.
Antioxidant measurements from your watch
Check your antioxidant levels anytime. Measure directly from your Galaxy Watch, even if it’s not connected to your phone. Works with Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.
Security and privacy
Theft protection
Keep your phone and data safe in case it is lost or stolen. Turn on Failed authentication lock to automatically lock the screen in case there are too many failed attempts to verify your identity using your fingerprints, PIN, pattern, or password. Identity check also protects even more settings before.
Turn off Auto blocker temporarily
If you need to temporarily disable Auto blocker’s security protection, a new option lets you turn it on automatically 30 minutes later so you don’t forget.
Quick Share
Avoid unwanted sharing requests
You can now set Quick Share to only receive files from other devices signed in to your Samsung account or Google account.
Photo sharing suggestions
Share photos with the right people faster. When you share pictures that include friends or family, Quick Share can recognize who’s in them and suggest sharing directly with those people.
Home and Lock screens
Automatic Lock screen layout
Wallpapers with pictures of people or pets now fit perfectly every time. When you choose a photo for your Lock screen, the layout adjusts automatically so the clock and widgets don’t cover important parts of the picture.
More customizable clock fonts
Personalize your Lock screen clock. You can now adjust the thickness of more font styles to match your preferred look.
Weather
Enhanced weather widget
Quickly check upcoming precipitation in the Weather widget on your Home screen. The widget now shows a graph if precipitation is expected in the next few hours.
Pollen index
Check how much pollen is in the air to help manage your allergies. You can check pollen levels for trees, grass, and ragweed.
One UI 8.5 Feature List & What’s New
Before diving into the specifics of One UI 8.5, it’s worth understanding the trajectory of Samsung’s custom skin. One UI was introduced in 2018 as a successor to Samsung Experience (formerly TouchWiz), with a primary focus on one-handed usability, clean aesthetics, and enhanced functionality. Over successive iterations, Samsung has refined the interface, adding features like enhanced privacy controls, improved multitasking capabilities, and deeper integration with Samsung’s ecosystem of devices and services.
One UI 8.5 depicts the latest chapter in Samsung’s mobile OS, building upon the foundation established by previous versions while introducing new capabilities that aim to address user feedback and compete with rival operating systems. The update is particularly significant because it arrives at a time when the stable One UI 8 update is actively being rolled out.
1. Customizable Quick Settings Panel: Power to the User
Perhaps the most celebrated feature in One UI 8.5 is the extensively customizable Quick Settings panel. Historically, Samsung has offered some degree of customization in this area, but the new version takes it to another level. Users now have unprecedented control over the appearance and functionality of their Quick Settings.
What’s Changed:
- Resizable Toggles: Users can adjust the size of Quick Settings toggles, allowing for more efficient use of screen space. This is particularly useful for those who prefer a more compact layout or want to fit more toggles on a single screen.
- Rearrangeable Icons: The ability to reorganize toggles has been enhanced, making it easier to prioritize frequently used functions.
- Layout Options: Multiple layout configurations are available, giving users the flexibility to create a Quick Settings panel that matches their workflow and aesthetic preferences.
However, the customization comes with a caveat. Some users have pointed out that the design appears heavily inspired by iOS 26‘s Control Center redesign.
2. 3D Icons
One UI 8.5 CYJ1 build adds 3D effects to Icons.
2. Redesigned Phone App
The phone app, one of the most frequently used applications on any smartphone, has received a comprehensive redesign in One UI 8.5. Samsung has focused on creating a more modern, streamlined interface that reduces visual clutter while maintaining easy access to essential functions.
Key Improvements:
- Cleaner Interface: Unnecessary elements have been removed or consolidated, creating a more focused user experience.
- Improved Navigation: The layout has been optimized to make it easier to switch between contacts, recent calls, and the dialer.
- Visual Modernization: Updated graphics and animations bring the phone app in line with contemporary design standards.
The changes also reflect Samsung’s broader effort to modernize the visual language across One UI 8.5, creating greater consistency throughout the system.
3. Enhanced Weather App
Weather apps have become increasingly sophisticated, and Samsung’s redesigned weather application in One UI 8.5 reflects this trend. The update introduces new animations, a more intuitive interface, and improved data presentation.
Notable Features:
- New Animations: Weather conditions are now represented with more dynamic and visually appealing animations, making the app more engaging to use.
- Improved Data Visualization: Information is presented in a clearer, more accessible format, making it easier to understand current conditions and forecasts at a glance.
- Backward Compatibility: Interestingly, the community has noted that “Finally, One UI 8 Weather app can be installed on any device running One UI 7 or below,” suggesting Samsung is making efforts to bring new features to older devices where possible.
4. Built-In App Locking
One of the most requested features from Samsung users has finally arrived in One UI 8.5: native app locking functionality. Previously, users had to rely on Samsung’s Secure Folder or third-party solutions to lock individual apps, but the new built-in feature offers a more straightforward approach.
