Samsung has officially launched One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S24 models, featuring a variety of advanced AI tools. Following this, the update is being rolled out to older flagship and midrange Galaxy phones worldwide, although these devices will miss out on some of the AI features introduced with the Galaxy S26.
For further details, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for instant deal updates and Samsung news.
Global Expansion of One UI 8.5 Release
On May 6, Samsung began rolling out One UI 8.5, its latest software based on Android 16, starting with the Galaxy S26 series in South Korea. The global rollout kicked off on May 11, first for the Galaxy S25 series and the latest foldable models, followed quickly by the Galaxy S24 series.
Today marks a new phase in the rollout, with older and budget Galaxy devices receiving the update worldwide. Users of the Galaxy S23 in Germany, Pakistan, Portugal, and Spain are reporting successful installations, along with Galaxy A56 users in South Africa, Norway, Egypt, and other regions.
Devices Receiving the One UI 8.5 Update
Today’s update includes the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra, Galaxy A56, and Galaxy A36, with the Galaxy S23 FE expected to follow soon. The complete list of eligible devices spans most Galaxy models released over the past three to four years, including Galaxy S25 and S26 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and select A-series devices.
Features of One UI 8.5
Notable new features include an overhauled interface with pill-shaped menus, enhanced Quick Panel options, and an updated integration that supports AirDrop-like functionalities via Quick Share. The significant AI enhancements are particularly noteworthy, although their availability varies by device.
Owners of the Galaxy S24 series and newer will benefit from four AI tools debuting from the Galaxy S26: Audio Eraser for sound adjustments, Creative Studio for generative image editing, Call Screening for transcribing unknown callers, and an updated Photo Assist for manipulating images. However, these tools won’t be available on Galaxy A-series phones or the Galaxy S23 range.
New Bixby Skills for Galaxy S23
Galaxy S23 users will receive an enhanced Bixby, now integrated with Perplexity AI, which allows natural language commands to manage settings effortlessly. For instance, users can activate Eye Comfort Shield just by mentioning visual strain, addressing long-standing user accessibility concerns in feature-rich smartphones.
The absence of certain AI tools might impact the resale value of the Galaxy S23 series, which is in the latter part of its software support cycle. Missing features in One UI 8.5 could influence trade-in prices, as evidenced in past instances when Samsung has limited support for older flagship models.
Update on One UI 8.5 for Additional Devices
Update May 23rd 16:45 PM: Additional Galaxy devices are seeing the update in various countries. As reported, the Galaxy S23 FE users in India are receiving One UI 8.5, although it’s unclear when it will roll out to other regions. The Galaxy Tab S11 has also been updated in Korea, with broader availability anticipated soon.
As users find out through community forums, the Galaxy S26’s premier AI tools are not included in this update for the Galaxy S23 series, and existing users will also not have access to Quick Share with AirDrop features on devices older than the Galaxy S24.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on One UI 8.5 and other news.
