Samsung's next big layer update, One UI 8.5, is already emerging through internal builds and leaks detailing significant changes in design, apps, and AI-powered features. Although it remains based on Android 16, the proposal aims at something more than a simple intermediate polish.
On the horizon is its premiere alongside the Galaxy S26 family, with a beta that could be activated earlier. For users in Spain and Europe, the signs point to a rollout Staggered OTA following the arrival of the new flagships, following the brand's usual pattern.
Why One UI 8.5 and when it will arrive
Samsung prepares One UI 8.5 as a bridge update before the next major software upgrade. The company has been releasing each iteration of its layer with the Galaxy S versions, and this time the change to One UI 9 will have to wait until Android 17.
The surname “x.5” underlines that we are not talking about a minor patch: there will be internal improvements, visual tweaks, and productivity updates. Leaks point to debut alongside the S26 at the beginning of the year, with a beta program that could open in November in selected markets.
As usual, distribution in Europe would be carried out in phases and by compatible models, reaching a good part of the devices that already received One UI 8 if your hardware allows it.
AI and Communications: Calls, Notifications, and Privacy
One of the main lines will be the integration of new functions with AI. One UI 8.5 is preparing a AI shortcut in the launcher which would allow you to consult different agents from the home screen, with brief answers and the possibility of choosing a provider.
In that line, the system would add an integration of AI Agents with access to Galaxy AI, Google Gemini, Gauss Cloud or Perplexity, which could even replace the classic search bar with a multiai hub more flexible.
In calls, there are two key pieces: a call filtering with real-time transcription for unknown numbers and an option to auto answer which shows what is being said live, even with Do Not Disturb on, to improve spam control.
Notifications are also evolving. Leaks show a toggle for Prioritize notifications, which places alerts marked as important above the rest, and tests of AI summaries for long messages, all with local processing on the phone to maintain privacy.
In terms of visual privacy, a mode is explored Private Display to limit legibility from side angles and a tool that detects personal data in photos before sharing them, offering blurred or pixelated from the share menu.
Some AI-based productivity utilities appearing in internal builds would initially be limited to China (such as Meeting Assist, Touch Assistant, Smart Clipboard o Social Composer), with no guarantee of immediate global release.
Improved system apps and tools
Several native apps are receiving functional redesigns. The app Phone Number It adopts a floating tablet-style navigation with a circular active tab indication and a call icon in line with the latest visual language.
My files It gains circular icons by category, a bottom search bar, pill-shaped routes, and a clearer internal storage section with usage percentage for everyday use.
En Gallery An album view with stacked previews is introduced, while QuickShare debuts a lighter floating bar for Send/Receive, support for NFC transfers and a space of Share with family to facilitate content and access between members.
The Workouts Add “Ask Gemini” and “Ask Bixby” actions to consult both assistants within automations, and Auto Blocker may be temporarily disabled during 30 minutes without giving up security by default.
The Device care It is simplified and gains memory, storage and battery indicators with more legible percentages; decorative elements disappear to give way to a more readable direct and condensed.
La app Time It could recover the pollen tracking (tree, grasses and ragweed) with iconography by levels, useful for allergy sufferers, along with a visual touch-up with translucent layers and cleaner finish.
During the call, the screen changes to “squircle” shaped buttons, reordering controls and marker more separate and legible; in addition, Driving adopt suggestion cards to reduce distractions and more customization options.
Auracast is relocated and modernized with separate tabs for casting or receiving audio, name and password settings and quick access from Connected Devices, and the menu of Energy saving groups options more clearly, first activating the mode to adjust performance and display limits.
Interface, multimedia and camera
El Quick Panel It will be much more customizable: resize switches and widgets, move them freely, leave gaps and choose vertical or horizontal arrangement on certain sliders, with the freedom to remove unnecessary tiles.
The screen of Software update adopts a minimalist design with a gradient logo cover and a prominent “Check for updates” button, while the folders They show a stacked view of icons in the corner and new background color and opacity settings.
Gestures like the one arrive double tap on the back to open apps, activate the flashlight, captures or AI functions; connectivity improvements with intelligent Wi-Fi link evaluation and switching automatic to data if the signal fails; and the option to hide the battery “pill” background while keeping the percentage visible.
At lock screen Added blur after notifications for better readability and a transition from album in the player: When skipping songs, the large cover art smoothly transitions to the next, accompanied by new adaptive clock styles and Animated wallpapers.
For creators, the camera tests profiles LUT applicable to LOG video from the app itself (“cinematic” type styles), a capture 3D with the wide-angle lens for stereoscopic photos and video and a flow APV (Advanced Professional Video) with integrated Gallery conversion to HEVC, reducing steps between capture and publishing.
Among other benefits, it would return Samsung Cloud as a copy option in Gallery, a protector against photosensitive epilepsy which dims intense flashes, partial screen recording, flashlight from the Now Bar, a possible Network Battery Saver that optimizes the network when you are not using your mobile, simple transfer of eSIM from iPhone and the aforementioned priority and notification summaries functions.
In terms of dates, the stable version of One UI 8.5 is expected to debut with the Galaxy S26 series, with the beta arriving first in select markets; in Spain and the rest of Europe, the rollout should follow the usual channel via OTA update and in waves depending on the model and region.
With a mix of Practical AIWith a clean redesign of the interface and improvements for creators and privacy, One UI 8.5 aims to be a more substantial transitional release than its name suggests, paving the way for the next major release while still bringing useful changes to everyday use.