Samsung’s One UI 8.5 Update Signals a Major Shift, Paving the Way for a Transformative Galaxy S26 Experience
PARIS – Samsung is poised to deliver a software update that may prove more impactful than any hardware upgrade, with the upcoming One UI 8.5 rollout – initially slated for the Galaxy S25 beta by the end of the month - focusing heavily on artificial intelligence and ecosystem integration. This update isn’t just incremental; it represents a essential shift in Samsung’s strategy, aiming to compete directly with the AI capabilities of Google’s Gemini and ChatGPT, and mirroring Apple’s seamless device connectivity. The stable version is expected in spring 2026, coinciding with the release of the Galaxy S26.
The core of the update revolves around a revitalized Bixby. Far from being abandoned, Samsung is reimagining its voice assistant as a true AI chatbot capable of understanding natural language and interpreting user intent rather than relying on rigid commands. Users will be able to access and chain together previous queries via a dedicated side panel. The success of this overhaul, and how Bixby will function alongside Google’s Assistant, remains to be seen.
Beyond voice assistance, AI is also being integrated into content creation with continuous image generation through Photo-Assist. This feature allows users to see images evolve in real-time as they add elements, offering a technically impressive, though yet-to-be-proven, daily utility.
However, the most important change may be Samsung’s newfound focus on ecosystem connectivity. One UI 8.5 introduces Storage Sharing, allowing the “My Files” submission on the S25 to access files directly from Galaxy Book tablets and PCs. This extends even further, enabling access to phone files from Samsung televisions running TizenOS – a feature long sought after by Android users seeking the fluidity found in Apple’s ecosystem.
Further enhancing connectivity, Auracast functionality is expanded beyond music streaming, allowing users to broadcast their voice to compatible devices using their phone’s microphone. Productivity is also addressed with improvements to Samsung DeX, which will now remember window sizes and positions upon reopening, resolving a long-standing user frustration.
The update also includes advancements in health and security. The Galaxy Watch 8 and a new Watch ultra model, mentioned in the changelog, are expected to gain the ability to measure users’ antioxidant levels under One UI 8.5. security is bolstered with an anti-theft feature that automatically locks the screen after multiple failed biometric authentication attempts, a direct response to “body snatching” theft tactics.
Samsung is addressing user feedback regarding battery monitoring, with a redesigned interface for battery statistics that brings back a clearer view of weekly consumption, following the removal of the previously criticized “As last charge” graph.
This update signals a clear message: Samsung is prioritizing software and ecosystem integration as key differentiators, setting the stage for a potentially groundbreaking experience with the Galaxy S26.
