Samsung’s One UI 8.5 update is here in beta, and it brings a wave of fresh features and design tweaks. While a full rollout isn’t expected until 2026, this preview covers everything you can expect from the update.
Biggest highlights in One UI 8.5
Fully customizable Quick Panel
With the earlier split Quick Panel introduced in One UI 8, 8.5 hands you fuller control. The Quick Panel is now entirely customizable: you can rearrange each toggle and slider, and the UI for adding new controls has been refreshed for easier access.
Liquid Glass styling and first‑party app refreshes
A refreshed design language arrives with One UI 8.5. Expect a subtle 3D feel for Samsung’s own apps and related first‑party software. The UI borrows some elements reminiscent of Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic—most noticeably in the prominent floating buttons and taskbars. The transparency remains distinct from Apple’s approach, but the overall look shows a clear lineage. If you compare One UI 8 to 8.5, you’ll spot the updated visual language more clearly.
Storage Share in My Files
A new feature called Storage Share appears in the My Files app. It lets your phone access nearby Samsung devices’ storage. The other device doesn’t need to be running One UI 8.5, but a prompt must be accepted on that device to initiate the connection.
Weather backgrounds for alarms
The Clock app gains the ability to display the current weather as a background on alarm screens, so you wake up with a quick view of the forecast.
Audio broadcasts powered by Auracast
Building on Auracast support, One UI 8.5 adds voice-based audio broadcasting, accessible through the Quick Panel as well.
The full One UI 8.5 changelog
Samsung provides a comprehensive changelog detailing every change in the update, which is included below as reported from the OTA release.
One UI 8.5 Beta
Galaxy AI
- Continuous image generation: Photo Assist now enables ongoing AI-based image creation using various Photo Assist features without saving each version. When finished, browse your history and pick favorites.
Connectivity
- Storage share: Access files across your Samsung devices—phones, tablets, and PCs—in the My Files app. You can also reach your phone’s files from other Samsung devices, including a TV.
- Quick connect to Smart View devices: Add a Home screen shortcut to mirror your phone to a TV or other display instantly.
- Enhanced Auracast: Easier listening and broadcasting with Auracast; broadcast and listening options live in the Audio broadcast menu.
- Voice broadcasts: Broadcast your voice to nearby listeners using the phone’s microphone in addition to media audio.
- Quick Share: Set Quick Share to accept files only from devices signed in to your Samsung or Google account.
- Photo sharing suggestions: When sharing photos featuring friends or family, Quick Share can identify people and suggest sharing with them directly.
Home and Lock screens
- Automatic lock screen layout: Photos with people or pets adjust automatically so clocks and widgets don’t obscure important parts of the image.
- More clock font options: Customize the lock screen clock by fine‑tuning font thickness to suit your style.
Weather
- Enhanced weather widget: See an upcoming precipitation graph on the home screen weather widget.
- Pollen index: Check pollen levels for trees, grass, and ragweed to manage allergies.
- Weather backgrounds for alarms: Alarm screens display current weather conditions as you wake.
- Time zone converter: A new slider in the Clock app makes it easy to compare time across different regions.
Samsung Health
- Enhanced weekly reports: Weekly health summaries now include data from medication tracking and mindfulness sessions.
- Upgraded sharing: Create posts that combine workout stats and photos for social media.
- Start meditations from your watch: Begin favored or recommended meditation sessions directly on the Galaxy Watch.
- Antioxidant measurements from your watch: Monitor antioxidant levels on the watch itself, even when not connected to the phone (works with Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra).
Security and privacy
- Theft protection: Enable Failed authentication lock to automatically secure the device after multiple failed attempts; identity checks protect even more settings.
- Auto blocker: A new option lets Auto blocker automatically re‑enable after 30 minutes if temporarily turned off.
Battery and power
- Redesigned battery info: The Battery settings page shows remaining time, charging status, and weekly usage more clearly.
- Improved power saving: Choose Standard for balanced savings or Maximum to disable non‑essential features for maximum endurance.
Accessibility
- Bluetooth hearing aids: Quick access in the Accessibility menu to adjust hearing aid settings, including programs and ambient sound.
- Magnification with mouse/keyboard: The magnified view can follow the cursor or switch focus with keyboard input.
- Dwell and corner actions: Dwell action triggers when the pointer stops; corner actions map distinct tasks to each screen corner.
Additional improvements
- More customizable quick panel: Add, remove, reorder, and reorganize quick settings to fit personal workflows.
- Early reminders: Get alerts ahead of due reminders to stay on top of tasks.
- Partial screen recording: Choose exactly which portion of the screen to capture.
- Calculator nudges: When copying numbers or formulas, suggested entries appear in Calculator for quick input.
- Keep window sizes in DeX: DeX preserves your app window sizes and positions between sessions.
Further updates
- Explore more Samsung coverage:
- Qi2 25W wireless charging dock revealed for the Galaxy S26
- Samsung remains dominant in the foldable market after the Galaxy Z Fold 7 developments
- Galaxy Buds 4 leaks suggest design cues borrowed from AirPods
Would you like this rewritten piece to lean more toward a casual tech-news vibe or a more formal editorial tone? Also, should any section be expanded with real‑world usage tips or beginner explanations to help new users navigate One UI 8.5 more confidently?
