One UI 8.5 brings Galaxy S26 features to millions of older Samsung phones starting this week

One UI 8.5 is here: Galaxy S25 owners finally get to enjoy some of Galaxy S26's best features

The update is currently rolling out in South Korea with the April 2026 security patch. A global rollout is expected later. After months of waiting and 10 beta releases, Samsung is finally rolling out One UI 8.5 stable to the Galaxy S25 series, ending the long wait for this feature-packed update. Even with this release, Samsung is targeting its home market of South Korea. The stable update is currently rolling out as an incremental update to One UI 8.5 beta testers, coming in at 583MB and including April 2026 security patches (h/t Tarun Vats on X). Samsung has not revealed when S25 owners in the US will get their stable release, but you can expect it potentially next week onwards, based on leaks. Thankfully, the stable One UI 8.5 release for the Galaxy S25 comes with Galaxy AI features launched with the Galaxy S26 series, such as Call Screening, Agentic AI, Creative Studio, an improved Audio Eraser, and a smarter Bixby. Samsung has made S25 users wait quite a while, effectively marking these features as time-limited exclusives for the S26 series, but at least the long wait is worth it. Have you received the stable One UI 8.5 update on your Galaxy S25? What is your favorite feature from the new update? Let us know in the comments below!

One UI 8.5 finally arrives on Galaxy S25 phones in the US

I've been covering Android and other mobile technology for close to ten years now, with a specific interest in phone accessories, e-readers, and what makes each individual phone different from another. I delight in looking at the phone market from as many angles as possible, and while my opinions may be odd, at times, they're always from the heart as much as the head. I have a background in the mobile accessories world, which explains my odd enthusiasm for cases and things that clip onto smartphones. I worked for Digital Trends from 2017 to 2025. After months of beta versions, One UI 8.5 is finally landing on Samsung Galaxy S25 phones in the US, bringing last year's flagship series into parity with the latest Galaxy S26 handsets (via Android Authority). This release adds a lot of previously S26-exclusive features to the S25, including Agentic AI in the form of Bixby, new visual flourishes, and the enhanced Quick Share app. Best of all, this release on the S25 could mean other, older handsets in the first wave of upgrades could also receive updates soon. One UI 8.5 is a massive and long-awaited upgrade for many of Samsung's phones One UI 8.5 is now landing on S25 phones in the US. It's only been a week since the update was released in Samsung's home territory of South Korea, and so, this rapid turnaround bodes well for the update arriving on other handsets in the first phase of rollout. Aside from the Galaxy S25 family (including the S25 FE), the following models are on Samsung's list for the first phase of One UI 8.5's release. Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, S24 Ultra, and S24 FE Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7 Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6 Galaxy Tab S11, Tab S11 Ultra Galaxy Tab S10, Tab S10 Plus, Tab S10 Ultra Owners of those particular devices should keep a weather eye out for the next few days, as it's likely the update will show up on there too. Onto the specifics. The update itself weighs in at a hefty 4,408.31 MB, and also includes the April security patch. We'll forgive the security patch its tardiness for bringing so many friends with it. The One UI 8.5 hype train is very real, and we've been on it for some time. Samsung's new operating system may not be a whole number upgrade, but don't let that turn you off. One UI 8.5 is the upgrade One UI 8 should have been, as it includes a number of cutting-edge features to get excited about. Right at the top of the list is Agentic AI. One UI 8.5 finally brings AI-powered call screening to Samsung's phones, along with the ability to edit images using text prompts, and better AI Select options. Subscribe for deeper One UI 8.5 coverage and insights Get expert context on One UI 8.5 features, practical how-tos for Agentic AI and Bixby, and clear explainers of what changes mean for your device -- subscribe to our newsletter for focused coverage and in-depth mobile OS reporting. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Samsung's AI assistant Bixby is back too, and now it's powered by Perplexity, so it's far more powerful than ever before. The much upgraded Quick Share will also land with this update. It's been a long time coming, but One UI 8.5 is finally here on phones other than the S26 range, and we're excited to see how it fares when it's in more hands.