Why It Matters:
- Privacy Protection: Users can now lock sensitive apps (banking, messaging, photos, etc.) without needing to duplicate them in Secure Folder.
- Convenience: The native implementation is more accessible and easier to configure than previous workarounds.
- Distinction from Secure Folder: As one Reddit user clarified, “Built in app lock not the secure folder…. Both are different,” highlighting that this is a separate feature designed for different use cases.
5. File Management Enhancements
Samsung’s My Files app has received a useful update in One UI 8.5 that improves file organization and retrieval. The new file grouping feature automatically organizes files by their source in the Recent/Downloads area, making it easier to locate specific items.
Benefits:
- Source-Based Organization: Files are grouped based on where they originated (downloads, shared files, camera, etc.), providing logical categorization.
- Faster File Retrieval: Users can quickly locate files by remembering their source rather than searching through chronological lists.
- Improved Workflow: For users who frequently download and manage files, this feature streamlines the process significantly.
6. AI Integration and Utilities
Artificial intelligence continues to be a major focus for smartphone manufacturers, and Samsung has integrated several AI-powered features into One UI 8.5. However, community reception to these features has been mixed.
AI Features Include:
- Audio Cleaner: An improved audio processing tool that can remove background noise and enhance voice clarity in recordings. This has been identified as one of the most practical AI features, with users noting, “The AI improvements so far are a bunch of gimmicks, except for the audio cleaner.”
- Scientific Calculator in Portrait Mode: While not strictly an AI feature, the addition of a full scientific calculator in portrait orientation has been welcomed by students and professionals. “Scientific calculator in portrait mode is going to be useful for me,” one user commented.
- Other AI Enhancements: Samsung has included various AI-powered suggestions and optimizations, though some users remain skeptical about their practical value.
7. Display and Aesthetic Refinements
One UI 8.5 includes several visual enhancements designed to create a more cohesive and polished experience:
Dynamic Clock: The lock screen clock now adjusts according to the subject or wallpaper, adding a personalized touch. This feature creates visual harmony between the clock and the content behind it, demonstrating attention to aesthetic detail.
Improved Animations: Samsung has refined animations throughout the system, particularly the transition from lock screen to home screen. However, some users feel there’s still room for improvement, noting, “The animation when switching from the lock screen to the home screen needs to be better.”
List of Samsung phones to receive One UI 8.5
Samsung UI 8.5 device list expected to receive One UI 8.5 / Android 16 support.
- One UI 8.5 is expected to debut with the Galaxy S26 series in early 2026 and is based on Android 16
- Any Galaxy device that is eligible for One UI 8 (Android 16) is generally expected to receive One UI 8.5 as well, unless Samsung changes its policy later.
Expected flagship and foldable devices
From current leaks and Samsung-focused reports, these Galaxy lines are repeatedly mentioned as eligible or expected:
- Galaxy S: S26 series (launching with 8.5), S25 series, S24 series, S23 series, S22 series, and S21 FE.
- Galaxy Z: Z Fold 7, Fold 6, Fold 5, Fold 4, and Z Flip 7, Flip 6, Flip 5, Flip 4 (plus regional special editions).
Expected mid‑range and budget phones
Most devices that are already confirmed or strongly rumored to get One UI 8 / Android 16 are also listed as candidates for 8.5:
- Galaxy A series (examples from multiple lists): A73, A56, A55, A54, A53, A36, A35, A34, A33, A25, A24, A16, A15, A06/A07 (names vary slightly by region).youtube+2
- Galaxy M and F series (where sold): M56, M55, M54, M53, M34, M33, M16, M15, and F55, F54, F34, F16, F15, etc., depending on market.youtube
Expected tablets and rugged devices
- Galaxy Tab S lineup: Tab S11 series, Tab S10 series (including FE variants), Tab S9 series, and some Tab S8 / Tab A9-class devices mentioned in leaked lists.youtube+2
- Galaxy XCover: XCover 7, XCover 7 Pro, XCover 6 Pro are referenced as eligible in at least one detailed leak.youtube
Download One UI 8.5 OTA update
Samsung also accidentally leaked the full firmware One UI 8.5 which is already available for download. So users can sideload the OTA and try it themselves. However, users be warned, One UI 8.5 leaked beta does not guarantee future OTA updates. You may need to wait for the stable release of One UI 8.5 in order to get new update.
The One UI 8.5 firmware leaked earlier this week, showcasing the entire next-gen software update from Samsung Galaxy devices. The firmware is for the Galaxy S25 and S24 series phones can be flashed using OTA installation method.
Warning: This is a leaked OTA update of internal builds! No guarantee of new OTA updates in the future. Samsung is also removing the OEM unlock toggle and bootloader unlocking methods. So you won’t be able to downgrade to One UI 7. You will need to flash One UI 8 firmware or later via the Odin flash tool. This will factory reset the device. Flash at your own risk!
Thanks to Tarun Vats for the changelog.
