Samsung is accelerating the rollout of Android 16 with One UI 8.5 in much of its most recent catalog. What began as a limited test on a few models has become a beta program quite broad, reaching high-end mobiles, FE versions and tablets, preparing the ground for the future stable version.
This testing phase, which for now is focused on markets such as United States, United Kingdom, India and South KoreaThis allows thousands of users to act as volunteer testers before the global launch. In return, they gain early access to the main new features of One UI 8.5 on Android 16, with a special focus on the artificial intelligence, productivity and security, although assuming the risks inherent in software still under development.
Which Galaxy devices are testing Android 16 and One UI 8.5
The list of devices compatible with the One UI 8.5 beta It has grown remarkably in just a few weeks. Samsung has been adding phones and tablets in waves, starting with the latest flagship models and then expanding to foldable models and more affordable versions within the high-end range.
Among the devices that have already received this beta version are the entire Galaxy S24 familyThe update has begun in countries such as the UK, India, and South Korea, with a download package of around 4,1 GB. These models have firmware identified as S92xBXU5ZZCDmaking it clear that this is not just a minor patch.
The brand's more affordable variants have also been added. Galaxy S24FE and the Galaxy S25FE They participate in the program with their own beta builds, around 3,5 to 4,2 GB, and firmwares such as S721BXXUAZZCD y S731BXXUU5ZZCEThe presence of these models makes it clear that Samsung wants the Android 16 and One UI 8.5 experience to reach users quickly. Midrange.
In the realm of foldable phones, the beta version has been activated for the Galaxy z fold6 and, in earlier phases, for seventh-generation devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, which have even begun to receive second beta builds with recent security patches, such as the one from March, in firmwares of the type F966BXXUU8ZZCDEverything suggests that Samsung wants to ensure a polished experience in this segment before releasing the stable version.
The tablet family is not left out either: the Galaxy Tab S11 and model Tab S11 Ultra They are already part of the program in the company's home country, with packages close to 3,4 GB and firmware references such as X936NKOU5ZZC3With this, Samsung extends Android 16 and One UI 8.5 beyond mobile devices, reinforcing its ecosystem of large screens for professional, multimedia, and educational use.
How the One UI 8.5 beta program works
Access to this beta is managed, as on previous occasions, from the application Samsung MembersOwners of a compatible device simply need to locate the banner dedicated to the One UI 8.5 program, accept the terms and conditions, and wait for the system to notify them that an update is available in the settings section of their phone or tablet.
Once the package is downloaded —which in many cases exceeds four gigsThe device restarts and applies the new version of the interface. From that moment on, all the new features of Android 16 with One UI 8.5 are unlocked, but it's worth noting that it is not a definitive versionThis is software under development that may cause errors, unexpected application closures, random restarts, and strange behavior.
Therefore, although the temptation to be the first to try the AI ​​features and visual changes is strong, it is advisable to reserve this beta for a secondary mobile phone or for users who do not depend on the phone for critical tasks such as banking, work or access to essential services. Samsung's objective It involves gathering as much feedback and bugs as possible to polish the stable version, something that inevitably goes through a testing period with problems.
Regarding the timeline, the company is using this phase as a preliminary step to the general launch of the stable version of One UI 8.5which will arrive first to the Galaxy S25 series and subsequently to the rest of the devices included in the tests. Some leaks suggest that the most advanced models could receive the final version in early April, although Samsung has not yet specified exact dates for Europe.
Geographically, the rollout is somewhat uneven. While markets such as United States, South Korea, India or United Kingdom They already have the green light to sign up for the program, while other European countries that are usually among the first to receive betas, such as Germany and Poland, have initially been left off the list. It's possible the company will expand availability in the coming weeks, but for now there's no official confirmation for these territories.
Key new features of Android 16 and One UI 8.5
As far as features are concerned, Samsung's new layer on Android 16 QPR1 beta It's not limited to minor cosmetic changes. The company has introduced profound modifications in several aspects of the system, from the user interface and animations from AI tools, to improved security options and more granular control over battery and power consumption.
One of the most visible changes is in the quick start panelwhich becomes fully customizable. It's now possible to move, resize, or even completely remove switches and sliders, adapting the top shortcut area to each user's needs. This makes it easier, for example, to prioritize connections, brightness settings, or sound modes without having to navigate through menus.
The overall aesthetic is also being revamped with system icons which adopt a subtle 3D effect and more modern gradient colors. Along with this new palette, Samsung promises animations up to 30% smootherWith an interface that responds better to gestures and smoother transitions between apps and screens. These changes don't revolutionize the look, but they do aim to make everyday use feel more streamlined.
