One UI 8.5 Beta just launched and it's way more than a minor update
Samsung's latest software brings AI-powered photo editing, cross-device file sharing, and beefed-up security to Galaxy S25 users.
Samsung dropped the One UI 8.5 Beta for the Galaxy S25 series on Monday, and despite what the “.5” might suggest, this isn’t just a minor, routine patch. It’s clear this release is doing a lot more than fixing bugs or polishing the interface. It brings features that actually change how the phone works day to day, especially if you bounce between Galaxy devices or rely on Samsung’s built-in editing and sharing tools.
The beta is now available in six countries: the US, UK, Germany, India, Korea, and Poland. If you’re in one of these regions with a Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, or S25 Ultra, you can jump in right now through the Samsung Members app.
Photo editing just got smarter
The standout upgrade? Photo Assist now lets you generate AI edits continuously without saving each version. You tweak, adjust, regenerate over and over, then review your entire edit history at the end and pick only the versions you actually want. No more cluttering your gallery with dozens of almost-identical photos.
Quick Share also got an intelligence boost—It now recognizes faces in your photos and suggests sending them directly to those contacts. So when you take group photos at a birthday party, your phone knows who's in the shot and offers to share it with them automatically.
Managing files across your Galaxy devices is finally easy
Storage Share is probably the most practical addition. Your My Files app can now show files from other Galaxy devices in your ecosystem—tablets, PCs, even your Samsung TV—all in one place. And it works both ways: you can access your phone’s files from other Samsung devices too.
According to Samsung’s official announcement, this works seamlessly across Galaxy phones and tablets with One UI 7 or higher, Galaxy Book2 or later models, and Samsung Smart TVs (U8000 and above from 2025 onwards). Just make sure all devices are signed into the same Samsung account with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
Audio Broadcast—Samsung's version of Auracast—now does something genuinely useful. Beyond streaming audio from media, you can broadcast your voice through your phone’s microphone to nearby LE Audio devices. Think guided museum tours or presentations where everyone needs to hear you clearly without shouting.
Security features that actually make sense
The security updates are straightforward but effective. Failed Authentication Lock automatically locks your screen after too many failed verification attempts, whether you’re using fingerprints, PIN, or password. Simple, but it closes a gap that frankly shouldn’t have existed in the first place.
Theft Protection also got expanded, adding an extra layer of security if your phone is lost or stolen. And Identity Check now safeguards more settings than before, requiring additional verification for sensitive changes.
Louis Eriakha
When can everyone else get it?
For now, only the Galaxy S25 series is eligible for the beta. According to Android Central, the stable release is expected in early 2026, likely shipping with the Galaxy S26 series.
The beta program opened December 8 through the Samsung Members app, so if you’re eligible and don’t mind the occasional bug, it’s worth checking out. Just make sure you back up your data first—beta software is still beta software.
The bottom line
One UI 8.5 is built on Android 16 QPR2, bringing Google’s latest improvements alongside Samsung’s own additions. The combination of smarter AI features, genuine cross-device connectivity, and improved security makes this feel more substantial than most “.5” updates usually are.
Whether the enhancements justify joining a beta program depends on your tolerance for bugs. But if you’re curious about where Samsung is taking its software, this gives you a solid preview.
Louis Eriakha
