Samsung's One UI 8.5 brings Galaxy S26 AI features to older flagships and foldables

Samsung Galaxy Update Extends Premium AI Features Beyond Flagship Devices

Samsung is preparing to democratize its most advanced Galaxy AI capabilities through the One UI 8.5 beta update, bringing Galaxy S26 features to a broader range of devices. The software update targets the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy S24 lineup, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7, with the Galaxy S25 FE also included in the rollout 2

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. A leaked changelog spotted by industry insider Tarun Vats reveals build version S931BXXU9CZDN, signaling the stable release is approaching 1

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. Currently in version 10 with an approximate 1 GB download size, the beta update represents Samsung's commitment to extending premium functionalities to older Galaxy devices without requiring hardware upgrades 4

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Creative Studio App Transforms Content Generation

One of the standout additions in One UI 8.5 is the Creative Studio app, which harnesses generative AI to simplify personalized content creation. Users can now generate custom wallpapers, stickers, invitation cards, greeting cards, and profile cards using either text prompts or pre-set styles 4

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. The app includes an app drawer shortcut for quick access, making AI sticker and wallpaper creation more accessible than ever 1

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. Samsung has expanded the design studio with additional customization options, allowing users to tailor creations for social media or personal device personalization 4

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. This tool positions Galaxy AI as a practical creative assistant rather than just a technical novelty.

Advanced Photo Assist Enables Sophisticated Image Manipulation

The updated Photo Assist feature introduces powerful AI photo editing capabilities that were previously exclusive to the Galaxy S26. Users can now edit photos with text prompts, instructing the AI to make specific adjustments through written commands 1

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. The software update also enables users to copy objects from one photo to another, facilitating generative photo edits that seamlessly blend elements across images 1

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. Enhanced object removal and background filling tools provide more refined editing with text prompts, giving users greater control over their visual content 2

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. These image manipulation features represent a significant leap in accessible mobile photography editing.

Audio Eraser Expands to Third-Party Apps with Real-Time Processing

Audio Eraser has evolved from a post-recording tool into a versatile background noise removal solution that works across multiple platforms. The feature can now identify and independently reduce wind, traffic, and background chatter, allowing voices to emerge more clearly 3

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. Samsung has expanded Audio Eraser to work with third-party apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and Netflix, not just videos captured in the default camera app 2

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. The tool now operates in real-time while watching videos, with controls accessible directly from the Quick Panel for on-the-fly audio adjustments 3

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. This enhancement improves the user experience for anyone consuming video content in noisy environments.

Call Screening Leverages On-Device AI for Privacy

Call Screening uses on-device AI to answer unknown callers automatically, asking who's calling and their purpose before presenting a transcript and recording for review 3

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. The feature utilizes Bixby Text Call technology to show live transcripts on your phone during the interaction 2

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. While the leaked changelog highlights this capability, it's worth noting that Call Screening was already available on the Galaxy S25 prior to One UI 8.5, though the exact enhancements this update brings remain unclear 1

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Security Patch and UI Refinements Enhance Device Stability

Beyond Galaxy AI features, the beta update includes the April security patch, addressing vulnerabilities and protecting against emerging threats 4

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. Samsung has implemented several UI tweaks affecting the Quick Settings panel, Galaxy Now Bar, and notifications 2

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. Performance improvements resolve stability issues, contributing to a more responsive device experience 4

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. Eligible users can access the One UI 8.5 beta through the Samsung Members app, with the stable release expected soon based on the leaked changelog 1

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. While current beta coverage focuses on recent flagships and foldables, older models like the Galaxy S23 series could potentially receive these features in future rollouts 3

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