The arrival of the One UI 8.5 beta This marks the next major step in the evolution of Samsung's software. Although it's a beta version, it comes packed with so many changes that, in practical terms, many users will see it almost as a major system update.
For now, the program has only been opened to the Galaxy S25 family and a handful of selected countriesexcluding Spain and most of the rest of Europe. Even so, the deployment of this beta It previews what the experience will be like for dozens of Galaxy mobiles and tablets during 2026.
How the One UI 8.5 beta works and in which countries it is available
Samsung has confirmed the start of One UI 8.5 public beta program, which follows the brand's usual pattern: it is launched first in top-of-the-range models and in specific markets, and then it is progressively expanded to more devices and regions.
In this first phase, only the Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra Anyone can participate. Registration is done through the app. Samsung Memberswhere a specific banner appears from which to request access and download the update via OTA once the request is approved.
The list of initial markets is once again very limited: Germany, South Korea, the United States, India, Poland, and the United KingdomThat is, some European countries are entering the first wave, but Spain and much of the European Union are excluded for the time being, these open tests.
Samsung plans to launch several preliminary compilations from the beta phase (up to three versions are rumored) before releasing the stable edition. That final release is expected for principles of 2026, coinciding with the presentation of the Galaxy S26, and from there the update will gradually reach the rest of the compatible models.
One UI 8.5 is still on Android 16, but it feels almost like a huge leap.
At the grassroots level, One UI 8.5 continues to be based on Android 16Therefore, this isn't a generational change for Google's operating system. However, Samsung has taken advantage of this iteration to implement a genuine face wash to the interface and add a good number of new features.
In the Galaxy devices that have already tested internal versions, the first thing that stands out is the new quick settings panelThe old grid design is replaced by a much more flexible structure, where it is possible to rearrange, resize and reposition virtually all controls.
This extreme customization allows you to create a custom panel: you can change the size of the buttonsYou can arrange them horizontally or vertically and decide which shortcuts should be most visible based on how you use your phone. It feels like a mix between the classic Android panel and a floating widget system.
Significant work is also evident in the Samsung's native app redesignMany of them adopt icons with a greater sense of depth and floating "pill" shaped tab bars, moving away from the continuous bottom bar design and closer to trends seen in other mobile systems.
The application of Settings It gains visual clarity: redundant descriptions under each section have been removed and the The search bar moves to the bottom. on the screen, in the form of an elongated button, to make it more accessible on large mobile phones.
New features for content creation: AI, Photo Assist, and camera changes
One of the pillars of the update is the content creation supported by artificial intelligenceSamsung integrates new capabilities into its editing assistant, which appears in the official documentation as Photo Assistant or Photo Assist, according to the market.
The big news is that they can now be done several consecutive generative editions without needing to save each change. The system allows for the continuous application of AI tools and, at the end of the process, a review of the results. version history to choose which results to keep and which to discard.
This approach makes it more natural workflowInstead of generating intermediate copies, the user can experiment on the fly and decide at the end which version to keep as the final one to save in the gallery or share with other people.
In the camera field, the test builds showcase new features designed for those who work with high-resolution photo and videoOne of the features being tested is the possibility of save the screenshots directly to external storageThis is very useful for creators who use external cards or drives as part of their editing workflow.
Some internal versions still do not include all the usual shooting modes, which indicates that The Camera app is still under development within the beta phase. However, the direction is clear: the aim is to create a more flexible experience both in capturing and in the subsequent management of the material.
Quick Share, Audio Broadcast and Storage Share: the Galaxy ecosystem is getting tighter
Another key aspect of One UI 8.5 is the connectivity between Galaxy devicesThe update incorporates improvements to existing features and introduces new ones to facilitate a sense of a unified ecosystem, across mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and televisions.
On one hand, QuickShare It takes a significant leap forward thanks to the integration of AI. The system is capable of recognize the people who appear in the photos and directly suggest sending to those contacts, reducing steps when sharing images and videos with friends, family, or co-workers.