These Galaxy S26 features are rolling out to your old Samsung phone

You no longer need a Galaxy S26 to take advantage of some of Samsung's latest software features, as the company has started the stable rollout of One UI 8.5 to older phones and tablets. The update is initially available in South Korea, with other countries "to follow." Samsung is currently focused on higher-end devices from the past two generations. including flagships like the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy Tab S10 families, as well as foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7. You can see the full first-wave compatibility list below: Galaxy S24 FE Galaxy S24 / S24+ / S24 Ultra Galaxy S25 FE Galaxy S25 / S25+ / S25 Ultra Galaxy Z Flip 6 Galaxy Z Flip 7 Galaxy Z Fold 6 Galaxy Z Fold 7 Galaxy Tab S10 series Galaxy Tab S11 series What's new in One UI 8.5? Samsung is focusing on AI, the camera, and AirDrop As the name suggests, One UI 8.5 is a mid-step upgrade rather than a complete overhaul. However, there are still some meaningful improvements that could make it worth a timely install. Galaxy AI unsurprisingly receives extra attention. Samsung's in-house Bixby assistant now offers "anything, anytime" queries, call screening, more flexible device control, and conversation histories. The company also promises more advanced AI image editing with prompt-based edits, seamless generation, and mix-and-match elements. Live translation is also smoother, as Interpreter can detect which language is in use after you've set them at the start of a conversation. Related Here's When Your Samsung Galaxy Will Get Android 16 (One UI 8) Android 16 is headed to your Samsung Galaxy phone. Here's which devices will get it and when. Posts 17 By Cory Gunther You might also appreciate the update if you're a mobile photographer. Dual recording from rear and selfie cameras is available for your vlogs, while pro video creators will like real-time LOG video color previews. Auto motion photos limit "live" shots to scenes with movement, and document scans are better at handling multi-page text and stray fingers. There are nods to the Apple ecosystem as well. Quick Share's AirDrop support is now available on more Samsung devices, making it easier to swap photos and files with a friend's iPhone, iPad, or Mac. And yes, One UI 8.5 includes some transparent blurs and floating elements that might remind you of iOS 26's Liquid Glass. Other changes are lower-key but still helpful. The quick settings panel is more customizable, while power saving includes both Standard and just-the-basics Maximum modes. You can not only share your storage with other Samsung hardware, but enable sharing for other features (including cameras and hotspots) across your family. Your home and lock screens should also be livelier with automatic lock screen layouts, interactive wallpapers, weather effects, and more customizable clocks. Security upgrades include privacy alerts, optional failed authentication locks, and multi-device security status checks. If you're health-conscious, you'll get antioxidant data and meditation controls from your watch as well as more detailed weekly reports. Is One UI 8.5 coming to my Galaxy A phone? History suggests it's likely Samsung hasn't said when One UI 8.5 might come to Galaxy A phones and tablets. However, the company has historically released updates for those devices -- it just prioritizes high-end models with early deployments. Like with past releases, though, the features you get will depend on the device you have. High-end camera features like LOG likely won't come to the Galaxy A lineup, nor will computationally-intensive Galaxy AI features. However, most of the additions we've mentioned should work. This is still a valuable release, even if you won't get every perk.

One UI 8.5 launches for millions of Samsung phones this week

Starting this week, Samsung is officially releasing a stable build of One UI 8.5 to basically every Samsung device that debuted in 2025 including some of the best Samsung phones of the last few years.. The update brings several features that were exclusive to the S26 series including Agentic AI, Creative Studio and more. The update has been making its way around the globe, and officially dropped in South Korea last week. The update comes with version numbers S938USQU9CZDP/S938UOYN9CZDP and is 4408.31 MB alongside the April security patch. Samsung's official list of devices getting One UI 8.5 includes millions of products, including tablets: * Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, S25 FE * Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, S24 Ultra, S24 FE * Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7 * Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6 * Galaxy Tab S11, Tab S11 Ultra * Galaxy Tab S10, Tab S10 Plus, Tab S10 Ultra Beyond patches, stability and security updates, One UI 8.5 brings a number of new features to your phone or tablet. The big updates will be AI-related, including a revamped Bixby and new Galaxy AI tools. Plus, some visual designs are getting a new look. Here's the full list of changes based on previous leaks and what we know so far. Full list of changes * Continuous image generation * Smarter device control * Ask anything, anytime * Bixby Conversation history * Storage share * Quickly connect to Smart View devices * Enhanced Auracast features * Voice broadcasts * Revamped battery info * Improved Power saving * Easily control Bluetooth hearing aids * Control magnification with mouse or keyboard * Dwell action and Corner actions * More customizable quick panel * Early alerts for reminders * Partial screen recording * Calculator nudges * Keep window sizes in DeX * Weather alarm backgrounds * Time zone converter * Enhanced weekly reports * Upgraded Sharing Experience * Start meditations from your watch * Antioxidant measurements from your watch * Theft protection * Turn off Auto blocker temporarily. * Avoid unwanted sharing requests * Photo sharing suggestions * Automatic Lock screen layout * More customizable clock fonts * Enhanced weather widget * Pollen index This is a rollout so your device might not have the update just yet. Give it a day or two and you should get it. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok.

