Samsung has launched the testing program for One UI 8.5A new version of its Galaxy mobile interface that takes a further step in integration, security, and content editing, powered by artificial intelligence. The update, based on Android 16It arrives first in the form of a public beta and will initially focus on users of the Galaxy S25 series.
Although this initial phase is limited to a few countries and excludes Spain and much of Europe, the company has already revealed the main features of this version: Greater productivity, better connectivity between devices, and more control over privacyAll of this without implying a radical change of system, but rather as a powerful update on the already established foundation of One UI 8.
How and where can you try the One UI 8.5 beta?
The beta release of One UI 8.5 Samsung follows its usual strategy: high-end models first, and only in select markets. This time, the program is open to the Galaxy S25, S25 + and S25 Ultra en Germany, South Korea, the United States, India, Poland, and the United Kingdom, which are once again the territories chosen for public testing.
Owners of one of these models in supported countries can request enrollment from the Samsung Members appSimply open the app, find the One UI 8.5 beta program banner, and confirm your participation so your device can download the update via OTA when it becomes available.
Samsung has confirmed that the program began accepting applications on December 8And it's expected that, as in previous cases, several preliminary builds will be released before the stable version. There's talk of up to three test versions with progressive corrections and adjustments.
For Spain and the rest of Europe not appearing on the initial list, the situation is no different from other betas: There is no official access to this phaseTherefore, users will have to wait for the company to roll out the final version throughout 2026 along with the upcoming Galaxy flagship phones.
Content creation: Photo Assist and Quick Share gain importance
One of the areas where Samsung has placed the most emphasis is in the creation and editing of visual contentOne UI 8.5 revamps the classic editing assistant with a Photo Assist (or Photo Assistant) more powerful, designed to work continuously with tools of Galaxy A.I. without having to save each change separately.
In practice, this means that the user can apply multiple edits to an image in succession —such as removing objects, changing styles, or adjusting elements with AI— and only deciding at the end which results to keep. The entire process is reflected in a edit history From which you can review the different versions and choose your favorites without cluttering the gallery with intermediate copies.
This smoother workflow simplifies the work for both professional photo editors and those who simply They retouch images for social mediaIt is no longer necessary to save, undo, or duplicate files at each step, something that made the experience more cumbersome in previous versions.
Sharing that content is also made faster. QuickShareThe sharing tool between Galaxy devices gains smart features and now recognizes the people who appear in a photoWith that information, the system suggests sending the image directly to the identified contacts, reducing search time and the number of taps needed to share.
This type of automation may seem like a minor detail, but it makes everyday life more convenient. send photos of family, work groups, or events to those who are really interested, especially when dealing with many images and conversations.
Device connectivity: Audio Broadcast and Storage Share
The other major set of new features has to do with the connectivity within the Galaxy ecosystemSamsung is trying to get closer to the seamless experience offered by other manufacturers, and to that end, it is strengthening communication between the brand's mobile phones, tablets, computers, and televisions.
On one hand, it appears Audio Broadcasta function that uses technology LE Audio with Auracast to send sound from the phone to nearby compatible devices. The mobile phone can act as audio source for multiple receivers simultaneously, both with multimedia content and using the integrated microphone.
This approach is designed for group contexts: guided tours, conferences, classes, meetings, or any situation where it is useful. transmit the speaker's voice to multiple headphones or speakers without having to pair them one by one. The phone effectively becomes a small portable PA system supported by Bluetooth LE.
On the other hand, One UI 8.5 introduces Storage Sharea key component of the so-called "Galaxy Ecosystem". With this feature, the app My Files also shows content stored on other Samsung devices. linked to the same account, such as Galaxy Tab tablets, Galaxy Book computers, or even smart TVs from the brand.
In this way, a user can Open a document, video, or photo saved on your mobile directly from a Galaxy tablet or PCwithout the need for manual copies or transfers. Conversely, it is also possible to view and manage files located on those other devices from the phone, always within the network and the configured access conditions.
The idea is to build an experience in which the files seem to be available on all screens at the same time, approaching what some desktop and cloud platforms already offer, but integrating it into Samsung's own services and without forcing the user to resort to external solutions.
Security and privacy: more layers against theft and unauthorized access
The new version also strengthens the part of device safety and securityThis is an increasingly sensitive area for any user. One UI 8.5 includes a set of improvements grouped under the feature Theft Protection, designed to keep both the phone and the data safe in case of loss or theft.
One of the most visible pieces is Failed Authentication Lock, a system that It automatically locks the screen if it detects too many failed authentication attemptsThis can be done using a fingerprint, PIN, or password. This measure makes it considerably more difficult for someone to force access to the device after it has been stolen.
In addition, One UI 8.5 expands the number of System adjustments and actions that require additional identity verificationThis affects, for example, sensitive configuration changes, potential security modifications, or actions that could compromise user privacy, adding an extra layer of control.
Alongside these new features, Samsung retains the usual tools for managing permissions, scanning for threats, and protecting against malicious applications, but the focus of this update is clearly on prevent unauthorized access to the physical device and make it difficult for third parties to use it.
What system base does it use and when will the final version arrive?
Despite the number of changes, Samsung has confirmed that One UI 8.5 It runs on Android 16. This is not, therefore, an operating system version jump, but an intermediate update within the same Android cycle, something that should help accelerate its arrival to more models without having to rebuild the base from scratch.
The company anticipates the stable rollout of this version in the beginning of 2026, coinciding with the launch of the future Galaxy S26From there, One UI 8.5 will be rolled out gradually to other devices, starting with the most recent and high-end models.
Although there is not one yet Official closed list of compatible mobile phones and tabletsAccording to information published by various specialized media outlets and the brand's support policies, all devices currently receiving One UI 8 They should also be eligible for the 8.5 update, in addition to some models that are still waiting to make the jump to version 8.
In terms of regional availability, everything indicates that the pattern will remain similar to that of previous years: first the high-end range in key marketsand later a gradual expansion to the rest of the countries, including Spain. The final pace will depend on how the betas develop and any bugs detected in these initial public tests.
The release of the One UI 8.5 beta confirms that Samsung is focusing its efforts on Refining daily experience rather than introducing radical changesMore convenient photo editing, smarter file sharing, better integration between Galaxy devices, and stricter security measures. While the final version hasn't yet reached all European users, this first look clearly shows what the next major update from the South Korean company is aiming for.