In the audio section, we get Audio Broadcast or Auracast-based Audio Transmissionwhich uses Bluetooth LE Audio to communicate with nearby compatible devices. The new feature isn't limited to sending music: it's also possible transmit voice using the Galaxy's own microphoneThis is especially useful in guided tours, events, classes, or meetings where several people are listening at the same time.
In addition, One UI 8.5 introduces Storage Share, a feature designed to integrate files from different Galaxy devices into the application "My files"In this way, a user can View and open documents from your mobile device on a tablet, a Galaxy laptop, or even a Samsung TV.provided that all devices are linked to the same account and connected to each other.
In practice, this function behaves like a kind of local shared storage within the Samsung ecosystem, reducing the need to use external services when simply accessing files that are already on other Samsung devices.
Security and privacy: more anti-theft protection and control over the device
The third major component of the beta is the device and data securitySamsung is strengthening its protection system with new layers specifically designed to combat theft and more transparent control over sensitive settings.
The function of Theft protection It is expanded with a mechanism of Block due to failed authenticationIf someone tries to access the device several times by entering the fingerprint, PIN, or password incorrectly, the screen will automatically lock, making unauthorized access more difficult.
At the same time, the number of adjustments required is increasing. identity verificationso that certain critical settings cannot be modified without explicit confirmation. This includes system settings that affect both the phone's security and the privacy of stored information.
The goal is that, in case of loss or theft, It may not be so easy to disable key functions or facilitate the resale of the device or access to the owner's accounts.
One UI 8.5 complete redesign: quick panel, apps, and lock screen
Beyond its powerful AI and connectivity features, One UI 8.5 represents a fairly deep visual adjustment of the customization layer. The intention is to standardize the aesthetics across Samsung apps and make navigation more convenient.
The new quick panel Not only is it more configurable, but it also adopts a more modern look, with controls of different sizes and shapes that can be freely rearranged. This allows, for example, giving more space to the brightness, connectivity, or audio controls if they are the most frequently used.
In various applications of the system, a floating button bar At the bottom, in a pill-shaped section, the main actions are grouped without taking up the entire width. This pattern is seen in apps like Phone, Clock, or the lock screen customization tools.
The own lock screen It receives aesthetic and functional improvements, including new adaptive watch options and the ability to apply weather-related animations, maintaining the philosophy of dividing the panel between an upper information zone and a lower interaction zone.
These changes aim for a cleaner and more consistent look across all native applications, with search buttons that remain visible while scrolling and controls that slightly overlap the content to speed up navigation.
Compatible devices and what users can expect in Spain and Europe
Although Samsung has not yet published the official final list, the company has made it clear that One UI 8.5 will not be exclusive to the Galaxy S26The Galaxy S25 will be the first to receive the stable version after the beta, and from there the update will be extended to a large part of the recent catalog.
Following the brand's support policy, it is expected that all the models that are currently on One UI 8 They may end up making the jump to One UI 8.5, and it's even possible that some devices will go directly from previous versions to this new iteration if Samsung decides to do so.
In Europe, and particularly in SpainTypically, the beta version isn't offered officially, as has happened with previous programs. This means that most Spanish users will have to wait for the stable versionwhich will begin to arrive during 2026 and will be deployed in waves according to the model and the region.
Those who own a relatively recent high-end Galaxy mobile phone (S and Z series) or with some of the most popular mid-range models have a good chance of receiving One UI 8.5, although the specific timeframes will depend on the final schedule that Samsung announces in the coming months.
The beta of One UI 8.5 It anticipates an update that goes beyond the usual minor tweaks: it strengthens content creation with AI, tightens the integration of the Galaxy ecosystem, and improves device defenses, while also renewing the interface with a more flexible and coherent design; for users in Spain and the rest of Europe who cannot access the beta, the important thing is that all these improvements will arrive as a free update throughout 2026, provided their Galaxy is among the compatible models.
