Earlier this week, Samsung initiated internal testing for its latest software iteration, One UI 8.5. This update is set to debut with the highly anticipated Galaxy S26 trio, which is expected to launch next year. Following its initial rollout on the S26 models, One UI 8.5 will gradually expand to previous Samsung smartphone models.
A recent leak has offered an intriguing glimpse into the upcoming visual design changes for Samsung's user interface. According to a report by SammyGuru, a developer successfully managed to port an internal version of One UI 8.5 onto a Galaxy S21+, providing an early preview of the software. Although the insights are limited to just four images, all showcasing the settings menu, they reveal some potential directions Samsung may take with this update.
This marks Samsung's second attempt at developing an Android 16 build, following the release of One UI 8 earlier this year. Notably, the upcoming update features several visual tweaks that stand out. One significant change is the introduction of an AI-powered search bar positioned prominently above the settings menu. Additionally, a persistent search bar remains accessible at the bottom of the main page, enhancing user navigation.
As part of these changes, the top tab previously housing the search icon and "Settings" label has been eliminated. Instead, the menu now overflows and fades out at both the top and bottom of the screen. Moreover, within menus, the back button has been repositioned to float in a dedicated space at the top-left corner, departing from its previous integration in the banner.
While these updates might seem minor, they have sparked discussions about possible influences from Apple’s design language. A Twitter user, DalgleishGX, highlighted the similarities between Samsung's new settings menu and the one found in iOS 26, which features comparable floating search bars and back buttons. Although Samsung's version lacks the reflective, watercolor-like effect characteristic of Apple's Liquid Glass design, the parallels are hard to ignore.
It may be somewhat disheartening to observe Samsung adopting elements reminiscent of its competitors, but it’s essential to remember that this software is still in its early stages. With Material 3 Expressive also now finalized, these Apple-inspired features could evolve further, potentially aligning more closely with Google's aesthetic preferences for Android.
As we anticipate the arrival of One UI 8.5 alongside the Galaxy S26 next year, it will be interesting to see how these design choices develop, and whether Samsung can strike a balance between innovation and inspiration from other platforms.
