Samsung's One UI 8.5 Update: Bringing Gemini-Powered AI Features to Galaxy Devices

Samsung phones just got smarter as Gemini begins to evolve

What Happened: Good news for Samsung Galaxy owners! The big One UI 8 update, built on Android 16, has started rolling out. If you have a Galaxy A33, A53, M56, M53, M33, M15, or the rugged XCover 7 Pro, you're on the list. It's hitting South Korea first, but the rest of the world can expect it in just a few days, on October 16th. Galaxy Watch 7 users are also getting a new update that promises a smoother feel and better battery life. Don't expect a massive visual makeover, though. This update is more about what's under the hood. Samsung is getting its devices ready for Google's powerful Gemini AI, building it right into the system so it can do some seriously smart things in the future. Why Is This Important: Think of this update as laying the foundation for a much smarter house. While it might not look different now, it's preparing your phone for the real AI-powered features coming with the One UI 8.5 update next year. This is Samsung's big plan: to weave AI into the very fabric of your phone, making it more helpful and personal without you even having to think about it. Why Should I Care: For you, this means your phone or watch is getting a nice tune-up with better performance and security right now. For Watch 7 users, that extra battery life is a welcome bonus. But the bigger win is that you're basically future-proofing your device for all the cool AI tools that are just around the corner, ensuring you won't be left behind. Recommended Videos What's Next: Keep an eye out for the update notification this Thursday, October 16th. After that, the real excitement builds toward One UI 8.5. We expect to see a test version in late November, with a full release planned for early next year. That's when your Galaxy device will truly start to feel less like a gadget and more like a smart companion.

Samsung One UI 8.5 update could bring these new Galaxy AI features, may debut with Galaxy S26 series

The update will expand Galaxy AI features globally, powered by Google's Gemini AI. Samsung has released the Android 16-based One UI 8 update for its flagship devices, including the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S23 series. According to reports, the South Korean giant is currently working on its next major software update, One UI 8.5. While One UI 8 was a minor update with some design tweaks and minor improvements, One UI 8.5 is said to include some new Galaxy AI features that may make some tedious tasks much easier to complete. Here's everything we know about the One UI 8.5 update's release date, features, and more. According to the ETNews report, the One UI 8.5 will debut along with the Samsung Galaxy S26 series. Samsung is reportedly planning to launch the first One UI 8.5 beta by late November, though the exact date remains uncertain. Once released, the update will first reach flagship devices such as the Galaxy S25 series and Z Fold 7/Flip 7, before expanding to more models through 2026. However, the details, including the exact date, eligible devices, and more, remain under wraps at the moment. With the One UI 8.5 update, Samsung will reportedly expand several AI tools previously exclusive to its China lineup to global markets. Among the upcoming additions are- Meeting Assist, which offers live translation of conversations and presentation screens during meetings. Touch Assistant, designed to make on-screen reading and interaction more efficient. Social Composer, capable of generating social media posts from your images or reviews based on your online purchases. Smart Clipboard, which intelligently suggests actions like correcting, summarizing, translating, or searching copied text. It must be noted that these Galaxy AI features are already available in China, where Samsung's AI features are powered by Baidu's Ernie AI instead of Google's Gemini, due to local regulations. However, the report suggests that the global rollout will switch to Gemini as its underlying engine. The leaks also suggest that the new AI-powered notification summary feature may also debut, which will function much like iOS. However, it is not confirmed yet.