The highly anticipated One UI 8.5 is generating buzz among Samsung enthusiasts, but it's important to clarify that the official release won't be happening until 2026. However, early test builds for the Galaxy S25 Ultra have surfaced online, providing us a sneak peek into the forthcoming features and changes Samsung is working on. Although the build is still in its buggy and unfinished state, it offers enough insights into the significant updates that are on the horizon for Samsung's popular user interface.
While some updates may raise concerns regarding usability, others are genuinely exciting. A notable change is the visual overhaul of several Samsung apps, particularly the Gallery and Phone applications. One of the most striking modifications involves the removal of text labels under the icons in the bottom navigation bar. This change may seem minor, but it indicates a shift in Samsung’s design philosophy that could impact user experience negatively.
On a more positive note, the Quick Panel in One UI 8.5 is set to become incredibly customizable. Users will have the flexibility to arrange toggles, widgets, and sliders to their liking. Additionally, the volume and brightness sliders can now be oriented either horizontally or vertically. This level of customization empowers users to tailor their device experience to better suit their needs.
The Gallery app has undergone a significant transformation. The buttons have been enlarged for easier navigation, and the top half of the UI no longer merely displays an album name against a plain background. Instead, it now showcases a preview of the latest photo or video in the album, drawing inspiration from iOS and enhancing visual appeal.
Although the Camera app maintains its overall layout, Samsung has refined its settings for improved organization. Video options are now categorized into clearer menus, featuring dedicated toggles for audio settings, formats (including HDR and log), and dual recording functionalities. While no groundbreaking features have been introduced, these adjustments could enhance usability.
Several other enhancements are also on the way with One UI 8.5. The Settings app now features menus with more rounded corners, greater spacing, and smoother animations. A significant shift is the relocation of the search bar to the bottom, which may encourage increased usage of this function. Furthermore, the battery menu has received a refresh with new UI elements, and the battery icon in the status bar has been replaced with a simple percentage display that turns red when low, and changes to a leaf icon when power-saving mode is activated.
The My Files app also benefits from improvements, including a search bar at the bottom and highlighted sections for recent files and internal storage, all presented against a blurred glass-like background. Additionally, Samsung has introduced a unique version of the Android easter egg, visible when navigating to the Settings > Software update menu, featuring a splash image of the One UI version.
In summary, while One UI 8.5 may not be packed with new features, it represents a bold visual update for Samsung's software. The redesigned settings, fresh app visuals, and extensive customization options within the Quick Panel stand out as significant improvements. Although some rumored features such as NFC file transfer and new AI tools are still absent in the current build, it’s expected that these will be added as development progresses. Overall, even in its early state, One UI 8.5 is shaping up to be a compelling iteration that is sure to please Samsung fans when it eventually rolls out to eligible devices.