Samsung's One UI 8.5 update finally rolls out with new AI features for these Galaxy oldies

Samsung has started expanding One UI 8.5 to more Galaxy phones and tablets, bringing features that first arrived with the Galaxy S26 series in February 2026. The rollout has begun in Korea, with other regions set to follow later, depending on market and device model. Which older Galaxy devices are getting One UI 8.5? The update is headed to the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Tab S11 series, and Galaxy Tab S10 series. For users holding on to these older flagship phones and tablets, One UI 8.5 brings Samsung's latest Galaxy AI tools without requiring an upgrade to the newest hardware. What new AI features come with the update? One UI 8.5 adds several communication and productivity tools that were not part of One UI 8.0. Eligible devices will get access to AI Call Screening, which can answer unknown callers on the user's behalf, ask about the reason for the call, and show a live transcript so users can decide whether to pick up. Live Voicemail Transcripts is another new feature which let users read messages in real time while they are being recorded. Recommended Videos Samsung has also added a new productivity feature to its keyboard called Now Nudge. It can suggest calendar entries, useful facts, or relevant actions based on the active chat, helping users act on information without switching apps. Bixby has also been upgraded with more agentic capabilities, allowing it to handle multi-step tasks across apps. For example, it can find a specific photo and email it to a contact. The update also adds new AI photo editing tools with the Creative Studio app and Text-to-Edit Photo Assist. Instead of editing photos manually, users can simply type what they want changed, like a new background or extra objects. Another feature, called Object Transfer, lets users move people or objects from one photo to another directly in the gallery. For personalization, the update has AI Weather Effects, which add dynamic lock screen wallpaper animations based on local weather conditions like rain or snow. As usual, Samsung says availability and feature support may vary by region, market, and device model.

Samsung's One UI 8.5 Update Finally Rolls Out to These Smartphones

Samsung has started rolling out the stable One UI 8.5 update, bringing several Galaxy AI features that previously debuted with the Galaxy S26 series to older flagship devices. The update is currently reaching Galaxy S25 series users in South Korea and is also expanding to the Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7. One UI 8.5 introduces new AI tools, camera improvements, smarter Bixby features, redesigned interface elements, and enhanced privacy controls. Samsung says the rollout will gradually expand to additional regions and supported Galaxy devices. Samsung Officially Expands One UI 8.5 to More Devices The South Korean tech giant announced that One UI 8.5 is rolling out to devices including the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy S24 lineup, Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Tab S11 series, and Galaxy Tab S10 series. The company confirmed that the rollout has started in South Korea and will expand to more markets later. An Android Authority report noted that the stable One UI 8.5 release follows an extended beta testing cycle that included 10 beta updates for the Galaxy S25 series. The publication also noted that the stable update is currently reaching beta testers in South Korea as an incremental release carrying the April 2026 security patch. X user Tarun Vats shared screenshots on X showing the stable One UI 8.5 update rolling out to Galaxy S25 FE beta users in South Korea with build number S731NKSU6BZDP. The One UI 8.5 update is said to bring several Galaxy AI features first introduced with the Galaxy S26 series. These include Agentic AI tools, Creative Studio, improved Audio Eraser, smarter Bixby interactions, and Call Screening through Bixby Text Call. Samsung also added continuous AI image generation, AI-powered photo editing through text prompts, and the ability to move objects from one image to another using Photo Assist. Samsung has also redesigned several parts of the interface with updated blur effects, floating UI elements, and improved personalisation features. The update also introduces downloadable wallpapers, weather-based wallpaper effects, more customisable lock screen clocks, and Now Brief suggestions directly on the lock screen, according to the aforementioned report. The One UI 8.5 update adds real-time Log video LUT previews, dual recording with front and rear cameras, automatic motion photo detection, and improved document scanning with automatic cleanup tools for fingers, folded corners, and more patterns. Bixby has also been upgraded with more natural voice interactions, improved device control, conversation history, and faster information retrieval. Samsung is also said to have improved the Interpreter with automatic language detection during conversations. Users on eligible devices will also get access to direct voicemail support, personalised quick decline messages, enhanced Quick Share support for Apple devices, Storage Share between Galaxy devices, and expanded Auto Hotspot controls for family groups. The update to One UI 8.5 also includes health, battery, and privacy improvements. Samsung Health now offers enhanced weekly reports, workout-sharing upgrades, meditation controls via Galaxy Watch devices, and antioxidant measurements on supported watches. One UI 8.5 also introduces redesigned battery usage screens, new privacy alerts, theft protection tools, and additional Knox Matrix security monitoring features. On the other hand, Samsung's One UI 8.5 update also introduces partial screen recording, advanced reminder alerts, improved DeX window management, calculator clipboard suggestions, enhanced weather widgets with pollen tracking, Bluetooth hearing aid controls, and expanded accessibility options on the eligible older smartphones.

Samsung One UI 8.5 stable rollout begins finally

Samsung has officially announced the expansion of its One UI 8.5 update, extending the latest suite of Galaxy AI features to a broader range of devices within the company's ecosystem. The update primarily focuses on integrating advanced tools to enhance communication and creative experiences across compatible smartphones and tablets. The expanded rollout covers several of Samsung's recent flagship and premium devices. The update will be available for the following smartphone models: In addition to mobile phones, the update will also be distributed to Samsung's premium tablet lineups, specifically the Galaxy Tab S11 series and the Galaxy Tab S10 series.