Samsung’s efforts to improve its software update support system for its devices has certainly gotten to new heights in the last half decade, marking a stark difference from the days of TouchWiz on earlier Samsung Android phones. That being said, the company recently announced that it’s begun to roll-out its One UI 8.5 beta program, which comes with new improvements and features. What exactly can you expect though? Let’s take a look!
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For one, Samsung says that the update improves how users interact with photos. The enhanced Photo Assist allows creators to edit and generate new images continuously without the interruption of saving every single iteration. Once the creation process is complete, users can review their edit history and select their favourite versions to keep. Additionally, Quick Share can now recognize faces in your photos and suggest sending the files directly to the people identified in the image.
As for Samsung ecosystem interconnectivity, One UI 8.5 also taps into Auracast via its Audio Broadcast feature which can communicate with nearby LE Audio-supported devices to stream media; users can also use this to broadcast their voice using their phone’s built-in microphone. File management also gets a boost with Storage Share, which lets users view and access files across phones, tablets, PCs, and Samsung TVs directly through the My Files app.
Samsung has also added a new Theft Protection to keep data secure if a device is lost or stolen. The Failed Authentication Lock will automatically lock the screen following too many failed attempts to verify identity via fingerprint, PIN, or password. Additionally, an expanded Identity Check now provides an extra layer of protection for a wider range of device settings.
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The One UI 8.5 beta program officially launches on December 8, and will first be available for Galaxy S25 series users in select regions, including Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the U.S. That being said, users interested in testing the new features can apply to join the beta program through the Samsung Members app. There’s still no word on which other devices will get the beta update soon, although we could expect more announcements from Samsung in the coming months.
