One UI 8.5 Is Here: Samsung Expands AI Experience Across More Devices

Imtiaj Hossain
By Imtiaj Hossain - Gadget Author 3 Min Read

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After months of anticipation and testing, Samsung has officially begun the stable rollout of One UI 8.5. While the latest Galaxy S26 series launched with this software out of the box, owners of older flagships have been waiting since December to get their hands on the final version. That wait officially ended today, May 6, as the first wave of updates hit devices in South Korea.

Which Devices Are Getting the Update First?

According to an official announcement from Samsung, the update is designed to bring the latest Galaxy AI communication and creative tools to a much wider range of mobile phones and tablets. The first group of eligible devices includes:

  • The S-Series: Galaxy S25, S25 Edge, S25 FE, and the entire Galaxy S24 lineup (including the S24 FE).
  • Foldables: The new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, as well as last year’s Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.
  • Tablets: The Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S10 series.

While the premium devices are first in line, the update isn’t exclusive to the high-end market. Samsung plans to bring One UI 8.5 to popular midrange phones like the Galaxy A56, A55, and A36 in the coming weeks.

The Global Rollout Schedule

As is typical for Samsung, the release is happening in stages. While South Korean users started receiving the notification on May 6, reports confirmed that a much wider global rollout is scheduled to begin on May 11. This next phase will cover major markets including North America, Europe, India, and Southeast Asia.

If you’ve been participating in the One UI 8.5 beta program, your download will be a relatively small finishing patch. However, for those jumping straight from One UI 8, be prepared for a hefty download that could reach several gigabytes in size.

How to Update Your Device

Samsung recommends that users keep an eye on their notifications, but you can also check manually. Once the update is live in your region, just head over to Settings, tap on Software update, and select Download and install.

With this rollout, Samsung is effectively bridging the gap between its newest hardware and its existing ecosystem, ensuring that Galaxy AI becomes a standard experience across its entire flagship range.


Imtiaj Hossain
Editor's Take by Imtiaj Hossain

Editor's Take

My friend’s S25 Ultra is still on One UI 8 with the older solid, blocky design language. But One UI 8.5 is expected to introduce a much more modern UI — floating rounded buttons, pill-shaped bottom navigation bars, and translucent blurred panels for notifications and media pages. The overall look seems heavily inspired by the liquid glass aesthetic for iOS 26 on the iPhone.

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