Erencan YılmazSamsung continues to enhance the user experience each year with its Android-based interface, One UI. While leaks regarding the Android 16-based One UI 8 version have already made headlines in 2025, a new and intriguing detail has surfaced: the company appears to be skipping the traditional One UI 8.1 update and is instead developing One UI 8.5 directly. References found in system files indicate that One UI 8.5 is actively being tested and is expected to debut alongside the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
One UI 8.5 References Found in Code
Analysis of Samsung’s system components has revealed the following entries:
These strings clearly show that One UI 8.5 has already been defined within the software system. Although it hasn’t been officially announced yet, it’s evident that the development of One UI 8.5 is underway and already visible within system structures.
The Return of the “.5” Update After Years
Samsung hasn’t released a “.5” update since One UI 2.5 in 2020. The arrival of One UI 8.5 brings this tradition back after a five-year hiatus. Unlike the typically minor “.1” or “.1.1” updates, the “.5” versions usually represent more substantial intermediate upgrades. As such, One UI 8.5 is expected to offer more than just minor improvements—it will likely bring visible and significant changes.
One UI 8.5: Enhanced AI Features on the Way
One of the most notable aspects of One UI 8.5 will be the expanded integration of artificial intelligence (AI), an area Samsung has been heavily investing in. Under the Galaxy AI brand, the company has introduced features such as text summarization, real-time translation, smart suggestions, camera optimizations, and more. One UI 8.5 is expected to deepen the system-wide integration of these AI capabilities.
Key areas where AI-powered innovations are likely to appear include call management, messaging, camera modes, gallery organization, and smart system suggestions. This could position One UI 8.5 as a central player in the AI-driven era of smartphones.
One UI 8 to Launch with Galaxy Z Fold7 & Z Flip7
Samsung’s next foldable devices, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, expected to be unveiled at the Unpacked event in July–August 2025, will ship with Android 16-based One UI 8.0. This version will come with optimized multitasking for foldable screens and redesigned widgets, specifically tailored for flexible displays.
Galaxy S26 series to launch with One UI 8.5 update
Following One UI 8.0, the major intermediate update, One UI 8.5, is expected to launch with the Galaxy S26 series. This flagship device will combine Samsung’s hardware power with advanced software intelligence. Based on Android 16, One UI 8.5 will build on the foundation of One UI 8.0 but with enhanced AI features and tools aimed at delivering a more refined user experience.
Samsung’s software strategy this year involves a two-step rollout: first One UI 8.0, followed by One UI 8.5. Both will be based on Android 16, but One UI 8.5 will stand out with more advanced AI capabilities and noticeable improvements across the system. The return of the “.5” version naming also highlights that this update is far from ordinary.
For Samsung users, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year, both in terms of hardware and software.