The lock screen is where the following come into play: dynamic lock screensThe clock and widgets automatically reposition themselves to avoid obscuring important background elements, such as faces in personal photos. This smart reorganization eliminates the need to manually adjust each background image or clock design when changing the style.
Another practical tool making its debut is the partial screen recordingInstead of capturing or recording everything on the panel, the user can select only a specific section. This feature is especially useful for sharing tutorials, snippets from a particular app, or limited sensitive information, without exposing the rest of the displayed content.
Artificial intelligence improvements and a more natural Bixby
Artificial intelligence is one of the key aspects of this update. A significant portion of Samsung's effort has been focused on integrating AI features. Galaxy A.I. It's time to revamp Bixby to make it a more useful assistant in everyday life, reducing the feeling that it's lagging behind competing alternatives.
In the image editing section, the function Photo Assist It receives a significant boost. The system is now able to process complex details more quickly and complete AI-based edits in just a few steps. This simplifies tasks such as removing unwanted elements, enhancing complex scenes, or adjusting portraits without having to resort to third-party applications.
Bixby, for his part, gains in understanding of natural languageThe virtual assistant better understands commands phrased in conversation and responds more flexibly, without requiring the user to memorize specific commands. Furthermore, the management of interaction history is improved, making it easier to resume previous requests or check what has been asked of it recently.
AI also plays a role in managing images generated by the phone itself. The system is capable of create images directlyThis avoids saving intermediate steps that, in other versions, ended up filling up the device's memory without adding much value. This reduces the storage occupied by temporary files and keeps the gallery somewhat cleaner.
Meanwhile, Samsung continues to enhance features designed to reduce mobile data consumption, which can be particularly useful in European countries with more affordable data plans. Some data-saving functions have been refined to limit data usage in apps like social media and streaming services, combining these measures with new battery controls to optimize overall battery life.
Connectivity, Galaxy ecosystem and productivity
Another key area of ​​innovation lies in how Galaxy devices communicate with each other and with other devices. One UI 8.5 strengthens the sense of ecosystem, introducing improvements to file sharing, working with external displays, and the combined use of phones, tablets, and laptops.
The function QuickShare It receives in-depth improvements: controls have been added to decide who can send files to the device, and smart recipient suggestions have been introduced, especially when sharing photos that include frequent contacts. This makes content sharing faster and, at the same time, somewhat more secure.
In parallel appears Storage shareThis option allows you to access files stored on other Galaxy devices directly from the My Files app. With this feature, Samsung phones, tablets, and computers are better integrated, making it easier to access documents without having to constantly copy and paste between internal storage and external cloud services.
Connecting to TVs and monitors is also more convenient. One UI 8.5 includes better-organized shortcuts for activating Smart view and mirror the screen in a matter of seconds, which can be very useful for sharing multimedia content in the living room or for using the mobile phone as a presentation center in work environments.
Regarding professional use, work has been done on the mode Samsung DeXThis feature, which transforms your mobile phone or tablet into a desktop PC when connected to a large screen, can now remember where you left your windows. This way, when you reconnect your device to the monitor, everything remains virtually unchanged, saving time and eliminating the need to reconfigure your desktop for each session.
Battery, health and device safety
Energy management and data protection take a significant leap forward with this version. In One UI 8.5, the interface dedicated to the battery It has been redesigned to make it easier to check daily consumption, estimated remaining time, and spending per application, helping to identify which processes are draining the most resources.
Along with this visual change come new power saving modes With profiles like "Standard" and "Maximum," key system parameters are automatically adjusted to extend battery life. Depending on the chosen mode, background processes, brightness, refresh rate, and other options that directly affect available screen time are limited.
In the field of health and well-being, Samsung health It expands the data integrated into its weekly reports. Now, metrics related to meditation, medication tracking, and, on compatible watches, antioxidant measurements taken directly from the wrist are included. This reinforces the brand's commitment to making its devices more comprehensive tracking tools.
The device's security also receives several extra layers. One of the most striking is the system of blocking on failed authentication attemptsThis feature tightens security measures when it detects too many incorrect PIN, password, or biometric data entries. The goal is to make unauthorized access more difficult in case of theft or loss of the mobile phone.
In addition, a new one is introduced. Auto blocker It can be temporarily deactivated and automatically reactivated after a while. This tool adds extra filters against potentially harmful applications, downloads from dubious sources, and other common attack vectors, attempting to balance convenience and protection without overwhelming the user with constant alert messages.
With this rollout of Android 16 and One UI 8.5, Samsung reinforces the idea that the Software is a key component to extend the lifespan of their phones and tablets beyond just the hardware. The beta version, still limited to certain markets, anticipates a significant leap in artificial intelligence, personalization, security, and ecosystem, which will be rolled out steadily to the Galaxy range in the coming months, presumably with a leading role for Europe when the official update schedule is released.
