One UI 8.5 Update Is Here: Key Features Explained

oneui 8.5

When Samsung introduced One UI years ago, it aimed to make its software cleaner, easier to use, and less cluttered than the Android skins of the past. With each new version, we’ve seen gradual refinements, sometimes small tweaks, sometimes bigger leaps. Now, with One UI 8.5, Samsung is taking things further, and this update feels more like a generational shift than a minor patch. After testing it on a Galaxy S26 Ultra unit, I can confidently say that this is the most polished Samsung software experience yet.

This review breaks down the new interface, design language, features, and AI integrations that set it apart.

A Design Shift That Feels Familiar Yet Fresh

The first thing you’ll notice when booting up a phone running the new version is its visual overhaul. Samsung has leaned into pill-shaped docks across the system. The dialer, for example, now houses the Call, Contacts, and Log tabs at the bottom in a floating dock rather than stretching across the whole display. It feels more modern, more compact, and more aligned with the Material 3 design language from Google.

Yes, critics are quick to point out that it looks a lot like Apple’s iOS. But whether you see it as imitation or inspiration, the end result is genuinely cleaner and easier to use. These pill menus also appear across other apps like Gallery, Quick Share, and File Manager, hiding as you scroll down and reappearing when you move back up. It’s subtle but adds to the overall sense of polish.

Shadows now play a bigger role in the visual identity. Containers, search bars, and even the back button carry drop shadows for a more layered appearance. The back button itself has been redesigned to float in the top-left corner when scrolling, returning to its original position when you stop. Small touches like these make the software feel alive.

Customizable Quick Settings and Notifications

Notification

Notifications and the Quick Settings panel have received some of the most practical changes. Icons, like Wi-Fi, are larger and clearer. The panel no longer abruptly cuts off at the edges; instead, it fades out for a softer look.

The big upgrade, though, is flexibility. Users can now add or remove any tile, not just those in the middle section. Whether you want Bluetooth, Hotspot, or Do Not Disturb front and center, the choice is yours. It may sound like a minor tweak, but for power users who rely on these shortcuts daily, it’s a real quality-of-life improvement.

On the notifications side, Samsung has introduced AI summaries. Instead of drowning in multiple alerts from the same app, you get a condensed version that groups them by importance. Think of it like an inbox for your notifications. Apple rolled out something similar recently, but Samsung’s execution feels promising especially if it nails context like slang and sarcasm, which other systems often misinterpret.

Smarter Calling Features

Calling

The phone app doesn’t just look different; it works smarter now too. A new Direct Voicemail feature provides live transcriptions of what the caller is saying, borrowing directly from Apple’s Live Voicemail. While some will call this another “borrowed” feature, it’s one of those additions that genuinely makes life easier.

Samsung has also expanded on its existing Bixby Text Call feature. Previously, you had to manually tap to screen a call. Now, an automatic call screening option is available. Unknown numbers, suspected spam, or spoofed calls can be intercepted without you doing anything, with transcripts generated in real time. Importantly, saved contacts won’t be screened, so it strikes a smart balance between privacy and convenience.

Settings and Device Care Get a Refresh

Settings

The Settings app looks noticeably different. Samsung has stripped away subtitle text, leaving a cleaner, compact list of menus. At the top, a floating AI-powered search bar helps you quickly find options, while a persistent bar at the bottom mirrors iOS for easier one-handed use.

In Device Care, the makeover continues. Battery, storage, and memory are now displayed with thicker bars and percentage values. The quirky little emoji face that used to rate your phone’s health is replaced by a more professional, text-based approach. It’s less playful, but also less gimmicky.

AI Takes Center Stage

Ai

What makes this release stand out most is the way Samsung has woven artificial intelligence into the core experience.

  • AI notification summaries condense alerts into digestible snippets.
  • Modes and Routines now allow AI integration, so you can set up actions that trigger Gemini or Bixby queries automatically. For instance, disconnecting from work Wi-Fi could prompt your phone to fetch live traffic updates or summarize a long email.
  • Generative edit effects in the Gallery now mirror Google’s Circle to Search, letting you highlight and manipulate objects with more precision.

Rather than feeling bolted on, these features feel like the beginning of Samsung’s long-term AI strategy: a smarter, more proactive phone experience.

Small Details That Add Up

Beyond the headline features, One UI 8.5 is packed with small refinements.

  • The Software Update menu now shows the current version at the top, with the “Check for updates” button moved down.
  • Galaxy Themes sports a redesigned look with a large paintbrush icon.
  • System apps like Gallery, Quick Share, and My Files use more gradients for a softer visual tone.
  • Even the notification panel fade effect adds subtle polish that wasn’t there before.

Taken individually, these might seem minor. But together, they make the interface feel more cohesive and consistent.

Early Impressions and Final Thoughts

Unlike One UI 8.0, which was seen as more of a refinement than a revolution, this release feels like a true upgrade. From the pill-shaped design language to AI-driven features like automatic call screening and smarter routines, Samsung is signaling that its software is evolving alongside its hardware.

Is it borrowing from iOS and Pixel? Absolutely. But instead of feeling like lazy copying, it feels like Samsung is carefully selecting what works best from rivals and blending it into its own ecosystem. And when combined with the company’s hardware excellence, the result is impressive.

For users who value customization, AI features, and long-term updates, this version looks set to become one of Samsung’s strongest software releases in years. And with the Galaxy S26 series launching with it out of the box, the timing couldn’t be better.

See Also Samsung to Bring Galaxy AI to 400M Devices by 2025

FAQs

What is One UI 8.5?

One UI 8.5 is Samsung’s latest custom Android skin, launching with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It brings redesigned UI elements, AI-powered tools, and several iOS- and Pixel-inspired features.

Which devices will get One UI 8.5 first?

It will debut with the Galaxy S26 series in January and later roll out to other flagship and mid-range Samsung devices.

What are the biggest changes in One UI 8.5?

Key highlights include the pill-shaped navigation dock, live voicemail transcription, redesigned settings, AI notification summaries, and automatic call screening.

Does One UI 8.5 add new AI features?

Yes, it introduces AI-powered notification summaries, smarter routines with Bixby/Gemini integration, and upgraded generative editing tools.

How is One UI 8.5 different from One UI 8?

Unlike One UI 8, which was more of a minor refresh, 8.5 brings a major design overhaul, improved customization options, and more AI-driven features.

Will One UI 8.5 improve battery life and performance?

While not officially confirmed, Samsung usually optimizes performance and battery efficiency with each update, and early testers report smoother animations and better stability.

When will One UI 8.5 be officially released?

The update is expected to launch globally with the Galaxy S26 lineup at Samsung’s January Unpacked event, followed by gradual rollouts.

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