Samsung has officially rolled out the One UI 8.5 beta, giving Galaxy S25 owners first access to the company’s newest software experience. The update—launched quietly but instantly trending—arrives with six major upgrades focused on creativity, security, device connectivity, and overall system performance across the Galaxy ecosystem.
The beta launch comes just days after Samsung unintentionally revealed design details for the upcoming Galaxy S26, causing even more buzz around the new software. But the star of the moment remains One UI 8.5, which Samsung says delivers “simpler creation tools, better ways to stay connected, and stronger privacy controls.”
New creative features for Galaxy users
One of the headline upgrades is a major overhaul to Photo Assist. Creators can now edit multiple images continuously without needing to save each one individually. This means you can experiment freely, make batch adjustments, and review all edits at once. It’s designed to reduce interruptions and speed up the entire editing workflow.
Samsung also strengthened Quick Share by integrating intelligent photo recognition. When you snap a picture containing familiar faces, your phone can automatically suggest sharing the image with the people who appear in it—ideal for group photos, events, and everyday moments.
Better connectivity across Galaxy devices
Communication and device syncing also get meaningful improvements. Samsung upgraded Audio Broadcast, allowing your phone to transmit your voice directly to a connected speaker while you speak into it. This could be helpful for presentations, group calls, or hands-free announcements.
The new Storage Share option makes cross-device file access more seamless. Through the My Files app, you can browse files stored on other Galaxy devices logged into your ecosystem—no cable transfers, cloud uploads, or extra apps needed.
Security gets a stronger layer
Samsung is doubling down on privacy in One UI 8.5. A new Failed Authentication Lock automatically locks the screen after several incorrect attempts using a PIN, password, or fingerprint. This adds an extra barrier in case someone tries to break into your phone.
Additionally, Identity Check now protects more system settings, ensuring sensitive features stay locked down even if someone gains brief access to your device.
Who can download One UI 8.5 beta?
For now, the beta is exclusive to Galaxy S25 users and is only available in select regions. Samsung says the rollout is limited to:
- Germany
- India
- Korea
- Poland
- United Kingdom
- United States
Users in these countries can download the update starting December 8, 2025.
To join the beta:
- Install and open the Samsung Members app.
- Sign in with your Samsung account.
- Tap the banner that invites you to join the One UI 8.5 beta.
- Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install to begin.
Reminder: Beta software may contain bugs
Because this is pre-release software, Samsung recommends installing One UI 8.5 on a secondary device, not your main daily phone. Users should also perform a full backup before upgrading, as beta versions can introduce bugs or instability.
