Samsung One UI 8.5 introduces dynamic colors on the PIN screen, with Samsung Fans reporting a beta rollout and hints that many features are reserved for the Galaxy S26 lineup.
One UI 8.5 has been officially revealed in beta, with a broader stable release planned for the first half of 2026. While the beta showcases several new capabilities and AI enhancements, insiders note that a number of high-profile features are being saved for the Galaxy S26 series.
On December 8, Samsung opened the One UI 8.5 Beta Program, and the final update is expected to come with a larger feature set and AI improvements. However, a leaker known as @chunvn8888 indicated that the current beta lacks numerous features that were anticipated, suggesting Samsung intends to reserve them for the Galaxy S26 generation.
A notable example is the AI-powered notification summary. This feature, which would condense notifications from the previous 24 hours, was expected to arrive with One UI 7 last year but wasn’t released then. The summary is said to run on-device using Samsung’s Gauss AI model to protect user data and privacy.
Language support at launch is anticipated to include English, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Vietnamese, and Thai. The feature is expected to appear in the official release on new devices, though it remains unclear whether the Galaxy S25 lineup will receive it.
This is just one example among several reportedly planned features. Samsung’s strategy appears to be to debut major features and AI tools first on the latest flagship models, positioning newer devices as superior and generating early interest.
In other One UI 8.5 news, Samsung began releasing December 2025 security updates for the Galaxy Tab S10 series, starting in South Korea and expanding globally. The update, version X820XXS5CYK1, weighs around 400 MB and addresses 57 security issues (6 critical, 51 high level), along with 11 One UI-specific fixes to bolster overall security. This patch also helps prepare the Tab S10 for future updates and the upcoming One UI 8.5 beta alongside the Galaxy S26 launch slated for next year.
Galaxy Tab S10 users can check for the update via Settings > Software update > Download and install. Availability will broaden as regions receive the release.
Meanwhile, a preview of One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S23 Ultra surfaced after internal builds were obtained by SamMobile, revealing a redesigned interface and several new features. The update promises a customizable Quick Panel, refreshed stock apps, and a redesigned Settings menu. Visual improvements touch DeX and Camera experiences, with some Pro modes gaining a cleaner interface. Single Take remains supported in this early build.
A redesigned One UI 8.5 menu emphasizes a cleaner look, relocating the search icon to the bottom and simplifying subheadings. The Battery and Device Care pages receive updates, and a new Photo Assist feature provides a history of edits to revert changes. However, some features—such as text-prompted editing, image clip editing, and Call Assistant—aren’t fully functional yet in this early version.
Some features are still missing in this S23 Ultra build, including Log Video in Camera, Health Assist, Now Brief in Galaxy AI, Audio Eraser in Gallery, and AI-driven Weather. A hands-on video from SamMobile demonstrates these changes and highlights the early state of the rollout.
Additionally, the Galaxy S24 FE has entered the One UI 8.5 testing phase, with a stable build spotted (S721BXXU8DYLB) indicating a final version in the works and suggesting that S24 FE users may transition directly from beta to a stable release when the update becomes broadly available. The S25 beta remains limited, while the S26 flagship is expected to launch with a stable One UI 8.5 update in February 2026.
A separate One UI 8.5 Beta update enhances the Now Bar with practical tweaks, including a new flashlight indicator visible in the Now Bar when the torch is on, and a corresponding Torch on card in Now Brief for quick off-switch access. YouTube recommendations in Now Brief also receive a facelift, shifting to a horizontal carousel layout for easier browsing and a cleaner appearance. Beyond these tweaks, the beta brings broader UI refreshes, smarter widgets, more customization options, and improved security tools. At present, the beta program primarily targets the Galaxy S25 series, with rollout expanding to more devices over time.
