Samsung's machine never rests and the rollout of Samsung OneUI 8.5 It's picking up speed that few expected. What began as a staggered rollout for flagship devices has become a veritable flood of updates that is already... knocking on the door of the mid-range And right off the bat. This new version, which runs on Android 16 QPR2, is landing on a good number of devices in record time, confirming that the Korean firm wants no one to be left behind in this race for the latest software.
Although releases usually begin in South Korea, their arrival in Spain and the rest of Europe is a matter of days once the versions are finalized. However, it's not all good news, as while New models join the partyOther devices we considered reliable have entered a period of uncertainty, leaving the user community somewhat uneasy. In any case, if you own a recent Galaxy, you'll want to know more. What's changing and which phones will receive One UI 8.5 And if your device is on the list of those selected.
More mobile phones and tablets are joining the download
In this third week since the alert period began, we've seen popular models like the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G start receiving download notifications. They're not alone, as more affordable devices like the Galaxy A26 or Galaxy A16 5G They are also on the radar for this new batch. It's appreciated that Samsung hasn't forgotten about those with tighter budgets and is keeping its promise of extended support, ensuring that One UI 8.5 arrives on Samsung's mid-range phones even on these terminals which, in theory, are more basic but perform wonderfully with this software.
The tablet segment has also received a significant boost. After the initial launch with the S11 series, it's now the turn of the Galaxy Tab S10 family in its Plus and Ultra versions, not forgetting the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and other models More rugged options like the Galaxy Tab Active 5. Even the modest Galaxy Tab A11 has started to be updated, demonstrating that the revamped, cleaner, and more modern interface scales well on all types of panels, whether high-end or more modest.
Artificial intelligence and camera improvements
One of the highlights of One UI 8.5 is the expansion of Galaxy AI. Tools that were previously exclusive to the more expensive models, such as the photography assistant for professional portraits or the advanced audio drafterThese features are now reaching the mid-range market. Also noteworthy is Creative Studio, which allows users to unleash their imagination by creating realistic content from doodles. All of this is complemented by a revamped weather widget system and a quick control panel that now offers many more customization options so that the mobile phone adapts to you and not the other way around.
Photography enthusiasts have another reason to rejoice: Good Lock's Camera Assistant module is expanding to more devices. This utility allows for in-depth adjustment of parameters such as... automatic lens change or prioritize shutter speed over quality, which is ideal for capturing moving scenes. It's a very smart move by the brand, as it allows phones like the Galaxy A34 or M35 to benefit from Useful features of the Samsung update and manual control that were previously reserved for Ultra models.
Controversial changes and up-to-date security
However, not all the changes have been equally well received. There has been some controversy in the official forums because Samsung has decided remove video filters real-time filtering from the native camera app. According to the company, this was done to simplify the interface, although the feature hasn't disappeared entirely: now you have to apply those filters afterward from the gallery editor. It's an extra step that many content creators haven't been happy about, but it seems to be the new design strategy of the brand to avoid distractions during recording.
Regarding security, the update includes the May 2026 patch, which fixes nearly forty vulnerabilities. It's vital to keep your device up to date, as these fixes affect both the Android kernel and other components. Samsung-specific layersIn addition to protecting us from threats, this patch usually comes with small adjustments that improve the overall fluidity of the system, eliminating those small stutters that appear after months of intensive use.
Reasonable doubts about older models
This is where things get a little murky. Although it was initially expected that models like the Galaxy S22 series or the Galaxy Z Fold 4 would receive One UI 8.5, reports have emerged suggesting that possible compatibility issuesIt appears that the Android 16 QPR2 update introduces API changes that are complicating matters for Samsung developers working on these older models. While there's no official cancellation yet, their absence from test servers for weeks has raised serious concerns.
There's a curious contradiction surrounding the Galaxy S21 FE, as while some sources position it as the perfect candidate for a grand farewell with this version, others They see him off the list In these cases, it's best not to get too excited and wait for the update notification to appear in your device's settings. If your model is on the confirmed list, the process is as simple as going to Settings, finding the software update section, and tapping download to start exploring all the new features.
This is a transitional version that lays the groundwork for what's to come, balancing cutting-edge AI-powered features with a much-needed user interface cleanup. Although the removal of some camera functions or the uncertainty about iconic models While some issues might slightly tarnish the launch, the speed at which Samsung is moving is truly remarkable. If you own one of the selected Galaxy devices, you'll soon notice that it feels fresher, more secure, and, above all, far more capable than it did just a few weeks ago.
