Samsung's One UI 8.5: Beta Arriving Sooner Than Expected
Samsung's already working on One UI 8.5, even though One UI 8 just came out! It's kind of wild, right? I remember when software updates were these huge, infrequent events. Now, it feels like there's always something new on the horizon. Word on the street is that we could see a beta version as early as next month.
The tech world is buzzing about the possibility of a One UI 8.5 beta program kicking off around the last week of November. While the exact devices that will be included are still unknown, it's safe to assume that the Galaxy S25 series will be among the first to get their hands on it. I mean, it makes sense, doesn't it? They usually showcase these things on their latest flagship phones.
Now, if you're anything like me, you're probably wondering when the stable version will drop. While there's no official word yet, my gut tells me that it will be released around the same time as the Galaxy S26 series launch. Historically, Samsung has timed these updates with their big Unpacked events. However, things have been a little wonky lately, and Google changing their schedule has thrown a wrench in the works.
Here's where it gets interesting. Because One UI 7 was delayed, One UI 8 ended up being a bit of a letdown in terms of new features. However, it seems like One UI 8.5 will bring a more significant refresh. It may be the first mid-cycle update from Samsung to get its own beta program. But who knows, they might surprise us and release the stable version sooner than we expect.
If the leaks are to be believed, One UI 8.5 could bring some pretty significant visual changes, possibly taking inspiration from iOS 26 with redesigned icons and menu items. Furthermore, since it's based on Android 16 QPR2, we might also see some additional features from stock Android making their way into the mix.
Source: AndroidAuthority